Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-06-18
The Great Eastern's Reception.

As the day approaches for the arrival OF
the monster steamer, public excitement is on
the increase, doubly urged by the eXpecta-
ton of the Japanese Embassy at the same
time. We ma expect when the Great East
ern appears off Sandy Hook, to see vast mum,
bers of our smaller craft, such as yachts and
steamers, whose owners arc deeply interest
ed in the progress of naval architecture, put
cut to meet and accompany her up the bay.
Her approach to the city, surrounded in this
manner by fleet of small vessels, will only
tend to display to more advantage by the
contrast her immense proportions TO the
crowds who will congregate on the Battery,
and OH the wharves, as soon as the TACT OF
her arrival is known throughout the city.
In order that no precautiOn might be omit
ted III bringing the Great Eastern into our
harbor, Mr.. Sands, the agent OF the vessel in
this city, thought that in addition to the usual
charts of the bay and harbor with which she
was provided, it would be we'll to havea New
York pilot accompany her from Europe. Ac-
cordingly Mr.. Michael Murphy, captain of
the pilot boat Washington No. t, was select
cd for this purpose. Mr.. Murphy has been
for fourteen years past engaged i'll the pilot
age business in New York harbor, and is per
rectly acquainted with all its features.
As soon as his appointment was made
known To him, Mr.. Murphy sailed for Europe
in the steamer Tcutona, which left this port
ON the 18th Of May last. Daring the pas
sagc of the Great Eastern hc vii! make him
self thoroughly acquainted with her sailing
powers, so that he may be the more readily
enabled to guide her up to the city.
n 4 -, I,n r,t,
it will be necessary to conduct her through
Gedney's'' channel, which has twenty-nlne
feet Of water at high tide. Tie man ship
channel between Sandy Hook ami Staten
Island Is twenty.cight feet in depth ut the
same period, 80 that to pass through either
locality, the Great Eastern, il she arrives be-
fore high water, will have to wait. 1t is AT
this moment, then, that the skill Of her pilot
will be needed, as size is expected to draw
twenty-sx feet Of water At the least caIcula-
ton In order that all assistance may bc CIV
en-, Mr. Murphy in this work plIot will be
waiting at the l:ghtship, and tNo pilot boats,
the Achilles and Yankee, will proceed down
t. Sandy Hook Tomorrow for the same
purpose.
Upon her arrival, the Great Eastern will
tISIlpi th t!i. h'iNi1 van ''iAiS'i
Tor some time, perhaps q day or two, and
then proceed to the dock or bulkicad which is
now being actively prepared ior!er reception,
between Hammond and Troy streets, North
river. This dock, which is used for loading
and unloading lumber, lime, brick and other
materials, is the largest in the city, having =
front Of 200 feet, and extending between
the streets above mentioned and crossing
Bank and Dcthune streets. Ii will be thus
seen that the space allotted for the Great
Eastern is three blocks in IcnSth, a space OF
about 100 feet. The committee Of the Gem
mon Council on the reception Of the vessel,
directed Captain Smith, the Street Cnnn:s-
Soncr to have this bulkhead dredgcd ont 10
the depth Of 81 feet at low tide, and on We'd
ncsiay morning last three dredging boats
the New York, Boston and another. COM
menced the work. Each boat removed from
ten to fifteen scows full Of mud every day,
and each scow contains about fifty cubic
yards, 50 that Mr. Even, Superintendent Of
WharycS, under whose charge the work is
going on, expects to have it completed on
Saturlav.-E J. Herdld.