The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-19 00:00:00

SMITH TESTIMONIAL FUND-
-37, GREAT GEORGE-STREET, WESTMINSTER.
The superior adv ittages of screw propulsion being fulls. de-
monstrated by its general adoption for toe public service and for the
commercial 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 that screw navigation—whoever may he regarded as
its original inventor—must date its real commencement from the
successful Weis and voyage; of the " Archimedes" in 1839 and 1840 ;
and feeling that all naval nations arc indebted to the performances
of that ship, for the first practical development of this great impaive-
ment Ia the means of maritime enterprise; the following gentlemen,
personally cognisant of the facts connected with the progress of the
system, are strongly impressed with the justice of the claims of Mr.
Francis Pettit Smith, to m ho'e talents and untiring energy it is well
known the " Archimedes" owed both her origin and success.
They can also hear record to the steady perseverance with which
that gentleman has continued to devote the bag years of his life to
the purpose of establishing the merits of the screw. And they know
that the national benefit thus conlerred by his labours—which was
first so clearly confirmed by the performances of the Rattler in 1845,
then so strikingly illustrated 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 themselves info a Provisional Commit-
tee, and have requested us most respectfully to solicit the homour of
your name, and the advantage of your influence and example, in sup-
Port of an appeal to all clas,es and interest. fora general subscription
to present a suitable ,estimmqial 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 obedt. servants,
EDWARD PELLA:IV HALSTED,} lion. Sees.
JOHN SCOTT RUSSELL,

PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE.
James Allan, Esq., Managing Director of the Peninsular and Oriental
Company
Charles Atherton, Esq., Chief Engineer Dockyard, Woolwich
Joseph Iteardmore, ESQ., Manager of the General Steam Navigation
Compani 's Engine Works
11. 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. R.N., the Royal Yacht
John Utlay Ellis, Esq., Chairman of the General Screw-steam
Shipping Company
Joshua Fl ld, Esq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
John Finchana, Esq., late Master Shipwright, LIM. Dockyard,
Portsmouth
Sir Richard Grant, Kt , Capt. R.N.
William 11. Henderson, Capt. R.N., C. 8., Comptroller-General of
fbe Coast Guard
Edward Humphrys, Esq., late Chief Engineer lI.M. Dockyard,
Woolwich
McGregor Laird, Esq., Managing Director of the African Mail Co-
mpany.
Thomas Lloyd, Esq., Chief Engineer of ILM. Navy
Charles J. Mare, Etq., shipbuilder, London
Joseph Miller, Esq., F.R.S., Engineer, London
Robert 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
Robert Stephenson, Esq , 31. P., F.R.S., C.E.
Isaac Watts, Esq., Assistant-surveyer H.M. Navy
Money Wigrain, Esq., shipbuilder, London
Joseph Whitworth, Esq., Engineer, Manchester

TREASURER
Charles Manby, Esq., F.R.S., C.E., Secretary of the Institution
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 DrPIN to the Academy
of Science=, Parii, on the prizes awarded by the French Govern-
ment to M. DUPLTY DE LOME, and M. Mott, °dieters superieurs
du Genie Maritime, et Ingenieurs de la Marine delere Clasee, and
Botntoots, 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 hor zontalement une vis d'Archlmede a l'arriere et dans la
partie la plus pincee de la carene ; cette vis est continue ; elle adeux
revolutions completes. L'auteur prend son brevet le 31 Mal, 1836."
" Revenons an fainter Smith. Asset peu savant dans le
prinelpe que le barbier it avail la meme perseverance et le
nsemeinclomptable courage. Cesdeux qualites morales l'ont fait triom-
pher de tousles obstacles. 3f. Smith, pendant deux annecs, essaye son
bateau stir la Tamise et stir le canal de Paddington. Dans ce canal,
par an accident heureux, use rcvolut on de sa vie d'Archimede est
brisee, et le navire marche plus vite qu'auparavant. C'est un trait
do lumtere, et l'on flnira par n'employer qu'une mottle. qu'on tiers,
et memo une inoindre ;ude de revolution d'helice. Par ce moyen,
l'on pourra loger le propulseur dans une etroite ouverture verticale,
en avant du gouvcrnail, entre deux etambots.
" D'essals en essais, M. Smith se hasarde a !utter contra les diffl-
cultes de la mer. Avec tin navire extremement petit, it s'aventure
dans la Manche, et brave un mer tonjours si dure, en essnyant des
temps mauvais ; son courage inspire une faveur universelle.
" L'Amiraute d'Angleterre prend un vif interet a des mats tentes
si courageusement, et couronnes par le succas. Elle demande a M.
Smith un essai plus considerable, et la construction d'un navire a
helice de 200 tonneaux, avant de condors a l'adoplion du nouveau
systeme. En consequence, l'Archimede, de 2:37 tonneaux, est c.Am-
struit et mis ala mer. L'Amiraute s serail montree satisfaite, at
dans lex experiences demandees, le batiment cut parcouru 5 neeuds
par heure ; ii en parcourut pros du double. Malgre le vent et la
maree, it ne mit quo vingt heures pour aller de Gravesend a Ports-
mouth.
"Convaincue par cos epreuves, l'Amiraute d'Angleterre accepte
l'helice pour ses propres nevires. En 1841, elle fait commencer a
sheerness son premier batiment a propulseur helicoide, le Rattler
In port de 888 tonneaux, batiment qu'on mit a la me, au printemps,
de 1843. On multipliat les experiences stir ce navire, et l'Amiraute,
completement edifice, ordonna de construire a la fats, vingt bati-
ments de l'Etat, a proput:eurs helicoides."

Letter from the Right Hon. the Earl of Minto, G.C.8., &e.
(First Lord of the Admiralty, 1835 to 1841.)
" Lond.,n, Juno 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 us.a of the screw
propeller; and it was owing to hid succe.s in its application that
shortly before I left the Admiralty 1 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 objectio, whatever to your making any use of my
letter that can b, serviceable to Mr. Smith."
Letter from the Right Hon. the Earl of TTaddingten, &c.,
(First Lo -d of the Admiralty, 1841 to 1846).
yningliame, Prestonkirk, N.B , August 24, 1834.
"Fir,—lt is impossible for me to take upon myself to offer an
.Joinion 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 ]Cattier,"
_ . _ .

(: Atilt under Lord )linto's Board), led to the adoption of the screw in
17 MAllik►vy, and in the merchant service.
It is admitted, I believe, that to Mr. rettit Smith belongs the
credi of the 9-access of "the .Archimedes," conseque•itly he is en-
titled to be considered as the introducer of a most valuable improve-
ment in steam navigation.
" tie was employed generally under the Steam Department of the
Nelmiralty In my time, and I have every reason ta believe that his
.ervices were found to be valuable.
•' But the professional names attached to the attestation you have
,urnished me with, as well sa those of the most eminent engineers,
tre of far greater value to Air. Smith, than any testimony of mine
.mt possibly be.—l have the honour to be, I,ir, your obedient hum-
!de servant, (Signed) "II ADDINGTON.
"Captain Halsted, R.N.
" I enclose the ailswer to your letter, of which you may matte
any use you may think fit."

SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Richard Abetheal, Esq., master shipwright, H.M. Dockyard,
Portsmouth 4l 1
tar. Allan, Esq., managing director of the Peninsular and
Oriental Company, Leadenhall-street
W. C. Alston, Esq., Birmingham
iaptaln W. S. Andrews, North of Europe Steam Navigation
Company, 84, King William-street ........ . ... 5 0
Tobn George Appold. Esq., Wilson-street, Finsbury.square.. 10 0
% Atherton, Esq chief engineer, 11. M. Dockyard, Woolwich 10 0
captain Boratio T. kustln, R.N., C. 8., Admiralty Inspector
of Pac'fets, Southampton .. •• . •••••• • • • • • • ....... 2 2
the Aintralaslau Pacific Stall Steam Packet Company, Moor-
gite-street
Thomas Back, Esq.' Military Department, East India House 1 1
11essrs. Bayley and Ridloy, 2, Cosvper's-c0urt........ •• • •
Tolin Barrow, Esq., F.R.S., Admiralty.. • • • .•.• • •
1,-•••••cre Beardmore, Esq., Dept'ord •.•••••• _ _ • • • • • • 1 0

ieorgo Beam.. - ,
loseph Beardmore, Esq., manager of the General Steam
Navigation Company's engine works, Deptford
roseph Beardmore, Jon , Esq , Deptford
William Beardmore, Esq., Deptford .. •• •• •• • • • • •

5 0
1 0

'tear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, K C.R., Admiralty 5 5
rho Birmingham Tube Company, Birmingham 25 0
NiegArs. John Bourne and Co., engineers, Greenock ••• .•
Gilliam Boxall, Esq., Welbeck-strbet,Cavendish-square . 5 5
Items. Brownlow and Co., Hull .• • •.. • • ..... 3 0
Peter Bruff, Esq., C.E. Ipswich • • • •••• • • • •
E. K. Brunel, Esq., C.F., Duke-street, Westminster 59 0
.Villiam Carpmael, Esq., C.E., Patent-office, Lincoln's inn• • 21 0
William Catt, Esq., Brighton • • .....
Captain E. Chappell, R.N., secretary of the Royal West
India Mail Company, Moorgate-street ••• • • •• • •
Henry Chatfield, Esq., master shipwright, H.M. Dockyard,
Deptford ................. •••••.. • • • • • ............ 2 2
labez nrch, EE q., C.E.,- Chelmsford
_ _

labez
I). K. Clark, Esq., C.E., Great North of Scotland Railway
Company, Aberdeen
Lieut. J. E. Commerell, R.N 5 0
Itobert Cowen, Esq., Carlisle
._
.... _ _

_cobert 40.1 au: • .
Commander Peter Cracroft, R.N., H.M.S. St. Jean d'Acre • • 1 0
'apt. W. Crispin, R.N., the Roya' Yacht, Portsmouth • ..... 10 0
%teams. Wm. Denny and Brothers, shipbuilders, Dumbarton 103 0
fohn pitmen, Erg , inspector of steam machinery afloat, Ad-
miralty, Somerset-house
Messrs. Richard Durant and Co., Lloyd's.... ... 10 10
Messrs. C. and W. Earle, engineers, Hull
David Elder, Esq~ e

James Elliott, Esq., C.E , Dymchurch, Kent ....
I. U. Ellis, chairman of the General Screw Steam Co., Ade-
laide-p/ace, London-bridge
Niessrs. Allen Everitt and San, Birmingham ...... •
Chas. Few, Esq , Henrietta-street, Covent-garden...• .... 105 0
I. Fincham, late master shipwright, 11.111. Dockyard, Ports-
mouth
Capt. John Ford, marine superintendent General Screw-steam
Shipping Company, Southam;.ton
Capt. Robert Ford, Battersea
Joseph Freeman, Esq., Artillery-place, Finsbury
Charles Frodsham, Esq., Strand.... —•• • •
'William Froude, Esq., C.E., Dartington, Devon 5 0
Messrs. Joseph Gee and Co., Hull
Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and , 0., Liver, 00l . 25 0
Lionel Gishorne, Esq., C.;:l. Duke-street, Adelphi 1 0
Vice-Admiral Sir James Alexander Gordon, 6.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 .... 1 j
Capt. E. P. Halsted, R.N. (Hon. Sec.), United Service Club,
London .. • ...
John Ilawkshaw, Esq., C.E., Great George street, West-
minster-. .............. .......... .............
William Hartree, Esq., engineer, Lewisham .. .... 10 10
Captain W. H. Henderson, R.N., CAL, Comptroller General
of the Coast Gu trd, Custom House 5 0
Messrs. J. ,v . Hoby and (;0., Renfrew .. •• ..
Captain James Hosken..
. _

5 5

Nlessrs. Ilorard, Ravenhill, and Co.. engineers, Rotherhithe 25 0
E. Humphrys, Esq., late chief engineer lI.M. Dockyard,
Woolwich. Deptford
.

Messrs. Humphrys, Tennant, and Dykes, engineers, Deptford 50 ii
Captain Thomas Jackson, the Baron Osy steam-ship .....„ 1 1
William Jackson, Esq., engineer, Leman street 5 0
jabez James, Esq., engineer, Blackiriars — 2 2
W. S. Johnson, Esq., St. Martin's-1ane..........., •••• • • •• 2 2
J. Hodgson Jones, Esq., engineer, Poet's-corner, Westminster 1 I
Townsend Kirkwood, Esq., Llandlio, Carmarthen.. • ....... 5 0
H. Reader Lack, Esq., Board of Trade 2 2
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 A
James Laming, Esq., Maida-hill West . ........
W. Langdon, Esq., engineer, London-street....
Thos. Lloyd, Esq., chief engineer of, H.M. Navy, Somerset
House.. •
James Luke,
Esq.. shipwright, 11.51. Dockyard, Portsmouth 10 0
C. Manby, Esq., F.R.S., C.E., secretary of the Insttitutlon of
Civil Engineers (treasurer), Great George-street, West-
minster .... lll 0
C. J. Mare, Esq., shipbuilder, Blackwell
Messr. Martin, Samuelson, and Co., engineers, Hull.. • •
Captain B. It. Matthews, the Great Britain steam-ship .•
John Matthew, Esq.,-engineer, Greenwich : • • .... • • 10 10
Mess's. Maudslay, Sons, and Field, London .............. 100 0
T. W. Miller, Esq., engineer, H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth.. 5 5
Messrs. Miller, Ravenhill, and Salkeld, engineers, Blackwell 100 0
G. Mills, Esq. ...
William Morgan, Esq., engineer, Gloucester-terrace, Hyde-
park •• •••
••• ...••• ••
R. Napier, Esq., engineer, Glasgew• ............ •• • • .... 100 0
James Hasmyth, Esq., engineer, Patricrofi, Manchester .... 10 0
Commander Matthew S. Nolloth, R.N., 11.91.5. Frolic .... 1 0
William rains, Esq., cashier of Greenwich Hospital, Green'
Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, Bart., Eaton-place. 2O. 0
James Oldham, Esq., C.E.. Hu11........
WiCktfß,s.••••••••••..• ...... •• ••....".....-..••••• A 2