The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-11-13

house deck, used fr the working of the ship
are connected with pumps which 90 down
into the cargo holds, and would be found
adequate to the pumping OF any sudden in
now OF water from collision or leakage. One
ot tns most interesting features Of the City
Oh Brussels is the application Of the new
steem steering gear, which has been used
wisn such satisfaction on board the Great
Eastern and 81. M. s. Northumberland, and
snich Is now for the first time applied to
me mercantile maratime service. It must
not, however be supposed that the steering
gear &C long used upon the Inman and other
ooats 10 about to be abandoned; it will be
Kept In order, that in the event of any de-
rangement IN the new kind Of machinery it
may De Immediately resorted TO for the Dc
pose OF steering the steamer. It il well
known that upon large passenger steamer,
70 rough weather, the united labor Of six or
eight men is necessary to keep the vessel on
ner course; but by this very skiIlful speci.
men OF engineering the work can be more ef.
lectnally accomplished by one pair of hands.
stationed upon the bridge, the Captain is
sues his orders to the man in the wheel
nouse, who BY means OF small wheel causes
toe steam apparatus to turn the steering
gear and to regulate the helm with the great
est nicely. There is, perhaps, rather more
noise occasioned in the motion OF the tiller-
chains by the new than by the old system;
but that little drawback NAV be easily obvi-
ated BY stuf3ng ths boxes through which
the chains pass, or by some other process Of
deadening the sound. This new steering
apparatus is patented by Mr.. j. M'Farlane
Gray and was manufactured by Messrs. For
rester Il Co., Engineers, Vauxhall Foundry.
Ihe steamer is ship-rigged, and carries eight
capacious boats, Of which four are life boats.
II IS scarcely possible TO speak in too high
terms OF the arrangements made on board
for the accommodation Of passengers, Of
whom the steamer will be able to carry about
zoo hrst-class and nearly 1000 steerage. The
saloon, capacious room 66 feet in length,
sbaft the funuel, affords ample space for 1875
ladies and gentlemen to dine in company,
and is . beautiful specimen Of the style Of
decoration BY which the steamers Of this
line are distinguished. Tie steamer is
divided into compartments in fa~n coIored
distemper, relieved by gilt mouldings, and
the sides OF the room are in panelled oak, q
chaste device 10 black occupying each panel,
the whole vanished TO a surface as smooth
and spaSkling as glass. All the seats are
covered with crimson velvet, and the win
doWs hung with repp of q corresponding col
or, adorned with gold fringe and Ssels,
which with the other arrangements give to
the soloon general appearance Of comfort
-lnde eed, We may almost say OF luxury. In
addition to the small windows, the 81 ION is
lighted BY capacious windows in tie roof,
bearing, 10 stained glass, portraits Of the
Queen and the Prince of Wales, and also
representations Of the arms Of Belgium and
the City of Brussels. The same attention to
the convenience Of the passengers distin-
guishes all the arrangements in the slee2ing
departments Of the vessel, so that the incon-
Venlence OF the voyage may be reduced as
much as possible. Similar thought and care
have been expended upon the steersge ar
rangements, so that the wants aud comforts
Of the thousands who will probably sail to
the West in the City of Brussels will be well
studied. Our necessarily brief account Of
the steame- would be incomplete if we dId
not refer to the splendid service Of plate sup
piled by Messrs. Ellington, of this town,
which is it to grace the table Of any of the
aristocracy of the lani.
On Thursday . party Of invited guests,
ngRbering about 20, and Including few
ladies, left the Broomielaw, Glasgow, in the
steamer Vivid, to join the City Of Brussels,
~ it was understood, off Greenoc&. Unfor-
tunately the weather was extremely foggv,
30 IS almost to hide from view the magnifia
cent scenery on either side Of the Clyde, and
in consequence the trip was denuded of much
OF its interest. But all on board were in a
cheerful mood, and did not suffer themselves
to be disconnected by the fog, which wrap
ped in its cold embraces every surrounding
object, nor by the 6renching rain which
commenced to fall as evening closed in, and
continued without intermIssion until the
Mersey was reached. Finding the steamer
had not left Gairioch, the Vivid proceeded
at rapid rate to meet her, and shortly after
wards the City Of Brussels was seen steam
ing down the Loeb In magnificent style, and
scattering the spray from her bows. The
party embarked without delay, and proceed
ed for the Cumbrses, accompanied by the
tender, which parted company, with three
hearty cheers from all on board for the sue
cess of the City of Brussels; and at 6.I6 o.
m. on Thursday her bows were put to sea,
and she proceeded on her voyage with an
ebb tide and light wind against. During
the night the engines worked admirably, the
screw making about tifty revolutions per min
ute, AMI the speed reaching 154 knots per
hour. The compasses had been adjusted in
the most perfect manner, and exhibited
no variations, and the easy working Of
the new steam steering igear was OF the
most satisfactory order The Rock Light
Of tlH Calf Of Man was sighted at 4 10 a.
IN. yestrrday, and tie N. W. Light ship
at $50 a. M; but here considerable de-
tention took place in consequences Of insult
cent water to cross the bar. The passage
up the remainder Of the channel was made
at an easy rate, and tie Rock Light was
passed at 1923 q. m. The steamer subse-
ouently drifted up the stream, and was safe
ly taken into the M1rpeth Dock, where her
hull an, funnel will be again painted. As
she entered the river with the stars and
strip ut the foremast head, the Commo-
dores a lg at the main, and the colors Of the
company at the mizzen, the City Of Brussels
was watched with considerable interest bY
many persons on either bank Of the Mersey.
This fine vessel will be under the command
Of Captain James K K:nnedy, formerly com-
mander Of the City Of PARIS, and will start
on bes irst trip to America on Thursday
next