Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-10-28
The MGreat Eastern.v


ly interest the American public The certain
is now universally admitted, and her propo
tions, character, and finish are now palpable
the eye. Without going into detail, which wou
be an endless task, we may form some idea
her by alluding merely to the generalities wbic
belong to her design and structure. Her upp,
and lower decks may be estimated by the scr
and fifteen hundred workmen employed aboI
her are out of speaking distance aud appear bl
as handful. The state cabins are as large
the parlors of New York house of twenty-tw
feet 'front.' and they open upon regular square
and streets as if city built. They will be foun
by numbers lighted by gas company on boar
the ship, be indicated on directory for the Us
of passengers; and be patrolled at night by n
gular police. The saloons, into which the pa!
sengers can enter from the streets, for recreatio
or from curiosity, will be as large as the most {
those found in our best hotels, being in fact {
quail in size to the main deck of line of battl
ships
Her population will be four hundred, thos
resident permanently on board; but ten thou
sand travellers can be accommodated at time
should so many desire to make voyage in com
pany. Two hundred and fifty tons of coal pc
day will be the fuel required to keep her in mo
ton, and when the whole power of the combne'
engines is working, it is the same as if the shil
were dragged along by eleven thousand stou
horses, or fifty.seven thousand FIVE hundred
men.
There is on board this ship, according to th
calculation, force enough to drive all the ma
chinery in Manchester to lift column of 200,
900 gallons of water two hundred feet in min
ute. We can hardly comprehend how her plan
were ever arranged by ordinary minds, or those
accustomed only to the usual details Of engineer
ing. The idea of combination of paddle en-
gines and screws was bold one, outstr;ppine
apparently all the necessary requirements o.
the case. The paddle engines are oscillators o.
"a inches diameter and IA inches stroke, work
ing up with fifteen pounds of steam, and clever
strokes per minute, to the power of three thou
sand horses. 3--
The boilers are in sets, each having about g..
900 square feet Of tube surface. Small auxiliary
high pressure engines are placed near the large
ones, like servants near their master, to do the
small work Of the ship-drive the pumps, hoist
sails and various other little matters, to save
time and the number of the men. The screw
engines, consisting Of four cylinders, of "a inches
diameter and four feet stroke, work up, with 10
lbs. pressure, aud 45 strokes per minute to the
power of 4,500 horses, but with % lbs. steam
and % strokes per minute, to the power OF g.
900 horses. These also have some mechanical
attendants in the shape of two auxiliary high
engines to do the small business of the screw.
But the most curious thing about her is the
fleet of steamers and yatchs she will carry on
board, to be used in case of accidents at sea- for
the safety of the passengers. Astern her paddle
boxes will hang two screw steamers, each of
which will be one hundred feet long, sixteen
feet beam, forty horse power, and one hundred
and twenty tons-almost equal to large Alba
ny sloop! And besides this there will be o
whole fleet ofyatchs, decked, masted, and rigged
complete, ready for regatta or cruise to save
life. -, .-f.ag4.- ss.n
The anchors, cables masts are oil on the same
magnificent scale, and the very ways on which
she is to be launched are being constructed as II
they were the foundation of fortress Some
anxiety is felt by scientific men as to the prob
able action of the needle on board such mass
of iron probably the plan of DR.. Scoresby will
be resorted to as well also as that of the Astro-
noiner Royal. The first is to carry a standard
compass about thirty-two feet above the deck
and the other to place fixed magnets near the
compass, that they may neutralize the action OF
the ship, and leave it free to obey the directive
force of the earth's plurality"
1t will be curious thing, however, if when
this great steam leviathan were afoat and ready
to sail, it should be found that her compasses
were not to be trusted, and that their variation
could not be calculated TIE secrets of magnet
ism and electricity are only beginning to be dis
closed, but our knowledge OF them is increasing
every day, and we have no doubt that not only
navigators will be able to trust implicitly to the
needle on board iron ships but that magnetism
will indicate by its force, intensity, and variation
the precise position where the observer Is at the
moment. This is an inference of our own, from
facts which have recently come within our
knowledge. '1o '.Ao -
The Great Eastern may be considered the
master piece of architecture, and her future ca
reer is expected to decide some great questions.
Ifsuccessful in all respects, she will be initiated,
and thousands will be travelling over the world
Us groups of families now do. Some seaports
that have been famous will fall into q decline,
deep water determining their value. Sailing
vessels will become curiosities population will
tend to that happy country where the climate is
most agreeable and hcalthful, and where there
is the most prosperity and freedom. The face
of the civilized globe will be affected by the sub
stitution of these great steamers for tho small
craft of 8, 900 tons, and the strength OF nations
will be changed as well rs the balance of power.
Such at least, are the theories of some very sen.
sible perso ns 1lD -