The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-03-31 00:00:00

ture. She is the properly of Messrs. M`Tear and Co., who have
spared no expense in her construction, and the builders, Messrs.
Hodgson and Son, have done ample justice to her in every
respect. This vessel will have, in addition to sails, auxiliary
propelling steam-power by two engines of 50-horse each, turn-
ing a screw of 12 feet diameter, on the direct action principle
patented by Mr. Grantham. The engines (as those of the other
vessel launched on the same day) are made by Messrs. Fawcett,
Preston, and. Co. who have long established their fame as ma-
rine engine-builders; and it is fully expected that she will be a
very fast vessel, capable, at the same time of carrying a large
cargo, and of most comfortably accommodating. a considerable
number of passengers. Sbe is the first of an intended line of
vessels of the same class, to run between this port and Rio de
Janeiro, and more intimately to connect this country and the
Brazils in bonds of amity and commerce, the present passage,

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by sailing vessels alone, being generally long and tedious.
The Antelope has a finely-designed billet-head and appro-
priate decorations, executed by our townsman, Mr. Robertson,
who on this, as on former occasions, has shown much classical
taste and originality. The trail-boards, gilded on a white
ground, represent, in relief, the antelope. pursued by the tiger,
and the foliated ornaments around are rich and chaste, giving
the vessel a peculiarly light and " go-ahead" appearance. The
quarter-galleries are of a corresponding design, and enriched
_ _

with quivers, bows, and other einblemi of the chase ; and the
stern carving also assimilates—the whole having a peculiarly
new and elegant appearance.
The concourse of spectators to witness the launch was very
great, especially of the elite, who had received tickets, admitting
them to be partakers of an entertainment to follow
'tbe launch.
A very spacious platform was erected for the ladiesand gentle-
men alongside of the vessel, and another at her bow for those
who were more immediately interested in the "christening."
At about twenty mlinttes before noon, the daggers were struck
down and the pondefous and magnificent ship instantly glided
rapidly down the ways. Her name was given by Miss Jevons.
The sight was beautiful ; but in getting into the water, she took
a lurch to larboard, which alarmed the spectators for the safety
of many who were on the deck. This was caused, we believe,
partly by the tide, which was still running up and catching her
stern, and partly by the giving way of some of the packing of the
cradle on that side of the bow. No one was, however, thrown from
the deck, nor did any accident fatal to life or limb take place ;
and after a few oscillations, the vessel, in the broad stream of
the river, recovered her equilibrium, and floated with the light-
ness and stability of a duck. The shouts from the shore and
from on board were rapturous and prolonged ; and in a short
time afterwards the vessel passed the same spot, in tow of a
steamer, and looked nobly. We learn that in place of drawing
so much water as was expected, she, in fact, drew two inches
less than was calculated, thus showing a superior degree of
buoyancy.