The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-07 00:00:00

LAUNCH OF A BLOCKADE RUNNER.

About half-past one o'clock on Wednesday there was
launched from the yard of Messrs. Bowdler, Chaffer, and
Co,, at Seacombe, a very fine paddlewheel steamer, intended,
no doubt, to run the blockade, She was launched with the
Palmetto flag flying at her foremast. Her dimensions are—
Length, 230 feet; width of beam, 20 feet; depth of hold, 11
feet ; and 800 tons burden. She is fitted with a hurricane
deck, and was launched with her masts standing. She went
off in very fine style, and was christened the Secret, by Miss
Roberts, of Anfield, near Liverpool. Immed!ately on reach-
ing the water she was taken in tow by the steam-tug Sailor
King, and docked in the Sandon Graving Dock, where she
is to be fitted with her engines. These, with her boilers,
are to be fitted up by Messrs James Jack and Co., of the
Victoria Foundry. The engines are to be of a nominal
power of 180 horse, but will be capable of being worked to
a much higher power. The steamer herself presented a
very handsome and yacht-like a pearance as she left the
ways. The names of the owners did not transpire.
After the launch a select party of ladies and gentlemen
were entertained at luncheon in one of the mould lofts,
Ample justice having been done to the really good things
provided,

Mr Bowdler said he had a toast to propose which was
in close connection with the launch of the paddlewheel
ste timer Secret. An observer of the vessels trading in and
out of the port of Liverpool, when he compared the vessel
just launched, with her fine lines, her very flat floor, her
rakish look, and altogether her general appearance—
when he compared her with other vessels, would be led
to suppose, what was no secret to him, that that vessel was
one out of the ordinary class. He himself did not know
what particular trade that vessel was intended for, but of
course they all had their surmises about it; and no doubt
her ultimate destination would be running the blockade on
the South American coast. Great credit was due to the men
engaged in that service for the bravery they displayed ; and
the owners of those vessels also took upon themselves a
great responsibility in embarking such an amount of capital
as that vessel would represent when she went to sea. With
these remarks, he called upon them to drink "Success to
the Secret; may she be a success and a good venture to her
owners."

The toast was cordially received.
Mr Nairn responded on behalf of the owners. Tbis vessel
was the second that had been built for the same owners;
and if she proved as successful as the first was expected to
be, the owners would be satisfied. The first steamer, the
Stag, would shortly go on her trial trip. They calculated
the speed to be attained at 17 miles an hour, and they ex-
pected the second steamer would be equal to the first, In
conclusion he begged to propose the health of " The
Builders," which was duly honoured.
Mr I3owdler, in responding on behalf of the firm, said the
Stag, to which Mr Nairn had alluded, and which was
launched from that yard two months ago, was expected to
go on her trial trip next week. For the vessel launched to-
day, Mr Jack expected to have the engines and boilers on
board in three weeks. As builders they had given a good
and faithful ship, and it remained for the engineer to put
good engines in her to make her one of the fastest boats that
ever left the Mersey. Ho might add that the Secret was a
sister ship to the Stag; they had another of the family on
the stocks in the yard, and they had good reason to hope
that the family connection would be kept up for some time
longer. (Applause.)

The health of "The Commander of the Stag (Captain
Johnson)" having been proposed and responded to, the
health of " The Ladies," coupled with the name of Miss
Roberts, who christened the steamer, was duly honoured,
and the party then broke up.—Livei:pool Daily Poll,