The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-30 00:00:00

BRIGHTON AND CONTINENTAL
STEAM-PACKET COMPANY.
(From the Sussex Advertiser.)
We last week gave a brief but interesting account of
the trial performances of the Brighton, one of the
splendid steamers built for the " Brighton and Conti-
nental Steam-packet Company," and intended to run
between Newhaven, Dieppe, and .11avre. For that ac-
count we were indebted to a friend, but we have this
week had the privilege, through the courtesy of the
Hon. Captain Hotham, one of the directors of the com-
pany, of ourselves witnessing the admirable powers not
only of the Brighton, but of its, in every respect,
twin sister, the Dieppe. To our readers in this dis-
trict the first introduction of these vessels to the " wide
waters of the deep" will naturally be a matter of much
interest, and we therefore propose to give a description
of the passage on Friday past, when the Brighton
and; the Dieppe left their moorings at Limehouse
and Blackwall to take up their station at Shoreham,
whence they will run to Dieppe and Havre, until such
time as the needful arrangements at Newhaven are com-
pleted.
In terming these boats twin sisters, we are speaking
with perfect accuracy, for they are precisely similar in
their build, their admeasurement, their engines, their
machinery, in fact, in every respect, even to the most un-
important item in their fittings. Under such circum-
stances it is only natural that there should not be—nor
is there—any perceptible difference in their power, as
will appear from the following account of their passage.
It may not be out of place here to remark as to the care
which has been evinced for the passenger accommoda-
tion in these vessels. The cabins are lofty, roomy, and
well lighted, and are fitted up with every attention both
to comfort and appearance. The ladies' cabin is parti-
cularly elegant in its appointments. The ceiling is dead
white, with handsome ornamental mouldings of white
and gold, contrasting well with the doors and sides, which
are of polished mahogany, pannelled with bird's-eye
maple. The easy chairs, luxurious sofas, mirrors,
lamps, marble chimney-piece, and polished steel stove of
appropriate size and design, all impart an appearance of
comfort and elegance to this apartment, which brings to
mind the boudoir rather than the cabin. In addition to
the two principal cabins is a small private cabin, adapted
for a family wishing for seclusion, and a most comfort-
able little " snuggery" for a whist party, or any other
small and select reunion. The sleeping berths are com-
modiously arranged and adapted to the demands of a far
longer passage than that for which these boats are in-
tended.
The Brighton was lying at Blackwall, and at four
o'clock, having taken in her supply of coal—or rather of
the patent fuel, recently invented—proceeded to Lime.
house in search of her consort, the Dieppe, which was
moored in Limehouse reach. On board the Brighton
were Captain Hotham and Joseph Thompson, Esq., two
of the directors of the Brighton and Continental Steam-
packet Company; J. B. Jackson, Esq., as guest of the
latter gentleman; and Mr. Hawtree, of the firm of Penn
and Co., the celebrated engineers (with whose engines
both the Brighton and the Dieppe are fitted), the vessel
being under the command of Captain Scott. At a
quarter past five, the vessels being all in readiness, and
having made Blackwall again, started finally from that
point on their voyage. Owing to the lateness of the
hour, the ebb was lost and the lowness of the tide was
such as to preclude any very great speed being at-
tempted. Still both vessels progressed at a rapid rate,
and before six o'clock Erith Pier and the Powder Maga-
zine at Purfleet were passed. At the trial mile opposite
the Long Reach Tavern, we were, however, anxious to
ascertain the precise rate at which the vessels were going,
and on timing them to the next mile post, it was found
that the distance had been completed in exactly four
minutes and twenty seconds, being within a mere frac-
tion of fourteen miles an hour, with a head wind, shallow
water, and tide just turned. In Long Reach the vessels
lay to for some half dozen minutes while taking on board
their powder, after which they again proceeded on their
voyage. Hythe was soon passed, and here we had a ca-
pital view of Ingriss Abbey, the seat of Alderman Har-
mer, said to be built with the stone of Old London-
bridge. In an hour and thirteen minutes from the time
of starting we were off Gravesend. We may here stop
to confirm the remark made by our correspondent last
week as to the almost entire freedom of the Brighton
from all vibratory or oscillatory motion. Though pass-
ing through the water at so rapid a rate, she was as
"steady as old Time," as one of the crew observed—a
quality greatly affecting the comfort of a passenger,
whether on deck or below. It would be tedious to the
reader to particularise the periods at which we made the
various " points" of the voyage; suffice it to say, that at
eight o'clock we passed the Nore Light, and that at a
quarter to ten, precisely four hours and a half from the
time of leaving Blackwall (inclusive of stoppages), we
were off Margate. Here we lay to for the night, amply
satisfied with the manner in which the vessel had accom-
plished her voyage.
At five next morning orders were given to weigh
anchor, and the " two sisters" set out again—this time
in search of adventures, Captain Hotham and the
gallant commanders of these splendid vessels having on
the previous night held a council of war, and having
determined to get round to Folkestone, in order to
have a trial of speed with the boat for Boulogne, which
that invaluable mentor, "Bradshaw," chronicled as starting
from Folkestone at eight o'clock. On reaching the latter
place we parted with Mr. Hawtree, who was compelled
to be in town by a certain hour, and having duly dis-
patched the important business of breakfasting, we
waited somewhat impatiently for the appearance of the
Clementine, on board of whom it was plain that the
preparations for the voyage were nearly completed. At
length up went the " blue Peter," and the wished-for
moment arrived, the Clementine steaming gallantly out
of the harbour, and directing her course towards Bou-
logne. At this time (eight minutes past eight) the
Brighton and the Dieppe were pretty close in shore,
and when the Clementine had got into her right course,
they " waited upon her" on either side. This state of
things, however, did not last long, for although the
Clementine did not yield without a struggle, in ten
minutes' time she was distanced a distance which
was steadily but rapidly increased, in spite of her having
her sails set, while neither of her opponents had
an inch of canvass out. At the end of a trifle
short of fifty minutes we encountered the ally of the
Clementine, making her voyage from the opposite
coast. At this time it was calculated by those on board
that we were from twelve to thirteen miles from the
English shore, and that we were from two-and-a-half to
three miles in advance of the Clementine. On meeting
the Prince Ernest, for such was the steamer from Bou-
logne, the Brighton made a sweep so as to give the Prince
about half a mile " law," the Dieppe getting round in
time to get a nearer start with his Highness. It was
soon perceptible, that, however, in " earnest" he might
be, the Prince must share the sad fate of his fair friend
Clementine ; a very short time sufficed to bring up the
Brighton alongside, and a few minutes more left the
Prince to bewail his lot. By the time we had again
reached Folkestone it was a quarter to ten. Here
both the Brighton and Dieppe tacked round and returned
towards the Prince, before whom they crossed, making,
by way of salute, such obeisance as we believe is termed
in nautical phrase " dipping" their colours. At the
moment Prince Ernest entered the mouth of the harbour
it wanted but six minntes to ten, showing that in addition
to the half mile of " law," which we had given at start-
ing, the Brighton had got home nine minutes in advance
of her opponent. This result strictly bears out the
former calculation made as to the Clementine, viz., as
to our having beaten her by a distance of between
two and a half and three miles. Having accomplished
this triumph, the victorious vessels steered westward
towards their destination. In precisely one hour we
made Dungeness, and at twelve o'clock were passing
iu front of Hastings and sc. Leonards, on whose shores
sec,e collected crowds of spectators, in honour of whom
both vessels fired a salute. On leaving Folkestone
we had encountered a slight breeze from the west-
ward, which gradually gained strength as we progressed
in that direction, and on rounding Beachy Head, at a
little past one o'clock„ the breeze stiffened into what
sailors call " half a gale," but which, according to
our " land-lubbers' " estimate, we should have been
disposed to rate as a stiff breeze, it being, moreover,
dead ahead of us. However, both vessels sped steadily
onwards, walking through the water in admirable
style, and keeping so 'close to each other, that it was
impossible to decide which was the faster of the two.
If there be any difference, it is perhaps in favour of the
Dieppe, but as the steam of her consort was not up
during the only period where the former seemed to
gain a slight advantage, that circumstance would amply
account for the very slight and temporary difference
once attained during the morning. On passing East-
bourne the signal gun again sent forth a salute from
its brazen throat, while on reaching Newhaven harbour
both steamers paid a similar tribute of respect to the
scene of their future labours. Precisely at a quarter past
two we were closely in front of the Chain Pier, Brighton,
but there was too much sea, as well as too much wind
out to allow of landing there ; the vessels, consequently,"
proceeded to Shoreham, opposite the harbour of which
they were at 35 minutes past two, thus running the dis-
tance between the pier and the harbour in precisely 20
minutes. Owing to the state of the tide, both vessels
ran on to Worthing, whence they returned in due course,
but were obliged to lay to till the tide was sufficiently in
to enable them to enter the harbour.
Thus passed the first voyage of the Brighton and the
Dieppe, and we earnestly trust that the success which
has attended their early efforts may await on their fu-
ture course. .4t present, we believe, we may confidently
assert, that they are the fastest boats which have been
constructed. It is whispered that the Newhaven,
which is in the course of completion, will however sur-
pass them. In the present age of exertion and enter
prise, it is apparently impossible to place any limits as
to what science and skill can or cannot effect ; but if
the builder of the Newhaven achieve a victory over
the splendid boats we have above spoken of, he will
richly deserve all the success he may gain. For the
present the Brighton and Continental Steam Com-
pany's boats will run from Shoreham to Dieppe
and Havre, but so soon as the railroad from Newhaven
is.opened, and the other necessary arrangements are
completed, they will take up their permanent station at
Newhaven. By means of these boats and through the
facilities afforded by the railway on this, and those on
the opposite shore, the most direct communication be-
tween the great capitals of England and France will now
be opened. It is only in strict accordance with the spirit
of the times that an enterprize, having such an object in
view, should be pre-eminently successful. That such a
result may attend the exertions of the Brighton and Con-
tinental Steam-packet Company is our earnest hope—a
hope in which we shall, we feel assured, be joined, not
only by those to whom the prosperity of this district is a
matter of deep interest, but also by the public at large.
In saying this mush it forms no part of our view to ad-
vocate the interests of this company as against those of
any other body. We esteem the new route as one which,
from its facilities, will create, as it were, a new class of
passengers; it will naturally also greatly augment, as
facilities ever do, the traffic between this country and the
Continent, while the spirit of enterprise which this fresh