The Portland daily press., 1867-12-23
The New -,eamship Austrian.

For about dozen years now Portland has
been the winter port of the Montreal ocean
Steamship Company. During that time their
trade has been constantly increasing ana tneir
ships have been steadily improving. The Aus
trian, which made her first voyage this sum-
mer to Quebec and arrived in Portland for the
first time last Tuesday, is in every respect
first-class steamer, superior in size and speed
tn the old Cunarders, and in safety and COM
fort to the best of them. The length of the
Austrian is 335 feet all, 304 feet keel, with
50 feet beam, and 26 feet depth, giving gross
tonnage OF $3.50 tons, which is only hundred
tons less than the China's. The China and
Java of the Cunard line have a little more
power, nominally 500 horse power while the
Austrian has only 400, working up respectively
to about 1000 and 1000 horse power. This gives
them slight advantage in point of speed, but
the Austrian on her last voyage left London
derry on the 9th, and Notwithstanding the bad
weather arrived in Portland on the 18th OF
December. The Moravian, OF the same line,
on her last voyage made the run from London
derry to Portland in nine days, beating the
Ontario of the Boston and Liverpool line after
making due allowance for the difference in the
routes, by about seven hours.
The difference in the rate of speed of first
class steamers of the present day is inconsid-
cradle. The difference in comfort and conven-
fence is mere readily appreciable, and in these
respects the Austrian is as good ship as floats
The spar deck running the whole length of the
vessel affords sheltered promenade for the
passengers in all weathers, and saloon aft
which is really spacious. This is an advantage
which none of the older ocean steamers present,
but which the Austrian possesses in common
with all the ships of the Montreal line except the
Nova Scotian, the North American and the
Belgian. Passengers who have had occasion
to cross the Atlantic in the winter months and
have been shut up below during the whole pas
sage win appreciate this improvement. A
smoking room on the upper deck, command
ing an unobstructed view on either side, is
another not unattractive novelty. The Aus
trian is licensed to carry 666 adult emigrants,
anc her accommodation for both cabin and
steerage passengers are as perfect as can be
effected on shipboard.
Every precaution is taken to ensure the safe
ty of the vessel. She is commanded in the first
place by Capt. Alton, who is we'll known here
as the former commander Of the Moravian.
The powerful engines and the helm are direct
ed by signals from the bridge. An indicator
connected with the rudder head shows the Off
Ger on the bridge precisely the position of the
rudder at every instant. This clever invention
belongs to Liverpool, but the liquid compass of
Boston inventor finds equal favor with the
company. A register in the engine room shows
exactly how many strokes are made during
every voyage, standing now at 870,752 from
Liverpool to Portland. OF the engines them
selves, of the Tartarean regions in which the
stokers work, of the labyrinthine store-rooms
and capacous kitchen, of the costly steering
apparatus, and of the cavernous hold under
all, we forbear now to speak. f-rf54 er
The Austrian is the best steamer which the
Allans have yet put afoat, but they are build
ing larger if not better vessel. Ths Euro
pean, now on the stocks, will rate $500 TONS
With such line already established and the
number of vessels Increasing every year, there
is every reason why Portland should furnish
business to meet the increasing facilities. The
Allans are prepared to do large passenger
business, and can furnish accommodations not
surpassed elsewhere. They are prepared also
take care of not only the freight which is di-
verified from Canada during the winter months,
but of the Western produce which is now
checking the channels of trade in this country.
We must open our new route to the West Our
facilities for transhipment are ample. All that
is needed is line of railway to connect the great
lakes with the ocean, and our wharves will be
occupied to some purpose. The cargoes are
waiting at the West; the steamers are ready
here; it is for us to bring them together, and
to furnish business for Liverpool line the
year round. r., .. -.sI-l g.. ...