STEAM NAVIGATION.

TO TILE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR. Liverpool, 1st October l93a. SIR—The successful establishment of a most rapid communication between England and America, induces me to offer for insertion in your able journal a few remarks on the wonderful and attractive subject of Steam Navigation, and on the additional beneficial results likely to he derived from its employment.

Since the last vital improvements of the immortal Warr in the steam-engine, it has been the constant, laudable, and prosperous aim of scientific men, to augment its safety, speed, and economy : the first of which essentials has already nearly been perfected ; while in the case of marineiengines the second has been increased, from the average rate of nix to ten knots per hour; and the last object improved by a reduction in the consumption of fuel, of from one ton to three-fifths of a ton of ten-horses power per day. As on the progress of economy in the application of steam fur marine purposes, must entirely depend, with respect to fuel, the distance that can continuously he traversed by its aid, and with regard both to machinery and fuel the profit that can he derived from its employment, this important matter will doubtless continue to occupy the

attention of professional men ; who, as in the case of Mr. Ids admirable condensers, and Mr. FIELD'S double pipe for ". blowing out," (both ingenious modes of partially obviating the saline deposit in boilers, ) will doubtless obtain for any decided improvements they may suggest the praise and patronage of an interested public.

It may without much presumption be observed, that as long as the principle on which steam is now generated obtains, economy affecting either the quantity of fuel or the bulk of machinery, can be derived only from the use of some combustible compound, (the production of advanced chemical science,) natu. rally compact ur skilfully compressed, instead of coal, or from the use of pure water, so as to preclude the incrustation of the boilers (and permit a free action of heat) and the necessity of cleansing them, and having spare ones for the purpose, and from the employment of boilers so ingeniously constructed as to afford with the least possible size the greatest possible surface of a nature to prevent the radiation of heat. There appears some reason, founded on the idea of its being impossible to procure for shipment in a steani.vessel an adequate quantity of freight on suflidently high terms, to question the propriety of build. mg this class of vessels so large as several which have already been launched, and others which are ptoieetcd ; and there seems cause to believe, that since a number of vessels of a costly nature will be required, even admitting the cap bility of a steam ship to effect double the work of sailing •ves.els, to maintains regular and frequent as as well as a speedy intercourse, it would be advisable with a view to profit, notwithstanding the fact of a large steam-ship being in proportion to her size more economically propelled than a smaller one, to limit their capacity to 1,000 tons carpenter's measurement, and 330 horses power each.

It affords me much pleasure to take this opportunity of adducing as capital specimens of inarine.eugines, two embracing the expansive principle. (which admits of more or less steam being supplied to the cylinder,) of 300 horses power together, placed a few months back on board the Reindeer, now trading between Liverpool and Belfast, (which distance of about 160 English milesshe has accomplished in thirteen hours and a quarter,) by Mr. Enwa no Belli', of this town ; who also lately furnished excellent engines of similar power, and fitted with HA LL'S condensers, for the Tiger, now plying between [lull and Ham- burg, which pass tge of about 430 English miles she has effeeted in thirty-sit hours. It was my good fortune, owing to the politeness of a friend, to be pre. sent as a disinterested guest on board the Reindeer during her experimental trip to Menai, when the vacuum created reaching 29, and the paddlewheels perform• ing twenty revolutions in a minute, the vessel proceeded almost throughout the excursion at the rate of twelve knots per hour; having been got under weigh abreast of George's Pier at a quarter past eight in the morning, and moored again in the same place at seven in the evening, after entering the bay of Beaumaris between Puffin Island and Anglesea, where the speed was for some time purposely slackened, and lying at anchor for an hour and a half close to that eternal monument to the genius of TELFORD, the astonishing and romantic Menai Bridge. After pondering the wonderful improvements in the application of steam here treated of, and after witnessing the perfectly succes,did passage by its memo of the stormy Atlantic, it cannot be irrational to anticipate an equally success- ful passage through the same means by the Cape of Good Hope to India; which might doubtless he easily, pleasantly, and prutitably accomplished hymn. playing the size and power already proposed ; six steam-ships each bengal). pointed to sail monthly from Liverpool (which would include London, the two ports being now united by railway,) and Calcutta, and being fitted to ammo). date sixty passengers. With respect to the difficulty and expense said to exist touching an adequate supply of fuel for so long a voyage as hence to India sad back, it may be asserted that the former of these declared obstacles is ideal, sad the latter below what is generally supposed ; since one-third of the coal reqai• site for 110 days' consumption, and more than enough to effect one-half of each to and from Hindostan, could be taken on board the steamer herself, rod- let other two-thirds be shipped at 30s. per ton freight in Liverpool, with a 'oulstion for a sufficient portion of it to be landed at the secure harbour of Bay, Cape of Good Hope, where the steam-vessels must atop for about inch's, both going and returning, to renew their .supply of fuel,) and for the sioder to be conveyed to.Calcutta. In confutation of the supappealosed Imre). woes, of the undertaking now suggested! it may perhaps, ing to figures for argumento, though without pretending to an exact calculation, be noel, to offer the first of the following statements of the probable results of a Ogle voyage of a steam-ship to and from Calcutta ; and under the supposition (the correctness of which, however, seems very doubtful) of sufficient freight being procurable on remunerative terms, it maybe well to submit also the second

of these statements.

Steamship of 1,000 toils, at 171. 10s. per ton £17.500 350 horses, at 401. 14,000 AIR v 5; per cent. profit for six months £3,100

If the foregoing statements nearly approach the truth, there is every induce- ment offered for establishing forthwith by the Cape of Good Hope to India a communication by means of steam, capable from the greater safety and facility, and the equal speed belonging to it, of superseding the present (commonly called) overland conveyance to that country, which, though proving a great pubic benefit, is nevertheless attended with considerable interruption and fatigue, unpleasant even to robust travellers, but intolerable by invalids return- ing from a tropical clime, and accompanied also by the risk of navigating amidst dangerous coasts and hostile shores. It may with propriety here also lie observed, that considerable dissatisfaction at present prevails, owing to the overland communication between England and India, from which latter country advises are now four months old, being interrupted in consequence of the steam-vessels being employed, as if bayonets and bullets were of more im- portance than bills of lading and billet-doux, and it were more necessary to carry troops to Bushire than to convey mail-bags to and from Suez. It can scarcely be deemed too national, whale on the present subject, to indulge in the gratifying reflection, that from the fact of Great Britain possessing more abundantly than any other country the materials requisite to pursue steam navigation, she is likely to enjoy for a protracted period, through an increased demand for British capital and labour, the beneficial influence of a legitimate monopoly. It may, moreover, with unalloyed satisfaction be believed, that not only Great Britain and her numerous colonies, but every nation with which she traffics, in a social, commercial and political point of view, will be greatly benefited by a speedier intercourse.

Value £31,500

EreFIPTS,

50 out 1100 passengers, at 1201 12,000

50 home

Eternsss,

700 toes of anal per steamer, at 10s. per ton £350

1,400 tons of coal sent to Simon's Bay and Calcutta,

at 40s. per toll 2,800 - 3,150 Provision for 30 passengers for 4 months, at 351 1.750 Ditto fur 50 crew fur 5 mouths, at gut. 1,000 - 2,750 Wages for30 crew for 5 months, at 131 450 Ditto for 20 crew tor 6 months at 241. 440 930 Son ry charges 1,095 Repairs 1.000 Deterioration 1,500 - 10.425

Five per cent. profit for six months 1,575 Steam ship of 2,000 tons, at 171 10s. per ton 35.000 500 horses, at 401. 20,000

Value £55,000

firerirrs, 541 out

50 home } 100 passengers. at 1201. £12,000

500 out )1,000 tons of goods, at 71 7,000 500 home

19,000 1,100 tons coal for steamer, at 105 per ton £550 2,20) tons coal sent to Simon's Bay and Calcutta,

at 40s. per ton 4,400

Powision for 50 passengers fur 4 months, at 351...X1,750

Ditto fot 70 crew furs mouths, at 201. 1,400

{VAR.'S for 45 crew for 5 niontl.s, at 151 675

Ditto for 25 crew fur 6 months, at 241 600

Sundry charges Repairs

Deterioration 4,950 3,150 1,275 2,025 2,000 2,500 15,900

I have the honour to be, Sir, yours respectfully, W. F.