The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-20

We learn from the Baltimore Gazette that
there are now on exhibition at New York,
at the office of W. W. Vanderbilt, Esq, the
experimenting engineer OF the Pacific Mail
Line, working plans of models of iron steam
ships of increased dimensions and dimn-
shed draft of water, which will combine
economy in the consumption OF coal, with
increased rate OF speed, while they at the
same time afford unusual security to life
and property. The dimensions OF these YES
sells are to be as follows:
''Length on water line, 500 feet; length over
all, SIS feet; breadth of beam, go feet; breadth
over all, 90 feet; depth of hold, 80 feet; ton
nage 5000 tons; freight capacity, $500 tons;
coal capacity, 1000; weight of hull and outfit.
1000; launching draft, 0 feet, 2 inches. Two
engines, with boilers, water, &c, 1000 tons;
draft of water, IL feet, inches; passengers
and cargo, 1000; draft of load line, 1S feet, 6
inches. AS planned, these steamers would
have state-rooms for ESQ first-class passengers;
state-rooms for 1000 second-class passengers,
and steerage room for 1900 third-cass emf
grants The whole of the steerage can readily
be converted into freight room, and the second
class state-rooms, being constructed with SHIFT
ing bukhcads, can also be made available for
cotton and other freightage."
The vessels are planned with view to
the requirements of the day, and are intend
ed to excel all other steam craft. 1t is as
serted that practical shipbuilders and ma
chinists in New York approve the idea, and
are contemplating the building Of two or
three vessels, in hopes OF regaining some Of
the American ocean prestige.
These plans may not at once be success
full, but the very discussion OF them shows
that-if we only obtain the business-me-
chanical ingenuity and engineering skill will
give us all the shipping accommodation we
require.
The only advantage claimed for Port
Royal over Charleston is, that the depth Of
water on our bar is only l7t or lSt feet,
while fleet of Great Easterns can steam
triumphantly into Port Royal But the day
of immense ships Of deep draft is over and
past. The aim now is to build ships for the
trade, not TO build cities for the ships. And
surely that aim is reached in the construc-
ton of steamships which can carry 1000 or
5000 bales of cotton with o draft of water
that may be found on Charleston bar near
ly all the year round.
1t is already admitted that the trade Of
the South must eventually be with Europe
direct. and not with New York. The diff
Guilty was to obtain vessels of full capacity
to cross the bars OF the established cities on
the Atlantic coast. With steamships Of
5000 tons. drawing 1S feet OF water, Charles
ton and Savannah can accommodate the
trade-both export and import-of the whole
South. What need is there Of spending mil
lions to make settles" Of Norfolk, Bruins
wick or Port Royals
>Southward the star OF commercial empire
takes its way. What we want is more busi-
ness, more trade, more exports and imports,
more life and activity, more capital to bring
business mere and hold it, If our contempo-
rary is correctly informed, we need not
trouble ourselves about deepening the bar.
We can get the ships if we only get the trade.