The Sun.
London, England, 1838-06-01 00:00:00

GREAT WESTERN STEAM SHIP.

BRISTOL, MAv3l.--This being the day appointed by the
Directors of the Great Western Steam Ship, for the recv-
titm of the public on board this splendid ship, we were in-
duced to visit her, and we cannot refrain from expressing our
high gratification at the hospitable and liberal reception we
experienced from the officers on board. It is impossible to
describe the animating and interesting scene which a visit to
the Great Western afforded. The visitors to this magnificent
ship were received by Mr. Mathews, the chief mate, and by
Captain Claxton, the Managing Director of the Company,
and the accommodation afforded by the Cambria steamer, en-
gaged to convey the passengers from Cumberland
Basin to Kingroad, *ere of the first order, and received
the universal approval of all parties. Upwards of 1,000 per-
sons visited this ship, and were received by the officers on
board with the greatest possible cordiality and attention, and
after viewing the arrangements, machinery, and fittings up
of this unequalled vessel, were regaled with a very elegant
and sumptuous dessert in the spacious and elegant saloon ;
wines of every description, and all the delicacies of the season
were supplied in ample profusion, and the decorations and at-
tendance served to remind one of the most enchanting and
fairy scenes.
Yesterday the proprietors and their friends visited the ship,
and partook of a dejeuner in the principal saloon. All parties
appeared satisfied with the excellent arrangements that had
been made, and with the successful result of the experimental
voyage.
To-day the public were admitted, and the arrangements on
board elicited the warmest eulogiums. There were two steam
packets engaged to convey passengers on board, and every
attention was paid to their comfort and accommodation. A
most splendid dessert was laid out in the state cabin, consist.
ing of champagne and the choicest wines and' pastries, pre-
serves, fruits, &c. Among the visitors were many of the most
fashionable and beautiful ladies of our city and neighbour-
hood; and this, with the splendid banners which were float-
ing in the breeze, and the soft strains of the music which were
wafted across the water, and the delightful and enchanting
scenery of the siu-roun.ling hills, all combined to increase the
interest and grandeur of the scene.:
The excitement occasioned by the arrival of the Great
Western is not confined to Bristol alone, but has extended to
the remotest parts of North and South Wales, and many visitors
have arrived here from these districts. The commercial
and agricultural gentlemen of the West of England appear
also deeply interested in the ultimate success of this hold and
eminently successful experiment. After the numerous visitors
on board had regaled themselves by viewing the ship, her
engines, machinery, and beautifully decorated saloon,
Captain ELTON, after the most ardent and cordial demon-
strations of loyalty and attachment to the throne, proposed
success to the Great Western Steam Ship Company, and
good health and prosperity to the Directors of the Company__
Drank with three times three.
Captain CLAXTON returned thanks:and was loudly and re-
peatedly cheered.
Captain CLAXTON then proposed the health of the Ladies
of Bristol, which was drank with three times three.
In rising to propose the health of the Ladies of New York,
who he said had visited the ship in thousands, he stated that
the beaux described them as among the most beautiful and in-
teresting of the sex, and he felt convinced that the gentlemen
on board would do them the utmost honour—drunk with re-
peated and vociferous cheers.

Captain CLAXTON then gave" Success to the Great Western
Railway," and stated that the attendance on board the Great
TVestern ship that day would hare been greater, if many
of the Directors had not been engaged in that undertaking,
which he hoped would prove abundanly successful, and highly
beneficial to the city of Bristol—drank with great applause.
Captain Et.ToNoproposed the I e ilth of Captain Claxton—
drank with tremendous cheering.
\lr. SNELL then gave the health of Captain Ilosken, R. N.,
the commuiding-officer of the Great Western, which was
most enthusiastically drank, amidst reiterated and deafening
cheers.

Nothing could exceed the excellence of the arrangements
on board, or the hospitality with which the public were re-
ceived, notwithstanding the sailors and workmen were busily
employed in making arrangements for their departure.
The Great Western will sail on Saturday next, at two'
o'clock, p.m. Additional berths -have been necessarily fitted
up, and the excellent accommodations on board have been ren-
dered, if possible, more complete. Upwards of fifty berths
are already taken, and a full complement is confidently ex-
pected.

The Directors met on Tuesday last, and it was unanimously,
resolved immediately to lay down another steam-ship for the
American trade, of a larger tonnage than the Great Western.
A requisition to the Mayor, calling a public meeting of the
is habitants of this city, has been signed by the principal and
most influential merchants, to express to the Gov,,rnment of
the United States, and particularly to the citizens of New
York, their sense of the hospitable and cordial reception given
to Captain liosken, the officers, and crew of the Great
Western, on her nrrival at New York. This meeting, which
is deferred until next week, would have taken place tomor-
row, but that most of the Directors of the Great Western
Steam-ship, were engaged to be present at the opening of the
Great Western Railway.