Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-06
THE GREAT EASTERN-THE PRACTICAL AND
SCIENrIEIl REsI-I Il OF TIE VOYAGE &c


SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OF THE VOYAGE. &c.
The New York papers surrender large part oil
their space TO very full account OF the voyage
of the steamship Great Eastern which will long be men,
orable in the history Of steam navigation. The mann
mouth after crossing the bar at the entrance OF New
York harbor high tide in the afternoon reached her
dock at the foot of Hammond street. in the North river
at about six in the evening She there occupies the front
of entire blocks. Immense crowds hocked there until
quite dark 10 gaze at her immense proportions from the
adjacent wharves The Times publishes most full and
minute account Of the memorable first voyage Of this
revolutionary vessel from the pen of correspondent,
who has been familiar with the ship in her days of mis-
adventure and who speaks with the authority of thor
ough and scientific acquaintance with her powers That
paper adds:
The voyage of the Great Eastern indicated in this
report has been substantial success. The theory OF
her size is simply this she carry twice much
60 as the Adriatc the Persia, with the same horse
power and cost simply on account OF her size, the en-
gnes being the same Her first trip has demonstrated
the mechanical correctness of this theory, by proving
that the ship not only equals but exceeds smaller vessels
in seaWorthiness and manageabity. More than this
it demonstrates the equally important fact that the
fort and safety Of passengers are increased in proper
ton TO the size Of the vessel The moderate speed
tanned by the Great Eastern this trip is fully account
ed for by her purposey but not necessarily low steam
pressure by considerable deviation from the shortest
course to avoid ice by foul bottom and by other alb
normal circumstances The positive facts developed
the perfection Of the hull and the excellence aud rea-
bty Of the machinery. The engines were not stopped
for adjustment during the entire passage.
Mr. Scott Russers wave line, more beautifully develop
ed this vessel than before, is such that the
highest speed the vessel does not raise perceptable
wave except by the action OF her propelers The COM
meIcal queston-Can large ships be hedy-has yet
been reached The interval between the announcement
of the Great Easerns arrival off the Hook and her pas.
sage Of the Bar long enough TO oil scago-
ing, yachting and peasure-lOving population to give
welcome to the monster. Tugs Of all sorts and sizes
steamers aud saiboats crowded down the bay towards
three o'clock, and rarely has animated q scene been
presented unroed itself before the eyes of the passen
gers on board the great ship when she fairly opened the
harbor of New York from the Narrows.
The skill with which her New York pilot Mr.. Murphy
carried her over the bar nA7iga,ed her through the
crowded bay, and brought her 10 her moorngs at the
foot OF Hammond street. the theme OF general CON-
ment and admiration. Salues, public aud private at
tended her approaeh-the Harriet Lane and tho Ourard
steamers at Jersey City particularly dsngu shing them
selves ia this contest OF poeness The yacht squadron
was handsomely represented, and nothing could have
been more cordially and festive than the reception which
was extended all sides to the longlooked for vi
sitor The Wharves of the North River from the Bat
terry TO Canal street. packed closely with eager
and enthusiastic crowd which cheered the SHIP heartily
as she slowly and estically moved along. No acct
dent occurred TO mar the satisfaction Of the day al
though the great ship, running alongside the dock
carried away feet OF pankng her first touch
of the wharf.
It appears that about II o'clock Messrs Grinnel &
Ninturn agents of the vessel with n small party of
newspaper men and others hastily collected together
took passage in the steamtug Yankee to meet the
moth vessel which living about midway between the
light ship aud Sandy Hook, twenty-five miles from the
city, waiting for full tide. The Journal Of Commerce
says:
From the date of the discovery Of the great vessel
friyclus conversation suspended and all thoughts
with all eyes, were directed 10 the clearer mskingout Of
the vague hair lines the horizon which indicated her
presence in the Bay Of New York At last the paddle
wheels of the mammoth became visible, aud then there
was black at the ster which RpoWeriu telescope
resolved into human beings.
IL was the opinion of competent judges that the mod
eli Of her bow like that Of the Niagara TIE ghtnes
and grace of her appearance on the water the sub
ect Of continued praise. So admirably she shaped,
that but for tug alongsde OF her that looked like
cockle-shel 10 COMPARISON, she would have appeared
scarcely larger than the Persia or the Arabia
As the tug rounded the giant steamship, her immense
length and height became apparent and the spectators
we're lost in amazement at the sight They looked with
speeches. wonder at the marine prodigy until they
reached her side, and the stairs lowered for the
visitors to ascend They were there cordially received
By Capt Hall and other officers, and proceeded TO
inspection Of the magnificent vessel
In longing about the vessel was first struck by
the solid character of all the work There was no GIN
grbread ornamentation. All was iron, oak and mahog
were special objects of interest and the visitors Snatch
ed fearful Joy" in looking down the dim holds and
watching the slow, ponderous motions Of the wonderful
oscilating engines among whose enormous cranks and
Joints men moved like flies
There only time for hasty through the ladies
saloon solid and beautiful and the visitors we're then
summoned to pleasant collation. in the main cabin or
first dining saloon a large and elegant apartment. AZ
ter pleasing detec and oratoral exercises the compa
ny went on deck and enjoyed view Of the animated
scene around them.
The enormous vessel was now under way, moving
slowly but steadily through the water The trusty poL
Murphy, stood at the wheehouse with Captain Hall by
his side and directed the Of the steamer At
first her motion slow, she cautiously pioted
over the bar Her draft being only 25t feet she had
plenty of room in the flood tide When across the
shallow place and in deep water she had gained speed
of not less than II miles an hour.
The crew. numbering ll2, and the fremen, 10, are
stout hardy fellows, and were evidently picked men,
The Great Eastern is provided with about two dozen
e-boats but does not carry the small steamer for trans
porting passengers and baggage TO Shore which in
Guided among the original equipments of the vessel
The Great Eastern viii remain in New York for the
six weeks and be the great object Of attraction
all who may be DESTROYS of experiencing fresh
ton. At only time the passage the engines
allowed to exhibit their power the result of which has
proved her ability to perform nearly 400 miles in "a
hours.
The Great Eastern is commanded by Capt. John Vine
Hall her officers and crew number 400 and amongst the
passengers is our couutryman, Mr.. George Wilkes
Arrangements are already 10 progress for throwing
her open public view, and carly day in the ensuing
week will Afford to all opportunity Of inspecting this
last and most marvellous wouder Of the world.