The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-26 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES.

Sir,—This day the " Vigo' (s.s.), built by Mr. John
Laird, put into this port, leaky, &c.
In the Shipping Gazette, of yesterday, under the head of
Milford, it stated that she " left Havre on the 10th inst.,
bound for New York. On the 13th the water still increas-
ing in engine room. At 4 p.m., found 2 feet 2 inches in the
forehold, and 3 feet 1 inch in the main bunker, and still
rising. On the 14th the water again increasing, and lifting
the plates in stoke hole. IN GOING BEFORE THE WIND
FOUND THEY REDUCED THE WATER GREATLY.

The log of this frail craft develops the principal upon
which she is constructed is anything but mechanical, the
fact of her making less water "going before the wind"
proves her to be wanting in strength.
I am at a loss to comprehend how it is that vessels are
allowed to go to sea either with or without passengers that
are not seaworthy, from either mechanical construction or
naval marine architectural skill. Surely the marine depart-
ment of the Board of Trade cannot be aware of the
responsibility they incur by granting certificates to vessels
totally unseaworthy. Their connivance at such irregula-
rities is nothing less than aiding murder, when foundering
terminates the existence of such craft as the " Roslin, '
with all hands.
At the present time there are iron S.S. undergoing some
cobbling, so as to make them pass muster, in accordance
with the Board of Trade regulations.
The means applied are neither mechanical nor useful.
The iron they are torturing may add to the vessel's
weight but unquestionably cannot increase their strength.
The public look up to the Board of Trade for protec-
tion, and the underwriters and insurance companies
regard Lloyd's register as an authority. It security to
life and property be the objects of these bodies, they
ought, from the broad facts recently developed by the
inefficiency of iron built sips, to do their duty. A
reluctance to comply with these remarks must
only prove to the world that the marine department of
the Board of Trade is a mere mockery upon safety,
and the committee of Lloyds' register and its rules are
only adjuncts to deceive the public. The fallacy of such
spurious protection is only on a par with the ignorance
exhibited when the power of two such official bodies are
brought to bear upon the unmechanical structures re-
sembling externally iron ships, but when they are brought
to do the duty of ships, an exhibition of their infirmities
Is displayed in corroborating the soundness of my views.
The principle propounded and patentented by me, as
being efficient in the art of iron ship building, I challenge
the iron ship constructors of the world to prove to the con-
trary. JOHN CLARE, JUN.
21, Exchange-buildings,
Liverpool, Dec. 20, 1856-

GREAT DEMAND FOR FARM.—The Arbroath News says :
So great is the demand for farms in Forfarshire at present,
that rents which would have been deemed fabulous a short
time ago have been freely promised. For sundry farms
on the Panmure property nearly £4 per acre has been offered
and ac'ept.ed.

SEIZURE OF THE WORKS ne THE BOARD OF EIEALTH AT
ROTHERANI.—TiIe public offices and works hare been seized
by the sheriffs officers, under a warrant issued at the suit
of the Earl of Effingham and Mr. Simpson. It is currently
stated that the actions are of a friendly character. Indeed,
it is publicly imputed that the proceedings have been taken
on the invite, ion of certain members of the new board.
LONGEVITY.—Mrs. Curgenven, of Truro, was born
many years before the end of the reign of King George 11.
Her husband, Capt. Richard Curgenven, R.N., obtained
his rank of post captain for his servic ‘s in Lord Rodney's
celebrated action with Admiral Le Grasse in 1782; him
his relict has survived considerably more than half a cen-
tury. The companions of her youth have of course, all long
since departed, and with them many of her junior:relatires.
Among the latter was her nephew-in-law, the Rev.
William Curgenven, who for forty six years was rector of
Lamorran, and who reached the age of 78 ; him also she has
several years outlived. But although this venerable per-
sonage had seen generations enter upon the stage of
existence and then disappear, while she seemed to be
exempt from death, she has, nevertheless, at length shared
the common lot, for on the 7th inst., at her residence in
Lemon-street, when in her 106th year, she peacefully fell
asleep,—Royal Cornwall Gazette.