The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-26 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES.

o Sir,—l am encouraged by the importance which
you so kindly attach to my views, on the construc-
tion of Life Boats, to present myself before your
readers, in support (if my feeble aid can assist), the
valuable remarks made by you last week. Nine
days have elapsed since the wonder of the many
was excited by details of terrific shipwrecks. I
hope nothing, however, will abate the energy of at
least one editor of Liverpool in the cause of the
shipwrecked and bereaved. I fully agree with you
that South Sea Islanders might, on seeing an Eng-
lish life boat, doubt its capability of being pulled to
windward, or pulled through a surf. Strongly,
however, as I am impressed with a dislike of its
construction in general, it would appear ungene-
rous towards one, a spirited builder, to disparage
his really generous. efforts in a sweeping general
condemnation. Had I again occasion to visit a
wreck in hope of rescue, with a choice of life boat,
I would, undoubtedly, prefer White's to any one
afloat, and for these reasons :—White's is a fast,
light boat to row, and weatherly and stiff under
canvas. I have seen his plan applied to a ship's
gig, and know a shipowner whose life was saved
(abroad) through the buoyancy and manageability
of this boat when caught in a heavy squall and
toppling sea. Such qualifications would set.:lll
enough, but we are told in a London paper that
this fine boat "cannot be upset." Among those
whom your remarks sent to the depository, in
Goree Piazzas, to see my model, there chanced,
yesterday, to enter, one of the brave fellows who
was in the Shields life boat, in 1836, when she was
turned over, end for end, and drowned nine of the
crew. I would ask— could any form of life boat in
an overfalling sea have averted that catastrophe ?
From some acquaintance with the subject I still
declare that no boat can be built which will not
capsize. Our efforts, therefore, in order to prevent,
year after year, such accidents as that which befell
the Point of Ayr boat, ought to be towards the con.
triving of a boat which will right herself, and I
must repeat that air in a boat's side is a bar to her
doing so—upsether in a gale and she is a wreck,
and her crew are lost. I condemn the same prin-
ciple of not righting, in another of•the boats which
has, nevertheless, proved herself of immense
service, even (and in common justice I say it)
in the form of the Northumberland Prize Boat, as
used since 1852, at Ramsgate Harbour. Under all
circumstances she has, I am informed, behaved
most splendidly; but it must be remembered, in
the first place, that, in case of alarm, she is not
launched through a surf, but mostly towed out of
harbour by steamer; and, secondly, she is handled
by a class of men not to be surpassed with the
whole world in skill as boatmen. Moreover, a
Dealman, or Ramsgateman, or Margateman, never
makes his main sheet. fast. Who ever hears of a
Kentish boatman capsizing his boat from mis•
management of his sails ? It is to be hoped that
a question of so much importance to families of
Liverpool and other seaports, will not be suffered
to glide from the public eye until the coast is pro-
vided with real Life Boats. We are apt to forget
that, when a boat properly constructed rights
herself, she is free from water on board up to her
platform in a few seconds, and even if two or three
of her crew hang to her, the safety of the strugglers
around is greatly facilitated.
The public will, I am sure, appreciate your
intention to touch upon the means of preventing
disasters at sea. Not to anticipate your praise-
worthy project, may I be permitted to refer
at once to the one great cause of collisions
at sea, now becoming so prevalent ? Even
in the Mersey, scarcely a week passes without bow-
sprits, or funnels, or spars, suffering. 1 would ask
—might not much of this be prevented if ships
and steamers were steered from a more command-
ing position ? Many inquiries have already been
made at the depository for a means of steering a
large steamer from the bridge, or further forward,
than at present. -And I would put it to the
" thousand and one" clever inventors of Liverpool
to prOduce a steering apparatus of power enough
to overcome the increased frictions of some-300
feet of steering chain or wire rope—one which can
be used on at least the bridge," or further forward
as desirable ; our ships are now so nineh enourn!
bered with round houses, officers' cabins, store
rooms, &a, that a steersman may as'well be in a
ship's hold as in his present position. lam not
without some fear, sir, that I may be accused of
presumption. Let it even be so ; I can only
promise to be silent as soon as the subject is in
other hands. My only plea is; that what is
" everybody's " business is " nobody's."—l am, sir,
your obedient servant, - . S. M. SAXBY.
January 14th, 1857.
P.S.—I am sorry that the pain and excitement,
unavoidable from the late murderous attack on
my son, have delayed the transmission of this
some days.

QUEEN'S HALL, BOLD STREET.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES.

Sir,—" One of a great many" has again requested
me through the medium of the Liverpool journals,
to reduce the prices of admission to the Queen's
Hall, during the rest of the week, in addition to
the Mondays and Saturdays. The compliance with
this request, I beg at once to decline. Though in
a great manner depending upon the favours of the
public, and anxious to remain in their good
graces, I cannot conceive the necessity of re duc
ing prices which must be considered adequate for
the amusement given, Those who find my prices
too high during the week, must either come on
Mondays or Saturdays, or abstain from coming at
all. The writers of the letters alluded to, might,
more usefully, direct their attention to butchers
and bakers, and request them to reduce their
prices; and if they are influenced, a general benefit
will be the result. People cannot be without meat
and bread, -but can do well without going to the
Queen's Hall. I am not avaricious, nor do I wish to
exclude from my entertainment that class of society
whose means are but limited. I shall be glad to
admit artisans at any time to the Queen's Hall at
half price; and charity schools, or similar institu
tions, free of any charge whatever. The heads of
the latter institutions may apply to me a few
days previous to their intended visit, and I will
grant them free admission—either for the night
advertised, or give them an extra performande
during the short time my company will remain in
Liverpool.—Yours, Sze., j:IO44IMAN.
January 24, 1806.