AMERICAN BUBBLE.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 273, 15 May 1886, Page 4

AMERICAN BUBBLE.

. The United States Navy is admitted not much better than a standing absurdity ; even Victoria, with its million of population, can make a decent show in the way of naval defences by the side of the great American Republic with its 50,000,000 of people. Cousin Jonathan's navy is the victim of a false and short sighted economy, the sport of unscrupulous money-making contractors, and the butt of general ridicule. The "New York Herald" thus describes one of the latest additions to the fleet:—" The new ship Mohican, the pride and glory of the American Naval force, has made her trial trip, She reached her destination at last, which more than the most sanguine expected her to do. She started from Mare Island Navy Yard in a very handsome style, and ploughed the rough waters of San Francisco Bay for at least ten miles before anything happened to her. Then something was said by the engineer to be too light, and consequently it broke. After that her six big boilers made a superhuman effort—such an extraordinary effort that the mercury in the fireroom stood at 150 degrees, and she sped over the wide Pacific at the tremendous rate of eight knots an hour, which is fully one third faster than the most celebrated pedestrian can walk. Prom that extreme limit she ran down to four knots, and then the engines were stopped. This time the trouble was with the crank pin. She came to anchor for a week at Pichillinge, her engines were again stopped on her way to Acapulco, and there were several further stops between the latter place and Corinto. From Corinto to Panama, however, she did not stop once. This seems incredible, but the fact is vouched for by Commander Day. To make a short story out of a long voyage, she reached Panama before any of the officers died of old age; and it is confidently asserted that after she has been practically rebuilt, she will be a first-class vessel to swing at anchor and overawe the enemy. Long live the Mohican.