The Express.
London, England, 1859-12-15 00:00:00

SOCIETY OF 41T8.

At the weekly meeting of this society, held last
vrenteg—Me. R. WTOZAM Caawroan, in the dude
—the pacer read wee, "On the Great Eastern," oy Mr.
liawea. The author began by giving a brief sketch
of the rise and rapid progress of moan steam navigation.
He could not gay when Mr. Brunel first adopted the idea of
building so large • ship, but there was no doubt It bad long
occupied his mind, and that the exact mode of carrying it
out was gradually matured is he built the Oreat Western,
designed in 1836, and the Great Britain designed in 1844.
In 1861 be designed the Great Eastern. In the two former
his leading idea had been to improve, by shortening and
rendering more certain, the oommuoicadon between America
and England. The author gave some account of the asaiw
Mace afforded to Mr. Brunel by Mr. Boon Ruud!,
which appeared to have had ep cial reference to
the particular curve to be adopted, on which sub-
ject his opinion was of great value. After giving
some details of the dimensions and genetsl construction of
the ship, the author alluded to some observations that bad
bees made relative to the want of provision for wands, the
saloons on her panne to America, in reference towhit]. he
urged the fact that the vessel was built for the Indian trade,
and in hie opinion it was to be very much regretted that
the CODOMIOII to other interests than those of the share-
bolds's, and perhaps the desire of exhibiting this great
work to oar transatlantic friends, should have been allowed
to delay her departure on the voyage for which she was
designed, for which she was fitted, and from which aloe
any commercial results to the company could be realised.
He drew attention to the peculiar elements of strength and
safety which the ship possessed, which had been Ito remark-
' ably tested by the recent accident ; the advantages afforded
1 by the combination of the paddle and the screw, and her
steediness when compared with other vessels. He
thought we might fairly expect that a speed of 16 knots
an hour would be attained, with it comparatively small con-
sumption of coal; for our largest passenger ships averaged
It knots, with a horse power of 1 to 3 or 4 tons of burden,
and the Great Eastern to run 16 knots had but 1-horse
power to 81 tons burden. The comfort to passengers would
necessarily be notch greater owing, amongst other mutes, to
her much greater steadiness. In conclusion, Mr. Hawes
drew attention to the national importance of this great under-
taking. Both the present short routes to India could be
stopped or materially endangered by Prance or other
powers. The charges for passengers were at
_present
wry high, and be thought with the Great &sateen
• much lower rate would he remunerative. He had oo
doubt that other vessels of the same clam would be built
when her power and speed were fully proved, and It was im-
poorible to calculate what au element of offence and defeace,
what new sources of wealth would thus be opened to um.
The great ship would do for India and Australia that which
I ibe Great Western in 1838 did for America—viz., reduce the
Idiotism between them great colonies and dependencies and
England, tend to the increased security of the empire, to the
promotion of arts, manufactures, and commerce, and to the
advancement of civilisation and good government all over the
world.

A &wanton ensued, to which Captain Henderson, Haan.
Div* J. 0. Fetch, L. 8. Magnus, S. Scott, J. Topham, and
the obaleman, took pert.