The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-10-15

Performances Of the Great Eastern.
The great event of the week has been
the departure of the Great Eastern for sea-
The vessel proceeded down the Thames as
far as Purfeet on the 7th, and anchored
there for the tide of the following morning.
Her departure from her mornings, accompa-
MED By four powerful tugs, two at her bows
and two at her stern, gave rise to scene of
the greatest enthusiasm on the Thames,
which was continued at all prominent
points. Capt. Harrison and most expe-
rienced Thames pilot directed the ships
motion. Mr.. Scott Russell was on the
bridge, directing the action of the engines.
both of which, screw and paddle, were un-
der steam. Captain Comstock, late of the
Collins steamer Baltic, stood aft to transmit
directions to the men at the wheel, the new
steering apparatus not being completely fit
ted. The very fist turn in the river dem
onstrated that the ship was as completely
under command as river steamer, and that
the only difficulties to overcome were sharp
curves in the stream. She steered as easily
as wager boat, and her engines were found
capable of starting her or arresting her mo-
ton, literally. almost by single motion Of
the hand. The only difficulty experienced
was at Blackwell Point, where the river
forms an accute angle, and in the centre of
the channel at this point barque and a
schooner had unfortunately anchored
There was an anxious and perilous delay Of
fifteen minutes, but the danger was passed,
and there was no other serious cause for I'M
easiness. There was not single regular
seaman on board during the river trip, the
crew not having joined her. There were
perfect ovations at Greenwich, Blackwell,
Noolwich and other points, where immense
crowds had assembled. At Purf1eet the
ship swung round to her single anchor in
beautiful style, and the anchor, Trotman's
patent, never yielded an inch from the spot
where it dropped.
On the 9th, the Great Eastern got up
steam and weighed anchor at 4, 40 A. M,
when she started from Purheet for the
More. As on the preceding day, she was
accompanied by tugs: and the enthusiasm
along the river, particularly at Gravesend,
was very great. On arriving at Chapman's
Head, at the top of Seareach, the tugs cast
off, and the great vessel was left to herself.
Increased speed was then got on her, sim
ply to give her good Storage way and move
her engines readily, but with no view to
test of her power. In ten minutes, howev-
er, says the correspondent of the Times, she
set at rest forever all doubt as to her being
the fastest vessel, beyond comparison, in
the world. Employing less than two-thirds
of her power, in the worst trim, being six
inches down by the head, and too high out
of water to permit her paddles or screw
blades to work properly. and with strong
tide against her, she ran distance of fifteen
statute miles in So minutes. The engines
worked with astonishing ease, and there
was scarcely any vibration perceptible.-
Before anchoring, the vessel was put about,
and went completely round in less than
three quarters of mile. At 1890 the yes
sci anchored at the More. She was to leave
the More on the morning of the 9th. and
steam away easily for Portland. Dorsest-
shire, which harbor she was expected to
reach early on the morning of the 10th.
Much regret was felt that serious illness
prevented Mr.. Brunei from being on board
to share in the triumph.
The Great Eastern left the More at fifteen
minutes past nine O'Clock on the Morning
of Friday, and was off Dover at 8 p NJ,
with strong westerly winds and thick rain.
English Pepper.
Here Is a story told nv Tho Prov;danno