The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-02 00:00:00

PROSPECTUS.

The above-named Company is established for the purpose
of acquiring the valuable business founded and organised by
the late air. S, P. homes, in conjunction with his brother, the
late Mr. Joseph homes, M.P., and continued and further de-
veloped by Messrs. eomes Brothers, the present Vendors.
The undeniable success of shipowners of established re-
putation affords ample proof that, as an investment, shipping
property, well managed, is highly profitable, and the large
fortunes accumulated by the late Mr. Joseph homes, air.
Thomas Ward, Mr. Duncan Dunbar, Mr. Richard Green, and
others, amply confirm this statement.
Theimportance of commencing this Company's operations
with an established business of more than ordinary repute
is felt to be considerab.e.

With this object the Directors have arranged to purchase
the fine fleet of modern-built ships belonging to the eminent
firm of Messrs. Somes Brothers, together with their valuable
and commodious Graving Docks on the Thames, known as
the Canal Dockyard, Poplar, and the valuable plant of every
description attached thereto.
This fleet, numbering 18 vessels, comprises ships bult of
wood and iron, many being upwards of 1,000 tons register, the
whole of which are now in active and remunerative employ-
ment in the East India, China, and Australian trades. They
are highly adapted for the conveyance of troops and for tran-
sport service, and have been E o employed by the Government
when required, and they bear a high reputation in the mer-
cantile marine of this country.
The following. detailed list gives the names, tonnage, and
character of each Ship, viz.:—

Name. Tonnage. Where Built. Class at
Lloyd's.
-- _
Ade aide ........ 640 C ,lcutta l2 A 1 Red.
Beaumaris Castle 1,040 Glasgow l2 A 1
Belgravia...• .... 889 Sunderland
Canning
Clyde 1,151 Glasgow. 13 A 1
Chatham 530 Hull l2 A 1
Colgrain .... .... t 23 Cochin. l2 A 1
Dartmouth . 933 Dundee
Fairlie
Fire Queen ...... 784 Troon l3 A,l
Harkaway
King Lear ...... 1,970 Boston
Merchantman.... 1,015 Sunderland
Mount Stuart El-
phinstone 6ll Bombay A 1 Red.
Peeress 777 Sunderland .. 10 A 1
Silver Eagle
Star of India .... 1,045 Dundee
Tyburnia 1,027 G1a5g0w...... 14 A 1
16,623 tons.

The Graving Docks are freehold, with a frontage to the
River Thames. The Docks are constructed to receive ships
and steamers of 2,500 tons, and are provided with all the ne-
cessary workshops and accessories for first-class Dry Docks,
so as to enable them to keep up the high character they have
ever possessed ; the Company will, therefore, have at com-
mand the means of economically and promptly keeping their
ships in efficient order ; by so doing a great saving is effected,
which forms a considerable item of profit.
When free from use by the Company's vessels, it is in-
tended that the Graving Dock shall, as hitherto, be em-
ployed in the repair of other vessels; and having in view the
very limited Dry Dock accommodatim in the Thames, com-
pared with the extent of tonnage that frequents the Port of
London, and the constant and pressing demand for docks of
this magnitude, it is confidently anticipated that this branch
of the Company's operations will continue to yield its very
large revenue, while the property will be found yearly in-
creasing in value.
The terms upon which the whole of the fleet of Vessels,
Graving Docks and Plant, are to be taken by the Company
are most fair and liberal, and in perfect harmony with the
high reputation of the Vendors, they having agreed to the
whole being taken at a valuation, to be made by four compe-
tent Surveyors, two of which will be nominated by Messrs.
Sonies Brothers and two by the Company, with an umpire in
the usual way. The goodwill has been fixed at a very mode-
' rate price, and which will include all the accruing freights on
the ships, work in the yards, &c. .
By this arrangement the Company confidently anticipate
that they will be in a position to declare large dividends, so
that the Directors feel that applicants, instead of applying
for shares in a new undertaking, will rather be admitted as
partners in one of the oldest, most lucrative, and valuable
concerns in London, and which has the immense advantage
of being in full operation.
Messrs. Somes Brothers have both taken seats at the
Board, thereby securing to the Company their great practi-
cal experience and influence; they have further shown their.
confidence in the undertaking by subscribing £lOO,OOO of the
capital.
The able and active staff of officials will remain in the em-
ploy of the Company, so that the business will not suffer an
hour's interruption by the transfer.
Applications for the remaining shares must be made in the
form annexed, and be accompanied by a payment of £1 per
share ; if no allotment be made, the amount will be returned
forth with ; if a less number be allotted than is applied for,
the amount paid on application will be applied towards the
payment of the Xi due on allotment, the balance (if any) being
returned.
Prospectuses and forms of application, with plan of the
Dockyard and Premises, may be had at the offices of the Im-
perial Mercantile Credit. Association and of the Credit 54o-
bilier, of the Secretary, the Bankers, Brokers, and Solicit:lT.

FORM OF APPLICATION FOR SHARES.
(To be retained by the Bankers.)

No. -
To the Directors of the Merchant Shipping Company
(Limited) (late Somes Brothers,.
Gentlemen,
Bankilav(iLngi,mpiatiedotothyeoanurernißiaoarnrel:szei: the above Company, I hereby
, the Agra and Masterman's
, being a deposit of £1
per share on
request that you will allot me that number, and I agree to
accept such shares, or any less number you may allot to me ;
and I agree to pay the deposit on allotment, and to sicrn the
Articles of Association of the Company when required ; and
I authorise you to insert my name on the Register of Mem-
bers for the number of shares allotted to me.
Usual Signature
Name in full ......
Residence
Profession
t'
180
Date, Aug ..... ....

PARLIAMENTARY DESPATCH AND AGENCY OFFICE,
No. 5, Upper Charles-street, Parliament-street.
AN ANALYTICAL INDEX to the DIVISIONS
of the present SESSION (1864) is in course of compila-
tion by Mr. GEO. M. MITCHELL, and will be ready for circu-
lation at the prorogation of Parliament. Thu 3 work will
show members and their constituents how each member
♦oted, whether for or against public and private measures
during the session; total number of times, with majorities
for and against, &c. rtiA"
Subscription, One Guinea.

Members can have their Divisions for the whole Parlia-
ment in extemo upon application to the above office.

MR. W. S. WOODIN'S
ELOPEMENT EXTRAORDINARY,
and
BACHELOR'S BOX,

an Entirely New Entertainment, at the Polygraphic Hall,
King William-street, Cnaring-cross, EVERY EVENING,
at eight (except Saturday); Saturday Mornings at three.—
Stalls, and box stalls, 3s. ; area, 2s. ; amphitheatre, is. A
Plan of the Stalls may be seen, and Seats secured at the Hall
from eleven to five.