The Sun.
London, England, 1838-03-27 00:00:00

LAUNCH OF THE CITY OF
BOULOGNE STEAMER.

Yesterday, agreeably to
appointment, the new steam-vessel,
the Property of the Commercial Steam Navigation Company,
was launched at Barking, in Essex. The event of itself, to
be viewed merely abstractedly as the launching of a steam-boat,
Might be passed ever, in modern times, as an incident, of no
affairs importance either as a feature in the maritime
of our country, or as one that was entitled to attract
general attention; but there are several circumstances con-
nected with the launch of this steam-vessel which will be ad-
mitted by many to be surrounded by several pleasurable re-
flections, both as regards local and public interests. But to
commence with the scene as we encountered it. Although
the mass of London were probably not aware that a launch was
to take place, there were thousands who did know, and who
determined to avail themselves of. that knowledge, and appre-
ciating the opportunity of witnessing a sight so novel to a
denizen of London, were making their way to Barking early in
the forenoon. The sturdy and the strong, relying on their own
stamina, appeared in the more humble character of pedestrians,
and others were availing themselves of such conveyances as con-
venience or circumstances suggested. The extra bustle was not to
be discerned in the busy path of the immediate suburban dis-
tricts where the concentration of mercantile solicitude attracts
the many daily ; but when the boundary was passed, the circle
of ordinary casual resort, then was the sign of something im-
portant to be transacted in anticipation made manifest. The
Officers of the Company, the Directors, the Committee, and
foreign visitors breakfasted at the London Tavern, Bishops..
gate-street, where carriages were in waiting to convey the
party to the place of appointment. There were several other
'Sr parties distributed over different divisions with simi-
lar arranrrements to meet at the same point at the given
hour. On' nearing Berking, the road began to assume the
character of a thoroughfare of the streets of a populous town
o'Vn" a day of rejoicing. From the spire of the church a flag
floatinc, in the air, and all along the inlets to and through-
-o,ht the wale town were there flags, streamers, and banners
been of in every direction. As much care seemingly had
taken to multiply this description of decoration as if the
good people had prepared to give a respectful and a hearty
welcome to a Sovereign whom they loved. For this ex-
tended demonstration of popular feeling a reason can easily be
furnished. Barking is a small town, but it is not separated
widely from other semi-towns, which by conventional usage
comprehended under the very comprehensive description Lon-
don; and in all these the attention is drawn in a peculiar degree
to maritime affairs generally, and to ship-building in parti-
cular. At Barking there have been many vessels built, but
we believe this was the first steam-vessel that has been built
there. The ground or dock had hitherto been considered a
barrier, on account of the difficulty of launching a vessel of
large dimensions. This was a large vessel, and the result of
the launch was to prove the practicability of removing a pre-
judice, which, once removed, would, as it were, open fresh
prospects to the town, which would materially enhance their
limited traffic. This was certainly sufficient to engender local
excitement. The Commercial Steam Navigation Company,
it will be remembered, commenced their operations only a
season or two ago. It would not be correct to say, perhaps,
that it was an experimental essay, but still it was only a specu-
lation, and when it was suggested they had looked forward to
a comparatively prescribed capital to be used only in the home
intercourse of passengers and goods, without ever contem-
plating the extension of their voyaging to other countries.
They started with two steam-boats ; but enterprise has mul-
tiplied their fleet to fourteen, and they have successfully com-
mpeted with others in the Foreign trade. This vessel, it was
known, was to be destined for the French trade, which fact con-
tributed, in no small degree, to heighten the general importance
that was attached to the vessel's fate. The intercourse of the
Company's vessels with Boulogne had been productive of the
best results. They had been properly appreciated by the
citizens of Boulogne, who had professed their readiness to
administer by co-operation in every act in the spirit of reci-
procity. The Commercial Company, on these professions,
conceived the idea of building a vessel to be employed in the
Boulogne trade, to be distinguished with the name of that
city; and the authorities of Boulogne, civil and military, as
well as the influential members of the mercantile body, were
so much pleased with the idea, that they handsomely came
forward to be present at the important preliminary step to-
wards the consummation of the design, namely, the launch
of the City of Boulogne. The steam-vessel was on the
stocks in the dock-yard of Griffith Taylor, Esq., which is
situated on Barking Creek, and those who are acquainted
with the Creek, will not be surprised at the misgivings which
existed of the failure of accomplishing an easy launch. But
the surface of the Creek evinced no sign of despair. It was
studded with boats wherever prudence would warrant ono to
be placed. The vessels in the other dock-yards were profusely
bedizened with flags; every house within view was crowded at
every window, and covered on the top with spectators where
it was practicable; and the banks of the Creek were crowded
wherever there was a peep to be obtained. In the imme-
diate vicinity of Mr. Taylor's dock-yard there were ample
galleries erected for the accommodation of a select number;
the principal of which was set apart for the reception of the
illustrious personages who were to take the moist prominent
share in the ceremonies of the day. About one o'clock the
Lord Mayor of London and his Lady arrived in his private
es:s,reridage and four. The Mayor of Boulogne and suite ar-
•
I ' and several persons of distinction from France came
n other carriages. Several guns commenced firing, and a
military band was in attendance on board ; and after the
Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, the Mayor of Boulogne
and suite, and the distinguished visitors had inspected the
vessel, the public were admitted. The vessel is a noble
structure ; but in her present state we can only speak of her
a hulk. Her internal decorations are not even corn-
Menced ; she is without her engines ; there are merely her
substantial works to be seen ; but these give indication suf-
ficient to form something like a correct estimate of what she
will be when finished. She has in length of keel 132 ft., fore-
rake (.1, ft. 8 inches, extreme breadth, 22 ft. 3i inches, for ton-
nage and sponsing sides, 25 ft. across ; the length abaft is 139
feet for tonnage. The burden is 332 tons, and to be pro-
Pelted by two engines of 60-horse power each. Of her mould
generally, we could only observe that her build was inclining
somewhat to the flat-bottomed style. On deck there are
the carcasses of the different apartments for the officers
and officials, and the quarter deck, which is to form the pro-
menade for passengers, is 50 feet in length. Near two
o'clock the Lady Mayoress was ushered to her place on the
Platform by Sir Andrew Green, and Beethen, Esq. The
Chairman, W. Elly, Esq., and J. Ferguson, Esq., discharged
the same attention to the Lord Mayor. J. Harman, Esq.,
conducted the Mayor of Boulogne. J. Barry, Esq., J. Lund,
and W. A. Peacock, Esq., received the authorities of
Boulogne, and other gentlemen who accompanied the Mayor.
Mona. H. Adam, the Mayor of Boulogne, was accompanied by
Mons. Dessau; Chairman of the Civil Tribunal ; Mons. Sau-
ei.)t, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and Colonel of the
Llf\_ational Guard ; Mons. Marcatte, Chevalier of the Legion of
isnour, and Director of the Custom-house ; Mons. Lorcl,
Hoirector of the Excise Duties; Mons. Margret, Chevalier of
nour, Stc. ; Mons. Hallet, Harbour-master ; Mons. Fon-
taine; Mons, Parrnort, &c. &c.
17, It was necessary that the launch should take place at high
ater. Great as the difficulties were that had been antici-
pated, the operations were so managed that it seemed, while
1;,Is their utmost activity, that nothing was doing. The Lady
iMayoress was seated on the platform, supported on the
eolit by the Mayor of Boulogne, and on the left by the
!Ik_ Id Mayor of London. Her Ladyship was to perform the
andel ceremony observed in giving the name to the vessel,
the two Mayors were placed in the nominal position of
SPonsors. The vessel was removed from restraint almost be-
lore the people were aware she was on the move, and she slided
nto the water as if with the instinct of a duck., It is corn-
'nettle the case that in describing such a sight poetical lan-
guage is drawn freely upon ;
but we believe poetry could
tcareely convey the plain matter of fact of the case, which
"as so much calculated to excite the wonder of every one who
heheld a difficulty so very great overcome so very effectually,
Without the semblance of exertion. She cleared the confines
of the Dock not with force but with strength of fall down the
inclined plain. The Lady Mayoress imprinted the name " the
City of Boulogne," by breaking over her bow a bottle of
Wine. It' it be any omen of good we can vouch for the fact,
that the bottle did its office amply. The Band struck up the
National Anthem of " God save the Queen." And the im-
mense assemblage, amounting at least to 15,000, rent the air
awith their cheers. By the skilful precautions which had been
non she was checked on the instant at the proper point,
fheaved about with as much precision as it' she had
en under the influence of her helm. The narrow compass
fen which there was to work was made as fully available as
fe,,there had beets an unlimited latitude of sea room. In a
d " Minutes site was brought up and floated at her freedom in
eep water.
W 6 have omitted to mention,
in the proper place, that in
ecnnPlimetit to the visitors from France the French flag formed
"T"sf the many with which the vessel was decorated.
tl Is°no M4YOR then addressed those on the platform to
followin, purport • —He said he had been highly gratified
slleith the sight th. launch, which had been effected in
tnch beautiful st le • but he was still more gratified with the
C 41,1„ c,nnsideratiyon; which were involved in the results of thei
ee!''' tries, had just witnessed. lie contemplated in it the
slis'istisremation of' a bond of union between the two countries
cii;;onee. linPed would gain strength with time, and seal that re-
-I,l4tin ite of interests which would lead to the most firm and
neeissigs uenefits. He was proud to see present on such an
and th
influentialsuch members of that city, actuated as they were
eleded_c.ordial feelings of co-operation. His Lordship co,n-
(The with saying
Long live the Kieg of the French.'
'es:a\iing was received with loud cheers.)
Bret ssa't ,it_Yolt of BOULOGNA then rose and expressed. his mi-
leage to pe had not sufficient knowledge of the English lan-
into thsg,lvssexpreasion to all that he felt. lie fully entered
Alayer' spirit of that which bad been expressed by the Lord
the
',' and he hoped that the present occasion was only one
gstheerecursor of many that they would have to co-operate to-
henest.as nations, for their mutual advantage and individual
of He concluded with saying, " Long live the Queen
the Pgian,d." This we received loud cheers, in which
Threnen visitorss
joined heartily.
Thee Lord
etl oule Mayor then presented his hand to the Mayor
;aid its a which the other received in the warmest manner,
ss'ne Nihearty shake performed the sien of fixed frieedship.
-11,Yores3Yce of Boulogne then shook 'hands with the Lady
'he L
cordnelees Mayor, the Lady Mayoress, and the Mayor of
hex Chairman shook hands with the Chairman and the De:
Chiirrean, and congratulated them on the happy result of
d ceremony.
rats es Bkad e, • e d ,etor of the ar-
te eereems en, essq., officiate- as con e.
"ens the
and James Whisson, Esq. officiated cuperin-
noticed among the gentlemen present David Wire