The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-14 00:00:00

THE GREAT EASTERN STEAM SHIP,

RAISING THE PADDLE SHAFTS THIS DAY

The difficult operation of raising and placing on
board the paddle shafts and cranks of the Great
Eastern Steam Ship was successfully performed to-
day, by means of a" floating derrick."
To the uninitiated spectator everything about a
floating derrick is strange and singular-looking
in the last degree. It is strange in shape, in
make, andin purpose—more strange even in name.
The whole thing is really a floating'crane of gigan-
tic size and power, the hull, its base, being of such
a shape as best suits a light draught of water with
a counterpoise to the leverage of the crane. In
shape the Derrick is crucifonn up to the arms of
the cross, being a tripod-slmped iron stand, tied
together with wrought-iron braces. The cross of
ithe Derrick is called the boom, all made of wrought-
iron. The upper limb of the cross is called the king
post. Thus from one arm of the cross the weight is
raised by pulleys, which, passing over the king post,
are brought over th.e other arm to the body of the
vessel. The whole principle of the machine is, in
fact, acquisition and distribution—as fast as the
weight is acquired it is distributed over the whole
frame of the Derrick, and thence throughout the
hull equally. Two oscillating engines work a set
of crabs, independent of each other, the united force
of all giving a hoisting capacity of no less than 100
tons above the surface of the water.

The immense piece of machinery, weighing
nearly 45 tons, was lifted, with the greatest ease,
from Scott Russell's building-yard at Millwall, at
ten o'clock this morning, and in about half-an•hour
was lying alongside the Great Eastern.
Orders were given to commence the novel hoist,
and at five minutes to 12 it was level with the deck
of the ship. A quarter of an hour afterwards it
was placed in position ; and thus a work of great
magnitude was performed in', n, comparatively short
time.

The proceeding on board the Floating Derrick
were under the superintendence of the chairman and
other officials of the Floating Derrick Company,
while those on the Great-Eastern were conducted by
Captain Harrison.

The expeditious manner in which the work was
performed reflected the highest credit upon all
concerned,

The Wallachian deputation charged to deliver to
Prince Alexander Couza the official act of his nomination
has been welcomed at Jassy with the most lively enthu-
siasm. It was received on the 10th by the Prince, who
is said to have replied to it with great dignity and
moderation.
.•
It is said that negotiations between the Brititsh
and French Governments on the subject of Newfoundland are about to be resumed, and that the Baron do la Rola-
ciere Le Noury is appointed a Commissioner to conduct tile
negotiations on the part of the French Government. The
Minister of Marine has selected the steam corvette Gassers di
to proceed to Newfoundland with the officer appointed to
command the French ships of war on that station.
IRISII COUNTY ELECTIONS.—The poll at Irifdi
county elections is limited to one day. (as in England) by
a bill just brought in by Mr. Collins, Mr. Bagwell, and Mr.
Blackburn. The time and Mode of proceeding to election
is also to be assimilated to the simpler and shorter system
which obtains in England. The seats of bankrupt members ;
mud be vacated after four months instead of twelve.