THE LEVIATHAN LAUNCHED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VI, Issue 303, 22 May 1858, Page 2

THE LEVIATHAN LAUNCHED.

The_ launching of the Leviathan is at last an accomplished fact. The great vessel now lies safely at her river-moorings opposite Deptford dockyard. It was at first intended that the launch should take place on the 29th January, and everything was got ready ; but the day happened to be a Friday, and so loud was the clamour raised amongst the workmen respecting the danger of launching a ship on an " unlucky day," that the attempt was put off until the following day. On Saturday, the 30th, all efforts were abandoned in consequence of the state of the weather. The wind was blowing strong from the westward, and on measuring its force on the broadside of the vessel, it was ascertained that it was about three times in excess of the hauling power, so that the result of letting the huge vessel float | would probably have been only her going on shore immediately afterwards. On Sunday morning, however, things wore a much pleasanter aspect. The day rapidly brightened into a splendid spring one, with little or no wind stiiring while the tide promised to be one of the highest of the springs. By 12 o'clock, Mr Brunei was at his post in thp yard, superintending the hydraulic rams j Captain Harrison was on the vessel's deck, speaking trumpet in hand, controlling the hauling power j and the four steam tugs were ready, close by, letting off their waste steam and preparing for a trial of strength with the vast inert force of their colossal competitor. The operations became from this moment of the most intense interest. There were about 11 feet of water under the vessel's keel when the rams were first applied, and every one watched with the greatest anxiety the movements of the gentleman who was measuring and noting down the vessel's piogress. Twelve feet, 13 feet, 14 feet, were successively announced, as each hollow reverberating sound announced another great subaqueous push j from the ram. All eyes became now fixed upon the vessel, and at 14 feet a slight movement was obser- I ved at her stein, when loud and general cries of " She moves," " She floats," reso\inded through the yard. The steam tugs, four in number, which had been made fast to the vessel, stem and stern, by means of immense hawsers, now began to puli, and for a few moments might be seen to roll as if in the agony of their exertions, while the huge vessel looked as if she did not mean yet to yield to their efforts

But her apparent stillness was, in fact, only an optical delusion on the part of the spectators. She had moved, and was moving, and in another moment the huge timhers of which the cradles were constructed began to pop their heads above water in succession, like a shoal of porpoises, and the yard, the opposite shore, and the boats on the river, all rang with one hearty simultaneous cheer as the Blue peter run up to the fore announced that the Leviathan was at length fairly afloat. ' It might have been supposed that after co many disappointments the public would have been fairly tired out, and that the final denouement of the launch • ing operations, would have been permitted to pass oil' in comparative solitude. But not so. As soon as those who had the privilege of standing on her deck had time to look at anything else but the cradles far beneath them, the river might be seen fairly black with row boats, the shores on both sides densely crowded, and every successive river steamer was loaded to the water's edge with passengers. The excitement was intense, and the sympathising cheers were the most hearty and univeisal we have ever heard. It seemed as if the public looked upon the great ship as national property, and upon the successful launch as a national event. — Home News, 16 February, 1858.