Volume: 51, Issue: 1444.
THE NEW CUNARD STEAMER RUSSIA.,THE British and North American Royal Mail Line of Steam-ships, belonging to Messrs. Cunard, Burns, and McIver, has been recruited by the addition of a new vessel named the Russia, built by Messrs. James and George Thomson, of Glasgow, of which we present an Illustration. This is the largest screw-steamer belonging to the Cunard Company, who have some of the finest vessels afloat. The Government subsidy, which they have hitherto enjoyed, has no doubt enabled them to place very costly vessels on the Liverpool, Halifax, and New York line ; but, as this is to be withdrawn shortly, the addition of such a magnificent vessel as the Russia is a proof, that the company, in view of the rivalry and competition that will ensue, are determined to keep themselves where they have always been-in the front rank of steam navigation. It is known to be the intention of our Government to terminate the existing contract with the Cunard Company on the 1st of January, 1868, and not to renew the present system of fixed subsidies; instead of which arrangements are to be made with owners of well-appointed steamships leaving this country, on stated days weekly, for the conveyance of mails to New York, in consideration of a payment equal to the whole sea postage, if the voyage be performed within a ct rtain time, and equal to a smaller sum, according to a fixed scale, where that time is exceeded. The subsidy paid to the Cunard Company for the year 1866-7 was £161,000. The dimensions of the Russia are-Length, 846ft.; breadth, 42 ft. Gin.; depth, 29 ft. 2in.; tonnage, 3141 tons British measurement. The engines, also constructed by Messrs. J. and G. Thomson, of Glasgow, are directacting engines, of 650-horse power, supplied with steam from four boilers. The capacity in the hold is 1239 tons, and in the bunkers 1100 tons. The hull is built in eight water-tight compartments, with water-tight doors, which can be opened and shut from the spar deck. There is accommodation for 300 first-class passengers, and two saloons capable of dining these at one time. All the various departments of the ship are much the same as those on board the other mail-steamers of the company, except as improvements suggested by long experience have been made.,The Russia has a speed of fourteen or fifteen miles an hour, against wind or tide. Messrs. Thomson have under construction a ship of similar size, the Siberia, for the same owners.