The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-09 00:00:00

N . 19,505.]

SMITH TESTIMONIAL FUND.
37, GREAT GEORGE-STREET, WESTMINSTER.
S The superior advantages of scrow propulsion being fully de-
monstrated by its son..ral adoption for the public service and for the
cmnmerci a operations of almost all maritime nations, a favourable
time appears to have arrived for inducing a ptiblic recognition of
the merit of its introduction.

Convinced that straw navigation—whoever may be regarded as
its original inventor—must date its real commencement from the
successful teals and voyaet of the" Archimedes" in 1839 and 1840 ;
and feeling that all naval nations are indebted to the performances
of that ship, for the first practical development of this great improve-
ment la the means of maritime enterprise ; the following gentlemen,
personally cognisant of the facts connected with the progr,ss of the
system, are strongly impressed tv,th the justice of the claims of Mr.
Francis Pettit Smith, to whose talents and untiring energy it is well
known the "Archimedes" owed both her origin and success.
They can also bear record to the steady perseverance with which
that gentleman has continued to devote the la.st years of his life to
the purpose of establishing the merits of the screw. And they know
that the national benefit thus Conferred by his labours—which was
first so clearly confirmed by the performances of the Rattler in 1845,
then so strikingly illustrat d at the naval review of 1853, and which
is now so confidently relied on for success in actual war—has not
hitherto procured for him either public acknowledgment or pecuniary
reward.

• They have therefore formed themsc Ives into a Provisional Commit-
tee, and have requested us most respectfully to solicit the honour of
your name, and the advantage of your influence and example, in sup-
port of an appeal to all classes and interests fora general subscription
to present a suitable testimonial to Mr. Francis Pettit Smith, for his
prominent cervices in bringing into practice the system of screw
navigation.—We have the honour to be your obedt. servants,
EDWARD PELLEW HALSTED,/
JOHN SCOTT RUSSELL, Hon. Secs.

PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE.
James Allan, Esq., Managing Director of the Peninsular and Oriental
Company
Charles Atherton, Esq., Chief Engineer H.M. Dockyard, Woolwich
Joseph ,;eardmare, E.q , Manager of the General Steam Navigation

Compan • 's Engine Works
IL Wollaston Blake,Esq., 1.R.5., Engineer, London
Isambard K. Brunel, Esq., F.R.S.,
Edward Chappell, Esq., Capt. R.N., Secretary to the Royal West
India Mail i ompany
`Wiliam Crispin, Capt. R.N., the Royal Yacht
John Utlay Ellis. Esq., q,l,a/riPan of the General• Sor,ew-steam

:-hipping-Company - - -
Joshua Fi -Id, Esq., F. 8.5., Engineer, London
John Fiucharn, Esq., late Nester Shipwright, H.M. Dockyard,

Portsmouth
Fir Richard 6'rant, Kt , Capt. R.N.
William 11. Rcnderson, Capt. R.N., C. 8., Comptroller-General of

the Coast Onard
Edward Eiumphrys, Esq., late Chief Engineer 11.11. Dockyard,

Woolwich
Mci,regor Laird, Esq., Managing Director of the African Mail Com-

pany
Thomas Lloyd, Fsq., Chief Engineer of H.M. Navy
Charles J. Mare, E.q., ,hiobuilder, London
Joseph Miller, Esq , F.R.S., Engineer, London
Iton-rt Narder, Esq., Engineer, Glasgow
James Nasmyth, Esq., Engineer. Manchester
John Penn, Esq., F./queer, Greenwich
George Rennie, Esq , F.R.S., Engineer, London
Joseph d'a Samaria, Esq., Engineer, London
llohert Stephenson, Esq , M.P., F.R.S., C.E.
Isaac Watts, Esq., Assistant-•Arirveyer H.M. Navy
Money Wigram, Esq., shipbuilder, London
Joseph Whitworth, Esq., Engineer, Manchester

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

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

Extract from the Report of Baron CmisLEs Bumf to the Academy
of Science, Path, on the prizes awarded by the French Govern-
ment to M. Donn DE Loses, and M. MOLL, Officiers superieurs
du Genie Maritime, et Inge-deurs de la Marine delere Classe, and
M. BOErEGOIS, Captaine de Fregate, for the successful application
of steam and screw propulsion to sating vessels of war:—

" En 1835, un fermier de Middlesex, M. Francis Pettit Smith, en-
calre hor zontalement une vis d'Archimede a l'arriere et dans la
partie Ia plus pincee de la carene ; cette vis est continue ; elle a deux
revolutions completes. hauteur prend son brevet le 31 Mal, 1836."
Revenons ah fermier Smith. Aussl peu savant dans le
principe que is barbier Arkwrijht, ii avait la meme perseverance et le
reemeindomptable courage. Ces deux qualites morales font fait triom-
pher de tons les obstacles. M. Smith, pendant deux annees, essaye son
bateau sur la Tamise et cur le canal de Paddington. Dans ce canal,
par un accident heureux, une revoluVon de ea vis d'Archimede est
brisee, et le navire marche plus vite qu'auparavant. C'est un trait
de lumiere, et I'on flnira par n'employer qu'une moitie, qu'un tiers,
et meme unemoindre partie de revolution d'helice. Par ce moyen,
Von pourra loger le propulseur dane une etroite ouverture verticale,
en avant du gouvernall, entre deux etambots.
D'essais en essais, M. Smith se hasarde a lutter contra les din•
crates de la mer. Avec un navire extremement petit, 11 s'aventure
dans la Manche, et brave un mer toujours si dure, en essuyant des
temps mauvais ; son courage inspire une faveur universelle.
L'Amiraute d'Angleterrc prend un vif interet a des essais tentes
si courageusement, et couronnes par le succes. Elle demande a M.
Smith un essal plus considerable, et la construction d'un navire a
holice de 200 tonneaux, avant de conclure a l'adomion du nouveau
ey steme. En consequence, l'Archimede, de 237 tonneaux, est con-
struit et mis ala mer. L'Amiraute se Bereft montree satisfaite, si
dans lee experiences demandees, le batiment out parcouru 5 nceuds
par heure ; 11 en parcourut pros du double. Malgre le vent et la
maree, 11 ne mit que vingt heures pour alter de Gravesend a Ports-
mouth.
" Convaincue par cos epreuves, l'Amirante d'Angleterre accepts
l'helice pour see 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 Ia mer au printemps,
de 1843. On multipliat les experiences sur ce navire, et l'Amiraute,
completement edifice, ordonna de construire a la lois, vingt bati-
ments de rEtat, a propel:mars lielieoides."

Letter from the Right Hon. 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 it 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 purpo,e of testing the comparative
advantages of the paddle and the screw.—Believe me, dear sir, yours
faithfully, (Signed) " MIN TO.
"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."

ILetter from the Right Hon. the Earl of lladdington, &c.,
(First Lord of the Admiralty, 1841 to 1846).
Tyninghame, Prestonkirk, N.B , August 24, 1854.
Fir,—lt is impossible for late 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,"
(hunt 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. _

y." He was employed generally under the Steam Department of the
Admiralty in my time. and I have every reason t 3 believe that his
services were found to be wluable.
" But tne profes'ional names :attached to the attestation youhave
furnished me with, as well es those of the most eminent engineers,
are of far greater va'ue to Mr. Smith, than any testimony of mine
can possibly be.—l have the honour to be. air, your obedient hum-
ble servant, (Signed) " HADDINGTOIT.

"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,
XI 1
Portsmouth.... • •
Jas. Allan, Esq., managing director of the Peninsular and
Oriental Company, Leadenhall-street
W. C. Alston, Esq., Birmingham •••••••••••••• 25 0
Captain W. S. Andrews, North of Europe Steam Navigation
5 0
Comnany, 84, King Wfliiam-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. tustin, R.N., C. 8., Admiralty Inspector
2 2
of Pee ets, Southampton .. • ••••••••••••••
l, ••
The Australasian Pacific Mail Steam Packet Company, Moor-
gite-street
Thomas Back, Esq., Military Department, East India House I 1
Messrs. Bayley and Ridley, 2, Cowper's-court.. • • •
John Barrow, Esq., F.R.S., Admiralty .... ..... •..•• • • 3 0
George Beardmore, Esq., Deptford .... •••••••• • • • • •• • • 1 0
Joseph Beardmore, Esq., manager of the General Steam
Navigation Company's engine works, Deptford ———.• . • 5 0
Joseph Beardmore, Jun , Esq., Deptford ..• • • ..... •• •
William Beardmore, Esq., Deptford .. ••••••-• • • • • .. • ... •• 2 0
Rear-Admiral S'r Francis Beaufort, K C. 8., Admiralty .. 5 5
The Birmingham Tube Company, Birmingham ••••• • • • • •
Men, re. John Bourne and Co., engineers, Greenock .....
William Boxall, Esq., Welbeck-street,C wendish• square —• • 5 5
Messrs. Brownlow and Co., Hull 3 0
Peter Bruff, E,q., C.E., Ipswich ••.. • ••• •.. • • ...... •• • • 1 1
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
Wildam Catt, Esq~ Brighton ..
Captain E. Chappell, R.N., secretary of the Royal West
India Mail Company, Moorgate-street .• •• • •• • •
Henry Chatfield, Esq., master shipwright, 1131. Dockyard,
Deptford
Jabez Church, Esq., C.E., Chelmsford
I). K. Clark, Esq., C.E., Great North of Scotland Railway
Company, Aberdeen
Lieut. J. E. Commerell, RS . 5 0
Robert Cowen, Esq., Carlisle
Commander Peter Cracroft, R.N., H.M.S. St. Jean d'Acre• • 1 0
Capt. W. Crispin, R.N., the Royal Yacht, Portsmouth.• .... 10 0
Messrs. Wm. Denny and Brothers, shipbuilders, Dumbarton 100 0
John Dinnen, Esq., inspector of steam machinery afloat, Ad-
miralty, Somerset-house
Messrs. Richard Durant and Co., Lloyd's.. ••••.• • • . . .
Messrs C. and W. Earle, engineers, Hull .. • .... ...... •.. 2 2
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 .. ••.. •
Chas. Few, Esq , Henrietta-street, Covent-garden.. •• • • .... 105 0
J. Fincham, late master shipwright, H.M. Dockyard, Ports-
mouth
Capt. John Ford, Irlirillesuperlnteneent General Screw-steam
Shipping Company, Southampton
Capt. Robert Ford, Battersea
Joseph Freeman, Esq., Artillery-Place, Finsbury ...... '. ... 5 0
Charles Frodshsm. Esq., Strand -• •
William Fronde, Esq., C.E., Dartington, Devon ....... ••• .. 5 0
Messrs. Joseph Gee and Co., Hulls 0
Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and , 0., Liver, ooh
Lionel Gisborne, Esq.. C.cl., Duke-street, Adelphi 1 0
Vice-Admiral Sir James Alexander Gordon, K.C.8., Gover-
nor of Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich .. •• 1 1
Captain Sir Richard Grant, Kt., R.N., 3, Connaught-place,
Hyde-park
William Green, Esq., R.N., harbour master, Lowestoft •• • I I
Capt. E. P. Halsted, R.N. (Hon. Sec.), United Service Club,
10 0
Lone, n ....
John Hawkshaw, Esq., C. 1,., Great George street, West-
.. .. 10 0
Wiliam Hartree. Esq., engineer, Lewisham ••• • •• _
Captain W. 11. Henderson, R.N.. C. 8., Comptroller General
of the Coast Gil 'l'd, Custom House.. . ....... • • •
.. • •
••
•• 5 0
Messrs. J. •• . Iloby a,,el Co., Rentrew •• .. • • , • • • _ • •
••
••
Captain James Hosken— ....... . • • • • • • • •
•• • • • • • • • • • • • •
•• 1 0
Mess's. Howard, Ravenhill, and Co., engineers, Rotherhithe 25 0
E. Humphrys, Esq., late chief engineer H.M. Dockyard,
Woolwich. Deptford
Messrs. hlumphrys, Teni, ant, and Dyke., engineers, Deptford 50 0
Captain Thomas Jackson, the Baron Osy steam-ship ..
William -aekson, Esq., engineer, Leman•street 5 0
Jabez •rames, Esq., engineer, Blackiriars ........ ••.. • •
W. S. Johnson, Esq., St. Martin's-lane.. • • .... ........
.I:Hodgson Jones, Fsq., engineer, Poet's•corner, Westminster 1 1
Townsend Kirkwood, Esq., Llandilo, Carmarthen.. • 5 0
H. Reefer Lack, Esq., Board of Trade .. • • • ....•
2
WGregor Laid, Esq., m .naging director of the African Mail
Company, Mincing-lane ....
W. P.. Lambert, Esq., engineer, General Screw Steam... Shi-
pping Company, Southampton ................ •
Thos. Lloyd,
James Laming, Esq., Maida-hill West . • • • • • • • •• • • • • " • •
50 0
W. Langdon, Esq., engineer, London-street lO 0
ltou'e
M.
Esq., chief engineer of H.M. Navy, Somerset 10 -
0
• ............. •••••••••••• .•
James Luke, Esq.. shipwright, 11. • Dockyard. Portsmouth 10 0
minstere:
C.calt‘anby, Esq.,
F.R.S., C.E., secretary of the Instt Ration of
Civil Engineers (treasurer), Great George-street, West-
Messr. Martin Samuel
C. J. More, '
Captain B. It.-'alattqh
1,—;(1., shipbuilder, Blackwell .. • ............... 1100 n °0
,eis7the Great Britain steam-ship •• • • .4
, and• Co., engineers, Itull ........ 3
00
.nessiis. Maudslay, Sons, and Green"ich • ..... ;••
• • ••
..
John Matthew, Es 10 10
T. W. Miller, Esq., engineer, Field, London .• ••••••• • • • • ' 5
Messrs: Miller, Itavenbill, and"•sl. Dockyard, Portsmouth• • 5
G. Mills, Esq... Salkeld, engineers, Blackwell 100 0
••••••••••••• 100 0
0 10
William Morgan, Esq., engineer,...... •• " ........ •••• • • • • 1
R. Napier, Esq., engineer,
aton-place .
Gloucester-terrace, Flyde-
Gla;e
: tr•i•c.r;:fl,.;;a. :ch. e. s.;er ..: .. 110° 0°
Commander 3MtathitEhrW'sliTollelOt;:il-7I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ..
100
0
I,,dinm,isr::ollSdihr.,Cahi,air,,i,eqs.,Ocgl. e,,,.,1theL1,„E. LN., 11. M.S. Frolic .... 1 0
20 0
William Paine, Esq., cashier of G... • • • • • ••
' ••
•••
• • ••
• • ••
—• • I 0
wiek ~"..-.. reenwich Hospital, Green-
••••••••.....•.•.•.••• 2 2

5 0