Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-20
ATTEMPT TO LAUNCH THE GREAT
EASTERN.

to launch this great Leviathan has been fail
ure. To understand what has been done, Ii Is
necessary first to describe the preparations
which were made to insure success. These
preparations may be divided into two classes
the means to restrain her motion in case her
movement into the water was too rapid, and
the apparatus used to start her of or to accele-
rate her descent If found too tardy. All the
props or stays which supported the great ship
while she was building being removed, she rest
ed on two huge cradles, placed about $50 feet
apart, and at equal distances from her centre.
These cradles were faced at the bottom with
iron plates; these iron plates rested freely on
iron rails placed parallel to each other, at
distance Of about foot and q half, and firmly
bolted to two platforms Of wood, each forming
slope or inclined plane Of about one inch in
twelve. The cradles may be regarded as two
irOn-shod sledges. which were intended to slide
down the surface Of the rails Of the two slopes
called ways, bearing with them the ship into
deep water.
The great novelty of this arrangement did not
consist in intending to launch the ship side
ways, for this ha, been done again and again in
India and America with great success. The
untried part was the one Of two iron surfaces in
contact while sliding the ship into the water
Hitherto, creased wood has been used for this
purpose, sufficient amount of grease being ap-
piled to prevent the weight of the ship squeez-
ing it out 50 as to bring the surfaces Of the
naked wood together. In point of fact, the
friction down the slope Is usually that Of a
creased surface in contact with grease. Now
the retardation produced by this is well known.
1t is matter Of experience that if the slope be
made in "a the ship will not move: if in II
it Will-s little too fast perhaps, but this over
speed can readily be checked by mechanical
appliances. The behavior of the iron sledge in
contact with iron was unknown, and therefore
there were no data for the inclination Of the
slope, when these two metals we're in contact
The same slope was used which was known to
be successful for creased surfaces Of wood. ANY
difference in the friction of the two was sought
to be compensated for by giving the rails good
coating Of black lead, this substance being used
frequently as an anti-frictional medium.
Dealing, therefore, with conditions altogether
untried in ship launching, it was necessary to
make ample preparations for two contingencies
over speed or too little. The former was
evidently anticipated. Two hugo drums, Ike
the windlass of ship used for hauling in the
anchor, were firmly attached to strong founda-
tiOns fixed on piles driven into the earth. Over
each Of these, iron cables, Of the same strength
as those intended to hold the monster ship at
anchor, were wound round till each drum sup
ported sixty tons of cable. One extremity of
the cable passed round each drum was firmly
fastened to the cradle, in front of the centre Of
which il was placed, and the other was fast
down the slope, the cables would wind off the
drums, and this motion could be instantly
checked by q afriction band Of iron passed round
the circumference Of two wheels at either ex-
tremity of the drum. These friction banis
could De brought into instant play by means of
powerful levers, acting on them so as to bring
their surface into contact with those of the sur
faces Of the wheels attached to the drums.
Sufficient mechanical and manualforce manned
these four levers, to cOunteract the whole
weight OF the ship, 50 as to hold her still mid
way during her descent, if necessary. provided
only the cables resisted the tension brought to
bear on them. We must notice in passing
that these friction drums and wheels had
uinches, coy-wheels, and other machinery at
tached to one extremity. which had been used
to wind the heavy cables round them. Such
were the powerful and we'll devised means to
check any undue speed.
To start the cradles in motion, powerful hy-
draulic apparatus was used which was capa-
bic OF acting 50 as to push them about three
feet forwards. If more force than this were
necessary, il was provided for by three means
A strong cable was passed round the extremity
of the shaft Of the Archimedean screw at the
afterpart of the ship, carried out into the
midst OF the riVer, passed round block in
lighter, firmly moOred, and brought back again
to the shore, where a small stationary steam
engine WAS placed to haul it in, and bring any
reasonable amount of pressure to bear upon it,
Another steam engine and similar apparatus
was used for a cable firmly fixed to the bow of
the ship. Lastly, cables were fastened to the
middle Of the ship, and carried out to four
lighters meored in mid river, with mechanical
apparatus on board them, well-inanned, to drag
the centre Of the ship forward if necessary.
Having now made our readers acquainted
with the mechanical appliances used, we shall
proceed 10 narrate the history Of the day's pro-
PaadInns The rivar xloI -~;s sL q. Sr
every description, weighed to the waters edge
with living freight. Every svailable spot on
both sides OF the river, where a glimpse of the
ship could be caught was filled with expectant
spectators About l o'clock the excitement of
all was raised to the highest pitch. The busy
group Of Industrious lahorers, who had been
engaged in blsckleading the rails of the ways
ish A few were left, scattering masses OF
powdered biacklead, like sand At length
these retired. All seemed ready; but two
men remained, one on each way, standing near
a rope ladder, by means Of which they might
escape into the ship as soon as the cradle should
reach the water. A young gentleman took his
place on q high platform, erected near the after
pa.t of the ship, with his theodolite duly placed,
70 mark the motion Of the ship. The tide ID
rushing in, but it has yet only covered half the
slope OF the ways. The shout is heard =" she
moves" and SO she does-the aft part faster
however, than the fore. Her speed Is instantly
checked, and she is STILL
Now, each anxious spectator congrstulates
his neighbor. She glides beautifully down.
she il under control; surely all is we'll, and the
attempt will be 3 triumphant success Alas
soon the rumOr is passed along that the motion
was premature-that il has been ehec ksd by a
sad accident. As the turn or two Of the cable
round the drum, placed to check the motion oi
the after cradle, gave to the movement Of the
ship, the winch handles, attached to its gear
revOlved with frightful velocity, hurting Ave
unfortunate men into the air. and scattering
broken cog wheels among the crowd. Three
Of these unfortunate men, We regret to hear
were severely inj jured.
This is a sad dsmper; nevertheless Mr. Bru.
mel and other officials are seen examining the
ways The fore-cradls is found to have ad.
Vanced three feet forward; the aft one about
four feet six inches. All are still sanguine
We wait but for high water. An hours anx
ious watching, aud the tide covers the way
and reaches nearly TO the keel Of the ship. Tn,
labOrers are all engaged in the four lighters
msored opposite the middle OF the ship, tau
tening the cables attached TO them. T