The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-17 00:00:00

PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE.

James Allan, Esq., Managing Director of the Peninsular and Oriental
Company
Charles Atherton, Esq., Chief Engineer H.M. Dockyard, Woolwich
Joseph heardinore, Esq., Manager of the General Steam Navigation
Company's Engine Works
H. Wollaston Blake,Esq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
Isambard K. Brunel, Esq., F.R.S. C.E.
Edward Chappell, Esq., Capt. Secretary to the Royal West
India Mail 'ompany
William Crispin, Capt. R.N., the Royal Yacht
John Utlay Ellis, Esq., Chairman of the General Screw-steam
,hipping Company
Joshua Fitld, Esq., F.R.S. Engineer, London
John Fincham, Esq., late Master Shipwright, H.M. Dockyard,
Portsmouth
Sir Richard tirant, Et , Capt. R.N.
William FL Henderson, Capt. R.N., C. 8., Comptroller-General of
the Coast Guard
Edward Ilumphrys, Esq., late Chief Engineer H.M. Dockyard,
Woolwich
Mei iregor Laird, Esq., Managing Director of the African Mail Com-
pany
Thomas Lloyd, Esq., Chief Engineer of H.M. Navy
Charles J. Mare, E,q., shipbuilder, Loi din
Joseph Miller, Esq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
Rob,rt Napier, Esq., Engineer, Glasgow
James Nasmyth, Esq., Engineer, Manchester
John Penn, Esq., Engineer, Greenwich
George Rennie, Esq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
Joseph d'a Samuda, Esq., Engineer, London
Ro ,ert Stephenson, Esq., M.P., F.R.S., C.E.
Isaac Watts, Esq., Assistant-'zurveyor H.M. Navy
Money Wigram, Esq., shipbuilder, London
Joseph Whitworth, sq., Engineer, Manchester

TREASURER
Charles Manby, Esq., F.R.S., C.E., Secretary of the Institution of
Civil Engineers

HONORARY SECRETARIES.
E. P. Halsted, Capt., R.N., and J. Scott Russell, Esq., F.R.S., Engi-
neer.

Extract from the Report of Baron CHARLES Duro: to the Academy
of Sciences, Paris, on the prizes awarded by the French Govern-
ment to M. Dueur DE LOME, and M. Wort, Officiera superleurs
du Genie Maritime, et Ingeniears de Ia Marine delere Classe, and
•M. Bout:Gots, Captaine de Fregate, for the successful application
of steam and screw propulsion to sal ing vessels of war:—
"En 1835, un fermier de Middlesex, M. Francis Pettit Smith, en-
cadre h r zontalement une vis d'Archimede a l'arriere et dans la
partie la plus pincee de la carene ; cette vie est continue ; elle a deux
revolutions completes. L'auteur prend son brevet le 31 Mai, 1836."
" Revenons au fetmier Smith. Aussi peu savant dans le
principe que le barbier Ark wri ..ht, ii avait Ia meme perseverance et le
memeindomptable courage. Ces deux quail tes morales Punt fait triom-
pher de tf 114 lee obstacles. M. Smith, pendant deux annees, essays son
bateau sur la Tamise et sur le canal de Paddington. Dans ce canal,
par an accident neureux, une revolut on de sa vis d'Archlmede est
brisee, et le navire marche plus vite qu'auparavant. C'est un trait
de lumlere, et l'on finira par n'employer qu'une mottle, qu'un tiers,
et meme une moindre partie de revolution d'helice. Par ce moyen,
Pon pourra loger le propulseur dane une etroite ouverture verticale,
en avant du gouvernail, entre deux etambots.
.‘ D'essais en essais, Smith se hasarde a latter contre les diffl-
cultes de la mer. Avec un navire eau emement petit, it s'aventure
dans Ia Manche, et brave un mer toujoura si dare, en essuyant des
temps mauvais ; son courage inspire une faveur universelie.
L'Amiraute d'Angleterre prend un vif interet a des essais tentes
si courageusement, et couronnes par le succes. Elle demande a M.
Smith un essai plus considerable, et la construction d'un navire a
helice de 200 tonneaux, avant de conclure a ]'adoption du nouveau
systeme. En consequence, l'Archimede, de 237 tonneaux, est con-
struit et mis ala mer. L'Amiraute se serait montree satisfaite, si
dans les experiences demandeea, le batiment eut parcouru 5 mends
par heure ; ii en parcourat pros da double. Malgre le vent et Ia
maree. it ne mit quo vingt heures pour alter de Gravesend a Ports-
mouth.
"Convaincue par ees epreuves, l'Amiraute d'Angleterre accepte
]'helice pour ses propres navires. En 1841, elle fait commencer a
Sheerness son premier batiment a propulseur helicoide, le Rattler
du port de 888 tonneaux, batiment qu'on mit a la mer au printemps,
de 1843. On multipliat les experiences sur co navire, et l'Amiraute,
cornpletement edifice, ordonna de construire a la fois, vingt bati-
ments de l' Etat, a propul,eurs helicoides."

Letter from the Right lion. the Earl of Minto, G.C.8., &c.
(First Lord of the Admiralty, 1835 to 1841.)
"London, June 13, 1854.
"Dear Sir,—l have not a doubt that Mr. Smith may justly claim
the merit of having been the first to introduce the use of the screw
propeller ; and ,t was owing to his success in its application that
shortly before I left the Admiralty I felt myself justified in ordering
the Rattler to be built, for the purpose of testing the comparative
advantages of the paddle and the screw.—Believe me, dear sir, yours
faithfully, (Signed) "MINTO.
" Charles A. Caldwell, Esq.
" I can have no objection whatever to your making any use of my
letter that can be serviceable to Mr. Smith."
[Letter from the Right Hon. the Earl of Haddington, &c.,
(First Lord of the Admiralty, 1841 to 1846).
44 ryninghame, Preetonkirk, N.B August 24, 1854,
4451r,—1t is impossible for me to take upon myself to offer an
opinion as to which of the claimants is to be attributed the merit of
the first Invention of the screw propeller; but I believe that the
success of " the Archimedes," followed by the trial of "the Rattler,"
(huilt under Lord Minto's Board), led to the adoption of the screw in
H M.'s Navy, and in the merchant service.
It is admitted, I believe, that to Mr. Pettit Smith belongs the
credi of the success of "the Archimedes," consequently he is en-
titled to be considered as the introducer of a most valuable improve-
ment in steam navigation.
"Ile was employed generally under the Steam Department of the
Admiralty in my time, and I have every reason tJ believe that his
services were found to be valuable.
" But the profes,ional names attached to the attestation you have
furnished me with, as well as those of the most eminent engineers,
are of far greater value to Mr. Smith, than any testimony of mine
can possibly be.—l have the honou(rsitgonebde), rir,, y,
HoulrDonbeiNdieonTtohNum-
ble servant,
"Captain Halsted, R.N.
" I enclose the answer to your letter, of which you may make
any use you may think fit."

SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Richard Abethell, Esq., master shipwright, TIM. Dockyard,
Portsmouth ..... .
Jay Allan, Esq., managing director of the Peninsular and
Oriental Company, Leadenhall-street
W. C. Alston, Esq., Birmingham
Captain W. S. Andrews, North of Europe Steam Navigation
Company, 84, King William-street ...
John George Appold, Esq., Wilson-street, Finsbury•square.. 10 0
C. Atherton, Esq , chief engineer, H.M. Dockyard, Woolwich 10 0
Captain Horatio T. Austin, R.N., C. 8., Admiralty Inspector
of Pac'ets, Southampton .. •• .
The Au-traiaslan Pacific Mall Steam Packet Company, Moor-
gate-street
Thomas Back, Esq., Military Dep irtment, East India House 1 1
Messrs. Bayley and Ridley, 2, Cowper's-court... ..• • lO 0
John Barrow, Esq , Admiralty... ...
George rteardmore; Esq., Dept'ord ........... 1 0
Joseph Beardmore, Esq., manager of the General Steam
Navigation Company's engine works, Deptford .......... 5 0
Joseph Beardmore, Jun , Esq_, Deptford ............ ••.. • • 1 0

William Beardmore, Esq., Deptford 2 0
R,•ar-Admiral ST Francis Beaufort, K C. 8., Admiralty •• •• 5 5
The Birmingham Tube Company, 8irmingham............ 25 0
Messrs. John Bourne and Co., engineers, Oreenock •• • .... 50 0
William Boxall, Esq., welbeck•street, Cavendish square 5 5
Messrs. Brownlow and Co., Hull .• • „ ..... 3 0

Peter Bruff, C.E., Ipswich .... ••• •• • •
I. K. Brunel, Esq., F.R.S., C.E., Duke-street, Westmirister 59 0
William Carpmael, Esq., C.E., Patent-office, Lincoln's inn.. 21 0

William Catt, Esq., Brighton 10 0
Captain E. Chappell, R.N., secretary of the Royal. West

India Mail Company, Moizgate-street..... •• •• ..... •• • 25 0
Henry Chatfield, Esq., master shipwright, H.M. Dockyard,

••• 2 2
2 2

Deptford
Jabez urch, Esq., C.E , Chelmsford
D. K. Clark, Esq., C.E., Great North of Scotland Railway

Company, Aberdeen

5 0

Lieut. J. E':Commerell, R.N .

Robert Cowen, Esq., Carlisle
Commander Peter Cracrbft, R.N., H.M.S. St. Jean d'Acre• • 1 0
Capt. W. Crispin, ILN., the Roya Yacht, Portsmouth... 10 0
Messrs. Wm. Denny and Brothers, shipbuilder., Dumbarton 103 0
John Dinnen, Esq , inspector of steam machinery afloat, Ad-
miralty, somerset•house

Messrs. hich'ard Durant and Co., Lloyd's,— • •.. 10 10
Messrs. C. and W. Earle, engineers, Hull
David Elder, Esq , en:ineer, Glasgow .......• •• ••
James Elliott, Esq., C.E., Dymchurch, Kent
J. U. Ellis, chairman of the General Screw Steam Co., Ade-
laide-place, London-bridge
Messrs. Allen Everitt and Son, Birmingham ...........• .. 10 0
Chas. Few. Esq , llenrietta-street, Covent-garden.......... 105 0
5. Fincham, late master shipwright, li.M. Dockyard, Ports-

5 0

mouth
Capt. John Ford, marinesuperintendent General Screw-steam
Shipping Company, Southampton
Capt. Robert Ford, Battersea
Joseph Freeman, Esq., Artillery-place, Finsbury
Charles Frodsharn, Esq., 5trand.........,
William Fronde, Esq., C E., Dartington, Devon 5 0
Messrs. Joseph Gee and Co., Hull
sfessrs. Gibbs, Bright, and 'o., Liver^ool
Lionel Gisborne, Esq.. C.'f... Duke-street, Adelphi . 1 0
Vice-I dmiral Sir James A levulder Gordon, K.C.8., Gover• '
nor of Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich.... .•• •• I I
Captain Sir tiiclyird Grant, Kt., R.N., 3, Connaught-place,
Hyde-park
William Green, Esq., R.N., harbour master, Lowestoft
Capt. E. P. Halsted, R.N. (Hon. Sec.), United Service Club,

- .
LOMI.R.. •• •
John Hawkshaw, Esq., C.F.., Great George street, West-

minster

10 0

10 10

William Hartree. Esq., engineer, Lewisham ..•,......,.,.
Capt iin W. ii. Henderson, R.N.. C. 13., Comptroller General
or the Coast Gu 3ri, Custom House
Messrs. J. . Hoby and Co., Renfrew .. • • •••• • • • ; 5 5
Captain James Hi isken
Messrs. Howard, Ravenhlll, and Co., enuineers, Rotherhithe 25 0
E. Hamphrys, Esq., late chief engineer H.M. Dockyard,

WholWich. Deptt;ud
•• • ..... • • .... 10 0
Messrs. Humphrys, Tennant, and Dykes, engineers, Deptford 50 0
Captain Thomas Jackson, the Baron Osy steam-ship ...... 1 1
William Jackson, Esq., engineer, Leman-street 5 0
Jabez James, Esq., engineer, Blackfriars
W. S. Johnson, Esq.. St. Martin's-lane •.......
J. Hodgson Jones, Esq., engineer, Poet's-comer, Westminster 1 1
Townsend Rirkwood, Esq., Llandlio, Carmarthen.. • 5 0
H. ReaCer Lack,' Esq., Board of Trade .. •...
M'Gregor Laird, Esq., managing director of the African Mail

Company, Mincing-lane
W, B. Lambert, Esq., engineer, General Screw Steam-Ship-
ping Company, Southampton 5 5
James Laming, Esq., Maida-hill West

W. Langdon, Esq., engineer, London-street....

Thos. Lloyd, Esq., chief engineer of H.M. Navy, Somerset

House .. • •

. 10 0

James Luke, Esq., shipwright, H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth 10 0
C. Hanby, Esq., F.R.S., C.E., secretary of the Insttitution of
Civil Engineers (treasurer), Great George-street, West-

minster :.. •
C. J. Mare, Esq., shipbuilder, 131ackwall .......... 100 0
Messr. Martin, Samuelson, and Co., engineers. Hu11........ 3 0
Captain B. R. Matthews, the Great Britain steam-ship .... 2 0
John Matthew, Esq., engineer, Greenwich : . ••... • . 10 10
Mesas. Mandslay, Sons, and Field, London „ ............ 100 0
T. W. Miller, Esq., engineer, 11. M. Dockyard, Portsmouth.. 5 5
Messrs. Miller, Ravenhill, and Salkeld, engineers, Blackwell 100 0
G. Mills, Esq. •••••••• • • • • • •
William Morgan, Esq., engineer, Gloucester-terrace, Hyde.

R. Napier, Egg., engineer, Glasgevr .... ~................
100 0
Jaraes )Tasmyth, Esq., engineer, Patricroft, Manchester .... 10 c
CoirMuu-tcler Matthew B. Nolloth, R.N., H.M.S. Frolic .... 1 0
A dmir.:l Sir Chines Ogle, Bart., Eaton-p1ace...... .
..... • 20 0
James Oldham, Esq., C.V.. Hull' ••••••••• • • • • • • • • . ..... .. 1 0
William Paine, Esq., cashier of Greenwich Hospital, Green-
wich

....... ~......... 2 2
••••• .......... • ..