The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-16
Across the Atlantic in Four Days.


The present condition of the Winans "Cigar
ship" now building In London, and of which
accounts we're published q long time ago, is thus
described by the London Morning Heratd:-
''The general form of the cigar-shp has been,
as her name shows compared with that of
cigar pointed off at both ends instead OF one A
more homely, but perhaps, more effective Illus
tration is that Of the unpleasant but favorite
playthng of the street boys, the 'ipCat.' Most
OF our landsmen readers will be more or less
familiar with this simple but ingenious instru-
ment OF annoyance, and II they will fancy
Brobdignag cat of slender make and tapering
to an absolute deedle-point at either end, they
will have before their eyes the exact representa-
ton OF the hull of the cigar.shp. This hull,
which is, Vt course, hollow, and is formed of iron
presenting perfectly smooth and even surface,
supports upon the upper side small deck, occu-
lying about bali, or sometimes less, of the
extreme length, the tapering extremitles pro-
jecting beyond it at either end. Unlike the hull
ITSELF this deck is not exactly the same at each
end presenting wedge-shaped front towards
the bow, while at the stern it Is rounded off
American clipper fashion. About the deck are
to be seen the tunnels, companion-houses, ETC.,
but neither mast nor rigging OF any kind what
ever, the only means OF locomotion possessed by
the cigar ship being her engines, for which she
can, according to estimate, carry coal enough
Tor FIVE days consumption. Her extreme length
is about two hundred and fifty feet, and greatest
diameter about sixteen feet tapering gradually,
as we have said, to point almost as tne as that
OF o needle. The amount OF accommodation is
therefore extremely limited; and we believe 1T is
not proposed TO make any attempt at carrying
cargo OF any description, but to contne the ves-
sci strictly to the passenger trade. Even then 1T
is difficult to imagine, after due allowance for
saloon and sleeping apartments, stores, berths
for crew, etc, what space can be lett for engines
estimated to work up to two thousand horse
power.
"The means of propulsion employed are two
large screws, one at either end OF the vessel, and
placed within a very short distance OF the ex-
t eme points, or at distance of about one hun.
dred and twenty ieet from the mac binery.
These propellers are to be of great diameter and
sharp pitch-the one pushing, the other pulling
the vessel, and each showing halt of its sur ace
above the water. The estimated extreme speed
is about twenty-seven miles per hour. short
distance from the propeller, and nearer to the
centre of the vessel, is the rudder-one at each
end-a broad iron plate like the rudder, rather
| steering paddle, OF the ancient galleYs. These
| are also rather more than one hundred feet from
| the steering apparatus.
'Such is the general external appearance of
| this remark able vessel now almost ready for
| launching. In the water her line OF fotation,
| according to the model Of which we have before
| spoken, is exactly parallel with her longitudinal
| axis, the sharp point at either end being lust
| level with The surface. Allowing sixteen ieet as
her extreme diameter, she will thus be raised in
the centre eight feet above the waters edge; or
with two feet more of bulwark, ten feet in all.
| We are free to confess that, with every possible
desire to believe in the good qualities OF vessel
| whlcn promises to bring us our American news
| in some three or four days, and to limit that
dreadful channel business to within the hour,
| we are at a loss TO understand how, under these
conditions, the cigar ship purposes to keep
afoat. In perfectly smooth water we can
imagine that she might if successfully baliasted
against the chance of rolling over and over, as
| would be OF course her natural tendency, make
something very like the estimated speed, though
| with what degree OF comfort to the passengers
deprived by the construction of the vessel OF all
light or ventilation except such as can be OBJ
tanned from the deck by means OF skyhghts and
windsalls, and with two enormous propelers o
severe pitch lashing the water at either end, il
another question. The advantages, too, o.
being cooped up in such extremely close quar-
ers, with an engine oil this enormous power
may also be open to question, even under The
most favorable circumstances.
"But the real difficulties OF the cigar.ship al
| of most others, must commence with the frs
| symptoms of breeze. Imagine a vessel of thi
construction travelling at the rate OF dve-and
twenty miles an hour-the minimum rate, be /
remembered, for the New York passage, on &C
count OF the consumption OF coal-meetlng II
mic-ocean one of the westerly gales now career
ing across the Atlantic. In front OF her is wal
OF water twenty feet high, travelling at the rat
OF dozen miles an hour. Between them the.
meet at a speed of forty miles, There is no bow
to lift her over the obstacle. Right into it sb
plunges, like harpoon into whales back, th
whole force OF the blow being met by the pro
| peler, which. however severe may be its pitch
cannot present any thing very much better thal
an almost fiat surface to the shock What chanc
the blades would have of surviving any very lon
| succession of such shocks Is q matter of simpl
calculation and one into which the engineer
have no doubt fully entered"
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