The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-08-17
From tho Scientific american.
THE GREAT EASTERN.


this portion the 2sth of June, and her ap-
pearance in our waters has created much
greater national excitement than the pow
pow got up for the reception of "John ia
pan" and his boy Tommy" To this
steamer we may well apply the old saying,
Long looked for has come at last for as
suredly no enterprise, excepting it may be,
tho laying Of the Atlantic cable, has up
heaved the public mind on both sides of the
Atlantic with SO many hopes and fears du.
ring the past four years. But after many
disappointments, the GreatsEastern has at
last safely and slowly breasted the billows
of the Atlantic and is now moored in Man
haitian waters. We will therefore give a
succinct history Of her construction, pre-
vious adventures and late voyage.
There are three leading features con-
nected with the Great Eastern which natu--
rally excite attention. These are, first, her
great magnitude-she being 692 feet in ex-
treme length, 80 feet beam, and $4,000 tons
actual capacity; second, her peculiarly Of
construction-being Of iron, and double
cased to about three feet above the water
line. and built on the cellular principle; {;
third, she is propelled by the combination
of paddle wheels at the sides apdsa soseg,
at the stern. With rsgardsto her .msgoE
tude, some contend tBatttis exceeds Noah's
Ark; but be that as it may, we know that
|ythe clipper ship Great Republic, the frigate
Niagara, and the steamer Adriatic-alI fully
loaded-wouId make about fair cargo if
taken within her capacious sides. She can
carry about 4,soo passengers, with good
and fulI accommodations; or an army of
10000 men, in a superior manner to any
troop ship.
This great ship was planned by the late
distinguished; engineer, Mr.. I. X. Brunei,
upon the most rational grounds of success
In the great and increasing trade between
England and Australia, it was found that
common steamships were incapable of car
rying cargo OF competing with sailing ves-
sells, owing to the great amount of coal re-
required for such long voyage. Brunei
calculated that a large ship could be built,
to carry sufficient coal for the entire round
trip, and at tue same time make quick pas
sages, take great number Of passengers,
and good paying cargo besides. he
therefore designed the Great Eastern (sboat
1859 With these objects in view; and a
company Of wealthy merchants III Ldpaou
was formed to furnish the capital to com.
plete the project. To J. Scott Russell was
given the contYct to complete the hull /; in
1855, the first plate gss slaid Mt his:swork.
in Ai!lwall, london; and in November,
1857, she Has ready to be launched
Great mortiaeati6n wa. experienced on No.
2, whsn-mid aorowd ofspsincsse ,poten.
tates, sapans, and agFeat array d saealth
and fashion that had assembled t.. witness
the mighty event Of 5Bes. .leviathsu' ship
rushing like q ,,1ountain, fr9m its fastening,
intot the obedient waters 3oksthe Thames
the iron raammotb, like a 4bsnlkly horse,
refused % obey thsreins Of the driver; and
ittoost nosless than s4oo, 900; sudscopstant
labor from that. .day'till Jap. aIa ID The
subsequent year, bssotsshe was etedin
the iysn When lauuebed. bsk ensire. cost
was$ ,ssf,52o, which. ezcsedsd the orig
;asl Set;..stSsh assnnfl oe.ks ;.,.a ssat rsl,o