The Sun.
London, England, 1845-07-28 00:00:00

DI:PARTURE TIIE GREAT
BRITAIN ON HER FIRST TRANSATLANTIC
VOYAGE.

LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY EVENING.

The arrival in the Mersey of the Great Britain
steamer—that magnificent and stupendous effort of
British skill and British enterprise, will long be a me-
morable and remarkable event in the commercial history
of our port. The welcome she received from countless
thousands on her first appearance has only been ex-
ceeded by the excitement which has not only prevailed
here but for a hundred miles round iu the public mind
respecting her—an excitement which has continued
with undiminished ardour for upwaris of three
weeks. Fvery day cheap trains, carrying thtal-
sands of passengers, have arrived from the
towns in Lancashire and Yorkshire, and the
steam-boats plying coastwise have also been crowded
with persons desirous of beholding the " Great Le-
viathan," as she has been aptly named. About 40,000
persons have paid Is. each to go on beard the vessel ;
but the number who have contented themselves with
gaze and wonder at her extension only is incalculable.
The Directors have acted with a liberality to be expected
from men prompted by a spirit of enterprise sufficient to
brave the prejudices and difficulties they must have en-
countered in their noble undertaking. They have pre-
sented out of the proceeds received from the exhibition
the sum of 100/. to be thus divided amongst the Liver-
pool charities, wisely confining the distribution to those
institutions from which the industrial population receive
most immediate advantages : Northern and Southern
Hospitals, 251. each ; Sailors' Home, 201. ; Dispen-
saries, 20/. ; Floating Church and Chapel, 5/. each.
We regret to state that the Great Britain carries out
but a small complement of passen::ers, although the fares
were low, being 20, 22, and 25 guineas. Considering
that this may almost be considered an experimental
trip, and that great prejudice generally exists in the
public tninei against new and only partially tried plans,
this is not to be wondered at. We have seen parties
gazing in profound astonishment, wonder, and admira-
tion at the splendid vessel ; but, after their first impres-
sions have been removed, they have shaken their heads,
and given expression to many doubts as to the safety of
the object of their won ler. This is not an individual, but
a general impression. The minds of the people seem
unable to comprehend how so vast a floating machine can
be guided with speed and safety across the broad
Atlantic. We can only express a fervent hope that these
opinions may be as unfounded as those given by the
noted Dr. Lardner, who, a few months before the Sirius
crossed the Atlantic, stated that it was utterly impossible
for any steam-boat to accomplish so great a task.
We subjoin a list of passengers :—Col. Ernest, Mr.
Pauget, Mr. B. Graham, Mr. 1). Murray, Mr. Billings,
Mr. Bowry, Mr. E. K. Kane, Mr. Jeanjequet, Mr. A.
M`Lachlan Miss Palin, Mr. S. Crooks, Mr. J. Wood,
Mrs. Wood, Mr. H. Wood, Mr. W. Wood, Mr. Robert-
son and friend, General MiTntire, Mr. Smith, Mr. P. L.
Suchard, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Code, Mr. DT,
Mr. Tomline Clayton, Mr. B. Reybold, Mr. Trole, hl r.
Simonsfield, Mr. F. Bridhar, Mr. J. M•Kewan, Captain W.
Morris, and Mr. J. Fryer.
She carries about 500 tons of light goods and a large
mail. _ _ _

It was announced that the Great Britain would leave
the Coburg-dock on Friday afternoon ; but in order, we
suppose, to prevent the inconvenience arising from the
immense crowds that would, no doubt, have flocked to see
her, she left the dock at three o'clock in the morning,
and came to anchor in the Hoyne, on the Cheshire side
of the river, where she took her coals on board ; and
where, also, she continued to be an object of great
attraction to the passengers by the ferry steamers.
Attracted by the loveliness of the day, and the
novelty of the sight, an immense concourse of persons
assembled on the pier head to witness her departure this
afternoon. It seemed quite a holiday. The rival* was
studded with gaily decorated steamers laden with pas-
sengers, who were to accompany th., greatest of them all
as far as the light-ship. At tao o'clock a small steamer
took off the mail passengers, the hour far sailing being
three. Shortly after that time the Great Britain got
under weigh, and the firing of a gun announced that she
commenced an outward trip. Her gun was answered by
other vessels from the Cheshire side of the ➢Mersey.
The river presented a magnificent spectacle at this time.
The stately vessel moved slowly down the river amidst
the loud huzzas of the spectators and the firing of
cannon, and the heartfelt expressed prayers of thousands
for her success. _ _ _

She passed the rock in gallant style, sailed through
the Victoria Channel, passing Crosby light ship and in-
ward-bound vessels, the parties on board which saluted
her with three cheers.

In addition to her passengers, there was a large party
on board the Great Britain by invitation. These sailed
in her to the lightship, where they left her, and re-
tumid homewards in a vessel hireit for th- purpos,•.
Before taking their leave, however, of the mighty craft,
salutes were exchanged by the guns on board the various
vessels, a farewell cheer given, and the vessel proceeded
in her trackless course aoriss the deep. We wish her,
with all our heart—God speed !

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FRost OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS,

July 20.—Georgian schooner, William Lyon, Esq., from
off the Eddystone; Gitana scho.mer, J. Digby Murry, Esq.,
Guernsey ; Iris cutter, Robert D. Rodney, Esq., from Ostend
and Margate.
21.—Eagle yawl, Clement Ruding, Esq., eastward.
22.—Peterel cutter, Earl of llchester, Weymouth.
23.—Nautilas cutter, R. S. Wardell, Esq., Brighton.
24.—Whim cutter, Charles Brett, Esq., Guernsey; Intre-
pid cutter, Duke of Beaufort. Portsmouth.
SAILINGS.

July 20.—Resolution-schooner, Duke of Rutland, on a
slit (to the westward.

X22.--Naiad cutter, John Quantock, Esq., for Weymouth
r dother parts.
24.—Iris cutter, Robert D. Rodney, Esq., Guernsey.
YACHTS AT AND ABOUT THE STATION.
Schooners—Flirt, Camilla, Merlin, Georgian, Gitana, Wy-
veran, Esmeralda. _ _ _ _ .

Caters—Pearl, Sparrowhawk, Alarm, Peterel, Avenger,
Corsair, Nymph, Falcon, Osprey, Will- o'-the- Wisp, Tur-
quoi.ie, Noran, Medina, Wave, Nautilus, Whim, Intrepid.
Yawls—Columbine, Eagle, and Gulnare lugger.
FASHIONABE INTELLIGENCE. _

The Countess of Wilton and family, at Grove House; the
Duke and Duchess of 'Beaufort, at. Trafalgar House; Lord
and Lady Dillon, to Adelaide Villa; the Marquis and Mar-
chioness of Anglesey, at the Castle; the Marquis of Bland-
ford to South Parade • Lady Galway, to Bath-buildings;
Lady Pigott, to Bath-buildings; Lord A. Fitzclarence, to
Harriet Lodge; Lord Clonbrock, to Mr. Gunste's house;
Mr. Hallifax, to Egypt House; J. Smith Barry, to Belmore
House ; John Congreve, Esq., to Beach Villa ; Mr. Knox,
to Gothic Hall ; Mr. Hambro, to Oak-hill House ; Mrs.
Wilson Patten, to Prospect House; Lord and Lady Sand-
wich,
to the Pavilion; Thomas Thornhill, to Gothic Villa;
Captain C. Hamlyn Williams, to Bth Cottage; Captain
Houstoun, to 9th Cottage ; Mundy, Esq., to 7th Cottage ;
Sir Bellingham Graham, to Norfolk House ; the Rev. Dr.
Harrington, to Rose Lodge; Giles Loder, Esq., to White
Rose Lodge; G. Swetenhary, Esq., to Castle-terrace.
The town is uncommonly dull, not half the houses are
taken, and many that are let are at a very low rate; it has
the appearance of being the very worst season the lodging-
house keepers here have ever seen. The innkeepers and
postmasters are in a similar situation, Our royal visitors
seem to have done everything but benefit them.
This afternoon, by the Ruby steamer, arrived Lords Jer-
' sey, Aberdeen, and Exeter.
Lords Loftus and Castlereagh are expected to-morrow.
The royal yacht has her steam up; it is understood she
proceeds to Portsmouth for the King of Holland.
The band of the Bth Regiment at Portsmouth has been
ordered on duty to Osborne House, and will arrive this
afternoon.
Half-past Four.--Passing, the Oriental steamer from
Alexandria.