The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-31 00:00:00

Launch of an Iron-Clad on the Tyne for
Turkey.

(From the North British Daily Mail of yesterday.)
The high estimation in which the shipbuilders
of the Clyde are held by foreign Governments is
the launch of a war ram for Turkey, from the yard
of the Messrs. Napier and Sons at Govan. Recently
we were called upon to record the launch of the
Osman Ghazy for the same Power.
As in a river like the Clyde, depth of water is of
essential consequence when a vessel of the huge
proportions of a war ram is to be allowed tG slip
into the stream, the period when the tide was at its
highest had to be carefully studied; and it was ac-
cordingly arranged that the launch should take place
shortly after half-past one o'clock in the afternoon.
About this time the large bell which is used for the
assembling of the workmen in the morning
and at the hours of diet sent forth its pea), and im-
mediately hundreds of them, as if by magic,
dropped their implements of labour and hurried to
the nearest place whence they could obtain a view
of the launch. A favourite spot with them appeared
to be the deck of the other ram which is in course
of construction for Turkey, the Messrs. Napier
having received orders for three. This ship was
only a short distance from the one which was to
be launched, and but a few minutes before the
ringing of the bell the heavy strokes of the
hammer were heard resounding in all parts of it,
as some bolt or rivet was firmly secured in the
sides of the capacious vessel, or in the multitudi-
nous iron beams or girders which spanned it in all
directions. In a moment, however, all was
still ; and batch after batch of workmen were
seen emerging from the hatchways, and taking
their places on deck along with those who
repaired thither from all parts of the yard, until the
aides were completely lined by a dense crowd of
deeply interested spectators. In accordance with
the usage followed on these occasions invitations
had been sent to a number of our principal citizens
and others, and for their accommodation an elevated
platform, covered with crimson cloth, was erected
immediately in front of the vessel's bow. This
post of honour was duly taken advantage of, and
among those present we observed the Lord Provost
of Glasgow ; the young Marquis of Lorn and his
two younger brothers ; M. Stephen Musurus
Bay, eldest son of the Turkish Ambassador;
Provost Pollok, of Govan ; Bailies Gilkinson and
Taylor, of Glasgow; Baillie Cruickshank, of
Govan; Councillor Dreghorn, of Glasgow; Mr.
Henry Dunlop, of Craigton ; and the Rev. Dr.
Taylor, with a goodly number of ladies, including,
of course, Miss Rigby, to whom was assigned the
duty of naming the vessel. _ _ _

The usual precaution had been adopted of re.
moving the embankment at the place where the
launch was to take place, and also of deepening the
river to the extent of five feet by means of dredgers.
As a farther precaution, the armour plates which
had been fitted on to the sides of the frigate in a
line with the main-deck had been removed, and
everything was, in short, done to render the launch
successful.

A few minutes after half•past one o'clock all was
animation around the sides of the leviathan. Its
deck had been cleared of everything save the
Huge cranes which are still necessary, as much
still remains to be done, the large boilers, fur-
naces, and engines having still to be fitted up.
Under its counter and sides the props had, however,
to be removed, and bands of men were now busily
at work upon these. Block after block of these
strongly wedged together frames disappeared under
the strokes of the hammer, until at length all that
was left were the two dog•shores at the bow, which
kept the vessel in its place as if with the grasp of a
vice. A few minutes more, and the signal for the
removal of these was given ; but when all was clear
the vessel still retained its place on the ways as if
reluctant to move. No sooner, however, did she
loosen her bold than she swept onwards with resist-
less momentum, taking the water in gallant
style, and making but little strain upon the four
anchors fixed in the river for the purpose of
steadying her and bringing her to. When
in motion, Miss Rigby, a grand-daughter of Mr
Robert Napier, of Shandon, dashed the bottle of
wine at the bows, and bestowed on her the name
of Abdul Aziz. The launch was as successful
as that of her predecessor in September last,
than which nothing could be finer. Her vast
dimensions displaced, of course, an immense body
of water, the effects of which were seen in the sue-
cession of waves which swept over the river's em•
bankments for some distance. There was a dense
crowd of spectators on both sides of the Clyde, bu t
especially on that immediately opposite. She was
towed up the river in the course of the afternoon to
the south side, opposite Lancefield Quay, where she
will receive her engines and other parts of her
machinery and equipments. _ . •

Immediately after the launch, the ladies and gen.
tlemen who had received invitations to be present
adjourned to the pattern room, where an excellent
collation was served. Mr R. Napier, of Shandon,
presided. Among the toasts propose& was " Suc-
cess to the Abdul Azcz." In proposing it, Mr
Napier stated that so happened that the ship
was namcd after the Sultan of Turkey, to whom
he wished long life, and said he hoped he might
send many orders for vessels to this country,
a sentiment which was received with cheers.
With this toast was coupled the name of Mr
Stephen Musurus, the young representative of the
Sultan. The Lord Provost, after returning thanks
for his own health and that of the magistrates of
Glasgow and of Govan, proposed " Prosperity to
the firm of R. Napier and sons." His lordship said
that it was exceedingly gratifying to be present at
the launches of those noble vessels which the

Messrs Napier sent forth, and referred to the able
services which the head of that firm, Mr Napier,
had rendered to marine engineering and to ship.
building in connection with the Clyde, stating that
he and his firm continued to maintain an honour..

able position in a department which had made the
city of Glasgow so celebrated. Mr Napier, in
acknowltdging this toast, good•humouredly re-

marked that he would much rather make
three ships of war than attempt to make one speech.
The health of the young lady who christened the
ship was also proposed, as was also that of the
manager, foreman, and workmen, without whom,
said Alt. Napier, these vessels could never be built,
adding that his firm had a highly respectable set
of men. None of the toasts was pronounced with
greater heartiness than this one, showing that Mr.
Napier is fully alive to the worth of the men in
his employment.
Besides the other war vessel which the Messrs.
Napier are constructing for the Turkish Govern-
ment, they have a merchant screw steamer on the
stocks, and are about to lay down the keel of
another. We also understand that they have re-
ceived orders to construct two large screw steamers
for the French Transatlantic Company, to run
between Havre and New York. Speed as well ae
strength will be carefully attended to, and it is not
improbable that they will be made so as to outstrip
even the fastest of the celebrated Cunard line.
The first piece of the Abdul Aziz, whose success•
ful launch we have chronicled above, was laid on
the blocks on the 15th of April, 1863. The con-
structio❑ of the bulkheads and floors was corn•
menced ten days later, and in a month afterwards
there were fully 250 tons of iron work in her. She
was not expected to be ready for launching till next
month, but her enterprising builders have antici-
pated this period by a week or two.

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.—The screw steam
ship Norman, Captain Coxwell, from the Cepe of
Good Hope, arrived at Southampton yesterday. She brings
seven passengers and a large cargo of colonial produce.
The Norman is an extra steamer, chartered by the Union
Steam Shipping Company from Messrs George Lungley
and Co. Her news has been anticipated by the regular
cavil steamer Spxon.
THEATRICALS AT ALEPERSHOT.-.--Th3 members of
the Officers' Dramatic Corps gave another perform-
ance in the Theatre Royal Club House on Wednesday
evening, when three humorous pieces, " Grimshaw, Bag-
shaw, and Bradshaw," "Cool as a Cucumber," and " A
Thumping Legacy," were performed. Thero was a large
attendance, and among those present were Major General
Brook Taylor, Major General Hodge, C.B , Lieut. Colonel
Bayly, Captain Akers, Acting Commanding Royal Engi-
neers, Captain Birch. 3,1'„ Captain Sands, 3.P., &e.