246 Original Articles. - [ April, 
principal transatlantic and war steamers will give a general idea of 
the size of the monster steamer last alluded to. 
Comparative Dimensions of a few of the Largest Steamers. 
Built, Length, Breadth. 
Great Western . . J1888 First Atlantic steamer . . 236 36 
Great Britain . « 1844 First Ocean screw steamer . 322 51 
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Duke of Wellington. 1855  First-rate line-of-battle ship . 240 60 
Warrior >) = « L860) Iron=plateditrisate: <<.) ocUmoS 
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In order, however, more fully to illustrate the great difference in 
size between the first successful transatlantic steamer, the ‘ Great 
Western,’ and the last, the ‘Great Eastern,’ as well as to afford some 
idea of the intermediate steps in the progress of steam navigation, the 
accompanying plate will be of some service. It exhibits also the 
difference in the general construction of the hull of the vessels; the 
smaller ‘midship section representing the usual system of construction, 
and the larger one showing the cellular method adopted in the ‘ Great 
Eastern.’ 
Being the largest steamer afloat, we have felt ourselves justified in 
entering rather more fully into the details of the construction of the 
‘Great Eastern, —the more so as it is probable that she will remain 
unrivalled for many years to come. Independently of her size, she is 
throughout one of the finest specimens of naval architecture and 
mechanical genius extant, doing credit alike to her constructor and 
designer. The ‘Great Eastern, in common with many of the works of 
Mr. Brunel, is rather an illustration of the talent and energy which can 
be brought to bear upon mechanical science than, so far, a success from 
a mercantile’ point of view; in fact, Mr. Brunel has throughout the 
whole of his life been an example of genius without practical results. 
We have only to look at the various works executed by his father 
and himself to exemplify this ; the Thames Tunnel to wit, the Great 
Western Railway works, the Box Tunnel, the Harbro’ cutting, and 
last, though not least, the Great Eastern, a scientific success, but so 
far a mercantile failure. This vessel is so much in advance of the 
age and the conveniences which it affords, and the expenses in case 
of repair from damage or otherwise are necessarily so exorbitant, that 
few if any speculators can be found to embark a considerable amount 
of capital in her as an investment. ‘There is no wet or dry dock at 
present in existence sufficiently large to admit her; consequently, 
when the most ordinary repairs are necessary, and even when the 
vessel requires painting, she has to be laid aground, and from the 
peculiarity of her form, having no keel, (as will be seen from the ac- 
companying sketch,) it is impossible to get to her bottom without 
excavating the ground from beneath her. The expenses of loading 
and unloading too, are serious items in the working of so large a ship, 
and can only be compensated by long voyages ; for what may be called 
