The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-10-07
The Trial Trip Of the Great
Eastern.

The English papers by the Arabta con
tain full accounts of the sailing of the
monster steamship Great Eastern on her
trial trip. The reporter of the Times,
writing from the Purfieet, Sept. 7th, after
describing the ousy scenes connected with
the closing preparations, the stationing OF
officers at various points, &c, says:
"Then was the order given to go ahead
slow y, and for the first time the Great
Eastern started into motion, and with the
slow, majestic beat of her huge paddles
moved grandly down the river. Then en-
sued an extraordinary scene. Thousands
upon thousands of people were seen rush
ing to the river side from all directions.
Boats Of every kind and size were launch
ed, crowded to the waters edge, and the
stream and its banks seemed suddenly in
stinct with life. There were not so much
cheers as continuous shouting-a genuine
outburst Of enthusiasm and delight. Even
the wan and sickly inmates Of the SeameI' S
Hospital ship turned out upon the deck or
crowded the ports with their worn faces
to give one shout or waive cap to the
vessel which swept 50 grandly by.
The very first turn at Greenwich show
ed Captain Harrison and all the officers Of
The vessel that the great ship was as thor
oughly under command as q river steam
boat and that the only difficulty to be
overcome or rather to contend against, was
her length, in turning the sharp curves of
the river at Greenwich, Blackwell and
Woolwich. The vessels draught was 81
feet 10 inches aft, and % feet inches for
ward-about the very worst trim in which
she could have left her moorlngs, being
down by the head five inches, instead OF
some five feet down by the stern. Twen-
ty-threee or twenty-four feet may appear
no great depth of water, but when it Is
recollected that this was the minimum re-
qured at the turnings and over length of
! 500 feet, which is more than the breadth
of the Thames at Westminster, it will be
seen at once that these angles were at first
regarded with a certain amount Of anxiety
and distrust few moves of the vessel,
/ however showed that she was perfectly IN
hand. She steered rs easy as Il wager
boat, and her engines were found capable
progress literally almost by the motion Of
the hand. At Greenwich, on both sides of
the river, an immense multitude had col
lected, but it was at Blackwell that the
first really great ovation was made.
The news of her departure had spread
| far and fast, and from the deck Of the great
ship the shores could be seen at Rlackwall
Point, literally darkened by the people,
Every house was crowded, and the roofs
covered with spectators the mast-house
occupied, the pier swarmed, the tops and
the wards of the vessels in the docks seem
ed alive As the great ship approached
the enthusiasm seemed to pass the bounds
which ordinarily mark such displays with
| EngIishmen The dense mass cheered,
shouted, waved hats, shawls, handkerchiefs,
with an abandon of qualification that was
heart string. 1t was really almost ma
tional reception, and all seemed to have,
as Englishmen, share in the finest, swift
est, strongest and handsomest ship which
the world has vet seen There was but
| one drawback on the enthusiasm and hap
! pineSs Of those who were on board, which
was caused by the absence Of the eminent
man to whom the conception Of the ship
was due-Mr Brunei. a severe illness
prevented bis being present at the first
triumph of the grandest idea which has
ever been originated in naval architecture
Blackwell Point was the tut ming point
| in the fortunes Of the Great Eastern. The
river at this point forms an acute angle,
round which the tide sweeps with strong
but most unequal force. The admirable
manner in which Captain Harrison and the
pilot, Mr.. Atkinson, managed the ship, the
power and regularity with which the en-
cines worked, would, if left unobstructed,
have soon got the vessel round this place.
But of course, right in the centre of the
river, barque, the Kingfsher, was moor
ed, while little beyond her lay schoon-
| er in such a manner as to effectually block
the g" fair way" down the stream. The
tugs were signalIed to get the Great East
rms head round, aud tried to do so, but
the strain was too much-at the most crit
zeal moment two of the hawsers parte
and for few moments the noble vessel
was beyond doubt in perilous position. as
the sweep Of the tide was strong, and in an
instant drove her towards shore. Nothing
but the great power of her own engine:
saved her here, though it was delicate
matter to use them properly. Il was nee
essary instantly TO contract the influence
of the tide and get her head off shore bu'
at the same time, to do so in such a man
ner as would not give way enough to take
her on shore on the opposite side Of the
river Fortunately, this was effected, fresl
hawsers were passed to the tugs the bar
que, the cause of all the peril, shipped he
anchor, and after an anxious delay of some
ten or fifteen minutes, the Great EasterI
worked slowly round and turned the Poin
Of danger.
The same correspondent writing from
the More Light, Sept s, continues bis ac
count as follows:
After her first short run, the Grea
EasteTn remained at her anchor off Pur
feet for the rest Of the night, and slowl.
resumed progress down the river at quar-
ter to nine o'clock this morning. Her ar
1 rival threw Purheet into a state Of uncom
mon excitement Everybody within mod
crate reach Of it by road or rail, hurried
70 the little yillsye ill il was cLrOnopd 4