The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-29


The Great Eastern In New York-Im-
mense Sensation and EnthustasA on
Her Arrival.
The great event which had been anxiously
looked for during the past few days, and to
which long anticipation and frequent disappoint-
ment had perhaps given additional zest oc-
CURED yesterday morning. Tho monster steam
ship Great Eastern arrived In the outer bay, and
anchored of the Lightship, after prosperous
and speedy voyage. This intelligence, tele-
graphed from Sandy Hook, spread like lightning
through the entire city, communicating mingled
sensation of enthusiasm and satisfaction. To-
wards evening the mammoth ship, having
safely crossed the bar, steamed up to the city,
amid the utmost rejoicing from all sides, and
took up her position at the berth allotted to
her at the foot of Hammond street, touching
come to her mornings, and turning her i'm
mense length in the North river without diff
Guilty or confusion. There she lies-not at
distant point in the harbor, but in the very
heart of the city itself-side by side with the
vessels which ordinarily ply upon our waters,
with craft of diminutive proportions, with our
North river schooners, and even our ferry
boats. In what other port upon the globe
could this giant Of the deep be so accommo-
dated? And what becomes now of all the
doubts and difficulties raised about her enter
ing the habor of New York?
She passed the bar of Sandy Hook, which
was deemed the greatest obstacle in her way
with perfect ease and safety, and glided up the
river with graceful and majestic motion that
evoked comments Of admiration and hearty
cheers from the thousands of spectators who
observed her immense dimensions with mingled
awe and wonder. One remarkable effect was
evidently produced on the minds Of the be-
not unduly extolIed the grandeur of the great
work of human genius before them. Imagina-
ton, heightened by all that descriptive power
could accomplish in conveying an idea of her
size, had hardly reached the reality Of the pic
ture. Disappointment was nowhere manifested.
The Great Eastern was, indeed, q wonder and
triumph.
The first voyage of the Great Eastern has
justified the predictions made In her behalf
and has set at rest the ominous misgivings that
her enormous bulk would initiate against her
speed and safety. She left Southampton at ten
minutes past eight o'clock on the morning Of
Sunday, the 18th instant, and dropped her an
Choir Of the Lightship at half-past seven on the
morning of yesterday, the 18th, thus making the
voyage within eleven days. 1t will be seen,
from the interesting and graphic account Of her
voyage by our special correspondent on board
that the loss Of time accruing from the southerly
course she took, the grass and barnacle covered
state of her bottom, and the head winds Of two
days, amounted TO day and halfs sailing ct
her average speed.
She steamed steadily during the entire pas
sage, from the moment when the order to 'steam
ahead easy" was given, when leaving the Solent,
until she reached Georges Shoals, when she
stopped while to take soundings, making, du-
ring the voyage, an average Of thirteen knots
an hour-the highest speed being fourteen and
half knots-and going at the rate of from 254
10 1888 miles every twenty four hours. Her ave-
rage speed was therefore greater than on her
last trial trip, and II Is remarkable that at one
time, while some of her sanguine admirers pre-
dicted that she would make twenty knots an
hour, Mr.. Brunei declared thatshe WAS construct
ed 10 make only fourteen and half, and would
not mske more. She has thus verified the ex-
pectations Of her great designer. She sailed
steadily her machinery worked In admirable
style, and her whole appointments seemed TO be
complete. fulfilling every anticipation as to safe
ty, speed and comfort; even 10 the marked
diminution Of that terror Of all voyagers, sea-
sickness.
The 6rst grand event In the career Of the
Great Eastern Ia now accomplished. She has
winged her way across the ocean. In another
hemisphere from that In which she grew, plate
by plate, and rivct by rivet-from a gaunt
skeleton on the docks Of the muddy Thames 70
the perfect ship OF proportions which human
eyes never contemplated before-she rests ma
jestically to-day upon the blue waters Of the
Hudson. Another, though kindred people,
who watched her growth and prayed for her
success with ~ much anxiety and fervor as did
thoee whose pride was centred In this Won
drous being Of their own creation, welcome her
advent 10 the shores OF the New World, and
prophecy from her success the opening Of new
era In the navigation Of the seas. But II they
look with feelings akin to envy upon
her as the offspring Of another nation,
they contemplate her In spirit Of
emulation, looking forward TO the time when
her rivals shall rear their gigantic proportions
In our own dockyards, and the stars and stripes
shall Goat above q neet Of queenly chips ac-
knowledging no superiority upon the ocean.
In point Of speed, Of safety and gallant bear
ing uesn the waves. the success Of the Great
Eastern may be said 10 be established. Her
ultimate success In commercial point Of view
Is yet untried. What revolutions she shall
effect In the commerce of the world; what dis