Commencement of launch of the _Great Eastern_, November 3rd,
1857—Christened by Miss Hope—Comparative failure—Renewed efforts
scarcely more successful—Hydraulic ram bursts—Floats of her own
accord, January 31st, 1858—The whole scheme of this launch a thorough
mistake—Difficulties of the Company—Offer to Government wisely
declined—Further proposal to employ her as a cable layer—Makes
her first sea trip, September 9th, 1859—Accident off Hastings,
and the opinion of the pilot—Reaches Holyhead; and details of her
voyage—Makes her first voyage across the Atlantic, June 1860—Second
voyage, May 1861—Third voyage, to Quebec, July 1861—Fourth voyage,
September 1861—Heavy gale off S. W. coast of Ireland, and compelled to
return to Cork—General remarks on the sea-going qualities of different
ships, and on the effect of wind in causing “rollers”—Real truth
about “momentum”—Very large ships not so safe as smaller ones, as
their damages are less easily repaired—Chief later use of the _Great
Eastern_ as a cable layer, but not, even here, remunerative—Concluding
remarks.