The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-06 00:00:00

THREE LAUNCHES AT BLACK
WALL.

Great as was the concourse of persons at Woolwich
on Wednesday, to witness the launch of her Majesty's
ship Bescawcn, 70 guns, the assemblage on Thursday at
Blackwell was greater, owing to the novelty of three
fine vessels being launched within one hundred yards
of each other, viz , the - Wellesley, East Indiaman,
and Monarch, steam-boat, from Messrs. Green's yard,
and a fine iron steam-boat called the Meteor, from
Messrs. Ravenhill and Miller's, the engineers. The
latter vessel was expressly for the Star Steam-boat
Company. Owing to the fineness of the day, the
scene on the river was very animated. The numer-
ous steam-boats were gaily decorated with their
signal-flags, whilst the yachts of the Royal Thames
Club, trimmed out in their gayest attire, highly en-
livened the assembled multitude by the many
manosavres they made in scudding clear of the throng
of craft that covered this part of the Thames. Black-
wall Per and the Brunswick Wharf were densely
crowded, and Messrs. Green's yard contained one
moving mass of people. On the right of the Welles-
ley was erected a large gallery, for the accommoda-
tion of the more select visitors. Under the bow was
also formed a platform for the christening party ;
whilst on the left. stationed on the Indiaman Monarch
(not the steamer), another fine large East India ship,
which %sill be completed in the course of next month,
was the band of the Royal Marines, from Woolwich.
Every spot where a sight of the ceremony could
be got was occupied ; and even the Kentish shore,
on the opposite side of the river, was densely
lined with spectators. Two o'clock having arrived,
and being near high water, the order was given to
launch off the Monarch steam-boat, and the work-
men commenced knocking away the few blocks that
held her. In the meantime Mrs. H. Green, accom-
panied by a fashionable party, proceeded to name the
vessel in the usual manner, and, on that being per-
formed, she glided off majestically into her future
element, the company applauding, and the band play-
ing " Rule Britannia." She is a very fine vessel,
about 200 tons burden, and is intended for the East
Indies. All eyes were now directed to the "lion" of
the day, and the heavy clank of hammers betokened
that she would soon burst forth from her birth plice.
At a quarter past two, Lady Hayes W&S escorted to
the how of the Wellesley, where she performed the
ceremony of christening her, officiating for the Duke
of Wellington, after whom the vessel is named. All
being in readiness, the labourers commenced knock-
ing away the dog shores, and after a minute or two
of suspense, she proceeded steadily off the slip, with
hundreds of human beings on her decks, the Royal
Marine band playing the national anthem, amidst the
tumultuous cheering of the thousands assembled.
Her figure head is that of the great Duke. She is
1,150 tons burden, 190 feet in length, and 39 feet
beam. The brilliant company, amongst whom were
observed Sir John Pelly ; J. Hume, Esq., M.P.;
several of the Trinity brethren, Gurney, Esq., W.
Baker, Esq., &c., retired to the Sailors' Home in the
East India-road, and sat down to a sumptuous enter-
tainment, a grand ball taking place in the evening to
celebrate the event. The Meteor was launched just,
before the Wellesley. Miss Harmer, a• fair daughter
of the ex-Alderman of the City of London, acting
on
,the occasion in naming her. She will be eighty
horse power, and it is said she will be the fastest
steamer on the river Thames. N ttwithstanding the
immense assemblage of persons, not the slightest ac-
cident occurred.