The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-24

Cu tOoity.
The IsTHMUs RoUrEs.-The Quaker City has
again arrived at New Orleans with late news
from California, received over the Tchuantepec
route which we give in another column. We
also give an interesting account Of trip
from San Franciaco to New Orleans, via this
new route. Instead Of the difficulties and
noyances which might have been anticipated
from The imperfect organization OF new passcn-
ger line through a tropical and newly opened
country, it will be seen that the Impressions made
on the mind of the writer were Of the mos. agree
able and pleasing description Not only did he
find the arrangements of the company wonder
fully complete, but the route itself Offering con-
slant succession of magnificent scenery and novel
incidents.
When we take into account the economy Of
time (sevcn days) which it is expected will be
effected by this over all the other Pacific
routes, the natural attractions with which it
is invested cannot fail to draw to it large
proportion Of the passenger traffic between this
and San Francisco. The only thing remaining
to give it a decided superiority, in our opinion,
| is the construction Of twenty-five miles Of rail
| way across the Isthmus and little more eli
cheney on the ocean in the establishment Of a
line of steamers between New York and Nina
| titan, as well as between New Orleans and the
| latter port.
| These facts should not be lost sight of by the
| New York commodoTes who are sQuabbng for
the Nicaragua Transit route privileges. Unless
they hurry up and settle their differences, the ad
vantages for which they are contending will
be worth nothing. With the Tchuantepcc route,
| the Panama route, and the Overland mail route,
(making the journey to San Francisco in twenty
FIVE days) to say nothing of the Pacific Railroad,
| which will certainly be carried through, we ask
| what will be the value Of the Nicaragua route,
unless NJ. Belly 'scanal project be realizeds Some
| of our American engineers say that this last
| sch, M is impracticable; so that unless the
| rival commodores arrange matters so as to turn
thu 'ou'e to present account, it is certain that
neither they nor the French spectators will
derive any benefit from its monopoly.
STEAM NAvIEs.--!n another column will be
found an interesting article from Colburn's
| U ~ Ser,icc Magazine for October, on the Brit
sh screw steam navy. II will he seen, from the
facts q cren stated, that the views which we have
recently put forth in regard to the feasibility of
converting our men-ofwar into steam frigates are
fully borne out by the success which has attended
similar experiments in the English navy. The
| 50 gun ship Colossus, which was transformed
into screw ship has answered all the purposes
Of its conversion so we'll that il is probable that
| the Collngwood, Superb and Vanguard will un-
] dergo the same process. There is no doubt that
any or all of these vessels, old though they are,
arc still capable of doing efficient service as pro-
| pellers.
The London periodical from which these facts
| arc taken makrs some curious blunders in regard
to the American navy. II states, for instance,
that we have never yet built paddle wheel or
screw frigate which has realized the expectations
| Of It's builders; while England, ON the contrary
| possesses many most perfect specimens Of screw
ships The author of this paper cannot have
read the journal of the operations Of the laying
of the Atlantic cable, or he would not have made
| 20 reckless assertion. In all points, whether
Of steaming, sailing or mannuvring in obedience
TO the requirements OF the expedition, the Mia.
CARA proved herself to be infinitely the superior
of any Of the English vessels employed Whilst
! she suffered nothing from the bad weather en-
countered by the squadron, and required but few
repairs other than those demanded by the dis
placement Of her fittings to make room for the
| cable on her decks, we learn from this article
that il has been found necessary to submit the
/ Agamcmnon to thorough overhaul and rciit.
| We do not notice this fact for the purpose Of
| complaining Of the unfsirness OF our contempt
rary's assertions in regard TO our navy. We only
ak that he shall observe some consistency in his
statements.
The conclusions Of Importance which are 10 be
derived from this article are frat. that sailing
vesecls can be converted into effective steam
frigates or sloops; aud, secondly that. as in the
case Of the Agamemnon, The original destination
Of vessel for steam is not necessarily a condi-
ton Of success. These facts established, the
views of men like Commander Walker, who are
supposed to have practical acquaintance with
The subject, are reduced to the experimental esti
mate which entities those of civilians like our
selves TO an equal share of attention.
| ENLARGEMENT or THE CENTRAL PARK.-The
purchase Of that portion of ground extending
from lO6th to 10th street, north Of the original
boundary Of the Central Park, having been
asked for by the Commissioners, the Board Of
Aldermen, at their last session, approved Of the