Wednesday, the 28th of March, 1838, calling at Cork Harbour; and would start from thence on the 2nd April, returning from New York on the 1st of May.”[17] The sailing from Cork Harbour was, however, delayed, waiting the arrival of the steampacket OCEAN from Liverpool with the mails and passengers, until the morning of the 4th of April. She started on this memorable voyage at 9 o’clock on the morning of the date named, having on board 94 cabin passengers. Three days later (7th April, 1838)[18] she was followed across the Atlantic by the GREAT WESTERN, from Bristol for New York, with goods and passengers. As the dates of the intended sailings of both steamers had been conveyed to New York, their arrival at that port was eagerly looked for. They both arrived on the same day, the SIRIUS early in the morning of Monday, the 23rd April, and the GREAT WESTERN in the afternoon. The excitement which prevailed on the arrival of these steamers was described as follows by the New York Press: — “At 3 o’clock p.m. on Sunday, the 22nd of April, the SIRIUS first descried the land, and early on Monday morning, the 23rd, anchored in the North River immediately off the Battery. Nothing could exceed the excitement. The river was covered during the whole day with row-boats, skiffs, and yawls, carrying the wondering people out to get a close view of this extraordinary vessel. While people were yet wondering how the SIRIUS so successfully made out to cross the rude Atlantic, it was announced about 11 a.m. on Monday, from the telegraph, that a huge steamship was in the offing. ‘The GREAT WESTERN!—the GREAT WESTERN!’ was on everybody’s tongue. About 2 o’clock p.m. the first curl of her ascending smoke fell on the eyes of the thousands of anxious spectators, and a shout of enthusiasm rose on the air.... Thus the grand experiment has been fairly and fully tested, and has been completely successful. The only question now in the case is that of expense. Can steampackets be made to pay?” [Illustration: BRITISH & AFRICAN S. N. CO.] [Illustration: BRITISH & IRISH STEAMPACKET CO.] [Illustration: BRITISH INDIA S. N. CO.] [Illustration: T. & J. BROCKLEBANK.] [Illustration: G. & J. BURNS.] [Illustration: R. BURTON & SON.] [Illustration: CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.] [Illustration: CAYZER, IRVINE & CO.] [Illustration: CITY OF DUBLIN STEAMPACKET CO.] [Illustration: CORK STEAMSHIP CO.] [Illustration: CUNARD LINE.] [Illustration: DONALD CURRIE & CO.] [Illustration: ELDER, DEMPSTER & CO.] [Illustration: J. R. ELLERMAN.] [Illustration: FLETCHER, WOODHILL & CO.] [Illustration: GREENOCK SHIPPING CO.] [Illustration: T. & J. HARRISON.] [Illustration: ALFRED HOLT.] [Illustration: SAMUEL HOUGH.] [Illustration: HOULDER BROS.]