The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-05
Local ITEMS.

- The WINANs sSTEAMER.--Tbls is truly "a
Wonderful age, and the arts and scieBcet
are making rapid and gigantic strides
among all'the subjects which has attracted
the attention of the scientific aud philoso-
phising mind, none has been more improved
in the last half century than that of naviga-
tion.1 We confess that the navigation 0 I
the air has not been much improved since
The time OF the Prophets, when Eliza, owe
tine evening, left Mount Carmel, md landed
son the other side of Jordan" Nor is the
recent operations Of the proprietor Of the
mammoth balloon in New York, calculated
to alter cur opinion. We consider that one
Of the magnificent 6zzles OF that peculiar
locality, and only outdone in emptiness by
the immense building which once occupied
the site where this monster balloon is being
exhibited. But the navigation of the earth
and W alter has been almost perfected. The
railroad car, which has almost annihilated
space, is the very perfection of that kind of
transportation, and will leave little room for
Improvement in future ages. The first re
cord OF ocean navigation that we can find in
history, either divine or profane, is that Of
Noahs Ark, which trayersed the boundless
waste of an angry and destroying food, and
finally rested upon Arrarat. The next epoch
ia when Fulton steamed up the Hudson
From that day to this the cry has been en-
eelsior, and the Improvement in marine nav.
igation have been such as would astonish
even Fulton himself, were he alive, (more
than his steamer did the natives when he
made his FIRST trip until they have reach ed
the eliminating point in thu celebrated Wi
mans steamer. i4a glH1}1e4ssi uatuN {Eg
This long looked for and curious spe cimen
of Marine Architecture arrived here about
one o'clock Saturday, having come from the
mouth of the Potomac river since 8 O'Clock
that Morning. She is::in command of Capt.
. Vaughn, an inexperienced sea Captain, who
informs US that her performance as regards
her speed aud general movements are per-
fectly satisfactory. a3,a 10 .sts,s mo
She occupied the Town wharf, at the foot
OF Water street until this morning, when she
was put to sea on another trial trip. AS
she ia intended to go through, rather than
ride the waves, she is built very strong
her Hull as well as all her upper works are
built OF iron, and together with her machi-
merry, are as compact as possible. She is,
az has already been stated, much the shape
Of segar, and is propelled by the ordinary
propeller wheel which works around the
vessel at or near its centre. v a454& aa3
She is two hundred and thirty-fye feet
long, is provided with six water tight CON-
partmeats and is about two hundred tons
Custom House measur ement, and is provi-
dad with double Engine of eight hundred
horse power. She carries two Branches
natalie Life boats, which are secured to the
lookout; this lookout rises from the mid
die of the ship like an immense smoke stack,
and Is provided with dead lights, through
which the wheelsman can see to stear with
out being exposed to either weather or
waves. The whole thing appears to be two
conical shaped boats fastened together at the
base, with an immense propeller wheel
working between thetwo. She is comfort
ably provided with accommodations for
about twenty persons, and it successful, is
destined to work wonderful change in the
maratime world. The idea is original with
Mr.. Winans, who is millionaire and fully
able to carry out his favorite project il it is
feasible. He is also gentleman of enlarg-
ed experience, and unusual attachments, and
would hardly spend so much time for he
does not calculate money-on this project,
did he not see more in it than many OF the
sceptics, who have been to see her.
She will retsrn from her trip TO sea this
evening, and will cite up" at Chamberlain's
wharf, at the lower end of the city where
we doubt not she will prove the cynssure of
all eyes, where she will remain until to-mor-
row, when she will make another trip to
sea. We are credibly informed that prior
to her final departure from our waters, our
citizens will have an opportunity to visit
and examine her. 5.,
WILLIAMs AND THE OpkRA HousR.-The
Mass have been crowded out of this estab-
ai.hment, and Menus has taken quiet quist9
no, not quiet possession, but forcible posses-
sion, and will tickle the people to death this
week. Or. Williams presides at the enter
teinment and will assist the God of Laugh
ter to an amazing extent, by preparing the
subjects. Go and see him by all means.