The Great Eastern was placed on the Grid Iron at New Ferry on the 19th January 1867. The Gridiron on which the ship rested was constructed in 1864 when the vessel was first overhauled in the Mersey, but has since been altered strengthened and very much improved . There was a very high spring tide, and although the ship was drawing 18 feet 6 inches of water on an even keel, there was quite sufficient depth on the shore to render the operation of beaching a safe one. She lies broadside on the grid running parallel with the river. About nine o'clock a.m.