2-995-827 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Arrival of the "Great Eastern" at New York - from a sketch taken on the Jersey side by E. Hall, 1860. A correspondent of the Times aboard Brunel's steamship wrote: 'As the harbour opened out it could be seen covered with a perfect fleet of yachts, which now, favoured with a slight breeze, were skimming across the still water from all directions towards us, their flags waving, their crews cheering...Great ferry-boats and coasting steamers, looking for all the world like a street of houses floating out to sea...came rolling slowly down - decks, roofs, and windows all crowded with eager heads, the ladies waving handkerchiefs and clapping hands - the men shouting and cheering - all seeming wild with exultation and delight. Past the shores of Staten Island and on to the Narrows the Great Eastern continued her stately way...It was a heart-stirring welcome, and one which...one cannot recall without a feeling of emotion and astonishment...A Government vessel, the chief revenue-ship, next saluted and dipped her flag...From this time out it was almost one continued roar of artillery, ringing bells, blowing steam-whistles, shouting and clapping hands, till one was almost dizzy with the whirl and wild confusion of uproar and excitement'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.