Letters on Steam Navigation. 333 



LETTER II. 



Dear Sir — In my last letter I took the liberty to dismast steam 

 ships generally, and thus to save the expense of masts, sails, rig- 

 ging and top hamper in the first place, and in the second, the con- 

 stant disbursements necessary to keep them in working condition. 

 My main object, however, was to show that masts in steam ships 

 are worse than useless, because the resistance being constant, and 

 the advantage only occasional, the loss by resistance exceeds the 

 gain by such power. But I do not suppose the view I have taken 

 of several particulars relating to Atlantic steam navigation, will re- 

 -ceive, at present, the countenance of the public ; because the errone- 

 ous opinions generally entertained are both so deeply rooted and 

 so agreeable to the minds of many, who fear their craft is in dan- 

 ger that they do not choose to have them corrected, but rather feel 

 a secret delight in any thing which has the slightest tendency to 

 strengthen and confirm them. The bursting of a boiler, an acci- 

 dental fire, the wreck of a ship, or the loss of a crew, are events 

 hailed with triumph by the class of persons of whom I am speaking. 



But if the hints that I have thrown out lead the public mind 

 from that general mode of thinking to which the novelty of At- 

 lantic steam navigation has given birth, to a more close investi- 

 gation of the subject, we shall soon see our enemies disarmed and 

 uniting with us in carrying out a system of navigation which 

 meets the wants and promotes the welfare of mankind. 



It is with the view of showing the subject in its largest dimen- 

 sions and most important results, that I venture a few remarks 

 upon steam ships of war. 



It may seem premature, perhaps officious, to speak of the power 

 of the sword, to measure the force of nations, and to weigh in our 

 hydrostatic scales the fortunes of empires. But the thing throws 

 itself upon us in such bold relief, that it seems impossible to con- 

 ceal it. We are compelled, whether we will or not, to trace the 

 outlines, to bring the subject under review, and to anticipate the 

 mighty effects of steam power upon the destinies of nations. 



Whateve?^ nation, England, France, or America — and I think 

 that it will be one of the three — has the largest and greatest 7mm- 

 ber of steam ships of war, will command the ocean. Nothing 

 can prevent it. In estimating the relative force of antagonist 

 fleets, the inquiry will not be, how many frigates, or how many 



