The enterprising steam packet company who have the contract for carrying the Holyhead mails, having found it advisable to increase the number of their squadron of steam packets, very naturally looked to the builders and engineers of the celebrated Llewellyn, a vessel which had acquired so sound a reputation in their service, to supply their wants. They discovered, however, by experience, that a vessel of smaller tonnage and less power than the Llewellyn would answer their purpose, provided they could maintain the same excellent speed, and their wishes in this respect having been met by Miller and Co., they gave them the order to build the Prince Arthur, a vessel of 538 tons and 220-horse power, 192 feet in length, 24 feet in breadth, 13 feet in depth, with a draught of water of 8 feet 6 inches.

The Prince Arthur was launched some time since ; her engines were subsequently fitted, and a few days since her powers and capabilities were fully tried ; a large party, including many distinguished men of various professions and pursuits (a few of them foreigners), having been invited to witness the properties of a Thames-built steam-boat. The weather was anything but agreeable ; but nevertheless at twenty minutes past one o'clock the Prince Arthur quitted Blackwall. At the third minute from starting the engines were within a stroke of their topmost speed - 36 revolutions. In six minutes she was off Charlton pier, and within eight minutes from leaving Blackwall she had passed the Woolwich pier ; and reaching the measured nautical mile in Long Reach, at 57 minutes past one (having eased once or twice for the safety of the shipping working up and down), she ran the course in three minutes thirty seconds, or at the rate of 17.143 nautical miles, or 19.851 statute miles an hour, the tide being in her favour. She continued on her course down the river at a tremendous pace, overhauling and passing everything, and with less tide in her favour ran the second nautical mile below Gravesend in 3 minutes 46 seconds, or at the rate of nearly 16 nautical miles, and more than 18� statute miles an hour.

She then went on to the Nore, and took the distance from the Nore to the Mouse light. This (nearly eight knots) she achieved in half an hour and a few seconds, having passed the latter light at four minutes past four, or within two hours and three-quarters from Blackwall. After running about a mile past the light she wheeled round at full speed in a very short radius, came up again to the starting post, and ran the distance back to the Nore light in 30 minutes 58 seconds ; having performed the distance up and down is 61 minutes. The Prince Arthur then proceeded up to Gravesend, went back a few miles, and in returning to Blackwall by or about a quarter past eight, tried her powers once more to Long Reach, and ran over the measured nautical mile in 3 minutes 33 seconds, or at the rate of more than nineteen and-a-half statute miles an hour. After turning out such vessels as the Meteor, Star, and the unrivalled Jupiter - confessedly the fastest vessel on the Thames or any other navigable river - and such sea-going steamers as the Undine and Llewellyn, the friends of Miller, Ravenhill and Salkeld. were prepared to expect from the Prince Arthur a high rate of speed ; but nevertheless, it must be admitted that the uniform progress of the vessel astonished those on board ; and although her performances did not surpass the reasonable expectations based upon the scientific calculations of the firm, yet it was now proved that the achievements of the Prince Arthur were the best comparative results ever produced by the eminent engineers and builders, who, together with the naval architect, Mr. Pasco, receive individually and collectively the warm, sincere, and unanimous congratulations of the witnesses of this great triumph of British steam navigation. Independently of the vessel's now established character for the highest comparative rate of speed, the Prince Arthur is worthy of special notice and commendation. She is as handsome a vessel as ever floated. Internally she has lofty and spacious saloons and well arranged cabins. Her decorations are more neat and appropriate than costly or elaborate, and everything exhibits the most excellent taste. London Paper.

Republished in the kk 29 November 1851 - pages 346-7.

^ back to top ^