, 1859-07-08

From Tic London Times, June Il.
Scarcely two months ago and the great ship
WAS as dssolasc US wreck, and with apparent
y AZ little chance of ever gning to sea. Now
the tunnels are up: tlIrcc mnsts are in and
rugged the paddle boxes are in; the engines
nearly finished; bulwatks nad decks cun,p|cte:
ind whole army of workulen ure bu.ily en-.
gagged getting forward her internal fittings
Such AZ, amount Of progress, Wien judged hr
other ships, lnay appear To lie no great lnastcr,
hut when VIC reflect 4 moment on the details,
and find that the deck alone requires eighteen
sssics u iiscinch planking 10 cescr it, that the
paddle buxrs arc Of rolled iron, that each con-
taiIfs - ,W cubic feet, and is equal in size to
vessel Of G'N tons, VIC begin TO see that, in
Peint of labor, astounding progress has already
been made.
When tenders for finishing the vessel we're
first called f'r, in March last, the directors
were Dissatisfied witlt ull, and therefore con-
csuded au agreement with Mr.. Scott Kussclt OF
the 4sh Of April, 1caving it to that gentleman to
finish his ship upon his uwn l1nns. antlto :it her
il every respect for sen i tir*t-class vessel.
Tue ccl,tract was for Glai,0t0, 10 be completed
IN the 9Th Of September, With d 1,renll,t,1 Of
1l,0M week for earlier completion, an,1 I,ru.
aiy Of @ln,GD Week for eacll complete seycn
days beyond the allotted time. The agreement
includes tfe nasts, sails, rigging, bnais, cables,
engines, boilers, ironwork and woodwork, with
suitable accommodation for 5no fitTt-class mud
1?' 5-COuA-AlANS pASoEGSEES- vi CNHE*t% ! GDi-
tract -n extensive Is not all pesEor1ned by Nr.
Russell himself, but distributed in various
branches among different firms which lie tas
bttn in tho habit " employing for his other
ships.
Sou,c Of 1hcse Subdivisions include work
enough 10 bt really considered as extensive
contracts. Thus the rigging will require oQu
blocks. aud no less ttau ~ tons Of hemp rope.
with - tons Of mixed wire ind hemp for the
standing rigging. IIsr sails viii consume nearly
l9,Ntn squire yards Of CANVASS; she is 10 hare
=" boats, lifted with snasta aud safs complete,
exclusive Of the two suat scre,y steamers, cac1l
uF which il TO be 100 feet long BY IL wide, OF
130 tons measurement, and 81 horse power.
She IL to carry upwurl Of ,'l fatlioms Of chain
cables. all Of tue most 1lassivc description.
Her anchors arc IL in number, ringing FROM
one 10 sescn ions (titc 1arrest). 1iad she been
fitted with the Admiralty anchor, mud lad thc
old rule been followed Of requiring certain
weight Of a,'eor. according TO the vessels ton:
na-c, her largest anchors must have bcen "a
tons each by using TrotuIan's anchor, how
eser, the same holding power is obtained viii.
nn anchor Of seyen tu1,s.
On coming into possession Of tie vessel, the
ucw company thought that, IN case Of war, tar
t;scat Eastern might proye un invaluable aux.
Hilary 10 the Government, if not for carving
tho largest Of the encnly's shp*, WHICH the
immense speed Of the vessel would cuablc her
10 ovcrtake with perfect ease. For this purpose,
therefore, it was decided TO strengthen still
more her sharp. powerful bows by laying dow n
three complete irnn decks forward. extending.
decks arc cu,ircly completed. Thug coxer mo
square feet, aud afford stowagc for ,40o tons
| Of cargo space. They will no:. however, lie
used for this purpose, bur for accommodating
| the crcw, Of $40 or 4"' mel. With this large
increase Of strength forward, the Great Eastern,
largest wooden linetof.bat,le ship that ever
| flualctl.