The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-08-07
From The New York Sun.

FROM me New York Sun
Departure Of de British Qseea the Great
Western, d three Packet Stips.-A scene so
exciting as the one which took place in orr
harbor yesterday, has not been behed here
siuce the first ship crossed the Atlantic. The
day was pleasant. bright aud beautiful. The
showers Of the preceding evening had cleared
the air. and cool breeze was blowing from
the north, making the weather more agreeable
than is often experienced in New York at this
season OF the year.
It,having been ammo nc ed that the two larees,
steam vessels in the world, as well as several
packets, were to leave for Europe at twelve o.
clock, the whole town was astir long before
that hour arrived. Carriages loaded with pas.
sengers and baggage were passing in one
continuous stream to the foot Of Clinton street,
where the levisthans Of the deep were lying.
/ The steamboats, which were to accompany
them down the bay were loaded almost to sink
ing with the friends Of those who were embark
ing, and with thousands Of others who were
crowdus TO behold the interesting sight. Ev-
cry dock and pier. from Clinton street to the
Battery, was thronged with dense mass Of
human beings. The Battery and Castle Gar
den were also filled with spectators. The
shipping was completely covered, the masts and
rigging being literally alive with people.
Brooklyn also presented mighty throng, stand
ing in long and solid columns across her beau
tiful heights. A goodIy proportion Of the i'm
rnense gatherings, both on land and water, was
composed of ladies, whose cheeks seemed TO
blush with unwonted loveliuess as they were
kissed by the healthy breeze, and flushed with
the excitement of the occasion.
| At about half past one the Great Western
came out from the dock. fired her gun, and
started on her way receiving the cheers Of the
tens of thousands as she passed. Shortly after
- the observed of all observers" the noble Brit
ish Queen, came out, and il was soon evident
that the full measure of enthusiasm was re-
served for her. Cheers long and loud burst
out from shores, docks. ships and steamboats,.
As she proceeded down the bay she continued
firing her gun. and returning the immense
cheering Of the populace. She was accom-
panied by the steam packet Neptune, the bo ats
Arrow, Novelty, Passac and Hercules, decora-
ted with the flags of both nations, and two or
three of them accompanied by bands Of music,
who continued playing the favorite national air.
of both countries until they had reached the
lower bay, to which place we will now change
the scene.
The Ontario, for London. had hauled out of
her berth and started on her eastern voyage a.
bout ten o'clock, and thus gained two hours
start Of the whole fleet which followed her.
Next the Orpheu., for Liverpool, raised her
sails TO the favoring breeze, and shot down the
bay in magnificent style at the rate Of knots
an hour. At / o'clock the beautiful Hsyre
packet Baltimore left the city, in tow Of the
Sun steamer, and before reaching the Hook,
where the steamer left her, passed the Orphcus
a few rods. At that time the Great Western,
which started half an hour after the Baltimore,
came laundering along some two miles behind.
and before the latter and the Orpheus had turn
cd their bows TO the East. she shot at least two
itaS oh nf no, l..I
almost entirely out Of sight. Some seven or
eight miles behind the Western came the par
algon OF naval architecture, the Queen, with
the throng of steamers lowering around her.
bringing up the rear in grand style. The scene
in the lower bay, where all these splendid
packets were in sight at once all sails set and
speeding before the wind, besides the new fast
sailing Southernor, and several other ships and
brigs under full sail, and the gay steamers Of
our own. city, was one Of atchless grandeur
and beauty, the like Of which was never before
seen IN our waters.
great deal Of speculation and interest ex-
listed among the spectators in relation to the
relative speed Of the two great objects of in
tcrest in this scene; and in that behalf there
was division Of individual feeling not easily
rcconclable in the human mind. The Queen
evidently had the general partiaty i'll her ia
vor, while the Western possessed the general
judgement. Indeed, during their passage to the
Hook, the latter evidently increased the dis
tance between her and the Queen with almost
every revolution of her wheels; and. however
she may be able TO change the aspect Of the
race after fairly entering upon the great deep.
the Queen certainly did not maiutain her
ground between the city and the Hook. Many
bets have been made here as TO which will
J reac h her place Of destination first.
We have heard no person estimate the num-
Der Of those who were spectators Of yesterdays
doings at less than one hundred thousand aud
we do not hesitate to say that at least FIVE
thousand attended the fleet down the bay on
board the various steam boats.