The New York herald., 1869-02-20
TIE OCEAN RACE.
The Contest Between the City Of Paris and
the Russia-The City Of Paris Arrives
at Queenstown Forty-five Minutes
Ahead Of Her Rival-The Ex-
citement rs to the Result.

nv n despatch received in this city from Queens
town II ia stated that the steamship City Of Paris OF
the lnman line, arrived at Queenstown yesterday
morning at half-past SIX O'Clock, an hour and half
ahead OF the Russia, OF the Cunard line 1t Is almost
useless to state, SO well has the fact been known,
that during the past week very large amount OF
money has changed hands concerning this race be-
tween these two vessels although OF the proprie
tors OF one OF the lines saw ut, few days ago. to
deny that there was such thing as . race contem-
plated by the captains OF the steamers when they left
this port The proprietor IN question asserted what
lie thought TO be true, but that the commanders OF
the vessels intended to contend for supremacy OF
speed on leaving New York. there cannot be reason
able doubt The strongest proof that cou be brought
20 sustain this fact Il circumstance which occurred
on board one OF the steamers before she took her de-
partnre. A gentleman who always manifests great
deal OF interest IN the steamship business happened
TO be on board one Of the two steamers an hour or
two before she was TO leave ner wharf,
and, during commonplace conversation
had on various subjects with the captain,
remarked that II he was betting man he would feel
inclined TO bet on the other vessel. "You would,
would yon," exclaimed the captain, In his official
mask swell, pll tell you one thing and that Is that
III drive my vessel To he'll or win this race" Can
there any doubt OF there having been any race in
face OF this rather frank assertion the part
Of one OF the commanderss
THE START.
Tie City OF Paris, OF the Inman line left her dock
on the 10th inst, at fifteen minutes before two
O'Clock in the afternoon. passing, on her way down
the bay, the Russia, Of the Cunard line which had
at the time just taken on the mails, anc which fol-
lowed forty-fve minutes afterwards. The excite
mept which caused nv the almost In n aona
departure OF these two vessels 1t Is almost needless
state due to the fact that present the ques
ton Is before the House OF Commons as to which
line Of steamers plying between America and Great
Britain should be subsidized for carrying the mails.
II has all along been the law that the subsidy should
he given to the fastest line, and it naturally fol-
lows that the rivalry that already existed between
the Cunarders and the Inmans has been greatly in
tenslfed by this fact 1t being well known that the
Cunarders are desrous retain the subsidy which
they now possess, as tine proprtetOrs OF the Inman
line to wrest 1t from the grasp OF their formidable
rivals. The Cunard company have always enjoyed
the mail carrying between this port and Liverpool,
and have for years showed schedule OF shorter pas
sages than any other company, and before the esab
lishment Of the lnmans manifested very little
cern about any OF their opponents The result Of this
race 70 queenstown atnougn ~ mas peen decided In
made upon II, Is not quite decided enough to place
the line above tue other being the superior In
point OF speed, but II VIII most asSuredly intensity
the contest for supremacy between the competitors
Tor the mail subsidy which the law enjOins shall be
gwen to those steamers which make the shortest trips
across the Atlantic. 1t may be stated, rs y matter
Oi qualification to those most concerned, that the
counsel OF one Of the companies In asserting that
there was no race on the aps or rather the ocean,
between the two steamers, positively and indig-
nanty stated that the starting Of the City Of Paris In
advance OF her usual day, on the 10th instant was
in no manner connected with the sailing OF the
Russia but was owing 10 an entirely dierent cause
which was well known 10 the mercantile COM
munity, and which might have been known 70 any
body who thought t 20 call at the company's once
Tor information. the counsel also deigned to state
that the Russia before leaving port did not prepare
for sea In any other than her usual manner, but
sailed entirely full Of cargo, which statements may
he taken win the usual credence that IL generally
given 10 all er pdrie evidence.
THE CITY OF PARIS.
The City OF Paris built expressly for speed and
safety the carriage ofhe United States mails which
the vesses oil the company convey for postage
only Her dimensions 373 feet In length 40 feet In
tons, old measurement. The hui is div lied into
eight water tight compartments by bulkheads,
wnch, while imparting great strength to the broad
sides OF the steamer prevents her from sinking
the occurrence OF any slight accident. Each oil the
water tight compartments into which the vessel is
divided IL filled with steam fire anniiilator and
centrifugal pump that can llIt upwards OF IOCO gal
Ions OF water per minute she Is fitted with poop
anu topgaant forecastle, and these are united by
a deck house, which runs along the centre Of the
spar deck and has double set OF steering gear.
wheelhouses being erected both fore and AT, this
at the wheels IN heavy weather. The steam
ship IL propelled by pair Of direct
acting horizontal trunk engines, OF nominaly $50
horse power, and constructed with the latest i'm.
proyements IN surface condensation and feed heat
ing. The city OF Paris was launched from the build
ing yaro OF Messrs. Tod McGregor Partick, Gias-
gov, early In December 1856, and arrived ut this
pOrt few days alter being launched, having expe-
rienced during tue passage succession OF heavy
westerly gales. she Is commanded by Captain James
Kennedy, AN experienced seaman, who has had
cSarge OF the largest vessels built, including the
q Jeat Eastern, who, moreover enjoys the envl-
lpie title OF commodore OF the line. Ths other of-
GERS are :--hr. Matherson, chief officer; Messrs
fTelOn, street and Ducksbury assistants; Mr.. John
kayaiIagn, purser; Dr. Black, physician, aud Messrs
Hamilton and Kidd, chief assistant engineers.
TUE RUSSIA. 6&
etruction all the recent improvements IN naval
architecture ana steam engineering that have To the
present day Deen fully demonstrated she was con-
structed 30 IA 40 hull ana machinery by the eminent
marine frIi OF James x George Thompson, OF Glas-
gov; II wnolly OF wrought iron plates one and
d quarter nohe In thickness, has q round stern,
auu a head OF n deml-w woman. Her length on deck
Il 35s iee breadth OF beam 43 feet depth OF hold %
ieet inches, has three decks, Is bark rugged,
aud 2lls tons burden, old measurements
The accommodations or passengers are extremely
spacious and are nitea WIN an the convent
saloon " elegantly furnished, aud 10 Of such extent
10 seat Win couiIort over 400 Passengers. las
decorations and paintings are u the highest style OF
art ruggesti,e Of case not excclled BY many parors
IN private malsi0ns- The motive power OF The
Russia consists OF Two direct acting engines the
cynders OF each being cIgnty-sx inches in diameter
by three feet nine inches stroke O piston. steam ~
generated ~ iour tubular boilers that have water
has three blades aud Is or cast iron. In pumps botn
independent, steam, fire. bilge and haud pumps
anchor, boats and every conceivable conirivauce
that s suggestive OF safety this vessel s fully sup
pied. Tue principal officers Of the Russia ares
Captain, Theo. Cook; chef Onicer, W. Gill Cnlef
Engineer, John Watson.
Those who at ali interested In the result OF the
race and VINO know The exact time at which both
steamers lett the port viii remember that the CITY or
Paris started half an hour before her rival, ami
from the start the bets stood her favor although
not 20 great degree as 10 make spectators ON
the result very sangulnc as 70 which would be The
victorious vessel The city OF Paris beat the Cuba
a year ago; but IL was urged at the time by the
Cunard Company that the iace not a Iair test
a. the Cuba was The s0west mail steamer OF their
line, while the Cty OF Paris the fastest OF the
other. hui no such objection can be made 10 the
race Just closed lOr the Russia Is considered the
s,crackr vessel Uf tie Cnnafd line.
THE TINE MADE
by the City OF Paris, or rather the apparent time
calculating the hours In regular order iron the mo.
ment she left tnis port tai is have arrived
at Queenstown, II eight days hfteen. hours and 1f-
Teen minutes or deductng four hours aud Dtty min
utica for the difference o time between this port and
..1.laT .laNa s.4TN n. a.