The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-31 00:00:00

PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE.

James Allan, Esq., Managing Director of the Peninsular and Oriental
Company
Charles Atherton, Esq., Chief Engineer H.lll. Dockyard, Woolwich
Joseph Beardmore, 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. R.N., Secretary to the Royal West
India Mail company
William Crispin, Capt. the Royal Yacht
John Utlay Ellis,. Esq., Chaitman of the General Screw-steam
Shipping Company •
Joshua Fl,ld, Esq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
John Fincham, Esq., late Master Shipwright, M.M. Dockyard,
Portsmouth
Sir Richard Grant, Kt , Capt. R.N.
William H. Henderson, Capt. R.N., C. 8., Comptroller-General of
the Coast Guard
Edward Humphrys, Esq., late Chief Engineer H.M. Dockyard,
Woolwich
McGregor Laird, Esq., Managing Director of the African Mail Com-
pany
Thomas Lloyd, Esq., Chief Engineer of H.M. Navy
Charles J. Mare, Esq., shipbuilder, Loudon
Joseph Miller, Esq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
Robert Napiet, 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
Robert Stephenson, Esq., M.P., F.H.8., C.E.
Isaac Watts, Esq., Assistant-Surveyor H.M. Navy
Money Wigram, Esq., shipbuilder, London
Joseph Whitworth, Esq., Engineer, Manchester

'TREASURER.
Chivies 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., Eng
neer.

Extract from the Report of Baron CHARLES Dress; to the Academy
of Sciences, Paris, on the prizes awarded by the French Govern-
ment to M. DUPUY DE LOME, and M. Niom, Ofllciers superieurs
du Genie Maritime, et Ingenieurs de Ia Marine delere Classe, and
M. Bouucors, Captaine de Fregate, for the successful application
of steam and screw propulsion to sailing vessels of war:—
" En 1835, un fermier de Middlesex, M. Francis Pettit Smith, en-
cadre her zontalement une vis d'Archlmede a l'arriere et dans la
partie la plus pincee de la carene ; cette vis est continue ; elle a deux
revolutions completes. L'autear prend son brevet le 31 Mai, 1836."
Revenons au fermier Smith. Aussi peu savant dans le
principe quo le barbier Ark wri,ht, it even la meme perseverance et le
mem e indomptable courage Ces deux qualites morales Pent fait triom-
pher de tons les obstacles. M. Smith, pendant deux annees, essaye son
bateau sur la Tamise et sur le canal de Paddington. Dans ce canal,
par an accident heureux, une revelut on de sa vis d'Archircede est
brisee, et le navire marche plus vite qu'auparavant. C'est un trait
de lumiere, et l'on finira par n'employer qu'une moitie. qu'un tiers,
et meme une snoindre pestle de revolution d'helice. Par ce moyen,
l'on pourra loger le propulseur dans une etroite ouverture verticale,
en avant du gouvernail, entre deux etambots.
" D'essais en essais, M. Smith se hasarde a lutter contre les diffl-
cultes de la mer. Avec nn navire extremement petit, 11 s'aventure
dans la Manche, et brave un mer toujours si dare, en essuyant des
temps mauvais ; son courage inspire une faveur
L'Amiraute d'Angleterre prend un vif interet a des male tentes
at 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 Padop; ion du nouveau
systeme. En consequence, l'Archimede, de 237 tonneaux, est con-
struct et mis ala mer. L'Amiraute seralt montree satisfalte, at
dana les experiences demandees, le batiment out parcouru 5 muds
par heure ;it en parcourut pros du double. Malgre le vent et la
maree, it ne mit quo vingt heures pour alter de Gravesend a Ports-
mouth.
"Convaincue par ces epreuves, PAmiraute d'Angleterre accepte
l'helice pour ses propree 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 stir ce navire, et l'Amiraute,
completement ediflee, ordonna de construire a la fois, vingt bat!-
ments de I'Etat, a propulseurs helicoldes."

Letter from the Right Hon. the Earl of Mint°, G.C.8.,
(First Lord of the Admiralty, 1835 to 1841.)
" Loncl,n, 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 it was owing to his success in its apoiicatlou 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 serew.—Believe me, dear sir, yours
faithfully, - (Signed) -- "MINTO.
" Charles A. Ckldviell, Esq.
" I can have no objectlo, 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 Load of the Admiralty, 1841 to 1846).
yninghame, Pre,to,kirk, N.B , August 24, 1854,
.Ir,--It is impozaible far me to take upon ntys,lf to offer an
opinion as to which of the claimants is to be attributed the merit of
the first invention of the scree, propeller; but I bcieve that ne
success of " the Archimedes," totlowed by the trial rf "the Rattler,"
(aulit under Lord ,pinto's Board), led to the adoption of the screw in
11.11.'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 consPered as the introducer of a most valuable improve-
ment in steam navigation.
"He was employed generally under the Steam Department of the
Admiralty in my time. and I have every reason to believe that his
services were found to be valuable.
" But the professional 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, then any testimony of mine
can possibly be.—l have the honour to be, ;, Ir, your obedient hum-
ble servant, (Signed) "II ADDINGTON.
"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, H.M. Dockyard,
Portsmouth.
Jan Allan, Esq., managing director of the Peninsular and
Oriental Company, Leadenhall-street
W. C. Alston, Esq., Birmingham
Captain W. S. Andrews, North of Eurve Steam Navigation
Company, 84, King Wliiam-street . 5 0
John George Appold, Esq., Wilson-street, Finsbury.square.. 10 0
C. Atherton, Esq , chief engineer, lI.M. Dockyard, Woolwich 10 0
Captain Horatio T. Austin, R.N., C. 8., Admiralty Inspector
of Pact. ets, Southampton .. •• . ...... • • ......... .• • 2 2
The Au, tralasian Pacific Mad Steam Packet Company, Moor-
g ate-street
Thomas Back, Esq., Military Department, East India [louse 1 I
Messrs. Bayley and Ridley, 2, Cowper's-c0urt........
John Barrow, Esq., F.R.S., Admiralty • • .... • •
George Beirdmore, Esq., Deptiord ••..••••• • • . • • • • 1 0
Joseph Beardmore, Esq., manager of the General steam
Navigation Company's engine works, Deptford
Joseph Beardmore, Jun , Esq , Deptford ..•• ••••••• • • • .. • • 1 0
William Beardmore, Esq., Deptford .. •... • • ••••••• • • • • • • 2 0
Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, K C. 8., Admiralty .. • • 5 5
The Birmingham Tube Co,npany, ••
Messrs. John R,urne and Co., engineers, Greenock •• •
William B oxal I, Esq., Welbeck -street, C avend ish• square .
Messrs. Brownlow and Co., Hull .• • • • • •
Peter Bruit, C.E., Ipswich .. ...•,, • •
I. K. Brunel, Esq., F'.R.S., C.E., Duke-street, Westminster 59 0
William Carpmael, Esq., C.E., Patent-office, Lincoln's inn • • 21 0
WiliamCatt, Esq., Brighton ....
Captain E. Chappe'l, R.N., secretary of the Royal West
India Mail Company, Moorgate-street ••• • • •• • •
Henry Chatfield, Esq., master shipwright, 11.51. Dockyard,
Deptford
Jabez C' urch, Req., C.E., Chehnsford
D. K. Clark, Esq. C.E., C.E., Great North of Scotland Railway
Company, Aberdeen ......... •.. • • ...... • ............ • 5 0
Lieut. J. E. Commerell, R.N
Robert Cowen, Esq., Carlisle .
Commander Peter Cracrott, R.N., H.M.S. St. Jean d'Acre• • 1 0
Capt. W. Crispin, R.N., the Roya Yacht, Portsmouth. lO 0
Messrs. Wm. Denny and Brothers, shipbuilders, Dumbartcn 103 0
John Dinnen, Esq , inspector of steam machinery afloat, Ad-
miralty, Somerset-house ...
Messrs. Richard Durant and Co., Lloyd's.... • .. 10 10

.... ....... .. 2 2
2 2

Messrs. C. and. W. Earle, engineers, Hull .. .. •.. 2 2

...„ ,
David Elder, Esq., enuneer, I•lasgow ..............
James Elliott, Esq., C.F.., Dymchurch, Kent
J. U. Ellis, chairman of the General Screw Steam Co., Ade-
laide-p!ace, London-bridge
Mes,rs. Allen Everitt and Son, Birmingham ...... • . ...... 10 0
Chas. Few, Esq , Henrietta-street, Covent-garden.......... 105 0
J. Fincham, late master shipwright, lI.M. Dockyard, Ports-
mouth
Capt. John Ford, m trine superintendent General Screw-steam
Shipping Company, Southam, ton
Capt. Robert Ford, Battersea ......
Joseph Freeman, Esq., Artillery-place, Finsbury
Charles Frodsluim, Esq., 5trand........ _ ...........
William Fronde, Esq., GE., Dartington, Devon
Messrs. Joseph Gee and Co., Hull
Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and *co., Liverr 00l
Lionel Gisborne, Esq., C.':., Duke-street, A delphi 1 0
Vice-. dmiral Sir James Alexander Gordon, K.C.8., Gover-
. . __ .. . .. . .

nor of Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich..

Captain Sir Richard Grant, Kt., R.N , 3, Connaught-place,
Uyde-park
William Green, Esq., R.N., harbour master, Lowestoft , 1 1
Capt. E. P. Halsted, R.N. (Hon. Sec.), United Service Club,
London
John Ilawkshaw, Esq., C.K., Great George street, West-
._
..

--- -
...... 10 0
10 10
WI
r, • IN' H. Henderson, R.N., C. 11., Comptroller• General
mliiinasinterflatt.re..e, .E—sq..., * er.i.gineer.,.l.e.vi'sh• Lewisham • • .. • •
Captain •
of the Coast flu trd, Custom House.. . ....... ..........„ 5 0
1 0
.eslinob)3.s•ka,V..Co., 1t.e.n.f.r.e.w...... ;: .. :::::.. : :: ::::
Clll‘llaeepsstssarrissi.ijjElO:s'v'' ard,Ravenhill, and Co., emineers, Rotherhithe 25 0
late chief engineer H. M. Dockyard,
E. Hump ,
hryB q.,
Woolwich, Deptford
Messrs. H inn ph rypeTkesnonn a,
tnht,eaßnadro l/nykoess;
steam-ship engineers,De!).tf.o. Deptford 501 01
Captain Thomas .
engineer, Leman-street 5 0
31ackfriars
Jabez James, •,
. ....
W. S. Johnson, Esq., St. Martin's-lane....r
..
William JacksoEns,qEselig.
Poet's-corner, NI, cstinlnster 1 1
Esq Llandilo, Carmarthen 5 0
J. Hodgson Jones,
Townsend Kirkwood, •,
engineer, 1
2 2
IL ReiVerl,ack, Esq.,
of the African Mail
11PG'regor Laird, Esq., managing director
. .......
.......... „ 50 0
Company, .
W. B. Lambert, Esq., engineer, General Screw Steam-Ship-
pingMi Mincing-lane ieloneagrid.n.ce•ef•r: Trade
5 5
Company, Southampton
James Laming, Esq., Maida-hill West
10 0
'W. Langdon, Esq., engineer, London-street.• .. •
Thos. Lloyd, Esq., chief engineer of H.lll. Navy, Somerset
House...: .... ........ ~ ........ .... ••••.. • • • • .... • •
James Luke, Esq., shipwright,
H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth 10 0
.
C. Manby, Esq., F.R.S , C.E., secretary of the Instlitution of
Civil Engineers (treasurer), Great George-street, West-
Cm..Js
s.
,M.
Martin,
t Ei
n, sq. ,sh
Samuelsonipb ul l d, e
and
„ lllca ~:17e• anl
engineers
••
••
ineers 10 0
West-
minster ....
... ••
100 0
Captain B. R. Matthews, the Great Britain steam-ship •• • • 2 0
Esq., engineer, Greenwich ...... : • • • • • • • •
John Matthew, 10 10
Massie. Maudslay, Sons, and Field, London •• •••••• • • • • " 100 0
T. W. Miller, Esq., engineer,
, Hull.. • •
Messrs. Miller, Ravenhill, and Slk 1 y • Blackwall 100 0
G. Mills, E5q........... •. a c (1, engineers,
en
gin
elle
r. :I.GII/oouccke
sat
errd ,t
Gloucester-terrace,
5 5
10 10
William Morgan, Esq., •• • .••••••••• .... •••
Hyde-
park ........ ...... .....
...... . - 10 0
..
B. Napier,
uiTas nEsqt
h, icl, engineer,
, ls engineer,.i f
n4l,a„sr, g
ewPa t ; 1 e:r:o :f
t: , •:11 I: ii n. c• h—e
s. t. e ; ... :
:: : 1 ol°o 0°
James
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20 00°
JwaiimlieasmOirdaihanme:
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. _ ... . . . •••••• ..... ••••••••••• 2 2