The iron paddle steamer, Thistle, was built for Messrs Laird’s Glasgow & Londonderry Steam Packet Co., by Messrs Robert Napier at Govan in 1848. She was 198½ feet in length by 26¼ feet in breadth with a depth of 16 feet. At her launch on Friday, September 1st, she stuck on the ways but finally entered the water the following day. She was fitted with two watertight bulkheads with her engine amidships. The engine providing 350 hp, was salved from the Rambler built by Messrs Napier for Messrs Laird in 1845, but sunk after a collision on the Mersey the following year. “Launch of the Thistle Steam Ship. On Friday this fine iron steamer, which was built by Mr. Robt. Napier, at his new building-yard, Govan, was partially launched. This vessel is the property of the Glasgow and Londonderry Steam Packet Co., and is the largest that they have as yet been furnished with. She is 200 feet keel...