The Sun.
London, England, 1838-05-10 00:00:00

IRON STEAM-BOAT

We had yesterday the pleasure of witnessing the launch of another
iron steam-boat from the manufactory of Messrs. Fairbairne, and Co.,
Millwall Works, Poplar. Notwithstanding the rapid advance which
this description of vessels has of late years made in public estimation,
the port of London has been, if we may so term it, second in the race,
comparatively few having been bunched upon the Thames. This may
in some degree account for the interest which the launch of yesterday"
excited. At an early hour of the morning the spacious area of Messrs.
Feirbairne's manufactory was crowded with visitors, who continued to
arrive in rapid succession up to the time the launch took place. Among
the distinguished and fashionable individuals present we observed his
Excellency Baron Bulow, the Russian Ambassador, the Earl and Conn.
tess of Wilton, the Earl of Minto, Sir Geo. and Lady Murray and
family, Sir Charles Adam, Sir W. Parker, the Russian Consul Gene_
ral, J. J. Guest, Esq., M.P., and Lady Charlotte Guest and family, G.
W. Wood, Esq., M.P., Joseph Pease, Esq., M.P., J. Brotherton, Esq.,
M.P., J. Hindley, Esq., M.P., J. F. Young, Esq., M.P., and family, Sir
John Rennie, George Rennie, Esq., Captain Dickinson, n
Cap-
tain Back, R.N., and Professor Barlow. There were several
foreigners of distinction, scientific gentlemen, and a long list of
fashionables, whose names we did not learn. The ceremony of
naming the vessel, which has been called the Nevka, was per.
formed by Miss Fairbairne, and at half-past one the last of the shores
having been knocked away, the boat glided gently and gracefully
into the water, amid the waving of flags and the hearty cheers
of the thousands of spectators who lined the shores, or were stationed
in boats around. The Nevka has been built for the Emperor of Russia's
private use, and measures 148 feet in length, by 18 feet beam. She is
of nearly a similar model with the Sirius, launched from this factory a
short time since, and combines great stowage-room in proportion to her
bulk, with a strength and buoyancy hitherto unattainable in boats built
with timber. Her draught of water when afloat was only 2 feet three
inches, and with her boilers and all her materiel aboard, she will draw
little snore than three feet! The builders have received a carte blanche
for the fittings up and decorations, which will be of the most costly and
elegant description.
Previous to the launch, the Lords of the Admiralty present went
over the Rainbow, a Liverpool iron steam-boat, and the Lancashire
Witch, an iron boat lately built by the Messrs. Fairbairne, which were
anchored opposite the factory, and examined every part of the machi.
nery, &c. with great minuteness. We are glad to find that the attention
of the Government has been directed to the subject, because the advan-
tages presented by vessels of this construction, in point of strength
economy, and speed, are obvious, and require only to be known to ensure
their general adoption.

The company were invited, after the proceedings had terminated, into
the offices attached to the factory, where an excellent and sumptuous
collation, with a profusion of wines of every description, was provided;
and the attentions of the Messrs. Fairbairn, Mr. Price, and the other
gentlemen connected with the Establishment, to the comfort of their vi-
sitors, were most cordial and unremitting throughout the day.
The workmen, of whom upwards of 500 are constantly employed in
the manufactory, were also regaled with a liberal allowance of sub-
stantial fare, and all parties appeared highly gratified with the proceed-
ings of the day.