New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-29
the log rose to 1871; a.Il, increased to IA; at 70

10 il.
Tuesday, June 26.-The sun rose bright this morn
ing, with calm sea, but fog Get in at 9 o'clock
which gave hazy appearance to the remainder Of the
day. The engines were working beautifully, and
despite previous dis appointments the confidence of
the passengers steadily rose that the for
the twenty -four hours must necessarily give her credit
for her true speed We learned, however, during the
of the forenoon that the ship had again waved
her to the southwark in The previous night and
had probably lost from the direct line twenty or
thirty miles. We were, therefore, moi surprised when
the observation at reported us in latitude 4o 3d.
longitude 63' 81, and gave only 1888 miles. Our
chance of meeting with the Arago from New-York
was consequently out" for she was certain to be
fifty or sixty miles further to the north. The ship
however, evidently going at the rate Of sixteen
miles through the water and under perfect conviction
of her great speed when pat to it, bets freely
offered that she would make the passage back from
New-York TO England in nine days and lees; indeed
one gentleman offered to take to that she would
accomplish the return trip in eight. We other
ships or sailing craft to day, and this believe, is the
only day when such has been the case. Aud may
here remark that in my five previous crossings OF the
Atlantic never met with 80 many sai as during this
passage This was the obser yation, also, Of several
Others and it doubtless resulted from the fact that
were 30 high above the level of the 10
mand mere than ordinary field of vision, and that
other ships moreover seeing at farther distance
off than even we saw them drew near at once to
feast their ewes with the size of our mightiness
Courte at l a. m, N. N. W., with the wind s. s.
f., and rate, by log, Of IA. At o'clock we changed
our course 10 W. by NJ, with south wind and rate of
of 1885, at O'Clock, we changed course again TO w.
S. and at we made still another swerve to W. by S.
Is. Wind at IL WIS. w. light.
Wednesday, June 27.-Fine weather. with breeze
which kept four of our trysails set, continued all the
afternoon but at O'Clock very heavy fog sot in,
which condensed itself upon the rigging in huge drops,
tina. fell upon the deck like rain. So dense did this
all.pervading mist become that the lookouts could
scarcely see ten feet from the ship and our lights
could not have been distinguish ed at the distance of
hundred ards ahead so, out Of mercy to the unwary
who might possibly be 10 our path, at near
reach 70 shore we slackened speed down from Is
to y knots and ran this rate, with frequent warn
ings from our whistle all the night. Under this state
of affairs it was thought prudent, moreover, that we
should make soundngs ascertain with certainty ex-
actly where we were but the effort failed at every
attempt in consequence of the great hight we were
above the water, requiring more line than we could
pay ont while the vessel was in motion. We slowed
her down knots then to and then to 2; but still
it would not answer and the order went from the
Captain that she must be absolutely stopped 1t had
been the particular pride of Mr. McLenan, the Chief
Engineer who is perfect enthusiast in his duty, that
the ships engines, which had been go much abused
and msrepresened for the last year, should perform
what scarcely if ever had been done before and that
was to make first Atlantic voyage without single
moments pause from port to port. When, therefore,
he heard the order to stop the ship he received 1t like
a man who was smitten with a sentence, and asked
with the greatest earnestness if could not get along
without. The answer was against him. and the lungs
of the mons er were folded from their respirations;
and, after ten minutes run with silent wheels and
blades and final reversal OF her wheels, she sat still
upon the waters This event took place at III 40, but
cast of lis fathoms of line gave no bottom and we
ent on again at II O'clock STILL however, continuing
only at half speed At ten minutes to D a. m.
this morning made another pause to heave the lead
again and this time with cast of 60 fahoms we found
bottom on Georges Bank, and at ten minutes past D
went on again. The fog having Lifted, we now re-
sumed our speed and proceeded at usual rate OF l3
and IA knots. During these two pa'lses the engineer
rapidly examined such of the screws and nuts as were
not accessible during the action of the engines, but dld
not discover one that was out of place that required
tigheninga great proof of the excellence and cond-
ton Of her machinery At O'Clock we were 3OO miles
from Sandy Hook and at the observation reported
progress since yesterday at noon OF 25a miles, The
afternoon continued fine and calm, with smooth sea-
and the only incident of the day the meeting with
the pilot-boat Grnne which, knowing Of course that
brother professional already in charge contented
herself with hosting her colors and giving us three
cheers and gun. The compliment was duly respond
ed TO by saluaton with our coors and we passed on
The evening Get in with bright new moon. Mr.
Murphy the pilot, took charge at o'clock, and the
next morning at placed safely beside the ight-shp
at Sandy Hook and the big ship, feeling that she had
completed her task, covered up her fires, aud waited
for the tide to take her the bar
Tbus ended the first transatlantic voyage OF the
Great Eastern, and though it may be regarded as a
failure in the way of speed, it will be perceived upon
reflection that there were interests at stake which
transcribed that consideration, and which doubtless
with all prudent minds will justify the commander in
the unusual care he took TO keep the great ship SAFE
CAPTAIN Vine Hall is one OF the most experienced nav
gators of the English East India trade but in addition
TO the caution which he naturally felt incumbent on
him from the fact that he had never crossed the At
lanc before be was doubtless deeply impressed with
the paramount importance, not only to his employers
al the cause of science but to England and the whole
world of giving substantial proof that ships OF the
sze of the Great Eastern could safely cross the Deep
1t was therefore properly matter of secondary con-
sequence to him whether the enthusiasm OF his pas
senpers or the ardor Of bis engineers or officers should
cbafe at hs dvergences extra care he accomplished
the great point that was required, and we who lett
England with him but days before, are here to ap