The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-18 00:00:00

GREAT SHIP COMPANY.

SPECIAL MEETING THIS DAY.
A special general meeting of the shareholders in this
company was held this day, at the London Tavern, to re-
ceive a report of the results of the voyage of the Great
Eastern steamship to New York, and to consult on the
financial position of thq company. W. Barber, Esq., oc-
cupied the chair.

The report, which was read by the secretary, stated that
the ship had sailed from Milford on the 7th of May with
31 cabin and 101 steerage passengers. The passage was
performed in nine days sixteen hours in a highly satisfac-
tory manner. The return voyage had been made from
New York with 187 cabin and 210 steerage passengers.
All the passengers had been highly pleased with the ac-
commodation and performance of the vessel, and had held
a meeting previous to quitting her, expressing their admira-
tion of her qualities, and the ability of her commander,
Capt. Paton; and the directors asked the shareholders to
provide the £I,OOO required at present.
The CHAIRMANsaid it would be gratifying to the share-
holders to learn that the ship had performed her voyage to
New York paying her way, as after every charge had been
paid from the earnings of the ship, there remained a balance
of £317.95. 3d. in favour of the company. Every passenger
had expressed the greatest confidence in the vessel a, a sea-
worthy boat, and bad given notice of their intention of using
the vessel on her return to New York. It would be for the
shareholders to say whether she was to continue running to
New York, or whether she should proceed elsewhere.
The Great Eastern had had to struggle with the greatest
pecuniary liabilities, but he was rejoiced to say that the
directors had to a gt eat extent overcome those difficulties,
and he hoped the proprietors wauld supply the £4,000
which the board of directors had been empowered to raise.
The ship was now in a condition which might be described
as perfect, and as a natural consequence there would be no
expense in getting her ready for her next voyage. He
believed that the reputation of the ship was fast
becoming settled, and that was that she was a ship of the
greatest capability, and the ultimate results could but be
highly favourable.
Mr. JACKSON asked what was the amount of the capital
of the ship in £1 shares, the amount of the preference stock,
and the indebtedness of the company.
The CHAIRMAN° said the capital in £1 shares was
£303,000, the preference stock amounted to £lOO,OOO, and
tho indebtedness to .C 56,000, which would be raised to
£60,000 when the £4,000 required was taken up.
Mr. JACKSON said the company was in a fair way of re-
turning to the proprietors all the money that had been laid
out on her, and if one of the shareholders, with whom he
had often differed, would come forward with his £l,OOO, he
(Mr. Jackson) would do the same, and thus the sum re-
quired would be easily raised.
The report was then carried unanimously.
Mr. JACKSON said he perceived that the ship was adver-
tised for two more voyages, They had beaten the crack ships
on the station by 12 hours, and, during the gale, such was
the steadiness of their ship, that one gentleman continued
writing letters in his cabin, whilst the ladies amused
themselves with the piano and playing chess. He thought
it would be good policy ;if the vessel was advertised
for another voyage in October, as by that means facilities
would be afforded for a great number of persons to return to
America after the close of the Exhibition.
The CHAIRMAN said Captain Paton was then present,
and he would be happy to give every information:respecting
the ship.
Capt. PATON said he had the greatest pleasure in meet-
ing the shareholders of the Great Eastern, for certainly he
never in all his experience commanded a more splendid and
seaworthy vessel than theirs. In the midst of the most
adverse weather experienced during the voyage, she ran
at a speed of 11} knots. (Hear, hear.) He thought if the
directors were to advertise the ship for any number of trips,
the public would avail themselves of her for crossing the
Atlantic.
The CHAIRMAN said the adoption of the report was all
the business before them, without the gentlemen present
wished to continue the financial consultation by subscrib-
ing the £4,000 required.
Mr. JACKSON said he would start the list by putting
down his name for £l,OOO.
Alderman Ross said he would give the name of a gen-
tleman for another £l,OOO. (Hear, hear.)
A number of the shareholders then sent in their names
for various amounts, amongst them being Mr. Tuthill, £500;
Mr. Bold, £100; Mr. Smith, £5O ; Mr. Samuels, £2O ; and
Mr. Lingard, £lO.
The CHAIRMAN said he would take the whole of the re-
mainder, but he would readily give way to any of the share-
holders if they should desire to take up any of the amount.
A vote of thanks and confidence was then given to the
directors, which terminated the proceedings.