Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-09-26
Departure ofthe Great Eastern on tho Tri
al Trim.

al Trip.
The grcnt event of tho week has been the de-
raltnre q" the Great Eastern for sea. The Nova
Seoian brought out news that the vessel had pro-
ccoGcd down the Thames ns far ms Purhcet on the
7th, and anchored there for the tide of the follow
ing morning Her departure from her moorings.
accompanied ~ four powerful tugs two at the
bow mud two at the stern, gave rise to scene Of
the greatest enthusiasm on the Thames, which was
continued AT all the prominent points. Capt.
Harrison and the most experienced Thames pilot
directed the ships motions. Mr.. Scott Russell
wAs on the bridge, directing the ncicn of til .
engines, both of which, screw and paddle were nn.
der steam. Captain Comstock. Of the Collins
steamer Baltic stood aft to transmit directions to
IL" men at the wheel ut tho new steering appa-
ratus not bring com plctcly fitted. The very first
turn in the river demonstrated that the ship was
rs completely under command rs II river steamer,
and that the only difficulties to contend with were
the sharp curves in the stream.
She stcers Gs ca lily rs wager boat and her
engine were found rapablc of starting her or mr.
resting her motion literally, almost Ivy IL single
motion oG the hin3. The only difficulty experience
cd was at Blackwell Point where the river forms
acute angle and in the centre of The chnnel. Mt
this point, n barqne and schooner had unfortu-
mattel Y anchored There was an anxious and peri
lous delay of fifteen minutes; but thu danger
passed, and there no other serious cause for
uncnsines9. There not n single regular s0a,
man on hoard during the river trip--thc crow not
having joined.
There perfect nvntons Mt Greenwich, Black
wall Woolwich, and ether points. where immense
crowds had assembled. At Pmect the shpswung
round to her single anchor. "rrotman's patent"
never yielded an inch from he spot where it drop
ped. On the Slh, the Great Eastern got no steam
and weighed anchor and Mt $40 a. IN. started
from Puinoet for the More. As on the preceding
day, she accompanied by tugs and t o enth,- :
sia>m about the river particularly at Grayescnd,
was very great On arriving Mt Chapman's Herd,
at the top Of Sea Reach, the tugs werc cast off and
the great vessel was left to herself.
Increased speed was then got on her, simply
to give her good stcerage-way, and move her en-
gincs readily, but with view to test her power.
In ten inmates, however, says the correspondent
Of the rimc-, she set at rest all doubts forever as
tn her Icing the fastest vessel beyond comparison,
in the world.
Employing less tErn two-ihrds of Ter power
in her worst trm Icing six inches down by ,hr
head and too ID zh ont OF water to permit her pad
dlas or screw blades to work properly, and with
strong tide against her, she ran n distance Of tf
teen statute miles in two minutes unGer an hour
The engines worked with astonishing ease, and
their was scar>ey vibration perccptiblc.
Before anchoring. the vessel was put about and
went completely round in less than three quarters
of mile At 1890 the vessel anchored at the
More. She was 10 leave tie More Mt o'clock un
the morning Of the 9th, aud steam pway easily
for Portland Darsetshire, which barbor she was
expected to reach early the morning cf the 10Th.
Much regret WAS felt that seri us llne prevcnteh
Mr. Brunne, from being on board to share in tho
triumDh