Steam in 1838 and 1885.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 265, 14 November 1885, Page 5

Steam in 1838 and 1885.

I'iAUt.Y iv the year \&\\>, the London papers advertised " that the long-talked of project of communicating with America by steamboats was at length to bo carried into effect. It was supposed that the Great Western would havo bcon tho first steamer to run to Now York ; but wo find that the Sirius, a powerful and well built steamer of TOO tons, and 320 horse power, eommandod by Lieutenant It. Kobertii, Ii N., 18 " to leavo tho London Docks on 28th March next, and Cork on 2nd April, for New York." True to tho time notified, the Sirius hauled out of dock, and sailed from off Eastlano stairs on 28th March, 183S; touched at Cork ; and atter a tompestuous passage, arrived at New York at 9 p.m., Sunday, April 22nd. The following correct extracts aro taken from printed copies of tho logs of both the Sirius and the Great Western, and rofcroncothoreto clearly shows the winner of tho " Raco Across the Atlantic' "Tho Sirius loft Cork at 10 a.m., April 4th, ISSB, and arrived at NewYork on tho 22nd samo month, at ',) p m." "The Great Western left Bristol on tho Sth April, IS3S, and arrived at NewYork on tiio 23rd same month, at 3 p.m." Tho arrivals woro the signal for great rejoicing and numerous entertainments on the part of our hospitable cousins. The following is taken from the " Ur eckly Herald," New York, Saturday, April 2Sth, 183S: — " The first steamor across the Atlantic. Tho Sirius ! Tho Sirius ! Tho Sirius! Triumph of steam. Nothing is talked of but tho Sirius. She ia tho f'rst steamer that arrived from England," &c. It is pleasant to romark that ot all tho entertainments givon on this occasion by tho good citizons of New York, tho health of our gracious Queon was invariably proposed, and received with groat enthusiasm. On tho departure o_f the Sirius, homeward bound, a salute of 17 guns wa* given from the Battery Show, a mark (the "Herald" states) of respect novor before shown to tho commander of a merchant vessel. Lieutenant R. Roberts was afterwards lost while in command of the illfated steamer the President, in 1841. InSeptember, 18S4,Messrs John Elder and Co. hunched from their yard at Go van a large steel ecrew-steamer for the Cunard Company,; c, tho Etruria, to supplement their eorvice of oxprosa steamers between Liverpool and Now York. The dimensions of tho vessel aro: Length over all, 520 ft ; breadth, 57ft. 3in; depth to upper dock 41ft. and to promenade-dock 49ft ; with a gross tonnage of b.UOU tons. She has five decks in all, including tbo promenade deck, which extends over tho breadth of the voseel for nearly 300 ft. amidships ; she has accommodation for /U) first-class paseongew. Tho engines aro made to indicato upwards of 14,000 horse powor. They are cempound, having three inverted cylinders-ono high pressure 71m. in diameter, and two low-pressures each lOSin. in diameter. Thehigh-pressure cylinder ia placed between tho two lovv-prossuro cylinder?, and is adapted to a stroke of 6ft. Built under tho supervision of tno Admiralty, all the groat Atlantic liners are well adapted for the run across the Atlantic, known as tho ocean greyhounds, i.e., tho America, Etruria, Alaska, and Oregon Tho last-named is considered ono of tho swiftest steamersowned by thoOunard Com pany, having run across tho Atlantic in l> days 10 hours, with 9-minutes to spare.

Ancient Customs in the City of London.beln maintained foi a penoa w b at Allhallow.s Chnrcli. peter where, in accordance with U"^ tl soboola.