The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-02

OCEAN NAvIGAT0N-SCREw PRopEILERs AND
PADDLE WHEEIs.-We have recently, on several
occasions, pointed out to the attention of our
readers the remarkable Improvement manifested
in the speed of the newly constructed steamers
fitted with the propeller, and the preference
that is being shown for this method Of propulsion
in the military as well as mercantile marine of
other countries. Most of the English and French
vessels Of war have had the screw substituted for
the paddle wheel, and it is believed that in
another year or two the latter principle will be
altogether discontinued in naval construction.
1t was at one time supposed that the only advan-
tage to be derived from the screw was the less
liability which it offered to damage from the bat
teries of an enemy's vessel. In point of speed it
was thought that il could never equal in power
the old paddle wheel system, and therefore,
although in one respect well adapted for the pur-
poses of warfare, it was not considered generally
applicable to commercial vessels. Unfortunately,
in our own case, the snail like passages and ire
quent disasters of the earliest line of screw
steamers plying between this country and Europe,
rather tended to confirm this conviction and dis
couraged our shipbuilders from any very extern
sive adoption of the principle.
The experience Of the last two years has, how
ever demonstrated the error Of the prejudice enter
tanned against the screw. Not only, as we have
already stated, has it been introduced very gene
rally in foreign war vessels but it has also been
adopted with the greatest advantage and profit in
passenger steamers Already, on several occa-
sions, have we been indebted to the new screw
steamers on the New York. Philadelphia and Que
bee lines for European news in advance of the re
gular mails. The passages of these vessels have
all been made with an average speed which show
that they are capable of competing with the best
of the paddle wheel steamers of the same dmen-
sions. We will just take few Of the recent
trips which they have made in confirmation OF
this opinion. The Emeu sailed from New York
on the 26th of June, at 2:l5 +. H.. and arrived at
Hayre at 1915 p. NJ. on the Sth Of July-making
the passage in eleven days and seventeen hours
mean time. The Lebanon left Havre on the 2sth
of June, at p. NJ, and reached the Cunard dock.
Jersey City at $50 A. NJ. on the 18th Of July
making the passage in thirteen days and twenty
one hours. The Alps left Havre at 1890 A. NJ,
on the 10th of July and reached her dock in
this port at $50 A. NJ, on the 29th-making the
passage in thirteen days and twelve hours, mean
time. In taking these figures into consideration
it should be borne in mind that these vessels had
full cargoes. These results give on the whole
higher average of speed than that of the paddle
wheel vessels in the same line; and, taking into
account their previous trips greater regularity.
We trust these facts will not be lost upon tn
attention Of our shipbuilders. We must not
allow ourselves to lag behind our maritime
rivals in the adoption Of the recent improvements
in Mr. Smiths admirable invention.