of Dover two hours before that time. Those persons, however, who best knew the distance from the Nore more correctly estimated its arrival at Hastings at between the hours of four and six. As the latter hour drew near, fears were entertained that the vessel had either not left her anchorage, or had been obliged to put back in consequence of the gale that had prevailed all the morning from the south-west. But before the hour mentioned had quite arrived, the huge proportions of the Great Eastern were descried looming in the distance, and the cry of "She's coming!" ran all along the coast with great rapidity. By this time the wind had considerably abated, and the weather had altogether improved; so, that excepting a haziness, which prevailed, nothing occurred to prevent the eager multitude from having a good view of the monster ship as she came steaming down the Channel. When nearly opposite to Hastings, a movement was observed which brought her nearer the shore by some two miles, for which act of supposed condescension she had the good wishes of all who were fortunately within range of vision. She then put to sea again, and shortly afterwards repeated the inward movement, affording an additional satisfaction to her thousands of admirers on shore. After this, the noble vessel steamed slowly away and was lost in the vista of night as she chased the moonbeams that glistened on the water. Alas! little did the many observers imagine that the apparently devious course of the Leviathan was caused by a clamitous accident, although at least on among the onlookers ventured to say "There must be something wrong with her steering gear, else such a big ship wouldn't be standing in like that". The news on the following day revealed the saddening fact that when off Hastings, one of the boilers exploded, killing 10 firemen and wounding several others.
A Letter from one on Board
The following is a copy of letter from the Hon George Waldegrave:-
- Sir,
- It will doubtless be interesting to many of your readers to know from a Hastings man a little about the Great Eastern besides what has appeared in the London Newspapers. As I was one of those on board of that great ship from Purfleet to the Portland Roads, I can say that the accounts in the Times are simply true. I have not had the advantage of seeing any other newspapers. When we left the Nore on the morning of Friday the ninth, at 9 o'clock, it was blowing very fresh. The pilot (Mr. Atkinson) was quite satisfied with her compasses. We went on easy at half speed to the Gingles and through the Prince's channel, & c. to the Downs. The "Little Western" from Margate came out to greet us, but nothing could keep up with us except Lord Alfred Paget's cutter yacht the "Resolute", which kept close to us till the weather got too dirty, when she ran in for Ramsgate. The -
- Sir,
