The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-23
NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS.

FPuraeet (sept y Correspondence Of London Tines
AZ length, after having encountered every vcssude to
which commercial speculation could be exposed, and
endured danger most calculated to test the strength
and stability of the ship ITSELF the Great Eastern for the
Arst time cast off her moorings yesterday morning, and
N the course Of few hours was safely towed to Pur
leet
skill this noble vessel entrusted, board the
previous night and his assistants after dawn yester
day. just as faint gray light began TO break upon the
river, the preparations for getting under weigh were
made Several powerful tugs in attendance, the
four principal ones being named curlously enough,
the Great Eastern, however, was not an affair Of
casting out a tow rope and going ahead. There
was Of course the usual routine amount Of shouting,
and nexpcabe orders and counter and fussing
the tugs before all in readiness Mooring after
nooring then slipped of Captain Harrison and the
pilot their places the starboard paddle box Mr.
Scott Russell remained the bridge TO direct the action
Of the engines both Of which (screw and padde) were
under steam Captain Comstock one Of the abest Anne
rcan navgators, who brought the General Admiral over
to this country stood aft to transmit directions to the men
atthe wheel, Mr. Langley's steering apparatus
was completely fitted Mr. Perouse the chief officer,
took charge Of the fore part Of the Ship and to all the
other officers allotted stations either to transmit di
rectons or signals TO the tugs.
Precisely at quarter past seven the last moorngs
tide had turned the great ships bows in, so as
10 point rather shore Of the Seamens Hospital ship
necessary to turn her slowly asern TO get sufficient
room round the very sharp curve Of the river below
Greenwich The screw engines started first, working
beautifully without noise, heat or even apparent vora
few revolutions suced p get her head round to the point
required.
the first time the Great Eastern started into motion, aud oh
e slo,c majestic beat Of her huge paddles naoud grandy
op the rirer The general public had evidently put but
little faith in the that she would leave the
river yesterday that until the preparations made
for actually leaving there was little stir upon the river
Gradually, however, the steamtugs began to move
about, and get their tow ropes in, it seemed suddenly to
break upon the amphbous population at both sides of the
that they last about TO lose vessel whose
presence has made Depori and the Isle Of Dogs famous
throughout the world.
Then ensued an extraordinary scene. Thousands upon
thousands Of people rushing to the river side
from all points. Boats of every kind and size were
launched crowded TO the waters edge and the stream
and its banks seemed suddenly instinct with life There
much cheers as continuous shouting-a gen.
uine outburst of enthusiasm and delight Even the wan
scky inmates of the Seamens Hospital ship turned
upon the deck crowded the ports with their
faces give shout cap to the vessel which
swept SO grandy by. The pcy first turn at Grecacich
soed Captain Harrison and all the officers Of the rsse
that the great ship thoroughly under command
Siper steamboat, and that the only difficulty to be
come or rather contend against, her length in
turning the sharp of the river at Greenwich Black
wall and Woowich.
The vessels draught was q feet 10 inches aft and %
feet inches forward-abou the very worst trim in which
she could have left her moorngs being down by the head
inches instead of feet down by the stern %
"a feet may appear great depth of water but when
recolected that this the minimum required at the
more than the breadth of the Thames at West
minister, it will be at that these angles
snrety " and dstrast few moves Of the vessel !.
however, showed that she was perfectly in hand
She steered as easily as 1ag boat end her engines 're
found capable starting her into motion drreirg her
progress literally almost by single movement Of the
hand
AT Greenwich, both sides of the river, i'm
ucree multitude had collected, but it at Black
wall that the first really great ovation was
made The news of her departure had spread far
and fast and from the of the great ship the shores
could DE at Backwal Point literally darkened by
people Every house crowded. and the roofs covered
with spectators; the mast house occupied the pier
swarmed the tops and yards of the vessels in the docks
seemed alive AS the great ship approached the enhusi
,Ic lv
such displays with Engshmcn. The dense chcered,
shouted, waved hats, shawls handkerchiefs with an
abandon OF qualification that heartstrring was
really almost national reception and all seemed to have,
as Engshmen, share ia the finest swiest, strongest
and handsomest ship which the world has yet seen
There was but one drawback on the enthusiasm and
happiness OF those who board, which caused
by the absence Of the eminent whom the conccp
tion Of the ship was due-Mr Brunei severe illness
prevented his being present the first triumph OF the
grandest idea which has been originated in naval
fortunes OF the Great Eastern. The this place
forms an acute angle round which tide sweeps with
strong but most unequal force. The admirable manner
n which Captain HARRISON aad the pilot Mr. Atkinson
mauaged the ship, the power and regularity with which
the engines worked would, left unobstructed have soon
got the vessel round this place But course right In the
Of tho river bark (he Kngfsher) was moored
as alectualy To block the "farway down the stream
The tugs sgnalled oge the Graat Easterns head
roona anu treu % do 20 put lns s.ran was 700 much
and for o few minutes the noble vessel was, beyond a
doubt pcrlos position, as the sweep of the tide
strong and IN m nstra drove her towards shore Nog
but the great por Of her engines sausd her here, though
Al ds delicate matter 10 use them properly IL was neces
net her head OF Shore but at the time, do
ouch would not give way enough to take her
shore on the opposite side of the river Fortunately
this effected, fresh hawsers passed to the tugs,
The Lrk, the cause Of all the peril shipped her anchor,
and after anxious delay of some ten fifteen minutes,
the Great Eastern worked slowly round and turned the
uopt o danger. This was great relief an on board
aud 10 more 80 than Mcsrs Campbell and jackson,