the
larger ships to resort to the established modes of propulsion. It may
happen that at some future period the new method may yet be adopted
with complete success.

Meanwhile competition went on with other companies. Monopoly cannot
exist between England and America. Our plans were followed; and
sharper boats and heavier power became the rule of the day. But
increase of horse-power of engines means increase of heating surface
and largely increased boilers, when we reach the vanishing point of
profit, after which there is nothing left but speed and expense. It
may be possible to fill a ship with boilers, and to save a few hours in
the passage from Liverpool to New York by a tremendous expenditure of
coal; but whether that will answer the purpose of any body of
shareholders must be left for the future to determine.

"Brute force" may be still further employed. It is quite possible that
recent "large strides" towards a more speedy transit across the
Atlantic may have been made "in the dark."

The last ships we have constructed for Ismay, Imrie and Co. have been
of comparatively moderate dimensions and power--the Arabic and Coptic,
430 feet long; and the Ionic and Boric, 440 feet long, all of 2700
indicated horse-power. These are large cargo steamers, with a moderate
amount of saloon accommodation, and a large space for emigrants. Some
of these are now engaged in crossing the Pacific, whilst others are
engaged in the line from London to New Zealand; the latter being
specially fitted up for carrying frozen meat.

To return to the operations of the Belfast shipbuilding yard. A
serious accident occurred in the autumn of 1867 to the mail
paddle-steamer the Wolf, belonging to the Messrs. Burns, of Glasgow.
When passing out of the Lough, about eight miles from Belfast, she was
run into by another steamer. She was cut down and sank, and there she
lay in about seven fathoms of water; the top of her funnel and masts
being only visible at low tide. She was in a dangerous position for
all vessels navigating the entrance to the port, and it was necessary
that she should be removed, either by dynamite, gunpowder, or some
other process. Divers were sent down to examine the ship, and the
injury done to her being found to be slight, the owners conferred with
us as to the possibility of lifting her and bringing her into port.
Though such a process had never before been accomplished, yet knowing
her structure well, and find