A Titanic Danger Written June 1, 1885   Here are excerpts from a letter printed in the New York Times on June 3, 1885.  It was submitted from the Sturtevant House in Manhattan by one Henry P. Conner.  The newspaper added no illustrations, but a mid-century photo is presumably that of Mr. Conner; it shows a US Navy ensign with that name.   DANGEROUSLY FAST STEAMERS. To the Editor of the New-York Times:      I am glad to see you are dealing with the “ocean greyhounds.”  It is a question of life and death.  The magnificence of the steamers and the splendid work they do would be no compensation if they add to the perils of crossing the Atlantic, and it is time that the public should be thoroughly warned. There is no doubt that the navigation of the Northern Atlantic is more or less perilous.  The fogs are most to be dreaded; there is no safety in running through them at full speed.  The Government issues ice charts, based upon information derived from the latest incoming vessels, which are furnished to all ship Captains, and these are just informed of the latitude to avoid on account of icebergs, but they take a short cut to make a quick trip, and rush through the dense fogs where they know the icebergs are prevailing.  The City of Berlin in this way in a fog collided with an iceberg — tons of ice falling on her, breaking down three decks, her forward compartment opened, creating consternation and panic. The popular notion is that there is a great saving in distance by taking the northern route, which is not true; the saving is less than 100 miles.  The northern has the advantage of colder water and the easier condensation of steam, thus saving fuel to the steamer owners; but the southern route has the advantages of better weather, less fog, and no icebergs, thus diminishing the dangers of the trip.  The southern route in the ice region has only about 5 per cent. of the fog which is found in the north, and this fact alone should lead mariners to adopt it. The City of Richmond, according to one of her officers, on her last trip, in latitude 41° 30', passed 40 icebergs in four hours, while the writer about the same time, in the French steamer Amérique, 30 miles further south, in generally bright, clear weather, crossed without seeing any ice at all. I ought to add that though the Government sends out ice charts, it is in some sense at fault by stimulating the steamships to disregard them.  The Postmaster-General gives the mails to the fast steamers without making any inquiry as to the cautions observed, and the steamship companies advertise the fact to give their vessels prestige with the public. I ought to apologize for asking so much space, but it is the common opinion among sailors that this greed for fast trips will result in more frequent disasters, and that some day a terrible wreck will shock and exasperate the civilized world. I should be glad if the trip could be safely made in two days instead of ten.  I believe there is a growing danger which only public opinion can regulate, and that safety rather than speed should be cultivated by our transatlantic steamers.  It is never a paying business to disoblige great companies, and the public owes a debt of gratitude to THE TIMES for its readiness to fight the public battles. HENRY P. CONNER. Sturtevant House, Monday, June 1, 1885.