Advancing Australia - For some months past a number of the practical engineers, moulders, &c. have been on the qui vive respecting an effort which was to be made by one of the trade in regard to casting a sole plate for the Phoenix steamer, of fifty-five horsepower. The weight of metal to be run was estimated at upwards of four tons, and that to be melted was considered by good judges to be at least six tons. In the early part of last week considerable bets were made among the working men as to whether it was possible to make such a casting in New South Wales, or even in the southern hemisphere. On Thursday se'nnight, Mr. Struth, of Sussex-street, charged his furnace about ten o'clock a.m., with the metal to fill the moulds, and by half-past two the casting was completed, in such a way as not only did credit to him but to all those in his employ. The immense mass of solid metal was removed from the moulding bed by eleven o'clock on the following morning, and found to be all correct. Hitherto the heaviest casting south of the line has not weighed above two tons.

SG & SGTL of 2 May 1846

Launch of The Phoenix

Wednesday morning will form an æra in the history of Johnson's Bay, which from the advantages it derives from nature must eventually become an extensive ship-building yard for this port. The steamer Phoenix intended for the Hunter River trade, was launched - the largest vessel of the kind ever launched in the colony, except the Sovereign, about the same size, and built also by Mr. Chowne, but in another part of our harbour.

The time appointed was ten o'clock, when the tide would be at its highest, - and before then (sic) numbers of persons had arrived by land, by water, in wherries, and in small steamers, which now ply across almost every ferry, to witness the launch. All who landed admired the beauty of the vessel, the symmetry displayed in every part; and those who were well aware of the trade in which she is to be employed augured well for her success. It was indeed an enlivening scene in these dull times to witness the show of pleasure exhibited by those who could only be interested in the passing moment - the enthusiasm as to the future of those who had been hardly and busily engaged in the construction of the vessel, and the confident, though perhaps anxious, anticipations of those interested in her future well doing There were several steamers present. Mention not the Rapid, now laid up and for ever, for the slowest boat that ever winded the river to Parramatta; but boats alive with men, women, and children - the Gypsy, the Ferry Queen, the Waterman, were there, and the Emu came up also before the Phoenix was launched. There were also boats in numbers : some with unskilled hands on board, but many with watermen, who this morning reaped a rich harvest in the somewhat stormy bay. Stormy, for the wind blew - and that cold - and in the clouds were portents of rain, which, however much desired, and however welcome now, kindly held off until after 1-30 p m., when all connected with the launching of the Phoenix had ended. Ten o'clock passed, and eleven o'clock had come, and there were many who watched the receding waters, ever and anon giving a glance at the dials of their time-keepers. In a few minutes a well manned and well rowed boat came round the point; the Honourable the Colonial Secretary was at the helm : several ladies were observed to be passengers ; the Solicitor-General was seen there, looking as calm and gentle as ever; and there were others of the brothers and the family of Mr. E. Manning, who is one of the owners of the Phoenix.

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary was not, as was before said, without ladies under his charge. There was his own amiable and lively lady - good tempered everywhere, anxious to conduce to the comforts of all - even of children when she came with them ; and there was the Lady of the day, Mrs. E. Manning, who sent the Phoenix floating, and other ladies, too, who have rarely met on such an occasion.

The signal was immediately given for the final preparations, and the mauls of the shipwrights were heard, and once or twice a saw, and then came down the bottle filled with rosy port, attached by a rope-yarn to the bow, - it was uncorked, a glass poured out, handed to Mrs. E. Manning, who relinquishing it speedily to the (her husband) chief-owner of the vessel, took in her hand the bottle, and in a few minutes dashed it against the bows of the Phoenix as she glided gently into the water, without wetting with a sprinkle the crowd on her poop, or making more than a dignified and graceful salût to the shore which she was leaving, and on which eight months ago only her keel was to be seen.

A more successful launch, in every respect, was never witnessed, and all who felt interested in her well-doing, and in the welfare of her owners, hailed the launch as a happy omen of her future career.

Immediately after the launch was over, the owners of the vessel repaired on board her, accompanied by a number of friends. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, with the ladies and some gentlemen, and young gentlemen and ladies under his charge also, took to the Emu, which shortly afterwards came alongside the Phoenix in order that more easy access might be afforded to the ladies, who were for the first time to grace by their presence the ladies' cabin of the Phoenix. And before going further - this same ladies' cabin is a delightful little retreat, and admirably fitted; there are berths as they are called, for twelve; and although the night on a trip to and from the Hunter is generally passed unpleasantly, yet a more comfortable boudoir à causer is not to be met with on board any vessel going out of the port. It has the advantage of all the lights from the stern windows, is well fitted in every respect, and tastefully too. But ladies are not fond of being confined below, and the young ladies and young gentlemen before alluded to, having disposed of a biscuit, were anxious to be on deck, to beat time to the music which they heard above. While they are amusing themselves, a word may be said about the gentlemen's cabin. Here is a light, airy, and as was well observed a " most cheerful cabin ". everything having been done in paint, colouring; &c., to render it so. Here, after all meals are disposed of, and the ladies have retired to their retreat, fourteen gentlemen may slumber at ease until the réveil is sounded by the steward, or by the bell; and on this occasion it looked well indeed, although, perhaps, somewhat more crowded than might have been anticipated from the presence of the well laden table. on which the lunch had been laid out previous to the launch - but after the launch to be enjoyed.

The Sydney band played, and the children, young ladies and young gentlemen, danced again - not a little encouraged by the happy looks and many smiles of one or more of the ladies who had watched them from their earliest day. But another hour was gone. The Emu must go to the wharf to take in for Parramatta, and the Colonial Secretary, however unwilling to mar the enjoyment of the morning, summoned all the ladies to repair on board that extraordinary bird, and he was obeyed, and she left the Phoenix; but not with the ladies or their guardian, for he took them and himself into the green boat again, and as they left they were greeted with reiterated cheers. It was common-place after this amongst all except those who were immediately interested in the Phoenix, until the hour of lunch arrived ; and the gentlemen who mustered in the cabin numbered some twenty. Two - perhaps about four too many to sit comfortably round the table : but the ample supply of all good things made up for the very slight inconvenience which was felt.

The toasts were few in number.

Mr. Downes proposed, " Health, long life, and prosperity to the owners of the Phoenix ;" might she prove a valuable addition to the important trade in which she was to be engaged - in which all, as well as the owners who had done so much to render her the beautiful vessel she now was, were so deeply interested.

The toast was drunk with three times three, and heartily responded to by the shipwiighta and others on deck.

Mr. R. Porter briefly, returned thanks. He had not expected, as a small owner, to have been called upon to do so, but he thanked them for the honour they had done him, and those who were larger owners around him. All were interested more or leas in the welfare of the vessel, in the trade in which she was to be engaged in the important navigation, every day increasing importance, the navigation of the Hunter. He thanked those who were present now - those also who had honourcd them for a time to day, now away, but whose hearts were with them. He would not conclude without expressing for himself the sense of obligation he felt to the individual who had brought the Phoenix to her present state. He proposed the health of Mr. Chowne, and might he be, in all his undertakings as in this - as successful as he deserved, for his unremitting and persevering attention to the interests of others concerned, as well as of his own.

This toast having been duly responded to,

Mr. Chowne briefly returned thanks He was happy, he was proud, that he had been successful ; no effort had been spared on his part, and he was well rewarded in this success. He hoped that the boat would be as profitable to her owners as his labours had been successful in bringing her to her present state.

Mr. Logan proposed the health of one who, in the conduct of steam communication in its every branch in this colony, had shown himself superior to all - had shown himself the man to whom it should be entrusted: he meant Mr. Edye Manning.

The toast having been honoured with three times three, and one more for the " little ones" (two young Mannings, most favourable specimens of Australians, who were at the table).

Mr. E. Manning said, that he was obliged for the manner in which the toast had been received. He did not at all expect that it would have been proposed. As to the management of steam communication, he did not know that there was any freemasonry in it, more than in any other enterprise ; he would only say that his system was - to have good people about him - to pay them well - and not to interfere with them - and this was a system which he was sure would be found to answer in every undertaking.

The lunch was ended and each and every took to his and their boats, - those who had seen launches before even from largest establishments at home, admitting that they had never witnessed one more successful, - those who had not seen such a sight before, surprised and delighted.

The Phoenix is one of our best specimens of colonial ship building, and reflects great credit on Mr. Chowne, the builder, who has taken every care in her construction to render her in all points adapted for the trade in which she is intended to run. Her draft of water when launched ; was three feet six inches forward, and four feet six inches aft ; and her dimensions are, 105 feet keel, 130 feet over all ; breadth of beam, 19 feet 6 inches ; depth of hold, 9 feet. The accommodation for passengers is superior. 12 berths being fitted up in the ladies' cabin, 16 in the saloon, and 14 in the fore cabin. The engine belonged to the Sophia Jane, so long plying to and from the Hunter, but the boilers have been made by Mr. Struth. It is expected that she will make her maiden trip to Morpeth in about six weeks, and it is generally thought that she will prove a fast boat.

SG 27 Jun 1846

On Saturday last the new steamer Phoenix went on an experimental trip outside the Heads, when her steaming and sailing qualities had an ample trial, and fully confirmed the best expectations of her proprietors. Whether regarded as a model in marine architecture, for the excellence of her machinery, or the arrangement of her internal accommodations, this vessel is decidedly creditable to the colony.

SG 3 Oct 1846

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