The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-28 00:00:00

THE SHIP CONSTITUTION.

It may, most likely, be in the recollection of our rodent
that a fine ship of the above name was consumed by fire—that
is, her masts, rigging, and all above deck were destroyed some
months ago in the ricer, and that the hull remained near
Rock Ferry for some time afterwards. In a less enterprising
town than Liverpool the hull of such a noble vessel would have
remained until " time had decayed it," but the observant and
business eye soon beheld that the hull was' too good to ho,
abandoned any further to the pelting of the pitiless storm,
and accordingly Messrs. Sutherberry and Mack purchased the
remains of the ship. After vast expense and a world of labour,
she was got into one of the graving docks at the North End,
and by the application of skill, industry, and the outlay of
money, she is now almost a new ship—indeed it may be said
she is quite new, and certainly, although she was a good and
strong built ship before the accident, she is now far superior to
what she ever was heretofore. We had the satisfaction of
going over her a day or two since, and, for her large eize, we do
not remember having inspected a nobler or more superioriY
built ship. It may be remarked that she is 208 feet long, 41
feet 10 inches beam, 22 feet lib inches deep, and her tonnao
(builders measurement), 1,374. She looks quite like a ship
just turned off the stocks, and possesses many features worthy
of remark and attention. Her between decks are splendid
and open, clear fore and aft, and over eight feet high, with iron
hanging knees of 61 inches wide and 36 incites thick, anal from
the beams are suspended massive knees. of wood, on the lower
hold, with a strong iron rider between each, running from
lower deck to floor heals, and having not less than three bolt°
on each floor, of 1i- inch metal. She is thoroughly bolted
with copper fastenings, from 16 feet downward, and has kalson
(extra) with sister kelsons, the value of which is duly appre-
ciated in naval architecture. The frame of the ship consists of
live and white English oak, of the best description, and the
upper frame of live oak, locust and cedar, all of the first quality.
In fact the ship is new (as remarked) from lower deck upwards,
and this portion is composed of the finest English oak, the
workmanship being very superior. Amongst other features of
the Constitution, she has a beatiful trunk built poop, with a
fine promenade round, and from this there is a capital view of
the whole structure. The saloon and ladies cabins are ample,
lofty, excellently lit and ventilated, and there is a main deck
house of 42 feet long, which is constructed for passengers, and
in that respect, the " house" cannot be surpassed as a ship's
dome. The galleys, which aro fittieg up with every requisite,
the hospitals, carpenters workshop, and potty officers depart-
ments, are also constructed here, and there is an ice,
and houses for other things necessary, all made
most convenient and comfortable. The berths on
the toppgallant forecastle are well contrived, and so arranged
that every watch is kept apart from each other—a decided
improvement bo h for the men and the well working of the
ship. As she has been so thoroughly refitted in the respects
alluded to, it may be also exected that her rigging has been
made to correspond. This is so, for throughout, the rigging ;5
quite new, and of th.e best and most approved description noW
in use. She has no less than six patent topsail yards, with
double action patent capstan, pumps, &c., and she will spread
a vast deal of canvass, as her yards, spars, &c., are of the best
and most ample construction, She has given such satisfaction
to the surveyors for her superiority in all respects, that she has
been classed A 1 at Lloyds. We should state that she is cope
pered from thirteen feet nine inches to fourteen feet three
inches. The above facts speak for the enterprise of Messrs.
Sutherberry and Mack, her owners, under whose immediate
superintendence she has thus been remodelled, and these-
gentlemen deserve credit for expending the large sums which
she has cost them amongst the tradesmen of the town. We can'
say with confidence that whatever trade—American, Austra.-
lian, or Indian—that this splendid vessel is destined for, that,
will bo none of her sisters superior to her either in fitting up
substantially, and as she is a semi clipper, it may be anticipated
(from her former performance, being a favourite with the pub-
lk), that she will prove a test sailer.