LAUNCH OF THE BLACK PRINCE ON THE CLYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 496, 1 June 1861, Page 3

LAUNCH OF THE BLACK PRINCE ON THE CLYDE.

(From the Glasgow CtftzeaJVfarch 2.)

The launch of the Black Prince was an event to which for the last two months the whole city — if not the whole country — looked forward with anxiety and hope. On Wednes* day afternoon, the affair was accomplished in the most splendid manner, and without a single accident or contretemps. Indeed, from the laying down of the keel to the act of sending the mountainous ship into the water, the whole matter is justly entitled to be called a magnificent success; and the reputation for shipbuilding, therefore, of the Messrs. Napier, and, through them, of the whole Clyde, has been augmented a thousandfold* It will now more than ever be seen that, if more of the national shipbuilding does not fall into our hands, it can never with the slightest justice be alleged, as a reason for such an omission, that we are deficient either in the genius to plan, or in practical skill and energy to produce, ships of the greatest strength and largest capacity. It was natural that the launch of the Black Prince should excite the whole interest in Glasgow and the surrounding localities. But the immense assemblage which from all quarters poured towards Govan completely eclipsed everything of a similar character which has ever taken place in the past history of the Clyde. The Messrs. Napier had issued tickets for the admission of several thousand persons into the interior of the yard, where platforms were erected for their accommodation. Every standing place was occupied before two o'clock. Omnibuses, cabs, and vehicles of every description poured along the Govan road from noon, and for a time it seemed as if the whole city was bent on a complete exodus. The roads on both sides of the river, and from all directions, poured their contribution of onlookers to the scene of attraction, and several of the river steamers carried freights of passengers to the poiut in the river where the Black Prince was to make her plunge into the waters. All the vessels in the harbour and river had their colours flying, and we need hardly say that the whole locality had a most animated and stirring appearance. Unfortunately, the weather was rather unpropitious ; yet although a heavy drenching rain continued during the whole proceedings to descend on the thousands of spectators who lined like two black forests both banks of, the river, the utmost courage and patience was exhibited by the multitude, who did not budge a foot till the ceremony was consummated.' In one respect the weather was happily most favourable, and contributed not a little to the success of the event. The wind was blowing directly in a south-westerly direction, and was therefore exceedingly favourable to the forthcoming launch — the river being on that account considerably more flooded than it would otherwise have been. In addition to the platforms erected by the Messrs. Napier for the accommodation of the public at their building-yard, another of considerable size was also erected by them at the Point-House, at Govan Ferry. The admirable arrangements made by Captain Smart, of our city police force, for the safety of the citizens, were most efficiently carried out. Nearly one hundred and fifty men were in attendance from an early hour, and being stationed at the various points on both sides of the river at which their services were mostly required, contributed in no small degree to prevent the vast masses assembled from rushing into positions of danger. At the building-yard, where the gigantic ship still lay in all its majesty and power, the scene was one of indescribable bustle and excitement. Over the ship itself floated two Union Jacks, St. George's Cross, and the Royal Standard. To lessen in some degree the immense weight of the ship, and thereby to facilitate "her progress to the water, a considerable portion of the iron plating or armour on her sides had been removed. This was accomplished with an ease and expedition which to most minds would appear little short of impossible, from the fact that the whole of the plates are so arranged as to fit into each other by means of grooves, and were simply fastened to the sides of the vessel by bolts removable at pleasure. The Govan Brass Band, which arrived about one o'clock, lent additional inspiration to the occasion, and soon after the bands of the 76th Regiment, and of the Vulcan Rifle Company (Messrs. Napier's), arrived on the ground, and played inspiriting strains during the subsequent proceedings. It may be as well to mention that the ways on which the Black Prince was launched were of the usual wooden description, only, of course, strong and heavy in proportion to the weight of the ship, aud running more than ordinarily far into the river. The apparatus by which she was maintained in her position, after every other obstacle to her progress had been removed, and by acting on which at the appointed moment she was set in motion, was also of an exceedingly simple character. At each side of the sbip, and immediately at the bow, was placed a single block of no great size in a sloping position between two other pieces of wood, one of which was fastened to the ways and the other to the sides of the vessel, On the signal for the launch being given, all that was necessary, of course, was to have this intervening block knocked away, when the ship was expected to begin her downward motion to the river, A hydraulic press of great power was placed at the bow of the ship to aid in starting her on her course. On the present occasion, however, such was the perfection of the workmanship in connection with the entire launching arrangements, that but little use required to be made of this extra motive power placed at the forepart of the vessel. To prevent the possibility of the ship getting too much way upon her, and running too far in the direction of the opposite bank — which, however, from the position in which she lay, and the direction in which her course was pointed,- she could only have reached in an oblique manner — great cables, both of iron and of hemp, were attached by immense anchors to the banks on both sides of the river, and fastened both to the bow of the ship, and passing round her quarters. Nothing, indeed, was finer in the whole operation than the prompt and easy way in which the ship- was checked in her graceful plunge into the river by the action of the cables, and it may be proper to state that this part of the arrangement was simply a matter of calculation of distance, the cable lying, loose around the anchors, and paying out as the vessel moved into the tide, till it was exhausted, and the point came at which it was necessary that the strain should be felt. The space which the ship had to traverse was only 1100 feet.

The scene ih the yard about two o'clock became one of the most exciting- description. Still the rain came down remorselessly, but, to all appearance, however, it might drench the outward man, all unavailingly, in so far as regarded the ardour of each and all to be " in at the birth" of H.M.S. Black Prince. The ticket-takers at the gates had a busy time of it. Without, seemingly, a moments intermission,, the stream, poured in ; and a mingled stream it was, of v representative men 1 ' from every class »f the community. Emerging from the gate, for, a minute, another and striking phase of the occasion was manifest outside. We could scarcely have imagined that so many vehicles were available in Glasgow. On either hand, and as far as the eye could reach, the narrow miry road was skirted with a continuous line of carriages, setting down, or waiting the finale to take up again. In the main road, too r of the village of Govan, the pranipresent influence of the occasion was felt. Almost without exception the shops were closed as the important event drew near. Of the number within the precincts at half-i past two, we cannot, even hazard a conjecture, though it must have been large indeed.; The' "upper ten" was largely represented, civic dignitaries of Glasgow being met with at every

turn, in addition to visitors from all the neighbouring counties, many clergymen, and officers of the Army and Navy not a few. These, along with the large body of workmen employed by Messrs. Napier, we need scarcely say, rendered the buildingnyard a crowded scene, while the serried ranks of spectators, drenched but indomitable, oh the northern- bank of the river, was a sight, we believe, altogether unprecedented. At last,, about twenty minutes to three o'clock, a distinct and welcome sensation, was created among those on the spot , by the prolonged ringing of a bell. This was the signal that, in five minutes afterwards, the launch was to begin ; and accordingly each one settled in his place, and wiien the time had expired and the busy clang, of the shipwrights' ham* mers knocking away the dog-shores fell upon the ear, " the boldest held his breath for a time." It was a period of anxious suspense. The ponderous vessel, even, when relieved from restraining influences, seemed " loth to depart," and hung sluggishly on the " ways." At last a motion, slight indeed, tut perceptible, was observed to commence, a fact which was the signal for Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. John Napier, to consummate the ceremony of christening the vessel, which she accomplished in the usual orthodox manner, by dashing a bottle of wine against the bows. Still the motion was but slow indeed, and the hydraulio ram was accordingly put into requisition. The men on board the great hull ran in a body from stem to stern, cheering, and aiding by their motion to. ease her from her restingplace, as well as to communicate increased excitement in the, spectators. Gradually, but surely, the combined influences began to operate, the momentum increased, and a cheer from those nearest to her, taken up by the rest in the crowded yard, and re-echoed from the multitude on the opposite shore, proclaimed the fact that the ship was veritably launching. Down she went int-the most perfect and graceful manner conceivable ; the well-soaped and thoroughly-soaked ways smoked again with the mighty friction, and she was in the water. The feeling at this moment was— Will her cables do their duty?— a question answered almost as soon as asked by the most successful affirmative. With scarcely a perceptible strain she swung to her bearings, and in a few minutes the Black Prince was riding triumphantly and safely in mid-channel. There her vast proportions, perfect seemingly as the amalgamation of solidest strength with grace of form, were seen to due advantage in heir proper position and on her proper element, and for ft short time she was literally the cynosure of every eye. Her figurehead is without exception the most artistic ornament of the kind ever executed. It represents the Black Prince himself, the veritable royal hero from whom the vessel derives her name, with his battle-axe poised for a trenchant blow hi right hand, his left, the while, grasping the trusty sword by his side. Messrs. Kay & Reid of Wellingtonstreet, whose handiwork it is, have produced a work studied and wrought out with the feeling of true sculpture. No accident of a serious character occurred to mar the harmony of a great and complete sucsess. Of course, in her present extremely light draught of water,- it is difficult to judge how she will appear when brought down to her load line. As far, however, as can now be seen, she will, when finished, be one of the most superb, and, from her extremely fine lines fore and aft, one of the lightest looking frigates in the world. Immediately after the launch, she was towed up to Lancefield Quay, where she will remain until the next stream tide, when probably she will be taken down to Greenock to be finished, and to receive her machinery, which has just been brought round by H.M.S. Dee. After the launch, a large company of ladies and gentlemen assembled in one of the sheds attached to the works, and partook of a collation.