Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Steamships, Military Technology, Cultural Geography, Progress, Patronage, Technology, Government, Politics

    Reflects on news that the American ship, the USS Miantonomoh, has crossed the Atlantic. Believes that by the time England has built a similar vessel, the Americans will have invented a 'diving-boat' and 'huge steam-rams' to sink such vessels. Suggests that the Americans 'will doubtless be wiser than to throw away powder and shot on experiments on gunnery on vessels that show but six inches above the water', and adds that the Americans may 'buy the idea' of their new 'contrivances' from 'an Englishman who will have had the offer of it rejected' by his countrymen. Concludes by hoping that war does not break out between England and America in which the latter would have the advantage.