The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-08-01
or shlpplng InteIl1gence,see 4th page
From the ". T. World, July 31.l

DEPARTURE OF THE GREAT EASTERN
All day yesterday the wharf where lay the Great
Eastern until Sunday afternoon, was thronged with
spectators, eager to see how the ship would acuuit
herself when the time of action came. About noon
the steamboat Island Belle commenced running
from the pier to the vessel, which lying out in
the stream, carrying each trip goodly load of
passengers and baggage. AT two O'Clock the crowd
was immense, filling every available standing place
whether on the ground on piles of boards, on the
roofs OF sheds, which abound in that vicinity or on
board the little steamboats, that lay alongside the
dock. Despite the heat of the sum- EVERYDAY SEEM
ed good natured and willing to make the best of
bad job. Soon after three o'clock the Island Belle
started on her last trip to the Great Eastern Then
came the rush. People of all sorts and sizes hasten
ed to secure place on her, and like the steamers
prototype, they all met en- board by pairs, every
one after his kind. Soon all were transferred to the
big ship, but still she showed no sign of moving
The men on the barge which lay beside her were
just as busy passing up mattresses as they were an
hour before. Excursion boats without number
packed, too, with human beings, sail boats and row
boats all played around the ship as if to entice her
from her anchorage. Still she did not stir.
just before o'clock, two little tugs attached
themselves, the one to her bow and the other to
her stern, and began their efforts pull her round
for she had swung with the tide, and was headed
up stream. The little boats, when beside the Great
Eastern, looked more like the tabled Hy on the
chariot than aught else, and apparently were of
about as much use. Soon, however the immense
paddlewheels began to move, but stopped at a
quarter. past A. and then the tried its efforts
At precisely twenty-one minutes past the steam-
ship was headed down stream, and, to all appear
ances, was ready to commence her trip Ten
minutes later the screw began to revolye and a
few minutes after the wheels were put in motion,
and Oft the vessel started in fine sye at first verv
slowly, but gaining speed at every stroke of the
piston
The scene on and along the river was nearly as
lively as on the day of her arrival into port. In
her wake and along side of her. followed scores of
crafts, from row-boats up to steamboats,, while on
either shore were crowds of people, gazing with
intense interest at the leviathan. Many of the
larger boats went down far as Sandy Hook and
few to Cape May; every one of these were pack
ed with living freight. The Hendrick Hudson
stopped on its way up the river, to take turn
around the vessel and cheers from both steamers
were given and returned. The number of tickets
sold for the excursion was about 200, which falls
short of the antieipations of the consignees pro-
vision was made for 1000. This is accounted for
by the high price at which they were sold few per-
sons being able or willing to pay ten dollars for
two days SAIL exclusive of meals and state-rooms
ltis announced that the Great Eastern will start
next Thursday on an excursion to Old Point Com
fort Annapolis, and Baltimore, at reduced rates of
fare.