The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-09

quired to drive a 10000 ton vessel at the
rate OF twenty-four or more miles an hour,
nor can L say what space this strength
would occupy when stored below decks.
never saw any estimate touching this sub
yect and do not think anybody has yet
figured as whether a 10000 ton ship would
be able TO carry sufficient stored electricity
to drive her at the high rate of speed which
i've day trip across the Atlantic would
demand,
The passage may be done within that
time, but never under the existing ccndi-
tons Of hull and motor power But with
improved motor power, larger hull, fair
weather and sea, and general good, luck
dare say that the voyage from New York
TO Cork harbor, or vice versa, can be accom-
plished within 100 hours with safety.
ERNEST GEARING.
"Chief Engineer, steamship City of Paris.
WHAT A MANAGER THINKS.
Judging from the recent rapid passage
made by the newest of our improved steam
ships feel almost certain that the passage
between Sandy Hook and Roches Point,
the entrance to Queenstown harbor, will
eventually be completed in five days or
perhaps less. When one considers that
many startling improvements have been
made in the transatlantic steamship
within a comparatively few years, he feels
justified in this belief. | am not practi-
cal naval architect. and therefore cannot ex-
plain under what conditions this remarkable
quick time will be made. But l have col
lecte some very important points on the
subject; have talked with any number of
experienced shipbuilders and engineers and
have sufficient confidence in the ability of
English builders to warrant the belief that
the thing can be done. do not know of
my own knowledge, however, that what
ever vessel lowers the record to five DAYS
will have to be built ON decidedly improved
plans, and will also have to be loaded down
with two things-machinery and coal She
will be unable to carry freight or even
Storage passengers, for the reason that her
space below decks will be hardly large
enough to admit of her carrying the neces-
sary quantity OF machinery and coal
"a steamship of this description to be a
financial success would have to depend on
first class passengers alone, these to be car
ried at an excessively high rate. The tinan-
cial success of the vessel will, of course, de-
pend upon the high rate charged About
the standard of this high rate there is a
wide difference of opinion expressed by
steamship men. l am one of few who
claim that passengers have about reached
the limit that they will pay for crossing the
ocean. l have reason to know whereof l
speak, and every person in charge of any
big steamship office will, l feel certain,
agree with me. Even now it is very diff
cult to get more than 1925 for single fare.
There are of course, exceptional cases of
$500 being paid for good outside rooms.
Fast steamships are too uncertain. They
will pay only IN extreme cases. Take the
City of Paris for instance Suppose her
owners put aside some little money as profits
on the summer season. She will, through
lack of patronage, be unable to run during
the late fall and winter months, and in con-
sequence will have to lay up at Liverpool.
A good captain, chief officers, engineers and
dozen other help, which cannot be hired
at random, will have to be paid, though
they remain idle during the time the vessel
is laid up. Dock dues, tonnage dues, insur-
ance against loss, interest on money invested
and a dozen other items will stare the own
ers in the face and eat up the summer profits
for the steamship.
EVERY steamship owner will tell you that
he sees no hope of a big dividend from fast
steamships. What do they build them for,
thens To keep up the reputation of the
line-to be on a par with the rival compa
MES. No, | say fast steamships are great
robbers, and there will be general realiza
ton of that fact when few lines go under
with a great crash" R. J. CoRTIs,
Manager Hamburg American Packet Com
MANY