The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-05-14 00:00:00

MEMORIAL,

We, the inhabitants of the north end of the town, regret the
proposal made by the finance committee to dispose of the land
in GrAat Howard-street upon the terms stated to the Lancashire
and Yorkshire Railway Company. We are of opinion that a
much larger sum might be obtained for so valuable a plot,
situate as it is in a part of the town which is yearly increasing
in value and importance. That great improvements =Wit be
made, and the health and convenience of the inhabitants
increased, by making one or more streets across the laud, and
so cutting it into smaller plots, greatly enhance its value, and
facilitate its sale to private individuals. That the sale of the
land in perpetuity, by private contract, to the railway, is unfair
towards other persons of the borough, many of whom, we have
reason to believe, would give a much better price, were it
offered on those terms to public competition. - We, therefore,
request the Council to postpone the sale, in order that the
public may have an opportunity of making offers for the land,
or that time may be allowed for projecting some scheme for
carrying out the improvements mentioned above.
Mr. Henry said he cordially concurred in all that the last
speaker had stated, and had much pleasure in seconding the
motion.

_______
The memorial was then adopted, and, after a vote of thanks
to the chairman, the meeting separated. _ . _

The following placard was posted on the doors of the place
of meeting, which may in some degree account for the paucity
of the members in attendance :—" The meeting announced
to be' holden this evening, to remonstrate with the Town
Council on the proposed sale of the Borough Gaol, is adjourned
to this night week." May 14, 1856.

TRIAL OF DR. SIBBALD'S SHIP-COMMU
NICATOR AND LIFE PRESERVER.

Some time ago we gave a brief outline of an invention
made by Dr. Sibbald, of this town, of an apparatus calcu-
lated to communicate with the shore from ships in distress,
and for the purpose of saving life ; and yesterday we had
an opportunity of being present at a sea trial of the
invention, under the patronage of the Shipwreck and
Humane Society, and of the Liverpool Underwriters'
Association, and we at once state that the general experi-
ments were not only satisfactory, but such as to elicit
the approbation of all who witnessed them. No doubt
when the invention becomes more fully developed, and
widely known, as it cannot fail to be, the mercantile
marine will be much benefitted by its application on
board all ships. There is, very naturally, a prejudice
against all devices of this description, until there is a
proper trial, and, upon actual experiments, men, capable
of giving judgment, pronounce on the merits of the
invention. In this regard, if the opinion of practical men
who witnessed the experiments made yesterday, be of
value, we may say that Dr. Sibbald has approached
nearer to perfection in this respect, than any other
known inventor in the peculiar matter to which he has
directed his skill and attention.
Shortly after twelve o'clock, a considerable number of
gentlemen—some connected with the Shipwrecked and
Humane Society, the underwriters' asssociation, the trade
and shipping interest of the port, the corporation, &c.,
embarked on board the Steam Tug Company's boat Pilot,
and proceeded down the river in order to try the effect of
the apparatus. It must be remembered that the invention
of Dr. Sibbald is confined chiefly to communicating from
ships in distress to a lee shore, and, vice versa, also with
ships in distress at sea, where other means of communica-
tion is hardly possible; the great point being to convey
ropes and messages. when others means fail. This, in
itself, is of paramount importance, and if by any means
the difficulties hertofore existing, can be overcome, it
would prove of great advantage, not only to the marine
world, as regards security to property, but in the saving
of human life.
Amongst the several experiments made yesterday, that
which proved eminently successful, was one with the
perpendicular communicator, which without a breeze of
wind revolved with the action of the sea, and afterwards
ran on shore a mile from Crosby Point in less than
twenty-eight minutes, preserving in the pocket, a five
pound note, a quantity of cigars and matches, perfectly
dry. Indeed, this experiment was pronounced by all who
witnessed it, complete and satisfactory.
The horizontal communicators did not work so well, as
there was not even a zephyr out to touch them; but yet
the result of the experiments with them was declared to
be satisfactory, taking all things into consideration. it
will be remembered that the invention is only intended
for and applicable to, vessels on a lee shore in a storm,
or vessels in distress at sea in a storm also ; and in these
respects better judges than we pretend to be, stated that
nothing could be better calculated to meet the want that
exists in this respect than the invention of Dr. Sibbald.
After these experiments were tested to the satisfaction of
the numerous and respectable party on board the boat,
the company returned to the cabin and partook of an
elegant entertainment ;provided for them by Dr. Sibbald,
the caterer being Mr. Robert Walker, of the Mansion
House Hotel, Drury-lane, who accorded ample
justice to the orders given him, and produced
everything the season afforded in great profusion. Several
excellent speeches were delivered, particularly by Mr.
Court, of the Underwriters' Rooms, Mr. William Walker,
Mr. Jones, Mr. Cross, Mr. Clint, T.C., and other gentle-
men, all of whom bore testimony to the excellence and
success of the invention of Dr. Sibbald. That gentleman
having returned thanks, and explained the nature of the
apparatus, the general expression was, that his invention
ought to be found on board all ships, and after spending
a pleasant day, the party returned to town highly. pleased,
and all convinced that the use of Dr. Sibbald's invention
would contribute to save many valuable lives, and prevent
the loss of a vast amount of property.