The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-08-28 00:00:00

LAUNCH OF THE "CITY OF LIMERICK."

On Wednesday, shortly after mid-day, was launched, from
Messrs. Wilsons' building yard, the first of two steam packets
built for the service of the Dublin Steam Packet Company.
This splendid vessel, as she glided into her proper. although
nut her native eieinent, received the name of " The City of
Limerick," amidst a general shout frem the company assem-
bled to witness her embarkation, all of whom repeated this ex-
pression when the City of Limerick was seen safely floating in
the Mersey!

The architecture of the Limerick has been examined by a
great number of scientific and other persons desirous of inspect-
ing a vessel embracing all the improvements which the expe-
rience of this enterprising company has suggested or adopted in
the construction of their craft. By these persons she has been
pronounced the strongest and best-fastened vessel ever launch-
ed in this port. The entire of her deck beams are lined with
arched plates of iron, which not only effectually bind the sides
of the vessel, but prevent the deck from ever yielding under the
heat to which steam vessels are exposed. 'rho peculiar mode of
fastening those beams is well worthy of inspection. The entire
planking of the vessel is effected without the aid of what are
called treenails, instead of which the whole is attached by cop-
per composition bolts, screwed inside, and by which the possi-
bility of any of them starting is effectually prevented.
This vessel, on the plan of the iron steamerslbuilt by this
company, will be divided into compartments by several iron-
plate bulkheads, which not only impart additional strength and
stiffness, but, in a great degree, increase the security against
accidents from either fire or water.

In addition to these peculiarities, every timber and plank
throughout the vessel has been prepared and seasoned on the
principle of Ryan's patent, which has already been so satisfac-
torily proved in his majesty's yard, at Woolwich, to be a prc-
vetuive against decay or dry rot. Probably it will' be reinein-
t,..t vrommending its general adoptipu,' his
teen presented to the house of Commons.
The Dublin Steam-packet Company have, by their coasting
steam navigation, connected the ShannOn with the Mersey, and
their newly-launched vessel received the name of the City of
Limerick in compliment to that important and improving sea
port. Both the City of Limerick rind the Athlone, the name to
be given to the second vessel, which will shortly be ready, are
of larger dimensions than any ship hitherto built by the Dub-
lin company -the first which had sufficient courage and enter-
prise to undertake steam trading across the channel. The
Limerick and, the Athlone will be propelled by engines each of
200-horse power, made by Messrs. Fawcett and Co.
The weather, although unfavourable, did not deter a large
party of about two hundred and twenty ladies and gentlemen
from going on board the Birmingham, which was steered to a
convenient situation for seeing the launch. At two o'clock, a
handsome cold collation was laid out on the decks of this vessel
for the entertainment of the company. The health of Mr.
Perry, whit presided, " Success to the C;ity of Limerick," and
"The Dublin Steam Company" were successively drank by
the company; and we must not omit to state that at this festi-
val" The King" was not forgotten.
The City of Limerick is the first. vessel launched from the
corporation ground at the north end of the town, beyond the
Clarence Dock. In the model-room of the building-yard
another entertainment was given to about one hundred other
friends of the company and of Messrs. Wilson, the ship-builders.
Horne, of the Mersey, was the purveyor, and great credit is
due to him for the manner in which he conducted the business
of his department.