The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-31 00:00:00

SIZE AND OBJECTS OF THE LEVIATHAN

STEAM-SHIP.

When we remind our readers that the Royal Albeit
line-of-battle ship, of 120 guns, is something under 4,000
tons, and about 239 feet in length ; and that the Simla
and Himalaya, at present the largest steamers afloat, are
only 320 feet in length, or thereabouts, they may form
some idea of the proportions of the Eastern Steam Na-
vigation Company's ship, when they are told that it will
be 680 feet in length and 25,000 tons bur.len ; in other
words, of more than six times the capacity of our largest
man-of-war, and above the length of the largest steam-
ship afloat. Our readers will have frequently heard dis-
cussions as to the relative merits of paddles and screws.
In the Leviathan the screw will be combined with the
paddle, worked by engines, nominally of 2,600-horse
power, but in reality capable of being worked up to 10,000-
horse power. To guard against accidents at sea to ma-
chinery, and to prevent any detention from such a cause,
the paddle wheels will not only be perfectly distinct from
each other in their working, but each will be set in
motion by several sets of machinery of superabundant
power, so that at all times derangements or cleaning of
one or two cylinders or boilers will not interfere with
the progress of the ship. Steam will be the sole pro-
pelling power, no canvas being contemplated in this ves-
sel. In fixing the great size of the Leviathan, its pro-
jector believes that he has obtained the elements of a
speed hitherto unknown in ocean-going steamers. It is
confidently predicted that by the great length of the Le-
viathan she will be enabled to pass through the water at
an average speed in all weathers of fifteen knots an hour,
with a smaller power in proportion to tosmage than ordi-
nary vessels now require to make ten knots. The con-
tract speed of most ocean mail. carrying steamers is eight
knots. We believe that the Eastern Steam Navigation
Company intend making their first voyage to Australia. The actual distance from Milford Haven, company's starting-point, to Port Philip, is less tlia'n 12 000 miles if no ports be touched at. A. speed of 15 knots or miles an hour averaged from land to land would take the Le-
viathan to the golden colony in about 32 days. This
can only be accomplished, even at that high speed, by
avoiding all stoppages for coals, which, besides de-
taining a ship many days in the different ports,
carries her a great distance out of the direct steaming
course. Here we find another novelty brought to bear
by Mr. Brunel. A. ship of this huge capacity can
carry 12,000 tons of coals—quite sufficient, it is stated,
for her consumption on the outward and homeward
voyages. Space will still be left for 5,000 tons of cargo, the
massive machinery, and 4,000 passengers, with their
luggage and all necessary stores for use. Such is the
Leviathan. She is to be launched, unlike any other
ship, broadside on to the water, by means of hydraulic
power, and early in next spring is expected to make a
trial trip to the United States and back in less than a
fortnight. In contemplating this Brobdignag vessel,
our small acquaintance with things nautical dwarfs down
to Lilliputian insignificance. Before reaching the Isle
of Dogs we imagined that we possessed some acquamt•
ante with ship-building and marine engineering. One
'of the leviathan cylinders was sufficient to extinguish
tha
our pretensions. With a Brunel for designer, w
Stephenson for approver, a Scott Russell for builder,
with Professor Airey in charge of the compass, and Sir
W. S. Harris looking after the lightning conductors, the
Leviathan may well bi- expected to turn out the floating
marvel of the age. Fanc the astonishment of the South
Sea island,rs when they behold her rushing past their
coral homes.

NEW CHUROff IN LAMBETH.—Yesterday morning the
interesting ceremony of laying the foundation of St.
Andrew's District Church, Lambeth, was performed by
Admiral Lord Radstock,