The shock for a moment seemed to paralyse the vessel and to bring her to a standstill; this, however, was but for one moment; the vessel recovered the shock instanter, and continued to brave the gale as though nothing had happened to check her progress. Some idea of the force of the concussion may be formed from the damage done to the vessel. Three of her starboard bulls eyes were stove in, together with their frames, the diagonal bends of her forecastle deck were bent, the woodwork started two inches upwards, a portion of the carved figurehead carried away, also the wooden fittings of her bulkhead, the iron sheathing of both bows split above deck in two places. The gale continued until 5-30 p.m., when it became more moderate. At 8-45 p.m. the GREAT BRITAIN rounded the Land’s End, and at 10-40 was off the Lizard proceeding up the Channel at the rate of 10½ knots per hour. The Captain (Lieut. Hoskin, R.N.), was of opinion that neither the GREAT WESTERN, nor any other Royal Mail (Paddle) Steamer, could have made such headway under the same circumstances by at least from one to one and a half knots per hour. [Illustration: GREAT BRITAIN S.S. (1845), from an old Engraving.] On Saturday, 25th January, at 12-10 a.m., she was abreast of Falmouth, and proceeded up channel, with light winds from the S.W. at an average speed of 12 knots per hour. At 12-45 p.m. she entered the Needles passage, and when off Cowes, at 2-15, the engines were stopped to land despatches. At 2-18 again proceeded on her course. Upon arriving at Spithead, Captain Hoskin took his vessel under the stern of H.M.S. APOLLO, fired a gun, and gave her three cheers, which were returned by the crew and troops on board. At 1-40 a.m. on Sunday (26th), the GREAT BRITAIN came to an anchor in the Downs, having ran from the time she rounded the Land’s End, three hundred and fifty miles at an average speed of twelve knots per hour. At 7-45 a.m. the vessel was got under weigh again from the Downs, and upon rounding the North Foreland, and steering through the Queen’s Channel, encountered a stiff gale from the W.N.W. The GREAT BRITAIN, however, met it in gallant style, and made nine and a half knots against it. As she steamed up the river, the crews of every vessel she passed ran on deck to obtain a view of her, her great length, and her singular appearance with six masts, rendering her an object of considerable attraction. She arrived at Woolwich at 3-30 p.m., and at Blackwall a few minutes later. At both these places there was an immense concourse of people assembled to witness her arrival. She remained at her anchorage at Blackwall nearly five months, during which period she was inspected by many thousands of the public. On the 22nd April H.M. Queen Victoria, accompanied by Prince Albert and suite, paid her a visit.