New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-02
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
THE STEAMSHIP VANDERBILT.

10 ns Editor " 1As N. y Trbrms
SIR letter appeared in your paper of yesterday
Nov. 30 1857, signed by Mr.. II. b. Wilson. Apart
from como general querulsusness which am charitaby
disposed 10 attribute TO the ordinary effects of sea-
richness upon disposition which, however naturally
amiable, probably has been predisp,ssd in this
instance to complaint by national prejudice against 90
successful rival - b the Vanderbilt Of that b,Ast
OF English steam navigation, the Cunard steamer Per-
sia-apart from this noug ence, in Mr. Wilson's let
ter Of certain sonrpess Of temper, which personal
to the gentleman himself there are specific state
which he makes which far from the truth that
feel it my duty to contradict them.
To begin: Mr.. Wilson states that the Vanderbilt
left Cowes with sos Passengers Of whom IS were
secondclass. The truth is that there 1913 only in
ALL counting second class well as children and ser.
wants. The second-cass passengers amounted to II ;
the servants and children Of the first class 90 in
number. This left 1877 adult first class passengers.
Mr. Wilson declares that there was danger of star
" walton from the limited number of walters" do
not know what the Canadian gentleuaans ideas may
be In regard to service, bat conceive that they must
be something magnificent, when he considers himself
in danger of starving, with ono waiter to each three
attendance upon the guests is evident from the fact
II at the whole number of walters amounted to thirty
and that at no single tmefor there were two dinners
served each day-vere there more passengers than
hundred dining together.
Making all due allowance for exaggerated English
notions of stye, should have supposed that thirty
servants would have been ample as it is much beyond
the usual number the best-ordered steamers. to
have kept even Mr. Wilson from stArving-especislly
the table abounded with the largest supply Of the
beet of food that could be obtained in market As for
stewardesses, there were fve-a larger pumber than
is carried by any other steamer-and not two only as
the vefacous Mr.. w. states.
In regard to the lights on board, Mr.. Wilson seems
to be much in the dark in regard 10 other mat
ters. There could have been no scarcity Of oil, as
every one knows that II Ia always in abundance on
board of steamer where it is in constant requisitOn
for the machinery The dips" c0ntemptuously a.
luded TO- were spermacet candles, which ste
" wasted their light upon the dark intelligence OF Me-
Wilson. As for the deficiency 10 towels, Of which the
gentleman complains, and which amounted ony, &C
cording TO his account to one or two less than his
due, he might have readily supplied 81 simpe re-
quest, the small defca at which he SO greatly grun-
blts.
In regard to the stoppsge of the Vanderbilt at Cape
Race, which seems 30 greatly to have angered Mr.
Wsop, hardly deem it accessory 20 say anything 10
justification of my conduct the circumstances
which induced me thus TO act, were such as l be-
leved then and believe now would not only exonerats
me- in the opinion OF The owners and of the public,
but be appreciated by them as good sergice:
Aware of the important news bore and OF the ad-
vantage to the commercial world Of lite early recep.
Cp, did not hesitate to comply with the solicitations
of the American merchants at Liverpool conveyed to
me by telegraph at the moment ofmy departure, and
make slight detour from my route, for the purpose
of sending the earliest Intelligence Of the news to the
United States.
turtner: WOulC say - 10 your correspondents
complaint of the aud ice left upon the steamer,
that the men and officers were so exhausted by the
cod and fatigue during severe ptorm that coad
not with proper regard for humanity, hesitate to
give them the relief of hour from oyerwok aud ex-
posuie notwithstanding it subjected Mr.. Wilson,
while snugly housed below, to the uncomfortable
thought that there was slush " on the deck.
In his statement that the baggage was stored In the
coal bunkers Mr. Wilson has, as usual declared sim
ply what know to be untrue The gentleman i'm
patience is alone responsible for his other and last COM
plant that there officers and men to jsist in
landing the baggage. II he had awaited until the ship
was secured 10 her pier, an operation which neces-
EARLY required the service of all hands,, he would
neither have suffered from the discomfort of being ILL
served ror enjoyed the pleasure Of grumbling, In
which he evidently takes so much delight.
consider it but fair, in conclusion, to svOw thst
alone responsible for the treatment OF pass engers
as Mr.. VANDERBILT. had given me the complete control
in regard to all the arrangements for provisions, a.
tendance, and other matters that pertain to the
fort of the traveller would how ever, add that with
all my experience Of transatlantic steam navi cation,
have never known a vessel better supplied in every
respect tbsn the Vanderbilt and am very far from
agreeing with Mr.. Wilson's opinion that it would be
"a positive injury to the interests Of the country to
"subsidze line of chips under such management
can understand an Euglishman's anxiety about such
rivals as the Vanderbilt but my patriotism forbida me
to concur with it. Yours truly,
Nec York, Dec. ], 1851 EDWARD HIGGINS.