The Steamship "Great Eastern." - June 28, 1860, arrived at New York the English iron steamship Great Eastern, J. Y. Hall, commander, being the largest vessel ever constructed since "Noah's Ark"; it was capable of carrying 10,000 soldiers, besides her crew of 400. Her arrival had been expected, and great interest and excitement was caused upon the an nouncement. The wharves, buildings, adjoining streets, and, indeed, every available spot which afforded a view of the mammoth steamer, was densely crowded with anxious spectators. The harbor and river were alive with all manner of craft to get a near view of the great and wonderful, world-renowned ship.

The passage over the bar, which was considered a very critical undertaking, was conducted by Mr. Murphy, who silently, with a simple wave of the hand, indicating to the helmsman the course to be pursued, safely and skillfully guided this huge monster of the waves over the dangerous bar and into the North River. Grandly and proudly she moved amid a sea of sails, gay with banners and streaming pennants, like a mighty leviathan in the midst of a school of flying fish. The booming of cannon, ringing of bells, and the shrill shrieking of hundreds of steam-whistles, together with the music of brass bands, and the chimes of Trinity Church playing "Rule Britannia," altogether made a scene long to be remembered by those who witnessed it. For many weeks after her arrival the Great Eastern was visited by tens of thousands, who were eager to inspect the marvellous structure. Her length was 680 feet, and she was of about 20,000 tons burden; 10,000 tons of iron were used in constructing her hull. The force used in moving the machinery of this immense ship would drive forty of the largest cotton mills, which give employment to over 30,000 operatives. The Great Eastern was used for laying the Atlantic cable, and proved to be of indispensable value.