The Launch of the Minataur

Her Majesty's iron-clad screw steam-ship Minataur was launched on Saturday week from the yard of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, Blackwall, in the presence of an assemblage computed at 10,000. Admirable arrangements were made by the company for so large a gathering, and although probably not fewer than 300 persons were conveyed by pontoon and small boats across the creek that divides the yard - the creek into which the ship was launched - not a single accident occurred. The dimensions of the Minataur exceed those of any other ship afloat; and when the Agincourt is launched from the yard of Messrs. Laird at Birkenhead, and the Northumberland from the yard of the Milwall Company, there will be three ships of the class. All three were ordered by the Admiralty on Sept. 2, 1861, and should, according to contract, have been launched six or seven months ago,; but many changes have been introduced into all ships, and hence the delay.

The launching of the Minataur was managed to perfection. When the last supports had been knocked away, the first effort of the hydraulic ram moved her. Mrs Romaine then dashed the bottle of wine against the iron bows, and the huge vessel glided majestically into the river, amid the cheers of thousands.

The work of fitting the Minataur with her five iron masts, and generally completing her for sea, will be effected in the Victoria Docks.The length of the Minataur between perpendiculars is 400ft., her breadth 59ft. 4in., and her depth 41ft. 6in. She is of 6812 tons burden, builders' measurement, and she is propelled by engines (in course of making by Messrs. Penn) of 1350 horse power. Her armament is not yet fully decided upon, but it is expected that she will carry fifty guns of the largest calibre. Her internal construction is of the most massive description. The ship is built up from a keelson, formed of a huge bar of iron, about 40in. deep. To this the iron ribs are bolted at intervals of 23in. and 28in. only. These ribs do not, however, rise in unbroken lengths through the whole framework of the ship, but are constructed in short lengths for the convenience of bolting to other longitudinal girders. The lower series or portions of the iron ribs vary from 10ft. in length and 3ft. in depth to 4ft. in length and 18in in depth. These vertical sections or ribs, meeting with and joining the longitudinal girders, divide the lower part of the ship into number of square cells, forming, in fact, a huge honeycomb of iron. Viewed externally, these ribs form a side upon which the inner skin of the iron plates is secured, and upon which, again, rests the timber backing, and over this the armour plates - both the timber and armour plates resting on a ledge formed on the outer side of the ribs, and commencing about five feet below the water line. Glancing again at the interior, it will be seen that above the lower section, or joints of the vertical ribs, there are five longitudinal girders, which stretch along the whole length of the sides and unite at the bow and stern; these intesect the ribs, and serve to give unyielding strength to the massive sides of the ship. These sides are held firmly towards each other by the thick and deep girders of iron, which stretch across the ship, and upon which the decks are laid.

The upper deck is covered with iron plate, but above this is a flooring of oak. The height from the floor to the lower deck is 21ft., main deck 9ft. 2in., and upper deck 7ft. 2in in the clear.

Running along each side of the ship, and shut off by iron bulkheads , are what are called "wing passages"; they are 42in wide, and correspond with the height between decks. The wings are again divided into smaller watertight compartments, so in the event of a shot passing through the outer skin of the ship, the water from the leak will be confined to its compartment, and through entrances by the manholes the leak can be stopped and the fractured plate repaired. In the lower portions of the ship arrangements are made by which several hundred tons of water may be admitted into the watertight compartments, the effect of which would be to steady the ship in rough weather, so as to enable her to fight her guns better, and, by lowering her several feet in the water, diminish the mark she would otherwise offer to the enemy. The cutwater of the ship has a circular projection, similar in outline to the breast of a swan, and placed below the water-line, so that the ship may be used as ram to run down an enemy. This circular bow, with a fine edge not thicker than two or three inches, is formed of a solid forging of iron, and it projects about 7ft beyond the apparent line of the bows. The weight of this prominence, or beak, is more than 30 tons. The armour plates on the waist of the ships are 5 and one half inches. Towards the head and stern, however, they are reduced to 4 and one half inches.

The total weight of the vessel, when completed, will be about 10,000 tons. Already, with only part of her armour plates on her, and her engines to come, she weighs 6000 tons. Yet is it confidently expected that her speed will be about fourteen knots per hour.

Illustrated London News.