The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-17

Failure or the Attempted Launch-Accidentt
the Chains, and Injury OF Men Employed.

As reported by the Ariel, the launch Of the mammoth
steamship heretofore known the Great Eastern but
formally christencd Leviathan, commenced at noon
the Sd instant.
From the London Post, Nov. al
The result OF yesterdays attempt 10 this monster
Of marine architecture into the river has proved that the
principle adopted by Mr. Brunei for eectng this unpaa
leed operation sound practicable and absolutely certain
Of ultimate Although accident, TO be lament
ed for s effect OF the workmen engaged has led
10 postponement until next month OF tho nnai consum
nation Of his object doubt be entertained, from
the experiment which has been made that the renewal
Of tho cndeavor carly next month"; the eminent engineer
will achieve everything which the directors Of the Eastern
In TACT the principle which he has proceeded has been
sufficiently demonstrated and now all that required
the repair OF slight damage sustained by portion
OF the machinery and the opportunity Of the next spring
tides, to put the Leviathan afoat.
The fret great step has been accomplished. The ship
has fairly moved upon the ways stem and stern -four
feet from her original position. After this
few will any longer entertain doubt Of the principles and
calculation by which Mr. Brunei has been guided. The
actual progress made towards the water by the stem o the
ship three feet inches while the stern has advanced
rather than four teeta difference which will be
presently explained
The preparations made for the launch we're fully ex
planned in article Of Monday last that are relieved
from the necessity Of having enter INTO details these
points. The motive powers used In the FIRST place,
hydraulic pressure against the cradle and secondly the
iracvc operation OF chains carried round the hull Of the
vessel and communicating with lighters moorcd in the
river Three OF these chains acted upon by machine
ry on board the lighters fourth, round the stem Of the
yard the chain revolving by double action upon lighter
The construction OF the drums rsund which the checking
cable passed and their controlling brakes are sufficiently
understood.
Every preliminary arrangement was completed a, an
early hour yesterday morning and before 10 O'Clock the
yard began 70 I'LL with vsiters who had received carsis OF
admission Among them several distinguished scen
hc Individuals who appeared 70 anticipate with profound
interest the great event OF the day The members Of the
exroyal family Of France among the early arrivals
They received by Mr. Yates the secretary. who
planned 10 them the nature Of the machinery by which the
launch 70 10 be effected Ills Excellency the Turkish Am
bassador, the Bavarian Minister the Spanish Charge
dAaires and several members OF the corps dplondt,que
were present. and the Earl o Hardwcke and other noble
men were on the ground. Mr. Brunei himself was sur
rounded by personal and professional friends, among
whom noticed Captain CLAYTON, r. N; Captain Buke
ley Mr. " y. Smith, the inventor OF the propc
YER Mr saunders, secretary OF the Great Western
Halfway; Mr. Lane, and many other gentlemen. Mr.
scott RUSSELL who shares tho honor calling into being
the great triumph OF engineering and constructive skill
ana captain Harrison the future commander Of the Leva
IMAM were SO busy engaged every part Of the works
a. 70 have scarcely moment 70 receive the greetings OF
their friends.
Precisely a. hapas, II O'Clock the ceremony OF chris
tenng the ship was gracefully and spredy performed
by Miss HOPE, the daughter Of the chairman Of the
company-the "Leviathann being the appropriate
selected.
As soon this form had been gone through Mr. Brunei
ave the signal for knocking away the few last remaining
shores and stays, and now the mighty machine stood
supported solely on her cradles awaiting the relaxation
ofhe checking cables which up 70 this moment had
kept perfectly taut
This was moment Of intense interest 70 The spectators
IN the yard, who now numbered perhaps a couple
of thousands. The river was covered with craft of all
sizes aud on the opposite shore myriads OF anxious
lockers on might be observed mpatiently waiting for the
moment, which those more avoraby situated perceived
10 be imminent
The rst step necessary was 10 relax the checking ca
bles and this part Of the process begun shortly after
midday. The operation had proceeded as far
as was necessary TO permit the application of
the tractive and motive power, when almost be-
isrc the latter bad been brought TO bear, the yes.