The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1852-08-17 00:00:00

THE GREAT BRITAIN AND HER

ARRANGEMENTS

.6. few days

fore this cele-

only have now to elapse be.
hilted
for
Steatll•Ship will take her departure from lea
i; the distant shores of Australia, that immense continent
the southern Pacific Ocean which seems likely to work
tarn a Wonderful revolution in the commercial history of
tiiiii e °lraq W % hen we state that this vessel will
eta
tilirsards of fire hundred passengers, all of the better
classes of society, and each of whom may reasonably be
ese
Pc'sed to have a number of friends anxious about his
et
at her safety during a voyage of such a distance, it will be
once seen how interesting some particulars as to her
oasPabilitY for such a service will be, especially as every
departure for this rapidly rising colony is a subject of not
re
ther eqs local, but also of national interest. We have,
e
potefore, prepared a few general remarks on her principal
ants as a sea-going steamer, together with some peculiar
eitattures in which she surpasses other vessels of the same
the
tefore entering on our task we may observe, that
vessel's name, taken in connection with her destina•
bon' and the large number of persons she will carry mit-
e:Nil in themselves to form a tolerably sized " settle
eteta,, .
--is no inapt type of the stream of emigration no
'4lllll tide from the mother country to the vast cc'
*here such auriferous treasures have recently been dis-
-,eree
'and may fairly be said to represent the Ta
'
Greet Britain going to Australia."
botin.itbe following description a great deal may perhaps
: Which has already appeared in print ; but it will
to;' 'lone of its interest by repetition, as the facts it con-
etis are rendered of additional importance by the Great
tain turning out such a successful vessel since her re-
ofnt
a efie. The Great Britain is an iron screw steam-ship,
ttabiuli°,o toes burthen, built of extraordinary strength and
ley than
Her hull is supported and held together by no
threthan 10 lines of kelsons, with transverse floors every
: feet
, thethe whole covered with a wraught-iron plat-
Rer framing, which is distributed throughout the
tear in such a manner as to present the greatest possible
to 'Mee to any amount of straining or for-...e, is knitted
4etilee with double lines of angle iron stringers, running
Nil:each deck, and the extreme ends of the vessel are
l farther strengthened by a series of deep shelves of
stt;ntiest iron, the latter having breast-hooks in addition.
the stanchions, based on the kelsons, support
the decks throughout. Five water-tight bulkheads divide
P into six compartments. The space occupied by
: Machinery is fastened in the strongest manner, by a
secoterbec of iron box-beams, and iron plated timber bea
Th eel in each case to a large surface of the ship's
ilinl The
engine-bearers, of wrought-iron, are very ponderous,
of hitherto unparalleled strength.
se, e Great Britain is propelled by engines of, nominally,
etooe -Ile Power, but they can be worked up to a far
Joh4nt than this. They were manufactured by
M ?elan and Son, of London, on the oscillating •
pr.
and with multiplying power. The jarring usual i.
14oechgearing 's entirely prevented by an ingenious ar-
genaent of the cogs on the surface of the wheels, which
4e
of tiled into four sets, placed slightly in advance of each
• The diameter of the screw or " propeller" is .ese
est
heil'7ltis a " pitch," or forward motion of 19 feet. The
fee by the same makers, are six in number, with two
4'44 for the escape of smoke. They are tubular, and
There so as to be used either collectively or separately.
licle;rlkare eight pumps in different parts of the vessel, be-
plas-,,',P bilge pumps, connected with the engines. Every
Pre -loon has been adopted to guard against the possibility
trod e, for in addition to the hull of the vessel being of
end 'otelleev.e is an iron deck over her boilers and machinery,
coolo‘`'ing but iron near the funnels, while the galleys or
of th "g-houses, are placed upon an iron deck, on stands
Di° same metal, with a free circulation of air beneath.
11,-4 t" from the boiler will enable a jet of steam to be dis
Otitehlat a moment's notice, to all parts in the immediate
stet el'ourhood, in addition to which there is a fire engine,
I,4use annihilators are kept in different parts of the ship.
talkie are ten life-boats, eight of them on davits, the
sihjefngs of an improved principle, which renders it impos-
/e sear them to reach the water except on an even keel.
triqtleition to her motive power as a steam-ship, the Great
saiii,.alo Possesses a mode of propulsion equal to the finest
steiellg vessel in the world, for she has four masts, on
keel, and her other spars, nearly 13,000 yards of canvass
Th spread.
of b, e chief feature about the Great Britain is the number
thill'enseers she can accemmodate-730 in all—and. in
steem,l'eculiarity she stands unrivalled as an ocean-going
I,tes-sse,hiP. They are divided into three classes, viz..:
.o,itazo.on, fore saloon, and second cabin. The Great
!4t1,-,"„ts fitted with a deck-house, which extends from one
4111 'no vessel to the other, the of which fan
141Nro 'ePted pmenade, upwards ofroof 300 feet
!inorms length,
cel sated by iron railings, and the ascent to watch is by
In te; °,l several flights of stairs, most conveniently placed.
wto "Incal climates an awning will be spread over this
cst• iliienade, and as the forward motion of the vessel will
'orti, a draught through the space thus confined, it will
Nati.4 cool and pleasant retreat in hot weather. In bad
carie,er. " when the stormy winds do blow," the deck,
foil% Is lYnt in on each side by high bulwarks.) will af-
ye4cls-hosoast and sheltered' walk. The after part of the
7,,,‘,t 75 t;8 occupied by the grand saloon, an apart-
pe-t"n length, and appropriated to the first-class
of the sh73BenZerS. This may be termed the drawing-room
h-e' It is well lighted by square windows, the
ottin,.n etw
" 2s "een which are tastefully ornamented
.with
‘here on glass, of the armorial shields of all nations.
and reoe'eetwo sets of tables running the whole length,
%tang ;ekg 01:1 each side of these are cushioned seats agd
eritem,i, 'IQ moveable backs, the whole upholstered in
saloot! velvet and embroidery. At the stern end of the
141%4118,a beautiful boudoir, lighted by an ornamental
teinitle" in Which the deck binnacle is placed, and con-
ee!'n elegant piano and set of chairs. The panels
DoietZITS are exquisitely decorated with floral devices,
Youth
In rich colours, and vignettes emblematic of the
~`!. This is certainly the prettiest room in the ship.
tee
.sables of the saloon are replete with everything that
Csoacstinduce to the comfort and amusement of passengers.
Ith• le'edvanght, and backgammon boards will help to
eleirso'svay the time, and those who wish to record the
toper nts of the voyage. or put down their thoughts upon
taper can avail themselves of the materials always at
7ille„"Illtn Detonating bells, of handsome design and finish,
On the attendance of the stewards to those who
that ceciaiir‘e their services. The. latest novelty, and one
t-tssatee, be duly appreciated in the warm climates, is
Neir,,B Patent lemonade and soda-water machi▪
nes, for
leee;altantaneous production of th refreshing beverages;
~44,4,1`.0f these machines are placed on the saloon tables.
theirs to the utility of these articles, they form, from
WeleeYtansetrical shape and light appearance, an elegant
OriOrnament.
cliior either side of the music-room are the captain's and
t.t,gfi.llefurther aft, the Wheel-house. The wheel-house
glee-moelosity in itself, and we shall therefore attempt to
part, 11t readers some idea of its appearance. The front
Lhsoolettina ediately facing the steersman, is glazed, and
‘;',ndepit"„,t he can see along the whole length of the ship.
Window is a compass, the binnacle-stand being
I,lqtalealled the" dolphin pattern.." Over the compass
Vieee board with printed instructions for the. helmsman.t
hears a code of niiht signals. the invention of Cap t.
Ws, and by which the commanding officer can con-
7t!geoi; orders to the persons in charge of the helm. The
ilsteeelaconsist of a changeable lamp, fixed behind the
el Oat.. in sight of the steersman. If the helm is to
Ji6" starboard " a green light is shown ; a red light
'141e4.." Port" ; 'and a white light indicates that the
thls to be kept " steady." A black ball dropped
eeist e centre of the light means that the tiller is to be
v's), beard ever," either to port or starboard, as the case
o;Yed fr',‘ The orders of the commanding officer are con.
,4(1;411 the saloon-deck to the engine-room by means
tteetle,,y•ei telegraph, and the person in charge of the ma-
Vtie aheontrols its motion in accordance with the direc-
A;se ;tuns given him. In the after part of the yThe_el-
eVes c 0,7 ranged several hand-buckets. placed it!
ve circular
out in a wooden shelf purposely to recei them.
ndll"
othese hangs the reel with the log-lice for deep-sea
telteiit?, Which contains about 150 fathoms of cordage,
IsiNcia us lengths. Above this again there are hung
tatne °n tl'unPets, telescopes, and patent thermometers,
either side there are drawers and lockers con-
uteeetter arryatt's signals and other little ne.cessaries, all
one With the utmost neatness and precision, so that
se` hie e wantig any of these articles knows where to
le'Ye 'end omit in a moment.
iiinietplist now pass on to other parts of the vessel.
to7Parmi d;ttelY opposite the door of the after saloon is the
Pantry, a perfect wonder to housewives, with its
pfd kon'e array of plate and crockery ware, arranged in
NO, of seennsPact order. Two flights of stairs on either
meth Pantry lead down to the main deck, which,
`e,lsiee'e exceetion of the space necessarily left for the
tikctsie tY.IS devoted entirely to state rooms, the sleeping
tete o`; which are fitted up with every care and comfort.
eltenine deeliztv-four state rooms in the after part, con.-
'Otioe inerent numbers of berths according to their
enoNas air' The passages, on either side of which the state
selnePleteeseacranged, are lighted and ventilated in the most
thee'utt et,,,''anner, by windows opening in the sides of the
set 'e se.o'n, underneath the seats, in addition to which
in teple ventilating tubes all over the ship. At the
•ssit rooketern of the vessel, on this deck, there is a losing-
th4clow, fitted up with sofas, and lighted by large stern
et: %rte. From this apartment two staircases ascend to
444'111 Part of the main deck, and we understand this
itaiehke en' was suggested by the confusion among the
testi the
,T 1 board the Amazon, in their endeavours to
iilekt during the sad catastrophe to that ill-fated
toll of 4a? this means, four distinct entrances to this
eitnrc'rt e ship are provided, conducive alike to the
oetea 4,tld safety of the passengers. As specie is
Ise,ra is to be the principal return freight, the bullion
41:1:khea'dsvery Capacious, and " made safe" with iron
ssepatcliged ,!!!Id double fastenings. Ladies' boudoirs are
of 17ith every convenience on either side for-
e state rooms. In this locality, too, is the
siunsS
rci
Os. store-room," or rather the principal one,
sea aoone.: to simplify the distribution of the pr_ovi-
cletstravella such a large number of " hungry people" (as
she cotefcs notoriously are), there are store• rooms in
strisnetd sricttnent. And here we may state, lest any one
that that among so many a scarcity of food may
etnseT, supptil commissariat department has been so lib°.
tetet est that there is not the remotest chance of
site' thtse',,g occurring ; and when we add the startling
ceet 'Ale stores already on board the Great Britaion
!ipo oebt considerably over the immense sum of £7,00 ,
ii dttier the subject must be at once removed. There
ftel'ter "cc of atlas and other passenger conveniences
t state Darts
tatate of the vessel. Passages lead from the
kt bayere°l7ls to the fore-saloon sleeping berths,
of TAO conamnnication with the upper deck by
-Alrcases. They are ventilated on the same

course,

I up to a far

greater

by two s

the entran.

with th

plan as the after ones, and fitted with every comfort,
tliou..th in rather a plainer style. Coming on deck again,
vie find the cooking galley. possessing a very large and
complete kitchen range, with cooking apparatus suffi-
-tiv extensive to supply all on board promptly and uni-
.. In addition to the full quantity of water
req&red, there is a condenser which will yield 2,000
gallons of fresh water daily. Forward of the galley is
the engine-room, lighted by large skylights opening on to
the saloon promenade. There are several tiers of galle-
ries running round the engine-room, from which
en uninterrupted view of the machinery may be
lad. On the upper tier are the ship's officers'
tate rooms, and on the starboard side is " the
-," when all sorts of liquors and other " creature corn-
" and enjoyments are dispensed, the business trans-
acted being " for cash only." The engineers and their
of assistants are provided with berths in the tier

'ard of the engine room is the fore saloon, a
table and spacious apartment, 50 feet long by 18
There are three ranges of tables, and heir seating,

Both apartments are lighted and
. The hanging shelves for
ye each an ornamental appearance. There is,
some difference in the richness of the decora.
s, the fore saloon panellings being painted oak, and

s in the after saloon
entilated in the same manner

)e distinguished by the title of
_ our. There are the same sources
of amusement here as in the after saloon. Ranged along
the bulwarks, on either side of the forward saloon, are
pens for a large supply of poultry and live stock. In the
onv fore part of the_vessel

ng -room

s the " capstan house," containing
the capstan and riding chocks, to which the cables are
attached when the vessel is riding at anchor. From the
capstan house is the entrance to the fore section of the

second cabin, which is divided from the after portion by
the interception of the machinery. The forecastle is on
the deck above, and still further forward. It is divided
into two compartments, with twenty berths in each, or
accommodation for forty seamen in all, the number she
carries, though the crew musters, in all hands, 130 per-
sons, the number bein,, made up by officers, engineers,
cooks, and stewards. Here, too, there are rooms for the
petty officers

The second cabin, below, will have am-
._
rle accommodation, and indeed far superior to that
offered to the same class in many other vessels. The
state rooms are placed in the centre of each section, and
every one contains four sleeping berths. There are 140
berths in the fore part, and 178 in the after ; or accom-
modation for 318 persons in all. The space between the
state-rooms and the sides of the vessel forms the day
cabin. The mess tables, with seats attached, are slung up

ne ceiling, except at meal times, thus forming a clear
acious promenade below. Large lockers are placed
on each side of the cabin for the passengers to keep their
clothes in, and cargo has been altogether excluded, in
order to give the fullest accommodation for their
luggage. There are washstands in suitable places, and
other conveniences, including a pantry. The sexes will
'le placed on different sides of the ship, the females on the
and the males on the starboard side. In order to
,:enty of light and ventilation, (which has been
accomplished with the most marked success,) the second
cabins throughout are painted white, the divisions of the
state-rooms are not carried up to the ceiling, and there
are hatchways open to the promenade deck, while port
^les, opening to the sides of the ship, secure both these

ovide plf

most important considerations in an emigrant ship. In-
deed, the government agents, after going over the vessel,
admitted their inability to suggest any improvement, and
they are the best possible authority that could be had on
such matters. The second cabins are 50 feet wide, and
upwards of 8 feet between decks. The after part only
from the fore in being a little longer. It is entered
-1-aircases from the upper deck, which are close to
to the grand saloon. 'We may add, however,
le reminiscence of former days, that it was ori-
ginally (before the recent alterations of the Great Britain
were made) the chief dining saloon, and the pillars,
•‘ foliated carved work at the top, may still be

seen here and there about the corners of the state-rooms.
Forward of the fore section, there are hospitals for the
sick, with every convenience for comfort and ventilation.
Large ice-houses have been erected in this part of the
ship, capable of holding fresh provisions for fifty days'
consumption.

_ .
The quantity of coal taken on board is about 1,400 tons,
chiefly Welsh, with a small quantity of anthracite and
patent fuel, as an experiment, There is enough to steam
the whole distance without stopping, but lest anything
should occur, she will call at the Cape of Good Hope to
replenish her supply, and take in live stock. It is expected
she will reach the Cape in about 23 days, whither ships
have been dispatched with coals to await her arrival.
After two or three days' detention, she will proceed to
Melbourne and Sydney, and it is confidently expected
that she will reach the former place in fifty-six days from
England, the shortness of which may be estimated, when
we state that double that length of time is considered an
average voyage for a sailing vessel. The Great Britain is
fully equipped for any sudden or unforeseen emergency
that may arise, should any attempt to attack the vessel
be made, for she is mounted with six heavy deck guns,
and arms and ammunition for 100 men.
The crew of the Great Britain, as we have stated, con-
sists of about 130 persons in all. There has been a great
desire to join this ship, and there has thus been an oppor-
tunity to form it of picked men. The crew have signed
articles, and every man has been required to enter into
bond to a large amount, with suitable sureties, to return
in the ship. Most of the crew are married men.
The Great Britain is to sail on Saturday next, the 21st
inst., at one o'clock, and no doubt crowds will be assem-
bled on the pierhead to witness the departure. No ship
has ever left this port in the success of which more inter-
est has been felt, than there will be in the present adven-
ture of the Great Britain, and we heartily wish her and
all who go in her " God speed."

We cannot conclude our remarks without taking the
opportunity of acknowledging the courtesy of all those
connected with this ship. To Captain Matthews, her
respected commander, Mr. Cox, the chief officer, Mr.
Croom, the civil engineer of the ship, who has superin-
tended her fittings out, and Captain Martin, the over-
looker for Messrs. Gibbs, Bright and Co., our thanks are
especially due, for their polite behaviour towards us on
all occasions, and for the kind attention they have shewn
in answering our inquiries, end affording us every facility
for inspecting this noble craft.

A BOTTLE-NOSE SHARK, weighing upwards of 1 cwt.
was brought ashore on Thursday last, at Brighton, it hav-
ing been entangled in a fishing net.
THE SUMMER RIDE OR PROMENADE.—The peculiar
virtues of C. and A. OLDRIDGE'S BALM OF COLUMBIA
completely removes the difficulty experienced by Ladies
in preserving their ringlets after exercise; its use so invi-
gorates the hair, that tresses, previously the straightest
and most destitute of curl, rapidly acquire a vigour which
maintains in permanent ringlets the head-dress of the
most persevering votary of the ball-room, the ride, or the
promenade. After the minerals and vegetables of the old
world have been compounded in all imaginable ways in
fruitless attempts to discover so important a desideratum,
we are indebted to the Western Hemisphere for furnishing
the basis of OLDRIDGE'S BALM OF COLUMBIA, the effi-
cacy of which in preserving, strengthening, and renewing
the hair has become a matter of notoriety among all civi-
lized nations. Its restorative virtues are indeed a proverb,
and the most satisfactory attestations to its infallibility
in reproducing hair upon persons otherwise hopelessly
bald, have been published from time to time by the pro-
prietors, 13, Wellington-stieet North, Strand, London.
OLDRIDGE'S BALM causes eye-brows to grow, prevents
the hair from turning gfey, and the first application causes
it to curl beautifully Trees it from scurf, and stops it from
falling off. Abun nee of certificates of the first respec-
tability are sho by the proprietors. 3s. 6d., 65., and
Ils. per bottle no other prices are genuine. When you
ask for "01 idge's Balm" never let the shopkeepers per-
suade you buy any other article as a substitute. Sold
by all res ectable chemists, perfumers, and stationers.

HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PILLS HAVE EFFECTED
ANOTHER EXTRAORDINARY CURE OF A WOUND IN THE
LEG.—Andrew Milton, an ostler, residing at Burton,
about two years ago bruised his shin, and being of a full
habit of body, a severe inflammation ensued, which defied
every effort to subdue ; afterwards an obstinate wound
formed, and although various modes of treatment were
tried, it would not heal, and his leg became so bad that
his surgeon urged him to/have it amputated, but not
wishing to lose his limy before giving Holloway's medi-
cines a trial, he conenced, and he has reason to be
grateful that he dX, for by their use he has effected a
sound and perfecycure.