Central Journal

The steamship Great Britain.
This magnificent vessel, which was launched last week, at Bristol, is composed entirely of iron.—And is the largest ever built since the days of Noah. There are no paddle wheels or boxes the Archimedean screw being used. Her burthen is 3,600 tons, being 2,000 tons more than the Great Western. She will be propelled by engines of 1,000-horse power combined.

The following are her dimensions:—Length from figure head to taffrail, 322 feet; length of the keel, 289 feet, extreme width, 50 6 inches: she has four decks, the upper deck is flush, and is 308 feet long; the second deck consists of two promenade saloons, the aft or first 110 feet six inches by 22 feet, and the forward or second class, 67 feet by 21 feet 9 inches. The third deck consists of the dining saloons, the grand saloon measuring 96 feet by 21 feet 9 inches. The whole of the saloons are 8 feet 3 inches high, and surrounded by sleeping berths, of which there are 26, with single beds, and 113 containing two, giving 252 berths. This large number exclusive of the accommodation which could be prepared on the numerous sofas. The fourth deck is appropriated for the retention of cargo, of which 1,200 will be carried in addition to 1,000 tons of coal. The forecastle is intended for the officers' and sailors' mess rooms and sleeping berths, with sail-rooms underneath. The engines and boilers occupy a space of 80 feet in the middle portion of the vessel. The engine-room and the cooking establishment are situate in this part of the ship. There are three boilers; these are heated by twenty-four fires, and will contain 200 tons of water. There are four engines of 250 horse power each, the cylinders of which are 7 feet 4 inches in diameter. The chimney is 30 feet high, and 8 feet diameter.—She is fitted with six masts, the highest of which is 74 feet above deck. The quantity of canvass carried will be about 1700 square yards: she will be fitted with the patent wire rigging; the hull is divided into four water-tight compartments, and the quantity of coal consumed will be about 60 tons per day; upwards of 1500 tons of iron have been used in her construction and that of the engines and boilers; the draught of water when laden will be 16 feet, and the displacement about 3,200 tons; plates of the keel are from one inch to three quarters of an inch thick; she is double riveted throughout. The ship will be fitted with very powerful pumps, which can throw off 7,000 gallons of water per minute:
[N. Y. MIRROR.