New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-21
THE STRENGTH OF THE STEAMER.

vi
NEw-YORK, Sept. 49, la57 )
10 as Edit, Of TneM y T,abuns
SIR-THE NEwYORK TRIBUNE OF this morning, in
seferipg to the recent most melancholy loss of the
Central America and the fearful gale in which she
persisted intimaes Il hope without anydesign to do in
justce tba. doubts have been expressed by so ne 10
respect Of tie seaworthiness OF the ship. BY whom
such doubts have been expressed the public not
informed. But assuming that by whomsOever express
cd they have been sincerely entertained and that the
motive Of their expression is other than that OF work
hog injury TO the distinguished reputation of the we'll
known builder Of this ship, or to the line which has
sustained this terrible misfortune, deem il my duty
to scquSint you with such circumstances as may ia
etate intelligent inquiry as to the fact, which We
aege " be incVnrovertible that at the time when
abe commenced the voyage upon which she was lost
she was stauneh, aud safe and sesworthy as any
chip s60at.
will NOT attempt to explain the peculiar providence
which permitted this catastrophe to the Central Amer
ics, while many other steamers confessedly less
capable, have survived the gale. There are numer
casualties against which human prudence cionot
guard aud it is quite certain that this calamity ha fol-
lowed from of them. The second assistant engi-
neer has survived his companions, all of whom are
believed TO have persisted at their post and from him
we shall soon know the particular cause which may
have oerd6geo or disabled her machinery. AT present
1t is icle TO speculate upon the subject.
The ship built der the active superintenoenoe
OF the officers appointed by the United States Govern.
meDt ard before her acceptance by the Secretary OK
the Navy, IN pursuance Of the act of Congress- was
Thoroughly examined to the character and suhcency
Of her construction, by Commodore kearny aud Cap
tains Bell and Skiddy. l suboin letter from the
Secretary OF the Navy with the reports OF the Exam
iniIg Board From these reports the public eau judge
of justice Of any doubts which have been insinua
ted az 10 the suficiency Of her construction.
When she left New-YOrk upon the voyage which
has disastrously terminated che in all pects in
perfect condition, and constrained 10 regard
Intentionally uDkDd any expressions of doubt "a TO
the sufficieDcy Of the ship and her equipment when
mace as they must needs be, by men wholly unia-
formed upon the subject and Who have no. taken the
pains 10 become instructed. We do not claim that
the ship was proof against the providences of God,
but do claim that so far as human skill could ac-
compsh have faithfully discharged the duty
which acknowledge 10 the public aud especially
TO those whose lives AMI property were committed TO
her care.
hours preceding her destruction, We have as yet
intelligence beyond the single fact that although the
ship was shaking from Friday morning till Saturday
night at o'clock, such order was preserved that
three hours before the catastrophe all the and
children safely transferred 10 the brig Marine
We are to-day advised Of their safe arrival at Nor
folk.
10 our Judgment tbs circumstance when contrasted
with we'll known occurrences upon similar oCc asions
upon other ships, revess state of things which
reflects unusual glory upon her officers, whom death
has prevented from defending themselves against any
possible sssailment from the enc nies of the line.
NJ. o. ROBERTS
NAVY DEPARTMENT. Fec. IS, 1854
~ HeinvalSI assignee. Of Albert q s!oo. w.
GENTLEMEN: the steamship George Lsg tu5w Central
Ameca having been under the sppern,endene
direction OF naval In the employ Of the Navy
.yc c Nance y ae ah SI h :Sa Of q a hS @
i oee having declared her stssneh strong aud well lifted
with the requirement OF the act Of Congress of
lSf1 and according 70 the stpusons OF the with
such notifications have been subsequently
Navy Department" AID II being the sish OF gnevs
Albert O. Soo that said said steamship George Law shAl
be seeepe Of the Steamship. for the transportation
the U,ed States mail under the Contract entered ao d
Department Nth the Albert c. Soo, authorized by
the sfOIessd Of Congress of March 1877 deemed
Law Of the five steamships for
tIapsporaton Of the United States sndrt the coatact
Albert O. Soo authorized by the fourth section Of the
of Congress approved March lS47
cop, each OF the reports made by the IN pectng oces
herewith ueosed Very respectfully your obsdiel servant
J. C DOB6IN.
NV. YoRE, Oct. IS 1853.
Sk-we herewith sereeAby your instructions of the 18th
it forward the Tesl Of examination OF the steamship
George Law built under the ofa naval cOnsSc.or
specified under the original BY ae Government
for United We report her ssanch strong
and Wen n,ed for sea service Het tao inclined engines p
wei appointed and well adapted perform the duties for winch
.os . ,.Aeed We rsnan Ie.Pee,iniiy year oeed'
ieni servants LAWRENCE kEAkNEf
CHAs. H. BELL Commander,
Wa SkIDDY Con.trac.or.
ton. ID c.
- Ntw.Yosx Oct. g, 1855.
SRI answer 10 the communication which we have had the
respectfully addition 20 Our tm-r reno,t tba
the George Law 10 s:n- counrn,,v Win
the q The se Of coae.s Of s. 1871, aud
according the 81 pnsons Of the contract with such
t,ps 81 have been authorize by M. Navs De,
ment. LhWkENSE ihhAhNEf Capt U. s. Navy.
WM sKIDDY Con.,ruc.or - Navy
To G. DoBsrs Secretary United States Navy VAST.
instop, d. c.
To ns Editor If Tie " y. TTibsr&
ss Observing article 10 .TAe TrEss Of is uaarcirs