The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-11-18 00:00:00

LAUNCH OF AN IRON STEAM-SHIP

On Saturday, a fine iron steamer, called " The Ros-
common," was launched from the yard of the builder,
Mr. Peter Cato, (south end of the Brunswick Dock,)
the first iron steam-vessel constructed by that enterprising
gentleman, who, following the current of modern science
and novelty, has, like others in his useful vocation, been
induced to become "blacksmith," as well as shipwright.
This specimen of handycraft itself is sufficient to esta-
blish his character in the new branch of the business, as
at once an anxious and skilful man. The Roscommon is in
length (over all) about 175 feet ; she has 24 feet of beam ;
14 feet depth of hold ; and admeasures about 560 tons.
She is intended for a cargo vessel for the city of Dublin
Steam Company, to be propelled by the screw ; and for
such a purpose he appears to be extremely well adapted
in every point, combining great carrying with sailing
powers. Mr. John Grantham, the marine engineer of
the company, and who has lately turned out some of the
fastest iron vessels of the port, supplied the entire plans
and superintended the work throughout. Though the day
was rather unravourable, and prevented many from at-
tending who would have otherwise been present, the as-
semblage of ladies and gentlemen was considerable; and
the launch was one of the most beautiful and interesting
we have ever witnessed. The vessel is of great strength
in her ribs and plating, more than the usual quantity of
material being employed. After the launch, the company
sat down to an elegant and sumptuous collation and
wines, at which Mr. Cato presided with his accustomed
good humour and urbanity. Success to the vessel was
proposed, and drunk with great :cheering, and amongst
other toasts the health of the builder, to which he replied
in feeling and appropriate terms. He remarked with gta-
tification that in compliance with his instructions, he had
supplied in the vessel an ample weight of iron, and that
during the building Mr. Grantham and himself had en-
tirely accorded in opinion, and worked cordially together.
On his health being drunk, Mr. Grantham expressed his
approval, der;ved from experience of iron as a material
for ship building, and adduced several instances of its
superiority over wood in cases of stranding, &c. He also
responded to the health of C. W. Williams, Esq., the
managing and enterprising Director of the Dublin Com-
pany, to whom he should communicate the ardent man-
ner in which the toast had been received. Not only were
Liverpool and Dublin greatly indebted to that gentleman
as a skilful promoter of steam navigation, but the world
at large ; and such was his untiring energy, that in addi-
tion to what he had done for Ireland in her interior navi-
gation,

, he was now labouring assiduously to promote her
commerce and elicit her abundant resources by the esta-
blishment of railways, &c. Amongst other healths, that
of Mr. Audley, the talented foreman of the yard, to whom
the gratifying results of the day were in a great measure
to be attributed, was received with enthusiasm, and mo-
clootly and feelingly replied to. Numerous other appro-
priate toasts passed off with equal eclat, and the company,
including a number of ladies, after enjoying themselves
for a considerable time, separated, all highly delighted
with the proceedings of the day. Mr. Cato has on the
stocks two beautiful sister iron schooners, also from the
models of Mr. Grantham, and which, though destined for
the merchant service, appear to us to be such as will turn
out to be regular " clippers." We have since seen se-
veral splendid models by the same gentleman, from one
of which (about to be built) the vessel will probably prove
to be one of the fastest craft afloat. propelled by the
screw, which we rather opine will henceforth take prece-
dence of the paddle-wheel. It is said that there are not
half a dozen wooden steam ships building throughout all
England, so generally is iron adopted for those vessels.
We should state that, in the course of the addresses
made at the entertainment, Mr. Pope, surveyor Lloyd's,
remarked that he and Mr. Creuse, the celebrated naval
architect, and also a surveyor for the underwriters, had
minutely inspected the Roscommon, and that both con-
curred in opinion, that they had not before seen a vessel
more strong in her ribs and plates, or more faithfully put
together by the builder.

Cast kittitts.

Under a positive engagement4ovail first vessel, orforfeil
freighl, and the only English-built vessel now loading.
---2,\.41. _. For BATAVIA,
,
Lne Liverpool-built Brig
-6I I -zi
-NCES ANN,
Captain J. Row-E-1

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