New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-27
THE AMERIKA's GOOD POINTS.

Everv Transatlantic steamship which comes to
New-York for the first time is properly d SUP
iect of consideration by persons who are al
ready In the habit of visiting Europe or nope
to do SO In the near future. Not only the 1nol-
vidual qualities of the newcomer. but also the
tendencies In design and operation winch BIG
represents are observed critically. The Amer
ika, which started back yesterday to Hamburg
after her maiden voyage to this country, has
undergone such scrutiny. and the result Is on
the whole creditable, though 1t shows that heT
owners are at present following somewhat
different policy from that of their principal
rival.
Within the last few weeks an order has been
given for the construction Of q duplicate or tne
Kaiser Wilhelm II, the fastest vessel IN the
merchant marine to-day. Such action is, OF
course verdict in favor Of extremely hlgh
speed. On the other hand, there is yet no eVf-
dence that the building of a second Deutschland
has even been contemplated; while in the Amer
fba and her vet unfinished consort, the Kaserin
Auguste Victoria, a preference is shown for the
traits which characterize the Baltic the Celtic
and the Caronia These are comfort, convenience,
fuel economy and enormous carrying capacity
The Amerika has larger displacement than any
other ship afoat, but she will require seven or
seven and a half days to reach her first port OF
call on the other side Of the ocean; whereas the
Deutschland and the Kaiser Wilhelm Ill can
make the trip in five and half or six days. The
latest addition to the feet of the Hamburg COM
pany will need less than half as much coal for
the voyage as those steamships, and her passen-
gers are likely to complain less OF vibration than
do the Datrons of the flyers" For each class
Of service there is unquestonably demand;
but it is probable that the majority Of Amer
leans who go to Europe are willing to spend a
little extra time at sea IL there is a compensat-
ing assurance that the annoyance OF constant
tremor will be avoided or at least percephbly
diminished.
Perhaps the most striking innovations which
will be observed by the Americas passengers
are the restaurant, in which the "a 10 carte"
system is In vogue, and the electric elevators
Both features make the resemblance between
modern steamship and a metropolitan hotel
closer than ever before. Indeed, the choice be-
tween methods Of obtaining meals has SO much
to commend II that we wonder that the prac-
tee has not already become common. Two other
improvements, though less novel than those just
mentioned. noteworthy, because they show
q progressive spirit which is deserving Of Imita-
ton Mechanism has been installed on the
America whereby all her watertight compart-
ments can be closed through the pressing Of an
electric button. The ship is also equipped with
telephones for picking up submarine fog signals
on the American coast where the requisite COM
Elementary apparatus has been provided by the
government
For both the Amerika and the Kaiserin Au-
guste Victoria qundrupie expansion engines, not
steam turbines, have been adopted; but these
are built on the balanced" principle which is
expected to overcome the tendency to vibration
For the Hamburg-American company. however.
one ship. the Kaiser. has already been equipped
with turbine. She had her trials only few
weeks ago and has not vet begun her service;
but she exceeded her contract speed by knot,
and the performance is said to have secured a
visit to the ship from Emperor William In the
mean time the management of the Allan Line.
the nrst to employ Parsons engines Tor vessels