The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-09-29


News by the Aracia.--The Great Eastern
..TIer Departure on her Trial Trip.
Satisfactory Nasafe of her Performan-
The great event of the week had
been the departure of the Great East
fern for sea. The Nova Scotlan
brought out news that the vessel had
proceeded down the Thames as far as
|Purleet on the 9TH, and anchored there
for the tide of the following morning.
Her departure from the moorings, ac-
companied by four powerful tugs, two
at the bows, and two at the stern,
gave rise to scene Of the greatestlenL
thusiasm on the Thames, which was
continued at all the prominent. points.
Captain Harrison and the most expert
enced Thames Pilot directed theship's
motions. Mr. Scott Russell was on
the bridge, directing the action of the
engines, both of which, screw and pad
die' were Under steam. Capt Com
stock. of the, Collins steamer Baltic,
stood aft tostransmits directions. TO the
men at the wheel, the new steering ap-
paratus not being completely fitted.
The very first turn in the river demon
strated that the ship was completely
under command as. river steamer,
and the only difficulties to contend with
were the sharp curves in the stream:
She steers as easily as awager boat,
and her engines were found capable OF
starting her or arresting her motion
literally almost by single motion OF
the hand. The only difficulty expert
enced was at Blackwell Point, where
the river forms an acute angle, and in
the center of the channel at this point,
a bark and a schooner had unfortun-
|ately anchored. There was an anxious
and perilous delay of fifteen minutes,
but the danger was passed, and there
was no other serious cause for uneasl-
ness. There was not single regular
seaman on board during the river trip,
the crew not having joined ~ s.igs
There was perfect ovations at Green
witch, Blackwell, Woolwich, and other
points, where immense crowds had as
sembled. At Purfeet the ship swung
round to her single anchor in beautiful
style, and the anchor, /" Trotman's pat
ent," never yielded an inch from the
spot where it dropped. n ~
On the 18th the Great Eastern got
up steam and weighed anchor, and at
[s:4O A. NJ, started from Purfeet for
the More. As OIL the preceding day,
she was accompanied by tugs, and the
enthusiasm along the river, particularly
uyao worry I'm or
irving at Chapman's Head, at the top
of Sea- Reach, the tugs were cast off
and the great vessel was left to herself
Increased speed was then got on her
simply to give her good steerage way
and move her engines readily, but with
no view to test her power. In ten min
utes however, says the correspondent
Of the Times, she set at rest all doubts
forecer, as to her being tie fastest ves-
SCI, beyond comparison ia tie soorld-
Employing less than taco thirds of her
power, in her worst trim, being six
inches down by the head, and too high
out Of water to prelnit her paddles or
screw blades to- work properly, and
with strong tide against her, she ran
q distance of fifteen statute miles in
two minutes under an honr. Pie en-
gines worked with astonishing ease,
and there was scarcely vibration pre-
ceptible.y Before anchoring, the vessel
was put about and went completely
round in less than three-quartess of
mile. At 12a O'Clock the vessel an
chored at the More. She vas to leave
the More at Z o'clock on the morning
Of the 9th, and steam away easily for
Portland, Dorsetshire, which harbor
she was expected toreaeh early on the
morning of the 10th. aaa Much regret
was felt that serious illness prevented
Mr. BunnelI from being on beard to
share in the triumph. 80 .a=insgae .'aiio
LATEST.
The Great Eastern left More at 94