THE GREAT EASTERN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1432, 24 November 1885, Page 3

THE GREAT EASTERN.

The Standard recently mentioned that the magnificent but unfortunate vessel, the Great Eastern, whioh has never yet been able to obtain suitable employment, was, by order of Mr Justice Ohitty, to be offered for sale by auction at Lloyd’s this month. She was idle on Milford. Commenting on this announcement in a sarcastic vein, the Standard remarks“ How many proposals have been mooted with regard to this unlucky ship it is hard to say. The man who could succeed in making a dividend out of her deserves a monument. The idea of converting the ship into a emall-pon hospital was not altogether outrageous, however repugnant on the score of sentiment. Whether she might do duty in the Thames as a model lodging house we hardly know; but anything would be better than absolute idleness. There is indeed another possibility in store for her—one indeed that it is almost too horrible to contemplate, but which, if accomplished, would help to solve a very difficult and pressing problem. It has been suggested that the sewage of London might be taken on board properly constructed vessels, and conveyed out to sea, at far less expense to the ratepayers than any known method of treatment. Of course this merely means taking away the sludge, and it is perfectly certain that the Great Eastern could take on board all the sludge of the London sewage in the intervals of her trips between Barking and the German Ocean. Even Tottenham might ha thrown in as a supplement, the Thames and the Lea being thus served simultaneously. Schemes more extravagant than this have been proposed are now for the disposal of the London sewage, and it is difficult to say what may not oome to pass ultimately. ‘To what base uses may we not return ’ is a consideration whioh applies to ships as well as to men.”