The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-30 00:00:00

THE LJUNCH OF THE LEVIATHAN.

A third, and we are happy to say, successful attempt
was made on Saturday partially to launch the Leviathan,
which is now considerably advanced on her way to the
water. The inter tion to effect the launch was kept a
still closer secret than the second attempt, and even the
workmen in the yard were scarcely aware of the inten-
th n until the ship bad stoved some distance. Since the
last occasion the buttresses of the hydraulic ram had
been considerably strengthened, and every precaution
was taken to prevent anything like disappointment again
occurring. The operations commenced about a quarter
past ten, under the direction of Mr. Brunel and Captain
liarriean. Their first efforts were directed to get the
head of the ship in a line with the stern, the fore part
being about 25 inches in advance of the stern towards
the water. Tue hydraulic presses were applied, and in
less than a minute the huge ship began gradually to
move, and in the course of half an hour she had got
into a straight position, having moved rather more than
two feet forward. Tee more difficult task of forcing her
down the ways was then commenced, and the strength-
ened buttresses for the hydraulic rams proved fully
equal to the pressure brought to bear upon them. The
four powerful hydraulic presses were simultaneously put
into action, and a strain put upon the chains. The ship •
almost immediately obeyed the immense power which
bore upon her, and began to move gently down, a little
snore than an inch a minute. One of the mooring chains
gave way at an early period, but this did not in the least
effect the progress of the ship. The presses and chains
were kept in lull play, and the ship continued her move-
ment down the ways. At two o'clock she had moved
bodily seven feet two inches, in addition to the two feet
she bad progressed forward at her bows. The operations
were continued until half-past four, Ly which time the
ship had enoved altogether 15 feet 4 inches forward,
and 13 feet aft, having travelled squally stem and
stern. Ater the vessel had moved a short distance, the
iron ways were carefully examined, and it was found that
on the spot on which the ship had rested for so long, the
metal had not become in the least laminated, and that
the supposed friction of the two opposing iron surfaces
had been greatly exaggerated. There was a very strong
opinion prevalent, after the failure of the second attempt,
that the cradle had become friction bound, and the coun-
tenances of Mr. Brunel and Capt. Harrison were seen
to brighten considerably when the Leviathan gave an
indication of vitality, and moved the first inch on its
course. The progress of the vessel was so completely
under control, and so gradual, that its advance could
not be distinguished except by the most minute obser-
valion. The plan adopted for recording the progress
was is very simple one. A long board at the stem and
another at the stern, placed parallel with the ways, was
marked in inches, and men stationed at each end
" scored" the slow and otherwise imperceptible motion
of the huge mass as it moved onward. The entire dis-
tance to be travelled on the ways is about 300 feet, and
it is expected that on Tuesday evening or Wednesday
morning next the Leviathan will be safely moored off
Deptford dockyard. The operations will be resumed
this morning, and continued without intermission until
the work is completed.

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