132 THE SEA. 



some time', the piston-rod of one of the hydraulic rams gave way, and this accident put 

 an end to the attempt to launch the great ship for this day. 



Numerous hydraulic machines were now borrowed and fixed, fresh tackle applied, 

 and many novel and ingenious expedients adopted. It was thought necessary to await 

 the next spring tides, in order that the monster when she should be launched might find 

 a sufficient depth of water. The precaution was needless ; many weary weeks were to pass 

 before she was afloat. On some days, when every exertion seemed vain, she would 

 capriciously slip a few inches at the stem or stern. After a long interval, another small 

 distance would be accomplished ; sometimes a day's journey would be three or four feet, 

 sometimes twenty or thirty. Finally, by continued perseverance, she was brought down 

 the ways until she was immersed some eight or ten feet at high water, and then, as 

 the final launch was certain of accomplishment, it was thought desirable to leave her till 

 the high tides of January should rise so far as to aid materially in her final flotation,. 

 and make it practicable to tow her to a secure berth, where her last fittings could be 

 put in, and she could be made ready for a voyage. 



With the spring tides the water rose under the great ship nearly eighteen feet;, 

 and on the 31st January .she gave such signs of buoyancy that it was resolved to 

 float her on that day. The tide ran up with unusual swiftness, and as the flood 

 relieved the weight upon the launching ways some of the hydraulic machines were set 

 to work, for the last time, to push the monster as far as possible towards the centre 

 of the river. She moved easily ; and at half-past one the men in the rowing boats 

 stationed alongside observed that she no longer rested on the cradles that she was, in, 

 fact, afloat. The tugs fastened to her began steaming ahead, and showed that at last 

 she was fairly under way. Then the cheers which arose from the yard and from the 

 decks, from the boats in the river, and the crews of the ships at anchor up and down 

 the stream, spread the great news far- and wide; and thus, under the most favourable 

 circumstances, the huge vessel commenced her first voyage on the Thames. 



And now we must give some description of her internal arrangements and 

 accommodations. The hull is divided transversely into ten separate compartments of 

 60 feet each, and rendered perfectly watertight by bulkheads, through which there is. 

 no opening whatever below the second deck. Two longitudinal walls of iron, 36 feet 

 apart, traverse 350 feet of the ship. This mighty vessel was destined to afford 

 accommodation for 4,000 passengers, viz., 800 first class, 2,000 second class, and 1,200 

 third class, and a crew of 400. The series of saloons, which were elegantly fitted and 

 furnished, together with the sleeping apartments, are situated in the middle of the ship, 

 and extend over 350 feet of her length. The lofty saloons and cabins are very imposing, 

 more resembling the drawing-rooms of Belgravia than ordinary cabins. The " Grand 

 Saloon" is 62 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 12 feet high, with a ladies' cabin, or rather 

 boudoir, 20 feet in length. Massive looking-glasses in highly ornamented gilt frames- 

 decorate its sides. The strong iron beams overhead are encased in wood, the 

 mouldings being delicately painted and enriched with gilt beading. Around two of 

 the funnels which pass through this gorgeous apartment are large mirrors, with alternate 

 highly ornamented panels, and at their base are groupings of velvet couches. The walls 



