The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-25
The Contest for Ocean Superiority.
THE RELATIVE MERITS OF THE STEAMSHIPS NOW
IN COURSE OF BUILDING FOR THE COLLINS AND
VANDERBILT LINES.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Being much interested in the progress of American
steamships in view Of the rivalry with Great Bril-
tain for steam supremacy have been induced to
examine carefully the Adriatc building for the Col
Inns company at the foot of Eighth street. East river,
and the New York building for c. Vanderbilt at Green
point, on the opposite side of the East river.
These ships OF the largest class tonnng each
five thousand TONS and designed not only to contest
with each other, but also with the steamship Per
sa of the Cunaid line for the mastery Of the Atlantic
ocean, The Persia was launched the Clyde, about
three months since and it said will be placed the
Liverpool and New York line next December This ship
is built Of iron, has English marine engines Of great
power and will no doubt be a very superior steamer in
every respect The Adriatic and the New York built
Of wood The extreme dimensions of the three ships do
not vary much but the machinery, also the model Of
each ship, is totally differeat. The Persia has
side lever engines, the Adriatc osclating engines
and the New York the American beam engines
The comparative performances of these three ships
viii prove Of the highest importance In every point Of
view However, purpose is more specially with
the Adratic and the New York, these being American
ships, building at our own door, and now, while under
construction, Offering every facility for inspection and
comparison. The Adriatic is much the sharper and
lighter ship of the two and has the most dead rise In
her bow she greatly resembles bark canoe the keel be-
ginning to rise In about 100 feet from the STEM
while the keel Of the New York is straight from end
end save the curve Of the STEM at radius of about Is
feet The lines of the New York nearly straight
and her centre Of displacement is audshp The lines OF
the Adriatic are hollow and her greatest fness is ar
carrying her centre of displacement Is to 20 feet
abaft of midships The deck ofthe New York from
the greater ullness Of her lines has nearly onesixth
more capacity than the main deck of the Adratic
and her lower decks carry out the prspor-
ton. The floor Of the New York Is nearly fat and
Ia framed entirely solid OF white oak boted length
ways with IL inch bolts, 8 feet long throughout
from end TO end Her timbers are all live oak
locust from the third futtocks to the top and
moulded inches larger than those Of the Adratic and
nowhere than l. inches apart while the floor
q the Adriatic is largely allied IN with white pine and
the most Of her top timbers and fourth uttocks
cedar chestnut and hackmatack and at the top Is
inches apart.
Ia Of live oak that OF the Adratic ID Of yellow pine The
great difference in strength, weight ard durability in
this particular vi be obvious TO all nautical The
main keelson Of the New York Is white oak, that of the
Adratic IL yellow pine. The diagonal iron straps in the
twoships Of the same dimensions but the New Works
are from six inches TO foot closer together and
fastened with bolts Lie inches heavier than those in
The New Yorks frame and fAs,ennss viii weigh, we
should think fully fourth the Adriatcs
Enough IL stated to show the great excess Of weight Of
materials and Of strength In the construction OF
the New York but that does not prove superiority for
the purpose designed viz that Of combining the great
est speed with sufficient strength.
Possibly the New York IL too strong. To us II
the Adratc intended for the greatest speed in fine
weather. and the New York for the greatest speed in
heavy weather. perhaps to make the best average of
speed in all weahers. We should like Mr. Vanderbilt to
explain Strength In Ocean steamships Is all important;
but may be ovcrdone and II overdone II viii not COM
pensae for inferority in speed. We think the Adriac
must beat In summer weather. Mr.. Vanderbilt has had
great experience In steam navigation confessedy more
than any other this side of the Atlantic, inso
much that for bis wonderful energy and success, he s
lad nrfI ka IL
aided outlay the New York well considered his plan
but We In the interest II mechanical art curious
know upon what principle he found any hope to
equal the Adristc In speed with ship, the New York.
OF rather less extreme dimensions both OF hull and ma
cbinery though at the same time Of fuller model Of
greater capacty and OF much greater weight than the
hdristic. AN ANENOAN StlPWMGHT
INV YoRs, October %, 1855