The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-05 00:00:00

THE r,SITN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 5, 1861.'

THE GREAT EASTERN.

This extraordinary specimen of naval architec-
ture arrived at Liverpool yesterday morning,
having been enabled to cross the bar a little before
9 o'clock. A great number of the river steamers,
laden with a vast concourse of people, all anxious
to get a sight of the " great ship," had
proceeded seawards to meet and welcome
her. The enormous vessel steamed slowly
but majestically up the river, accom-
panied by the steam flotilla referred to, till she
reached her mooring ground in the Sloyne, where
' she dropped her anchors (her moorings have not yet
arrived from Milford) considerably nearer the Lan-
cashire than the Cheshire shore. In the course of
the day many river steamers were constantly em-
ployed in conveying numerous parties of ladies and
gentlemen round the Great Eastern, and all ap-
peared to be much delighted and in no small de-
gree astonished at her enormous dimensions and the
elegance of her form. She sailed from New York
on Saturday, the 25th ult., at half-past 8 o'clock in
the morning, and arrived off the bar at the Mersey.
on Monday evening about half-past 9 o'clock, hav-
ing accomplished a most successful voyage. Dur-
ing the voyage the Great Eastern, in nautical
phrase, behaved exceedingly well, being perfectly
manageable under all circumstances of weather.
The highest speed attained was 355 knots in the 24
hours, but it may be mentioned that the screw was
the chief propelling power employed. The nature
and rate of the voyage, however, will be better
understood from the following extracts from her
official log :—May 25.—Course,
N. 88 E. ; wind,
S.S.E.; barometer, 29 i 0; thermometer, 65. At
8.19 pilot left thel ship ; light breeze. ay 26.
Distance run, 337 miles ; wind various ; lat. 40 40,
long. 66 07 ; barometer, 29 66 ; thermometer, 70;
consumption of fuel, 289 tons 13 cwt. ; light airs.
May 27.—Course, N. 83 E. ; distance run, 300 miles ;
wind, S.E. ; lat. 41 28, long. 59 52; barometer, 29
74 ; thermometer, 67; consumption of fael, 291 tons ;
thick weather; standing by engines. May 28.
Course, N. 73 E.; distance run, 340 miles ; wind,
S.S.E. ; lat. 43 07,10ng. 52 25 ; barometer, 2964; ther-
mometer, 61; consumption of fuel, 295 tons 2 cwt.
Fresh breeze and thick weather; stopped engines
15 minutes to sound at 10 p.m. ; going slow for 45
minutes. May 29.—Course, N. 67 E. ' • distance
run, 320 miles ; wind, S.S.W. ; lat. 45 04 ; long.,
45 28 ; barometer, 29 80 ; thermometer, 58 ; con-
sumption of fuel, 287 tons 7 cwt. Fresh breeze and
fine weather. May 30.—Course, N. 71 E.; dis-
tance run, 350 miles ; wind, N.W. ; lat., 47 04 ;
long., 7 33 ; barometer, 30 02; thermometer, 58 ;
consumption of fuel, 301 tons 1 cwt. Fresh gale
and gloomy weather. May 31.—Course, N. 79 E. ;
distance run 348 miles; wind, W.N.W. ; lat. 48 14,
long. 29 09; barometer, 29 39:; thermometer, 65 ;
consumption of fuel, 300 tons 12 cwt. Light breeze
and fine. June I.—Course, N. 75 E.; distance
run, 355 miles ; wind, N.E. ; lat. 49 30, long. 21 11;
barometer, 30 44 ; thermometer, 62 ; consumption
of fuel, 301 tons 15 cwt. Light breeze and fine.
June 2.—Course, N. 79 E. ; distance run, 325 miles ;
wind, N.N.E.; lat. 50 28 ; long. 12 55 ; barometer,
30 35; thermometer, 62; consumption of fuel, 288
tons. Fresh breeze. June 3.—Barometer, 30 20 ;
thermometer, 59; consumption of fuel, 293 tons 9
cwt. Fresh breeze ;at 930 p.m. anchored off
North-west Lightship. As to the comforts expe-
rienced by her numerous passengers, 212 in all,
that will be easily and fully appreciated from the
terms employed in the following testimonial,which
was signed by the whole of the passengers, and pre-
sented to the captain and officers on the completion
of the voyage :
" We, the undersigned passengers on board the Great
Eastern, from New York to Liverpool, cannot separate
without giving expression to our approval of the vessel and
her working, and to the general satisfaction of all on
board. In this noble ship we have enjoyed a feeling of
perfect confidence and security, while her ample accommo-
dations, elegant saloons, plentiful table, and the admirable
ventilation preserved throughout, have secured our health
and comfort ; and, above all, the easy motion of the vessel
—to which the waves appear as playthings—in spite of, or
perhaps by reason of, her gigantic but admirably propor-
tioned bulk, has almost precluded the possibility of sea-
sickness, even to the most sensitive, so as to render her
par excellence, the most desirable ship for ladies and fami-
lies. On these grounds we confidently recommend the
Great Eastern as the safest, most comfortable, and easy_
going vessel in which any one can cross the Atlantic, and
we are anxious that this expression of our opinion should
be made public for the public good."

Besides the number of passengers stated, the Great
Eastern brought upwards of 3,000 tons of flour,
grain, and provisions in cargo, and had also 1,000
tons of water ballast on board. On leaving New
York her draught of water was 26 feet, but this
has proportionately decreased consequent on the
reduction of the coal by consumption during the
voyage. Her cargo will be transferred to lighters
in the river, under the direction of a competent
stevedore, and landed in Liverpool. On Monday
afternoon considerable excitement was created in
Liverpool by the receipt of a telegram announcing
that the Great Ship had been off Holyhead at 4 30
p.m., on the receipt of which the fast sailin g steamtug
Rover was brought into requisition and desptched
as a tender. She left the north landing-stage at
half past seven o'clock, and went to meet the
leviathan ship in order to bring away the despatches.
The Great Eastern was fallen in with near the
North-west Lightship about half-past nine o'clock.
The tender had on board Mr. Dixon, the agent of
the company at Liverpool ; Mr. Thomas Bold, Mr.
Barber, and several other gentlemen. As the Great
Eastern neared the tender she was welcomed by
hearty cheers from those on board the latter vessel,
and these salutations and greetings were renewed
yesterday morning as the stately vessel steamed
majestically up the river. It is intended to exhibit
the Great E astern during 12 or 15 days after her
cargo has been landed, and it is expected that this
will have been effected and the public admitted to
view her on the Bth inst. It is further understood
that she will again make the voyage to New York,
starting from Liverpool in about a month from this
date.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cam-
bridge and the Princess Mary honoured the Marquis of
Lansdowne with their company at dinner, on Monday
evening, at Lansdowne House. Lady Geraldine Somerset
and Col. Home Purves were in attendance on their royal
highnesses.

The Countess of Baby has issued invitations for
receptions on Saturday, the 22d inst., and on Saturday, the
6th proximo.

The Countess of Fife has been confined to the
house for some days by severe indisposition.
The Earl and Countess of Leicester and the
Ladies Coke have arrived at the London Hotel, Albemarle-
street, from Holkham.

Viscountess Palmerston has issued cards for as-
semblies on Saturday next, and on Saturday, the 15th inst.
Lord and Lady Hatherton have returned from
Teddesley to Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-square.
HAYMARKET THEATRE.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Mathews having returned to London, appeared at this
theatre last night, in the still popular piece of " The Over-
land Route." The piece has lost none of its power of
attraction.

TRAMES EMBANKMENT AND RAILWAY COM-
-3llSSlON.—Yesterday the royal commission appointed to
enquire into and report to both }louses of Parliament on
this subject, re-assembled at the offices of the commission,
in Victoria-street, Westminster. Present,,the Right Hon.
the Lori Mayor in the chair; Sir J. Jb
tain Galton, R.E., of the railway de
areti
R.N.,P of
theme ntef the Board
elr.J. T
Captaintvuraesittals,,
the Chairman of the Metro-
K.C.B. ; Cap-
Thames Con-
servancy;Trade 3
politan Board of Works ; Mr. R. A. Hunt, Surveyor to
the Government Board of Works ; Mr. J. R. M'Clan
C.E., and Mr. Henry Kingscote, Hon. Secretary.
The main object. of the meeting was to take the evidence
and to consider the interests of the numerous wharfingers
and other owners of property on the route of the proposed
embankment. The Inner and Middle Temple were repre-
sented by Mr. Nelson, and by Messrs. Chilton, Yeates
Burtcn, and Hart, solicitors, with Mr. Smirke, the archi-
tect; the City of London Gas Company, by Mr. Grey, the
chairman, Mr. Millar, secretary, Messrs. Leighton, solici-
tors, Mr. Hardwicke, architect, Mr. Mann, engineer, and
other gentlemen representing the interests of Somerset-
house, the Duke of Northumberland, and other propertied
rights upon the foreshore between Blackfriars-bridge and
Westminster. Evidence to a considerable length having
been taken, the committee adjourned.