1864. | SamvueEnson on Steam Navigation. 247 
her terminal expenses would thus be only incurred at longer intervals 
than in short voyages. As we progress, however, in the construction of 
docks and other necessary naval works, they will no doubt be so enlarged 
and by degrees be of such a class as to admit a vessel the size of, or 
even larger than the ‘Great Eastern;’ for we fully believe that we 
are not yet at the extreme limit of size: another quarter of a century 
will, in our opinion, see vessels of even a larger tonnage than the ‘ Great 
Eastern’ afloat. This will, however, take many years, and in the 
meantime the precursors of enlarged views have had to pay the penalty 
of their hardihood, as was the case in a minor degree with reference 
to the steamer ‘ Enterprise’ before alluded to. 
Of the ultimate commercial success of the ‘ Great Eastern’ we 
entertain no doubt whatever, but this can only be realized by what 
may be termed single-handed enterprise, and through her employment 
on a long voyage, such as that to Australia or India. It will be 
dependent too upon a modification in the propelling power of the 
vessel, as well as upon the price at which she can now be obtained. 
In January last this magnificent ship was put up to public auction by 
the mortgagees, and although a reserve price of only 130,000/. was 
placed upon her, the highest bid was 50,0001. Probably before these 
pages go to press she may have been soid without reserve for a sum 
under 100,000/.;* and it is only when we recollect that she originally 
cost above three quarters of a million of money, that we are able to 
realize the terrible sacrifice which has been made by the present 
proprietors. Much honour and eredit is, however, die to those 
whose enterprise induced them to embark in the speculation in the 
first instance, and who thereby rendered patent to the world the feasi- 
bility of constructing a vessel of dimensions so much greater than any 
previous attempt in naval architecture. 
It will be easy now for those who have witnessed the failure in a 
mercantile sense to come forward and profit by the experience of the 
past, and to remedy those defects or errors which rendered the specu- 
lation so ruinous in the first instance; and probably the first step 
which will be taken when the vessel changes hands, will be to remove 
the paddle engines and alter her rig. For it will be seen from the 
foregoing statements that although her speed is increased by the 
application of the paddle and screw engines combined, it is not 
commensurate with the expense at which such additional speed is 
acquired. When the paddles alone are employed, a mean speed of 
8 knots is obtained ; and with screw and paddle combined, 14 knots 
under the most favourable circumstances; whereas the vessel will 
make 9 knots per hour with the screw engines alone. 
The saving in one important item of expenditure—namely, fuel— 
would be so considerable, and the change, if it were effected, would so 
* Whilst this article is passing through the press, we are apprised that the 
‘Great Eastern’.was ‘“ knocked down” for 25,000U., and a new company, of which 
Mr. Thomas Brassey, jun., is the leading director, advertises that it has purchased 
the vessel, and the bonds upon her inclusive, for 97,350/.; this new company 
having been the purchasers of her at auction. A dispute has, however, arisen as 
to who is the rightful owner, another bidder haying put in a claim to her. 
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