The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-09-25

s---s
Approaching Launch Of She Great
Eastern.
Ii is now moro than three years since the
lofty walls Of iron, forming the sides Of the
Great Eastern, FIRST began to excite the won
der of voyagers up and down the Thames,
and as she approaches completion the pub
lie interes. increases. Enormous size, which
is naturally the distinctive feature that first
strikes the observer, is, however, one Of the
least of the mnrvels that belong to the joint
production of Mr.. Scott Russell and MIR.
Brunei. We have the assurance Of the for
mer that the Great EASTERN IL built upon pre-.
cisely the same model rs every vessel he has
constructed since his discovery Of the wave
line twenty-five years ago. In the wonder
full ship, which now towers some seventy feet
above the level Of the Isle of Dogs, dwarf
ing every passing vessel by her enormous
proportions, we have only an extension Of
the lines upon which Mr.. Russell built the
little Wave, of II tons. This may relieve
those who regard the "big ship, as too much
OF u novelty, and still leaves sufficient food
for wonder in the knowledge that she is
about the eighth of a mile in length, and
moro than twice the length Of the Great
Britain, which, dozen years ago, was the
largest iron ship then built or thought off,
But her breadth is much less, in proportion
to her length, than that Of the vessel lust
named, (beng 81 feet "oyer all ,'') point of
difference which affords the best ground for
the nnticipations entertained Of the speed
with which she will cross the Atlantic.
The weight Of this huge ship being $4,000
tons, and coal and cargo about Ii, 900 tons
more, the motive power to propel her twenty
miles per hour must be proportionase. Ii
the visitor walks aft, and looks down deep
chasm near the stern, no will perceive an
enormous metal shaft, l60 feet in length,
and weighing so tons this extends from the
cngine-room near the stern to the extremity
OF the ship, and is destined to move the
screw, the four fans of which are of proper
tionate weight and dimensions. If next, he
walked forward, and look over the eide, he
will see a paddle-wheel considerably larger
than the circle at Astley's; and when he
learns that this wheel and its fellow will be
driven by four engines, having nominal
power Of | 200 horses, and the screw by
nominal power Of 1000 horses, he will have
no difficulty in conceiving voyage to Amer
lea in seven and to Australia in thiriy-fve
days. The screw engines designed and man
ufactured by Messrs. James Watt 4 Co., are
far the largest ever constructed, and when
making SO revolutions per minute, will exert
an effective force of not less than 5000 hor-
SEES. II 10 difficult to realize tho work which
this gigantic force wood perform if applied
would raise 1872 900 gallons Of water, to the
top OF the monument, in one minute, or drive
the machinery OF forty Of the largest cotton
mills in Manchester, giving employment to
from 10000 to 10000 operatives. There
mr. fouv rvl isttl ach nh az
81 inches in diameter. The crank shaft. to
which tho connecting rods are applied. weighs
about 80 tons. The boilers are ak in num-
Der, having seventy two furnaces, ami AN
absorbent, heating surface nearly equal In
extent 10 an acre Of ground. The total
weight exceeds 900 tons, yet so contrved
that they can be set in motion or stopped by
o single hand.
Sails will not be much needed, for in ca
reering over the Atlantic at twenty miles per
hour, with moderate wind, they would
rather impede than aid hut in the event Of
strong wind arising, going twenty Ave
miles per hour in the course OF the vessel,
sails may be used with advantage, and the
great Eastern Is provided, accordingly, with
seven masts, two squarc-r rugged, the others
carrying fore and aft sails only. The larger
masts will be iron tubes, the smaller of wood
The tunnels, Of which there will be Ave, al
ternating with the masts, are constructed
with double castings, and the space between
tho outer and inner castings will be filled with
water, which will answer the double purpose
OF preventing the radiation Of heat to the
decks, and economizing coal by causing the
water to enter the boilers in warm state.
Her rigging will probably cause most dis
surbance OF ideas to nautical observers, for.
besides the unusual number Of masts, she
will want two most striking features Of all
other vessels, namely, bowsprit and figure
head. another popularity is the absence OF
poop. It was originally intended to locate
the compass upon stage, forty feet high,
but this plan has been abandoned, and a
standard compass will be affixed 70 the mig.
en- mast, at an elevation beyond the magnet
10 influence Of the ship Liverpool Albion.
AnothcrProciaMat Il O rom walker
Gov. Walker, of Kansas, has issued an
other proclamation. II pertains to the %.
tober election. 1t is very lengthy. The St.
Louis Democrat publishes it, with these
comments
sit will be perceived that Gov. Walker is
OF the opinion that no one can vote at this
election except those who are qualified under
! the territorial Law Of the Goth OF Fsbrnary
last, and, also, that under this law, which
/ prescribes oil the qualifications Of nm eector,
/ the prepayment Of territorial tax 10 not
required as a qualification for voter. This
latter, is in direct conflict with the opinion
OF Judge Cato; md, We suppose, 10 against
the sentiment OF the whole 6re- eating South.
"The Governor, it seems, 10 also deter
mined to preserve the purity Of the ballot
box. Atehison and his border ru1inns nra