The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-04 00:00:00

DIRECTORS.

George IIa; Donaldson, Esq. (Messrs. Donaldson and Lam-
bert), London, Director of the Agra and Masterman's Bank,
Limited.

Alexander Dunbar, Esq., 57, Old Broad-street, Director of
the Credit Mobilier, Limited.
Daniel D. Dymes, (Messrs. Dymes and Co.), Merchant,
London and Ma iras.
George Ireland, Esq. (Messrs. Ireland, Fraser, and Co.),
Merchant, London and Mauritius.
Edward Lucas, Esq. (Messrs. S. H. Lucas and Son), Mer-
chant, London, wire tor of the Engli, h and Scottish Marine
Insurance Company, Limited.
Robert Ryrie, r.sq. (Messrs. Gladstone, Ewart, and Co., Lon-
don, and Messrs. Arbuthnot, Ewart, and Co., Liverpool).
Frederic Somes, Esq. (Messrs. Somes Brothers), Poplar.
Samuel Francis Somes, Esq. (Messrs. Somes Brothers), Poplar.
James Sydney Stopford, Esq., Director of the Agra and
Ma terman's Bank, Limited.
John Robert Thomson, Esq. (Messrs. J. R. Thomson, and
Co., London, Messrs. Thomson. Watson, and Co.), Cape of
Good Hope,

BANKERS

The Agra and Masterman's Bank (Limited', London.

SOLICITORS.
Messrs. Crosley and Burs, 34, Lombard-street, E.C.
Edward Saxton, Esq., 84, uheapside. E.C.

BROKERS.
Messrs. Laurence, Son, and Pearce, Lothbury, E.C.
Messrs. Field, Son, and Wood, 9, Warnford-court, Throg-
morton• street,
Messrs. Robins and Barber, 29, Threa.dwedle-street, E.C.

MECRETARY (PR) TEM.)
• Henry T. Robinson, Esq.
TF.MPORARY OFFICES.
At the Credit Mobilier Offices, 80, Lombard-street, E.C.

PROSPECT US.
The above-named Company is established for the purpose
of acquiring the valuable business founded and organised by
the late Br. S F. Somes, in conjunction with his brother, the
late Mr. Joseph Somes, m.P., and continued and further de-
veloped by Messrs. homes Brothers, the present Vendors.
'I he undeniable success of shipowners of established re-
putation affords amr,le proof that, as an investment, shipping
property, well managed, is highly profitable, and the large
fortunes accumulated by the late Mr. Joseph Somes,
Thomas Ward, Mr. Duncan Dunbar, Mr. Richard Green, and
others, amply confirm this statement.
The importance of commencing this Company's operations
with an established business of more thau 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 is vessels, comprises ships bait of
wood and iron, many being upwards of i,OOO 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 trim-
sport service, and have been 60 employed by the Government
when required, and they bear a high t eputation in the mer-
cantile marine of this country.
The following detailed list g
character of each Ship, viz.:—

rives the names, tonnage, and

Tonnage.

640
1,040

889
3,021
1,151
530
t 23
933
756
784
899
3,970
1,015

611
777
903
1,045
1,027

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 aocommodati in in the Thames, com-
pared with the extent of tonnage that frequents the Port of
London, and the constant and pressing demand for docks cf
this magnitude, it is confidently anticipated that this branch
of the Company's operations will con.inue 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.
Somes 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, drc.
By this arrangement the Company confidently anticipate
that they will be in a position to declare large dividends, so
that the Direltors 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 ; no allotment be made, the amount will be returned
thep ay amtm enotu
on:
tpbaei dzlo nd
uaep
opnl i caal
ltoi ot
mn
ewnitl!l
tbbee
balance
forthwith ; if a less number be allotted than is applied for,
applieda
lan
ce vanayr)cl s the
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 illo-
biller, of the Secretary, tle Bankers, Brokers, and Solicitors.

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

No.
To the Directors of the Merchant Shipping Company
(Limited) (late Somes Brothers).
Gentlemen,
Having paid to your Bankers, the Agra and Masterman's
Bank (Limited) the sum of , being a deposit of .Z 1
per share on shares in the above Company, I hereby
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 pav the deposit on allotment, and to sign the
Articles of Association 01 the Company when required; and
I autlii)ryou to insert my name on the Register of Mem-
bersc
for the number of shares
Sallotted to me.
Usual ignature
Name in full
Residence ......
i
Profession ......
Date, August, 1864 ........

THE MERCHANT SHIPPIN
COMPANY
(Limited?.
(Late Somes Brothers.)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the LIST of
APPLICATIONS for S HARES in this Company wily be
CLOSED on SATURDAY, the Gth instant, at Three o'clock,
for London, and MONDAY, the Sth instant, fbr Country ap-
plications.

By order of the Board,
HENRI. T. ROBINSON, Secretary (Pro tem.)
London, 60, Loantrd-bucct, Augtot 3,