Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-04-27
The Great Eastern.


There appears to be no doubt whatever
that the great ship will be ready to try its
powers on the Atlantic by the latter end of
May. The contracts for the works necessa-
ry to fit the ship for sea have been taken,
and they are being prosecuted with the ut
most vigor. Mr.. Scott Russell has now moth
ing whatever to do with the ship, his con-
tracts have come TO an end, and even the inter
minable arbitration upon the differences be-
tween the Company and himself have, 1t is
understood, been brought to close by sheer
WEAKNESS of all the parties; and something
like a compromise ofall matters in dispute
has been, or will probably shortly be, agreed
upon on both sides The works necessary
to be completed before the start for America
are mainly those which are required to BIO
performed by the Board Of Trade before the
grant of the necessary certificate under the
Passengers Act. But, in order that moth
ing should be wanting to make Great East
ern as perfect and as complete as possible in
every department, most careful examination
Of the machinery has been made by Messrs
Penn Il Field, and the hull and fittings have
been most carefully looked into by eminent
ship surveyors. The result Of all this exami-
nation has been to show how greatly exag-
gerated were all those descriptions of her
imperfect state which many persons, from
various motives, had circulated with respect
to this magnificent ship. Every suggestion
made by competent parties has been
adopted by the new Board of Directors, and
the whole expenses OF the works, including
those that are actually necessary and others
which may be considered as improvements,
will not exceed G28 900 The works which
have been taken in hand included the build
ing Of new storeroOms on board, some addl-
tional stanchions to support the cargo deck
some alterations in the dayits for hanging
the boats, and some additional supports to
the sides Of the coal bunkers.
One rather heavy affair is the construc-
ton Of . tunnel for the passage of the crew.
engineers, and others, through the coal bun
kers. This has involved considerable
amount Of labor, and $500 tons Of coal have
had to be removed in order to get at the
work. These tunnels will be fitted with wa
ter tight doors ct each Of the compartments,
and will be useful for giving increased ven
tlation, and afford facilities for testing the
temperature Of the coal in the "bunkers"-
IN important consideration, when it is con
4idercd that some 10000 tons Of coal are
slowed away in these parts Of the ship
Some alterations are also to be made in the
packing Of the IRON maSts, the inda-rubber
hitherto used being about u be replaced by
hornbeam, Or some less elias ic substance. -
IN addition to the squadron of 20 small
boats, with which the ship is at present
provided, there will be two others Of unusu-
ally large stze equal in fact to moderate
sized schooners, their dimensions being so
feet in length BY Is feet in width The sa-
looms and cabins, which were unfinished
when the ship left the Thames, are also to
be completed before the Atlantic trip The
planking Of Tie deck will remain unchanged
though admitted Oh all hands to be piece
Jf VIGOROUSLY bad workmanship upon very
bad timber I'm addition 10 the improve
ments mentioned, there are number oil
small details required 70 be attended to in
the engines and machinery.
The Board have appointed Mr. Thomas
Bold, one u the late Directors, 10 the post Of
general manager. 10 appointment Of cap
tain II the ship has yet been made, but the
general opinion appears % be thai Captain
Einehall, Superintendent Of the Mediterra-
mean Steam Navigation Company, will be
appointed. LoHdoH ObScEsr.