The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-31 00:00:00

THE LEVIATHAN.

On Saturday a large party of gentlemen inte-
rested in the success of the Leviathan availed them-
selves of the kind invitation of the directors to in-
spect the several parts of the noble vessel, and the
fineness of the weather also induced a very consi-
derable number of ladies and gentlemen to profit
by-the opportunity which had been placed at the
disposal of the public of obtaining admission to her
for the small sum of half-a-ciown. From both
these causes, the Concourse of visitors was extremely
large, an unabated curiosity being manifested to
obtain a view of this wonderful structure and her
several integral parts and arrangements, each of
them a wonder in itself. For the convenience of
visitors, the Woolwich and Greenwich steamers
landed passengers for the Leviathan on the deck
of the Arab, which was anchored alongside,
from whence they ascended to the deck by
an easy accommodation staircase. With the
arrival of each successive steamer, large batches
of visitors for the Leviathan were landed at
frequent intervals, and the watermen of Dept•
ford and Greenwich were actively employed during
the entire day in conveying others to and from the
shore. During the day upwards of 1,000 visitors,
each paying half-a-crown, went through every part
of the vessel, their admiration of its several parts,
the vastness of their proportions, the perfection of
their workmanship, and their general adaptation
to the ends to be attained, increasing at every step.
Very large numbers of visitors have also come to
the vessel on every day throughout the week, and
as the weather has now greatly improved, the num-
ber will probably be greatly increased during the
few days more tbat she will continue open for in-
spection. To attempt to give an idea of the
stupendous grandeur of the machinery of the Levia-
than would be idle. Though a portion only of it
certainly, including some of the larger castings, as
the cylinders, air-pumps, and parts of the paddle-
shaft, are in their places, the mind can iu some de-
gree realise it in its finished and working•state ; and,
if it were only to view this grand triumph of Eng-
lish machine-making we would urge every one to
make an endeavour to visit the vessel.
The directors, in the evening, entertained a party
of their friends at a splendid dinner at the Bruns-
wick Tavern, Blackwell, when
Sir C. P. HONEY, replying to the toast of health,
remarked at some length upon the scheme which
had been proposed for raising the sum required to
fit the ship for sea, as being, he believed, the best
that had ever been brought before the public. No
doubt, he said, in order to induce the public to
embark in any such scheme very great advantages
must he held out. The directors had done so by
offering advantages equal to cent. per cent. ; but
while it was necessary that the ship should at the
earliest moment be sent to sea, he was in a posi-
tion to say that the terms offered were those the
company could pay, and leave the original share-
holders in a very exalted position. (Hear, hear.)
He firmly believed that the Leviathan would ulti-
mately be one of the greatest successes, in a com-
mercial point of view, that had ever been inaugu-
rated. He knew that sufficient traffic would be found
on th© Atlantic to make the Leviathan one of the
greatest commercial enterprises that had ever been
engaged in. It was, undoubtedly, true that Eng-
land, in distant parts, although known to be a
powerful country, was Lot loved. He believed that
an alteration would, by the instrumentality of
the Leviathan, be brought about, and that Eng-
land would be readily recognised as the great
maritime nation, which she undoubtedly was.
(Cheers.) The average number of persons who
left Great Britain for America during the last
seven years, amounted to 168,000, and if tire ship
obtained the number which was expected—aud he
entertained no doubt that such would be the case
—she would bring into existence a greater amount
of intercourse than had ever before existed between
this country and America. (Hear, hear.) In fact,
he entertained no doubt that the traffic in con-
nection with the United States would, in conse-
quence of the construction of the Leviathan, be so
developed, that the success would surpass the ex-
pectations of the mo-t sanguine well- wishers of the
ship, and surprise those who entertained adverse
opinions respecting her. (Hear.) If the average
he had quoted was correct, to less than 10,000 per-
sons left England for America every week ; and if,
—as it was fair to assume—the Leviathan obtained
one-fifth of that amount, the ship would be the
greatest commercial success that could be supposed.
(Hear.) But if, on the other hand, she was pa-
tronised by a much leis namber, she would stilt
produce a very considerable profit. (Hear, hear.)
The hon. gentleman proceeded, at great length,
into various matters of detail, which loft no doubt
upon the 'ninth of the persons present that the
vessel would, at no distant period, be not only pro-
ductive to ti:e original shareholders, but also to
those who raised the sum required to fit her for sea.
In conclusion,`. Sir Cusack proposed
.the health of
Mr. Yates, the • secretary, who, he said, bad de-
voted days and nights to the interots of the com-
pany, and had• evinced the greatest anxiety to do
all iu his power to assist the directors iu their
arduous undertaking.
Mr. YAIES replied in suitable terms : and, after
some further proceedings, the meeting, which was
of a most interesting character, was brought to a
termination.

Though it is now four months since the engineer-
ing difficulties of launching this monster vessel
were successfully overcome, little has yet been done
to prepare her for the sea, owing to difficulties of
ano•her nature ; difficulties which all the skill of a
Brunel cannot overcome —monetary difficulties.
A scheme, however, has at length been put forward
by which it is believel th It the necessary c tpital
for her equipment may be raised—a scheme which
we believe, mainly owes its parentage to the inge-
nuity and energy of Sir Cusack Roney. By this
scheme the sum of 220,0001. is to be raised by the
sale of 11,000 debentures of 20/, each, the holders
of which are to receive au annuity of 51. per annum
for eight years, thereby obtaining cent. per cent.
-for the use of their money—the company, however,
reserving to themselves the right at any time to
reduce the annuities after March 31, 1860. As a
guarantee for the payment of ,that portion of the
annuiey representing interest and insurance,
an arrangement has been made with the Grand
Trunk Railway Company Of Canada, whereby
that company will reserve 50 pa- cenfe of the
amount of all receipts taken for goods and pas-
eenL:'ere conveyed over its railway to and from the
ship, and, by the ship, to and from Portland and
her port in great Britain. The Grand Trunk Com-
pany will also undertake to manage, at its expense,
the agency of the ship et Portland end at the sta-
tions on the railway of the company, at which it
will collect all trade, freight, dec., including taking
goods to and front the ship's side, and to and
from the railway, free cf all charges for labour and
whir! ige. The London and North-Western Com-
pany of England have also agreed to set aside 15
per coot. of the re ceipts from such traffic brought
over their line, for a similar purpose. The average
speed of the ship is expec•ed to be 16 knots an hour,
or two knots more than that of the fastest vessel
hither: o traversing the Atlantic. During the last
seven years the average number of persons who
have left Liverpool for America has been 168,000,
and it is believed about an equal number leave the
other ports in the kingdom—one-half of such traffic
sailing from Liverpool. The average number of
passengers retuzeintieerteigiantViS about half that
of those going out, making the total passengers be-
. twetra Erreland and America about 500,000 per
annum, of whom it is assumed one-tenth will avail
themselves of the accommodation and quick pas-
sage offered by the Leviathan, and if so it will be-
come ono of the greatest commercial speculations in
the world, irrespective of the amount expected to
be derived from the goods traffic. But should the
directors be disappointed in their estimate, they
still feel assured that the railway guarantees will
produce amply sufficient to pay the working ex-
pense; and secure the holders of the annuities from
all chance of risk. Should the money be raised, of
which the directors entertain no doubt, the vessel
will he fitted ready fur sea in the early part of next
year, when it is proposed to make an experimental
trip to Lisbon, or souse other convenient continen-
tal port. In the meantime the Leviathan is open
to the view of the public, and the present fine wea-
ther is daily attracting hundreds to avail themselves
of the opportunity thus offered of viewing her im-
mense proportions ; tickets, however, must be
firat obtained either from the office in Gresham-
street, or Mr. Sains, of St. James's-street, the sole
West-end agent.

THE CAPE MAIL SERVIOE.—The Athens, one of the
clew crew vessels of the Union Steamship Company,
destined for the Cape of Good lope line, went out for a
of speed t.:-) Stoke:.-Lay on S.turday, ar,d the re-
sult was highly satisfactory. After the c lli al business
of the day was concluded the ship proceeded down the
Solent to the Needles, to give visitors an opportunity
of viewing the beautiful sce,nery of the Isle of Wight
and the Hampshire coast. Several gentlemen from Lon-
don connected with the Cape trade were on board, as
well as many ladies, who were all much gratified with
the cruise. The Athens is commanded by Captain Wm.
Strutt, late of the Dane, jest arrived from the Cape,
having made one of the quickest voyages to England on
record, upon whiCh Capt. Strutt was warmly compli-
mented by those on board the Athens, in which ship
they heartily wished him the same success. The Athens
is somewhat larger than the ships of the company am.
ployed in the Cape mail :service, and it is confidently
expected, from the result cf this trial trip, that she will
sustain the high character they have established for
punctuality in the performance of the contract.