The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-01 00:00:00

No. 19,528.]

SMITH TESTIMONIAL FUND.
37, GREAT GEORGE-STREET, WESTMINSTER.
Sir, - The superior adv-ntages of screw propu sion being fulls de-
monstrated by its general ado;.ticn for the public service a id for the
commerci .1 operations of almost all maritime nations, a favourable'
time appears to have arrived for inducing a public recognition of
the merit of its introduction.
Convinced th at screw navigation—whoever may he regarded as
its oilgina: inventor—must date its real commencement from the
successful trials and voy e: of the" Archimedes" in 1839 and 1840 ;
and fit ling that all naval nations are indebted to the performances
of that shin, for the fir-t practical development of this great imp.vve-
mtnt is the means of maritime enterprise; the foliowing gentlemen ,
pe-sonally cognisant of the facts connected with the progrt ss of the
system, are. strongly impressed w:th the justice of the claim. of Mr.
Francis Pettit smith, to whosg telt nis ai.d untiring energy it is well
known the "Archimedes" owld both hi r origin and success.
They can alio bear record V, the steady persave awe with which
that gentleman has continued to devote the b.st•years of h's life to
the purpose of eAtablishing the merits of the screw. And they know
that the national benefit thus con erred by his labours—which was
drst so clearly confirmed by the performances of toe Rattler in 1845,
hen so strikingly illustratill at the naval review of 1853, and which
is now so confirivntly reded on for success in actu .1 war—has not
hitherto procured for him either public acknowledgment or pecuniary
reward.
They have therefore formed themst lees into a Provisional Commit-
tee, and have requested us most respectfully to solicit the honour of
yonrname, and the advantage of your Influence and example, in sup-
port of an appeal to all classes and interest: fora genera' subscription
to present a suitaMe testimonial to Mr. Francis Pettit Smith, for his
prominent services in bringing into practice the system of screw
navigation.—We have the honour to be your obetit. servants,
EDWARD PELLE W HALSTF.D Ilon. Sect:
JOHN SCOTT. RUSSELL,

PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE.
James Allan, Esq., Mana.ging Director ottnePeninSular and Oriental
Company
Charles Atherton, Esq., Chief Engineer H.M. Dockyard, Woolwich
Joseph .ieardmcre, Eoq., Manager of the General Steam Navigation
Companl's Engine Works
H. Wollaston Blake,Egq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
Isambard K. Brunel, Esq., F.K.S., C.E.
Edward Chappell, Esq., Capt. R.N., Secretary to the Boyal West

India Made ompany
William Crispin, Capt. the Royal Yacht
John Utlay Ellis, Esq., Chairman of the General Screw-steam

Shipping company
Joshua El Id, Esq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
John Finchain, Esq., late Master Shipwright, H. J. Dockyard,
Portsmouth
Sir Kiehard grant, Kt , Capt. R.N.
William H. Henderson, Capt. R.N., C. 8,, Comptroller-General of

the Coast Guard
Edward Eltimphrya, Esq., late Chief Engineer 11.51. Dockyard,

Woolwich
McGregor Laird, Esq., Managing Director of the African Mail Com-
pany
Thomas Lloyd, Eso., Chief Engineer of M.M. Navy
Charier J. Mare, Et q, :-hiptaulder, London
Joseph Miller, Esq., Engineer, London
Robert Napier, Esq., Engineer, Glasgow
Tames Nasmyth, Esq., Engineer, Manchester
John Penn, Esq., Engineer, Greenwich
George Rennie. Esq , F.R.S., Engineer, London
Joseph d'a Samuda, Esq., Engineer, London
ROlert Stephenson, FAA , M.P., F.R.S., C.E.
Isaac Watts, Esq., Assistant-,urveyer H.M. Navy ,
Money Wigrarn, Esq., ,hipbuilder, London
Joseph Whitworth, Esq., Engineer, Manchester
MEASURER.
Charles Manby, Esq., F.R.S., C.E., secretary of the InStitution of
Civil Engineers

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

Extract from the Report of Baron CIikELE3 Durex to the Academy
of Science., Paris, on the prizes aw tided by the French Govern-
ment ro M. DUPUY DE Lome, and M. WoLL, (Meters superieurs
du Geode Matitirne, et Ingenieurs de la Marine delere Classe. and
M. Boner:fors, Captain de Fregate, for the successful application
of steam and screw propulsion to sal'lng vessels of war:
" En 1835, un fermier de Middlesex, M. Francis Pettit Smith, en-
cadre her zontalement une vis d'Archim a Parriere et dans la
partie la plui. pincee de la carene ; cette vis est continue ; elle adeux
revolutions completes. L'auteur prend son brevet le it Mai, 1836."
" Revenom au fermier Smith. - A ussi peu savant dans le
principe que le barbier Arkw i avant is meme perseverance et le
memeitstiomptable courage. Ces deux qualites morales Pont fal t t dom.
pher de t ,us 'es obstacles. M. Smith, pendant deux annees, essaye son
bateau stir Is Tamise et stir la canal de Paddington. l)ans ce canal,
par on accident humus, une rev•Aut on de sa vis d'Archirrede est
brisee, et le navire marche plus vite qu'auoaravant. C'est un trait
de lumiere, et l'on finira par n'employer tin'une moitie. qu'un tiere,
et meme une moindre partie de rev lotion d'helice. l'ar ce moyeri,
l'on pourra loger le propulseur dans un etroite ouverture verticale,
err avant do gouvernali, entre deux etatnirots.
" Wessels en essais, vt. 'mith se hasarde a latter contre les diffl-
culies de la mer. Avec un nsvira ext emement petit, it s'aveature
dans la Manche, et brave un mer touj tins st dare, en essuyant des
temps niauvais ; son courage inspire une taveur
"L'Amiraute d'Angleterre prend un vif interet a des canals tentes
at courageusement, et couronnes par le succes. Bile demande a M.
Smith un essat plus conside, able, et la construction d'un navire a
helice de 200 tonneaux, avant de conclure a l'adop,lon du nouveau
tysteme. En consequence, l'Archimede, de 237 tonneaux, est con-
strait et mis ala mer. L'Amiraute 5. serait montree satisfaite, si
dana les experiences demandees, le batiment cut parcouru 5 nceuds
par heave ; it en parcourut pros du doub7e. MAgre le vent et la
maree, it ne mit que vingt heures pour alter de Gravesend a Ports-
mouth.
" Convaincue par cos epreuves, l'Amiraute d'Angleterre accepto
l'helice pour sus propres n wires. En I°4l, Ole fait commencer a
Shee•ness son premier batiment a propulseur helicoide, le Rattler
du port de 888 tonneaux, batiment qu'on mit a la me.. au printemps,
de 1843. On multipliat les experiences snr ce navire, et l'Amiraute,
completement edifice, °Monne de construire a la fats, vingt batt-
ments de l'Etat, a propel: curs belicoides."

Letter from the Right Hon. the Earl of litinto, G.C.8., &c.
" (First Lord of the Admiralty, 1835 to 1841
" Lend, n, June 13, 1854.
"Dear Sir,--I have not a doubt that-Mr. Smith may justly claim
the merit of having been the first to introduce the us! of the screw
propeller; anti it was owing to his success in its aptication that
shortly before I left the Admiralty L felt myself justified in ordering
the Rattler to be built, for the purpo e of testing the comparative
advantages of th, paddle and the screw.—Believe me, dear sir, yours
faithfully, (',igned) " MINTO.
"Charles A. C41:1well, Esq.
" I can have Po object io., whatever to your making any use of my
letter that can b servic ,able to Mr. Smith." - -
Letter from the Right. Hon. the Earl of liaddingtt,n, &c.,
(First Lo d of the Admiralty, 1841 to 1846)
lyningbatne, Pre,metkirv, N.B , August 24, 1854.
";ir,—lt is impo,sible for me to taAe upon mys,lf to offer an
opinion as t) which of the claimants is to be attributed the merit of
the tint invention of the screw propeller; but I beieve that toe
stlvess of " the Archimedes," tollowed by the trial i f "the Rattler,"
(taunt under Lord Minto's Board), led to the adoption of the screw in
II M.'s Navy, and in the merchant service.
It is admitted, I believe, that to Mr. Pettit Smith belongs the
credi' of the s :cress of "the Archtmecipp;" conseque fitly he is en-
titled to he eonsiJered as the introducer of a most valuable improve-
ment in i.team navigation.
emir wa, employed generally under the Ream Depattment of the
Adialty in my time, and I have every reason ta believe that his
services were found to b ! valuable.
But the professional names attached to the attestation youhave
furnishe i me with, as well as those of the most eminent engin era,
are of far greatts va‘ue to Mr. Smith, than any testimony of mine
can possibly be.—l have the honour to ha, your obedient hum-
ble servant, (Signed) " AD DING f
"Captain Halsted, R.N.
" I enciose the answer to your letter, of which you may
make
any use yommay think fit."

SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Richard Abethell, Esq., master shipwright, H.lll. Dockyard,
.£1
Portsmouth... •.. . ......... ....... .
Ja, Allan, Esq., managing' director of the Peninsular and
Oriental Company, Leadenhall•street .......... ••• • •
0
C Alston, Esq., 8irmingham............ .... .•• . ..
W
Captain W. S. A, lidrews, North of Eurspe Steam Navigation
Company, 84, King-William-street . ... 5 0
John George Appold, Esq., Wilson-street, Finsburyisquase— 10 0
H.,Atlierton, Esq , chief engineer, MM.. Dockyard, Woolwich 10 0
Captain Horatio T. sustn, R.N., C. 8., Admiralty Inspector
of Packets, Southampton ..
The An, t ralasian Pacific Mail Steam Packet Company,
biter_,
gate-street .................... •••• • • • " 5 0
Thomas Back, Esq. Military Depitrtment, East India House 1 1
Messrs. Bayley and'Ridley, 2, Cowper's-court.. •••••• . • . . 10 0
John Barrow. Esq.. Is.R.S., Admiralty.. •• ... ..... •• •• •.•• • —3, 0
.• • 1 0
George neardmore, Esq., Deptford —•••• • • • • • •• . - • •
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
Rear-admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, K C,8., Adiniralty .. • . 5 5
The Birmingham Tube Company, Birmingham •••••• • • • • . . 25 0
Mes.rs. John B. urns and Co., engine rs, Oreenock • • .... 50 0,
William Boxall, F.sq., welbeck-street,C tvendish square •• • 5 5
Messrs. Brovsnlow and Co.. Hull •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • 3 0
Peter Bruff, Esq., C.E., Ipswich . • .. • •• • •
•• • •
I. K. Brunel, Esq., F.R.S., C.E., Duke-street, Westminster 59 0
William Caramael, Esq. C.E., Patent-office, Lincoln's inn.. 21 0 0
Wit lam Catt, Esq., BriAton ••• • • • ••••• • • • •
Cap ain E. Chapped, R.N.. secretary of the Royal West
India Mail Company, Mourgate-st reet ••• • • •• .•
Henry Chatfield, Esq., master shipwright, H.M. Dockyard,
Deptford .................. ——• • . ...... • ..... •• 2
2
2 2
Jabez C arch,
Esq., C.F.., Chelmsford •
D. Its Clark, Esq , C E., Great North of Scotland Railway
5 0
Company, Aberdeen
Lieut. J. E. Commerell, R.N 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 Roya Yacht, Portsmouth • •
Messrs. Wm. Denny and Brothers, shipbuilders, Dumbartcn 10 0
John Dinnen, Esq , inspector of steam machinery afloat, Ad-
miralty, Somerset-h0u5e........... ••• • •
Mi,ssrs. Richard Durant and Co., Lloyd's.. • •
Messrs C. and W. Earle, engineers, Hull .. • .... •.. 2 2
David Elder, Esq ,en ••ineer, Giasgow .... ••••• • .. • ....... 2 2
James Elliott, sq., C.F. , Dymchurch, Kent
E
J. U. Ellis, chafro an of the General Screw Steam Co., Ade-
laide-pS ace, London-bridge - 10 10
Messrs. Alien Everitt amt Sou. Birmingham .. ..
Chas. Few, Esq , Henrietta-street, Covent-garden.. •• • •
J. Flncham, late master shipwright, 11. M. Dockyard, Ports-
mouth
Capt. John Ford. msrinesuperintendent Gen eral Screw-steam
Shipping Cos.pany, Southamrton
Capt. Robert Ford, Battersea
Joseph Freeman. Esq., Artillery-place, Finsbury
Charles Fridsh ma. Esq., Strand...... .. .. ..... . ..... _ ' 1 1
William Fronde, Esq., C E., Dartington, Devon ........ • •
Messrs. Joseph Gee and CO., Hull .............. ••••. • • • .
Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and (so., Liver 001 25 0
Lionel aiStOrlle, ESQ.. C. T., Duke-street, Adeiphi
Vice- • dmiral Sir James A lexander Gordon, K.C.8., Gover-
nor of Hreenwich Hospital, Greenwich. •.. i ....... •• . •
Captain Sir Richard Grant, Kt., 11. N , 3, Connaught 'place,
50 0
Hyde-park
William Green, Esq., R.N., harbour master, Lowestoft .• • • 1 I
Capt. E. P. Halsted, R.N. (Hon. Seco, United Service Club,
London
John Hawkshaw, Esq., C.ss, Great George street, West- 10 0
minster— ... ...... ..... _•••• • • • • - ...... ...... 10 0
Wffiliain flartree. Esq., engineer, Lewisham . . • •
Captain W. H. Henderson, it.N , C. 11., Comptroller General 10 10
of the Coast Guird, Custom-House... ........ ••••••••• „ 5 0
moss& J. s . Hob and Co., Renfrew .... •• •• ........
Captain James Ri-sken .....••. • . • ••
•• • • • • • .
•• • • • • • • . •
•• 1 0
Messrs. Howard, Ravenhill, and Co., engineers, Rotherhithe 25 0
E. numphrys, Esq., late chief engineer H.M.Dockyard,
10 0
Woolwich, Deptford • • .... ..... . . • _ • • • • • • • •
•• •••• • • • 50 0
•
Messrs. Humphrys, Tennant, and Dyke., engineers, Deptford
Captain Thomas Jackson, the Baron Osy stea
streetm-ship .. • •
William .lackson, Esq., engineer, Leman-
Jabez James, Esq., engineer, Blacktriars
2 2
2'
W. S. Johnson, Esq., St. Martin's-lane.. •., • • • • • •
J. Hodgson Jones, Esq., engineer, Poet's•corner, Westminster 1 1
Townsend Kirkwood, Esq , Llandilo, Carmarthen.. ....... 5 0
ReaCer Lack, Esq., Board of Trade 2 . 2
H iSPOregor Lai *d, Esq., M inaging director of the African Mail
Company, Mincing-lane .••• • • i • .... 10) 0
W. B. Lambert, Esq., engineer, General Screw Steam-Ship-
5
ping Company, Southampton
50 0
James Laming, Esq., Maida-hill West .. .
10 0
W. Langdon. Esq., engineer, London-street....
Thos. Lloyd, Esq., chief engineer of H.M. Navy, Somerset
House. • .... _ . ..... • ••••••• • • • • • ••
• •
C . Cm.: i.vni ;I
it
aeErr ne
,4.
Jca.mveasnli.,uyk, eE,sEqs.,q.. shipwright, H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth 10 0
iin..e.ersF R(
(treasurer), Cu
rEers)s, ecGrieetaatt7
6o
ef
otrhgee
.litsrtai
ttu, ti oli
West-o f
11 0
Captain.
o nsmt2m.. Matthew, Esq ••• ............. •• .
, sbipt/Mldsr, Blackwell ........ ..
Messr. Martin, samueisos, and Co., engineers. Hull .. .• •• 3 0
T. W. Miller, Esq., Matthews,ays
o ,ne:i
gitnheee
engineer,
GGreatre Greenwich..
n,Britainown dicoi ni.
.s t:e.. a..1...n
.:-
.81.t.i. p.. :....
10 10
Messes. and Field, 100 0
:Messrs. Miller
William Morgan, Esq., engineer,
engineer, eer, U.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth 5 5
G. Mills, Esq. 10 10
' 11,:venbill• and saikeld, engineers, Blackwell. 100 0
park ... ..... • • •
•10 0
R. Napier, Esq.,
James Plasinyth,G 1.....................Ay—de -
11,1 1o t h , R N., H.M.S.
Commander Mattl'iesqw•,
engineer,Glasgsys •• •• .................. 100 0
, Patricroft, Manchester... • •
, Eaton-place.. •••••••• • • ' 10 11
A dmirsl Sir Charles Ogle. 1411. Frolic •• 1 0
James Oldham, Esq., cis:. 20 0
William Paine, Esq., cashier ull.•
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••
••1
0
Green-
wich......
1...," f• •• •• I, ,I •• •Ire 2 2

5 0