The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-21
NDAY MORNING, JANUARY 81 1866

believe the Collins steamers can be sustained exosp
BY the aid OF the postal appropriation.
nave been surprised TO $50 that some hsvs do
cidcd that Collins steamers arc UNIT for services In
war.
What are tse most necessary qualific ssious OF 4
war steamer Surely, they are strength, speed,
capacity TOT taking large qusnuty OF coal. stores
&C., o. also accommodations for the officers and
men.
Contrast the Collips steamers With those OF the
nrst class that the United Skates gove rnment have
turned Out, and what is the comparison7
The Aississippi, Commodore Perry's fisg ship in
the Japan expedition, has been considered a. the
frss In rank OF our war steamers; and, knowing the
Aissiiappi, have no hesitation In pronouncing her
worthy for any voyage thss requires GOAL for
teen eays and her strength at least forty per ceat
less than the Collins steamers. j did mot 20 into
the hold Of the Misssaippi to exnniue but was in-
formed by the officers that she IL destitute OF ono
OF the most important requisites for strength In s
sea9oing vessels, particularly steamers. The Ma
sssfppi Ia without ceiling, and without this, in my
opinion, no vessel Ii Beaworthy.
The Collins steamers are oeied with six in h yel.
low pine plank, forming protection to life aud
property about equal TO the outside pisuking; and
when these two great coverings are fastened from
the outer 70 the inner sde as the )lins samers
are, with "copper" bolts and treenaiIs, you have
strength that the seas may battle against I'm vain
and the shores Of old Ireland as has been tessed on
two occasions, have failed To produce any injury.
Run the Mississippi ashore In the ssme way,
without ceiling, and The bottom timbss would give
way IKE Dasket.
Speed, one of the greatest requisites Of q war
steamer the Mississippi does not possess (sithoush
she was sent 10 Europe for the monarchs to look
aC; her seamina. when loaded ready for sea, n
from five 10 six knots and in the best trim from nine
10 ten.
One Of the Collins steamers can tow her, either
light or loaded about fast she can be propelled
BY her own engines; and still we are told by those
who ought to know, that the collins steamers are
Give the commend NJ ons of tha CoI.. s,.a.ar.
TO IN American officer, and he would not care IL
thsre wore afsy lemers like the Missisaiopi on his
cruising ground he could come and 90 from them
wnsn ne pleased and IN time Of war It Is the fast
IVES often with Commodore Perry and Captain
Lee on board the Mississippi when here and hsd An
opportunity Of contrasting that vessel with those
OF the Collins line, which saw built, and II Is 10
me incredible how any person who knows anything
OF ships for war purposes, can com pare the Mssis
Appi with the Collins steamers.
Tho Mississippi, Capt Lee, who In, a. commander
and gentleman, one Of the greatest ornsments Of
most dangerous period Of the season for
hurricanes, and whsn one was expected every day,
and had been compelled TO take in 20 much coal to
reach Japan, SimodA, that her wheel guards were
but "a inches Ct~enty -seven) from the water. Had
hurricane 0vertsken her-aDd which she es
capped by only Q few days-inevitsb bic destruction
would have befalen all on board; the steamer must
have foundered with noble set OF officers AZ ever
spoDsibliiy would have been fearful for those who
arranged such Q steamer for long sea voyages.
am rejoiced that the wise ones Of the United
States Sense arrested the national evil In the bill
nom the House Of Representatives, 70 destroy the
Collins line, which has so triumphsntly bridged the
Atlantic ~ TO make Its passage about ten days.
When the Britsh government are induced to
withdraw their bounty, 70 run the Amecaa line on
the route, then, and not till then. let Americans
consent TO withhold the appropriation TO the Collins
line, which alone sustains 1t against the Bfi,ish
competition and monopoly.
The Collins steamers being held in readiness for
the use Of government, and ready at oil times in
case Of war, worth 70 the nation ten times the
sum paid, and vhich sum is mostly returned In the
postage received.
England has her steamers everywhere, and in
case Of war, would, by tslegraphs and steam lines
In five days give orders here for the capture
Of her tnsmts; and II We have not steam 70 inset
that powerful agent in war, our commerce must be
sacrificed, AZ sailing ships OF little use to meet
steam vessels
Hoping we may m set agaiu, remain, truly, your
most obt serv't, SILAs H. BURROWS.