THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2457, 31 December 1870, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO SERVICE.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sxu—On the 20th inst. the Otago TJa'dg Timen published a letter signed “ Old Jack,” purporting to be a criticism on the “ San Fiiincisco Steam Se;vice” and the steamers which the contractors propose to employ. That the Editor of that paper should’havc thought it desirable to publish statements made by an anonymous writer of such a damaging character, not only to private individuals, but to the general public of New Zealand, has caused very general surprise, although the tenor of the communication may be in unison with the comments that have from time to time appeared in the columns of that paper on this subject. When the letter referred to was first brought under our notice, we did not think it necessary to contradict the statements made, believing it to have been written by one of its few sympathising contributors ; but within the last day or two wo have received sufficient evidence of tire injurious effects of giving publicity to such statements, to induce us, as agents for the contractors, to show how grossly the writer has misrepresented the facts with which he proposed

to deal. Besides generally condemning American steamers, the corruption and laxity of the “ American Lloyds,” he made the following statements as facts Ist. That the steamers proposed for the service belong to the North Pacific Transportation Company, and that their age, tonnage, &c., have been misrepresented. As a proof of which he states that he was on board the Nevada when visiting California in 1852. 2nd. That the steamers are weakly fastened and weakly built, in fact, are not sea worthy except in line weather and smooth water. 3rd. That their speed is not over 84 to 104 knots. It is scarcely worth while to occupy your spice by replying to his ignorant statements as to Ame ican steamers generally, but with regard to “ American Lloyds,” it is a fact well known by all merchants, builders, owners, and masters, who have had any experience'in the matter, that there is not a better conducted institution of the kind in the world : indeed we have never heard its integrity or honesty doubted. That its certificates are held in high estimation in England, the following extract from a circular issued by Mr Robert Mackie, agent for “British Lloyds,” will prove. Mr Mackie states : —“ I have every confidence in their integrity and ability, and recommend their ‘ Register ’ to the confidence and patronage of the commercial public.”

All the Cauarcl and Inman abaamers are registered at “American Lloyds," and several of the steamers of each line are classed lower than the steamers proposed for the California Service. The Nevada, 2143 tons register, was built at Now' York in the year 1865 ; was specially surveyed and classed A 1 ; is half brig-rigged, built of oak and locust, double planked, with whole frame iron strapped; draught of water, 15 feet. The Nebraska, 2500 tons register, was built at Green Point, Long Island, hr the year 1865; specially surveyed and , classed Al; half brig-rigged, built of oak and hackmatack, double planked with 4 inch, oak, whole frame iron strapped; draught of water, 15 feet. The Dakotah, 2135 tons register, was built at Green Point, Long Island, in the year 1865; specially surveyed and classed Al ; rig, material, fastening, and draught same as the Nebraska. The Moses Taylor (reserve boat), 1372 tons register, was built at New York in the year 1857 ; specially surveyed and classed Al brig-rigged, built of oak and hackmatack, whole frame iron strapped, has fine bulkhead partments ; draught of water, Id* feet. The Nevada, Nebraska, and Dakota are the property of Mr \V. H. Webb, of New York, and not the “ North Pacific Transportation Company,” as stated. They are all first-class sea-going steamers, built for, and for a time used in. the service between New York and the Gulf of Mexico, where it must be admitted the “ weather is not always fine or the sea smooth.” These steamers have all the modern improvements, and steam at the rate of 13 to 14 knots per hour; and their certificate of register states that they have “sufficient sail in case of disabled machinery.” This anonymous writer further states that these steamers would register 30 per cent, less, or about 1,500 tons each, if registered by British measurement. We fear he has again shown his entire ignorance of the subject, for our own experience has been just the contrary ; and we think it will be borne out by others who have had an opportunity of seeing American vessels measured for British register. It is a great pity that the Editor of the Daily Times did not take the trouble to make some enquiries before publishing a communication entirely devoid of truth. We shall, however, take no further notice of anything that may appear in that paper on the subject if anonymously written.—We are, &c., Driver, Stewart & Co., Agents for the Contractors, Messrs Halladay & Bnnham, San Francisco,