Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-08-10

d1ofWdIucd ITOm lHE STAR Ouce.
THE BALrrNoRE's TRIP TO SIZE THE GREAT
EAsTERN-rhe privateexcursiont to Annapolis by
we steamer Baltimore, Capt Chas. f. Mitchell
70 see the great steamship, which left the wharf
berc At p. m. on "Wednesday, arrived back this
morning at daylight. The party on board, COM
pOeed OF some Of the most respectable citizens of
Washington, ladies and gentlemen numbered
upwards of two hundred. The little shower which
occurred just the excurs Onists were EN- ting
Oh board on "Wednesday, however damp an ar
Tangement did not in the least dam pen their anx-
lety to get on board in time, and so for an hour
previous TO leaving, the scene upon the boat and
wsarf was quite exciting. The hurrying up and
Iowh, tne rsttle OF hacks, shouting Of drivers.
ciang Of the steamers bell roar Of her steam and
other matters incidental to the occasion were nal-
y ana happily consumated, however, and the or
ger passed to start, which order was instanta-
neoesiy executed and the Baltimore under weigh
"a route for Annapolis and the Great Eastern
AS soon as the passengers had looked about
them and ascertained beyond question that they
bad not been left behind in the confusion Of
starting, Instant measures were set on foot 20 pass
The time egreeably. BY happy combination of
circumstances the company on board were nearly
ali Old acquaintances and associates, a circum-
stance which materially added to the endowment
OF the trip The ladies', some sixty In all, were
soon on sociable terms with each other Before
She steamer had arrived at Alexandria all on
Soe so nad uaversed the entire circuit of the
decks saloons, cabins, compsnioa-ways and
other places common to passengers; everybody
had shaken hands IT'D everybody else: the STATE
rooms and other accommodations for sleeping
hao oeen inspected, and those who had come on
board 70 sleep had secured them by deposituo In
the oertbs some token of possession; and all the
principal details, necessary to the comfort and
,yulhent OF the passengers had been attended to.
isklng on board few more friends at Alexan-
ara was quickly done, and away sped the merry
party towards their destination
ne next thing after being well started was to
os well fed, matter Of no small conseo uence in
view Of the numerous party on board: but mon a
tuoiongn inspection Of the green room the pantry
ana Kitchen, II was decided that there was
al least twice equal to the anticipated de-
mana, ana 0ythe-by, to the everlasting credit of
tne management, let 1t be said here that the
result justified the decision Further assured by
an an additional peep among the busy cooks in the
enjoying themselves in earnest The princinal
saloon on the main deck was cleared away, and
those who desired to dread the mazy'' at once
Degani those inclined to social chit-chat formed
themselves Into groups and went at il; others
pr0menaded the decks flor the shower was now
SVe,l 70 catch and make the most Of the cool,
hestny evening air; many discussed the great
.yec1 % the nip, the Great Eastern, and others,
whose haste to get aboard had made them athirst
SOUGHT the forward lower deck and discussed
pounds. II N
As tne steamer passed Fort Washington, supper
WIS announced, and the next two hours were de-
voted to a discussion of the ample evening repsst
which had been served up. AtMoore's Landing
other friends came on board and onward swan
the feet boat her next stopping place being Point
Lookout. Here several ladies and gentlemen de-
sfrous Of enjoying the luxurious baths the invig-
Grating air, and the excellent fare Of mine host,
smith. as well as the thousand and one other good
things for which this new, vet excellent summer
resort is celebrated, said temporary farewell to
their friends on board and stepped upon the wharf
About O'Clock, a. m. the Baltimore rounded the
Point and entered the broad waters of the beau
tiful bay, and the passengers began to snuff up
with delight the glorious salt water breeze wi fch
here saluted them Cleaving the waters, and Gid
ING swiftly and safely along, the Baltimore went
on her way for several hours, when. at the
trst glfrnpse of day-bresk, the forward deck was
crowded with eager gaZers, all seeming DESTROYS
70 be first to obtain a sight Of the mann moth YES
sel, which all knew lay at anchor in the Roads
i've miles from Annapolis. Thew had not long to
wait for shortly before sunrise the cry raised
Of There she Is, see her masts; one, two, three,
four, five, six Of themi that's her! ~ And in an
Instant all eyes were bent upon the object OF
attraction which. dim and close to the water line
at first soon began to lift itself up the steamer
rapidly Iessened the distance between them.
Soon the word spread to the ladies saloons, and
in few moments the forward decks were crowd
ed with anxious and curious gazers from among
the fair sex. Half an hour brought the Great
Eastern so close TO view that good idea Of her
immense proportions could be obtained; but
she came nearer and nearer, exclamation after ex-
clamaiion of wonder burst from the lips Of our
passengers. The Baltimore arrived alongside the
mammoth ship about half past a. m and just as
made fast to her side Just abaf the larboard wheel
house. The Roads were dotted with sail in all
directions for miles, and three beautiful, saucy-
looking yachts frem Philadelphia passed near her
stern, and saluted The steamer Lancaster, from
Annapolis, the GeoTgiana and Louisiana, from
Baltimore all crowded with passengers, soon also
clme alongside. Our passengers were soon aboard
the big ship, and scattered in every direction to
scan with aInazement her gigantic proportions.
Any attempt at description OF the Great Eastern
would be folly, after the descriptions and illustra
-. - q
the minds Of the whole world in the past i've years
And vet no one, however well Informed by
reading and by full knowledge of her build
from the illustrated papers, can behold her with
out amaZement. Arriving alongside in a steamer
Of respectable dimensions, the first thing that
strikes the visiter is the insignncance Of bis own
vessel. The Baltimore Is perhaps the largest
steamer belonging to the Potomac river and Ches-
apeake bay lines, and is in point Of fact, good
sized boat and yet the Great Eastern will meas
uIe three times the leagth Of the Baltimore, and
some 65 or 30 feet over. Those Of our readers
familiar with the length Of the squares fronting
on Penns ylvania avenue, can form some idea Of
her length when we tell them that she will Iueas-
ure as far as from the corner Of the store Of our
friend Shillingtou Four-dnd-a-half street, to the
corner Of what used to be Gadsbys Hotel, at Third
street, and one-half the width OF Third street
Our reporter remained on board her about
hours and travelled in that time, at moderate es-
tinate, say three miles, and had then only seen
her main deck and portion Of the deck below,
probably not one-sixth Of her. After remaining
on board 81 hours, about nine tenths OF the Bal
tmore's passengers became 80 fatigued that they
gladly sought the little steamer In which they
came and were clamOr0us 70 get away to Point
Lookout. The mos; strenuous exertions were
then msde to hunt up and collect together those
still on board; ard the next half hour was passed
in this fatiguing labor. The Baltimore's bell
was rung hslf-a-dozen times and her whistle kept
perpetually screaming all the while-the warning
to come on board. The Baltimore cast loose her
fastenings and backed OF just half-a-minute too
after all, for two OF three who had disre-
garded the repeated warnings, very much to the
regret Of the COMMITTEES.
AS we put OF, the Government steam propeller,
Anacostia, having on board President buchanan,
Miss Harriet Lane, Secretary foucey, Assistant
Secretary Of State Prescott, and many Others in
vited guests, left the wharf at Anna polls Eve
miles above, 70 pay ceremonial visit 70 the ship;
aud a few moments later the booming salute fred
from the Great Eastern told our passengers that
the Anacosiia had been signalled. The time be-
tSxeen the departure from the shp and the arrival
1t Point Lookout (nve and half hours) was
passed In discussing ample dinner well served
up and in most peasurable social intercourse, all
enjoying themselves 70 their utmost. Amongst
many Of the gentlemen the Great Eastern was a
prominent topic, while the single ladies devoted
themselves 10 Ice creams, Ice water and senti-
H. I'D IN fhefr