GREY RIVER.

West Coast Times, Issue 602, 29 August 1867, Page 2

GREY RIVER.

Bioh Water This Day.—B.37 a.m. ; 9.2 p.m.

Launch of the s.s. Somersetshire. — Tuesday, the 4fch of June, was the day appointed by the owners of this magnificent vessel to launch her. Accordingly, at 2 o'clock, the yard at Blackwall was thronged by person anxious to witness the ceremony. To anyone acquainted with the place, it was apparent that a great majority of the spectators were not from the immediate neighborhood of Messrs Wigrara's yard, but had come from the city ; and any oue who had been in the colonies could recognise many faces that he had seen before. Ample opportunity was given to all to inspect the noble vessel, above and below. Precisely at twenty minutes past two, orders were given to inake'ready, and at twenty-six minutes past the hour the vessel glided down into the water with as much ease as a mere top. The ceremony of naming was entrusted to Miss Bovill, who managed the thing so well that the shock of the bottle of wine as it struck the bow seemed to start the immense hull ou its downward course to its natural element. Immediately on the vessel reaching the water she was towed over to Deptford, to Messrs Humphrey and Tennant's to have her engines fitted. That being done, she will at once go into dock and prepare for taking her outward cargo aboard. The vessel has been built with great care. Every modern improvement has been introduced. Her model is elegant, and resembles that of the clipper ship Lincolnshire, only that she is double the size of the latter. Her dimensions are as follows : — Length overall, 286 f t; breadth of beam, 41ft; dopth of hold, 28ft; tonnage, 2,200 ; nominal horse-power, 300, to work up to 1,500. The vessel's keel was only laid about twelve months ago. To any one going on her deck they arc at once struck with the immense height of tho engine-room, skylight's, and, in fact, all the hatchways. The cabins are very roomy. As our readers are already aware, the command has been entrusted to Mr J. S. Attwood, senior captain in Messrs Wigram's employ, who has been many years connected with the Australian trade. We may add that tho Somersetshire is to be fully rigged, and to carry the same amount of canvas as an ordinary sailing-ship of the same tonnage. — (Communicated.) — " Melbourne . Argus," August 12.