The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-08 00:00:00

THE IRON NAVY OF ENGLAND.

On Tuesday evening, Mr. J. Sc )tt Russell, of the
Great Eastern, delivered a lecture to the members
of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society on
the above subject,

Mr. T. P. TEALE, F.R.S., the president of the
society, introduced

Mr. RUSSELL, who said that when he accepted
the invitation of the Council to -co-operate with
them in the good work of that excellent institution,
he did so under the conviction tnat there was no
better way of promoting the growing intelligence
of the community than by assemblages of that kind
for the mutual instruction of the members. He con-
gratulated them on the public spirit they had shown
in the good cause of education by the enlargement
of that handsome building, and said there were few
similar institutions whose lecture sessions could be
inaugurated by such men as Herschel!, Whewell,
and Professor Owen, (Applause.) The subject he
had chosen was the iron navy of England, and if it
might be asked what interest they in Leeds, a peace-
ful people, had in ships of war, or indeed what did
they care about any shipping, he answered—first,
their goods went to all parts of the world in
ships; next, they paid in taxes a very considerable
portion of the ten millions a year which the navy
of the country cost ; and, third, they might desire
to know whether the fleet they possessed was
likely to protect the ships engaged in the wool
trade and the export trade from their enemies,
should some quarrelsome neighbour choose to go
to war with England, and also whether the Ad-
miralty had provided such vessels as would save
their commerce from suffering such havoc as the
Alabama was now inflicting upon the commerce of
New York. He was not sure that he could give
answers on these questions that were perfeetly satis-
factory; he was not quite sure that they had a fleet
able to protect their commerce from clever, smart,
well-handled, and fast pirates like the Alabama ;
and he was not sure that they had got value for the
thirty millions spent upon the fleet. The first ques-
tion was, were wooden ships of war worth anything
for purposes • of warfare ? Sir John C. Hay, the
chairman of the committee appointed by Govern-
ment to make experiments on the effects of artillery
upon iron armour, uttered in the house this fatal
sentence upon wooden fleets :—" The man who goes
into action in a wooden ship is a fool, and the man
that sends him there is a villain." The worthlessness
of wood ships came from their combustible nature,
and arose mainly from the invention in modern times
of horizontal shell firing, which could be discharged
with tolerable certainty at distances of two, three,
and even five miles. He explained, with the
aid of the black board, &c., the construction
of the different kinds of shell used, and their
terrific and destructive effects on wooden ships.
They could, however, make iron ships incombus-
tible. A plate an inch thick had been found to
take the sting out of a shell altogether. A cast-
iron shell eight inches in diameter, weighing 68lbs.
and fired with a charge of some 161bs. of powder,
at a distance of from 200 to 500 yards, would be
carried with a velocity of 1,600 feet a second, and
the question was, how to stop it ? Many theories
had been proposed to stop the shell by coaxing—
(laughter)—that was, by pieces of India rubber,
by bales of cotton, blankets, and other mollifying
substances, bnt it had been proved that nothing
would induce it to atop but presenting another
piece of iron as strong or stronger than
itself, and, therefore, to stop a 681 b. shell they
must take so thick a plate of iron that the piece
struck by it should weigh more than 681bie
It was then a question of strength—if there
was a certain quantity more of iron in the plate
than in the shell, the plate had it, and vice versa,
but if the plate were hit three or four times in the
same place it would probably give way. Mr. Whit-
worth had been enabled with his cylindrical shot,
under peculiarly favourable circumstances, just to
punch through an iron pate of 44- inches. Of all the
hundreds of shots fired in action, very few would
have similar fortunate circumstances, and they
might, therefore, comfort themselves with the feel-
ing that at present 44-inch iron-plates were prac-
tically shell proof. (Applause.) When 4* inches
were penetrated by ordinary guns, they must make
thicker armour, and to carry it they must build
bigger ships, or limit the battery to a smaller por-
tion of the ship. Mr. Russell then gave an interest-
ing description of the internal arrangements of the
Great Eastern, with the view of showing that it
was possible to make an iron ship unsinkable, after
which he proceeded to explain the different princi-
ples upon which armour plates were attached to
ships of war. The first case which came to their
knowledge of the destruction of a wooden fleet by
horizontal shell firing was the destruction by the
Russians of the Turkish fleet at Sinope. During the
same war, Louis Napoleon got his iron-plated ships
into the Black Sea before England, and had the
opportunity of practically testing them. He was
enabled to capture Kinburn, and it was afterwards
found that in no one place had the shot from the for-
tress penetrated the armour of the two ships en-
gaged in bombarding it, Immediately after this ex-
rience, Napoleon made up his mind to have armour-
plated ships, ceased spending money upon wooden
ships, saved that money until he perfected his de-
sign, and the consequence was that he got an
iron fleet before we knew anything about it. What
did we in England do ? NQ sooner was this found
Out than they set to Work building wooden ships as
fast as possible, and the sum expended in this way
since Napoleon began saving his money was 29
millions odd. (Laughter.) A list of the " mag-
nificent fleet which now defended England" had
been recently published, and it amounted to
1,014 ships of war. This was a very formidable
inventory, but he could give them a simple ana-
lysis of the number. Of these 1,014, there were of
wooden ships 1,010—(laughter)—of fast iron ships,
two; and of slow iron ships, two. This was what
they now had for the 29 or 30 millions expended
slue the discovery that wooden ships were incap-
able of sustaining horizontal shell firing. There was
happily promise of better for the future. They were
now constructing of the Warrior class four, of the
slow class four, and of wooden ships coated with iron
ten. He thought this was a very serious subject.
The country was spending 10 millions a year upon
the navy, which was equal to a fleet of ten Warriors.
He thoug)it they would agree with him that if War-
riors were the right thing, they ought certainly to
have taken a portion of the thirty millions, and ex-
pended it upon iron-plated ships, and if they had
done so, this country would now be possessed of
a naval force greater than any that could be
brought against it. A fleet of twenty Warriors
would be more powerful than the whole of
the 1,010 wood ships put together—it would be
maintained at a quarter of the cost of the wooden
ships ; and he would go further, and say that three
fleets of twenty Warriois could be maintained for
an annual expenditure of little more than half of the
ten millions now expended on the navy. They would
naturally ask how this was to be accomplished P He
replied, they should order the Admiralty to go out
of business as manufacturers. (Hear.) They had
turned them outof business in one department—the
manufacture of marine steam engines—and the eco-
nomy had been enormous. ;Why should the Admi-
ralty manufacture ships ? Could they manufacture
them cheaper or better than they
could ? If the public allowed the Admiralty to
manufacture ships they allowed them to maintain
a magnificent establishment, which they did not
like to put down.
To maintain a sufficient iron
fleet they
must set aside
something like half a
million per a
Tnum. Let the Admiralty spend this,
and another half million in maintaining engines,
84°.7 and then with the rest of the money now ex-
pended in the dockyards they could provide at
least two Warriors a year. This was the simple
process by which alone they would get an efficient
navy maintained at a less cost than that which for
20 years had been the amount of the naval esti-
mates annually voted by Parliament. (Applause.)
In answer to questions from Mr. O'Callaghan, Mr.
A. F,tirbairn, Mr. Sykes Ward, Rev. Dr. Brewer,
and other gentlemen, Mr. Russell said he thought
we should probably soon overtake the French fleet,
but what he complained of was, that the French
had been before us, They had now six iron vessels
afloat, and we had four; they had ten building and
we hud about the same number of large and several

smaller vP;sels. It-ly had two built and two build-
ing. He hid heard the Spaniards had two build-
ing—but he did nor know—and he had also heard
that the Itussians had two building. (Mr. Hee-
croft—Yes, in France.) At all events, we had been
spending £30,000,000 on wooden ships since iron
ships were introduced. For armour plates the finer
kind of iron was not suitable, that required being a
very cohesive metal, brittle and tou..h, but which
would yield a little to the blow. He saw that day
in one of their own manufactories, some enormous
machinery being prepared for the manufacture of
these iron plates, and he had no doubt that armour
plates would go on faster than guns. If a five-inch
plate were penetrated they would make a 8:x-inch
plate, and by and byea twelve-inch plate, and when
it became known that what was wanted was a tough
and plastic iron they would obtain as much of the
proper quality as they wanted. He did not propose
that the whole of the wooden ships should be in-
stantly withdrawn, but that they should act as the
police of the seas, protecting our commerce, and
that the men upon these small ships should be no
longer soldiers but policemen. He thought no largo
war ship should be built which was unable to carry
coals for a voyage of 5,000 miles. He also ex-
plained in an interesting style how the bottoms of
iron ships were fouled by barnacles, &c.

Mr. BEECROFT, M.P. (who was applauded on
rising), proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Scott
Russell for his interesting lecture on the most im-
portant, he might say the all-absorbing question of
the day. They must not forget that most impor-
tant changes were taking place which might affect
the destinies of this and other nations depending for
security on ships of war, and a new era appeared to
be opening before them in the construction of the
future navy of England. All that they wanted was
to make the British navy the terror of its enemies
and the pioneer of civilisation to every part of the
habitable globe. (Hear.) They were deeply in-
debted to Mr. Russell for coming amongst them,
and they could have no better authority upon the
subject than the gentleman who amidst so many
difficulties constructed and launched the Great
Eastern. (Applause.) He entirely agreed with
Mr. Russell that Government had no business to act
as manufacturers—first, because they were scarcely
competent, and next, because he regarded it as an
undue interference with manufacturing industry.
Being a member of the select committee appointed
last session to consider the comparative cost of ord-
nance and materials of war when supplied by Go-
vernment and by private manufactories, which com-
mittee had not yet completed its labours, he could
not with propriety enter into this question, and this
must be his excuse for not having expressed his opi-
nion as his wishes prompted.

Mr. A. FAIRBAIRN seconded the vote of thanks
to Mr. Russell, which was adopted by acclamation,
and the proceedings terminated.

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

SANDRINGHAM, Wednesday Afternoon.—His
Royal Highness arrived at his Norfolk seat yester-
day afternoon at four o'clock, accompanied by
Lieut.-General Knollys and Captain Grey, intend-
ing to stay hen for a fortnight's shooting. The
journey from Buckingham Palace was made by
the Great Eastern Railway ordinary train, and was
quite satisfactory, except the extreme length of
time which it occupied. The train was under the
charge of Mr. Robertson, manager of the locomo-
tive department of the above-named company; Mr.
Sprowl, district manager; Mr. Superintendent
Platt, and the staff; and his Royal Highness rode
i❑ one of thecommodious saloon carriages belonging
to the company. The royal party dismounted
at the Wolverton station of the Lynn and Hun-
stanton Railway, and entered one of the private car-
riages, in which he proceeded the rest of the way.
In accordance with the expressed wish of the Prince
there were no demonstrations on the journey, al-
though at most of the stations and gatehouses large
crowds assembled. At the Wolverton station his
Royal Highness was received by a large number o
the tenantry, who, in obedience to his Royal wish,
preserved the most profound silence.

His Royal Highness has to-day, in company with
Lieut.-Gen. Knollys, Capt. Grey, and Mr. Beck, the
steward, made an inspection of the estate, 'which is
really a most beautiful one, affording a rich variety
of scenery, and alio abounding with an excellent
stock of game. Tne preserves are well filled, and
some excellent sport will no doubt be afforded his
Royal Highness. In addition to the ordinary game
there is a plentiful supply of wild fowl, woodcocks
being very plentiful.

His Royal Highness intends entering the hunting
field next week. Arrangements are being made
with Sir H. Villebois, the popular master of the
West Norfolk hounds, for a special day, the meet to
be at iitridringliam. The day is not yet fixed.
Witt the enthusiasm with which the Prince is re•
garded by the yeomanry of Norfolk there is no
doubt this will be the largest field that has ever
been seen in Norfolk.

His Royal Highness will commence shooting to-
morrow, according to present arrangements.

THE RUMOURED BETROTHAL OF PRINCESS
ALEXANDRA'S SISTER.—The Nord contradicts iii
the following terms the rumour of the sister of the Princess
Alexandra of Denmark being about to marry the heir to
the throne of Russia :—" We believe we are in a position to
affirm that there is at present no question of that alliance.
It is not the custom of the imperial family of Russia to form
projects of marriage for the Grand Dukes before they have
made their tour in the provinces of the empire, and after-
wards visited the different Courts of Europe. It is only
next year that the Grand Duke Nicholas will commence his
tour through Russia. The august princess spoken of is
besides still very young ; born on the 26th November, 1847,
she has not yet accomplished her 16th year. By her beauty
and personal qualities she would assuredly justify the choice
of the Grand Duke Nicholas, and the union, if realised,
would be received, we have no doubt, with sympathy in.
Russia. where former friendly relations with the Royal
House of Denmark have not been forgotten."
At the levee of the French Minister of the Inte-
rior, on New Year's day, the Prefect of the Seine
alluded to the decree inserted in the Ilfoniteur of January
1, relative to the publicity to be given to the discussions of
the prefectoral councils, as well as to the enlarging the func-
tions of the administrative bodies. " Your Excellency,"
playfully added the prefect, growing bolder as he went on,
"Your excellency has given a very fine New Year's gift to
the councillors." The Minister looked slightly puzzled, as
if he doubted whether the prefect was in earnest. " What
New Year's gift do you mean ?" " Why your excellency's
report and the decree accompanying it, which appeared in
this morning's Moniteur." The Minister locked as puzzled
as ever. He, however, replied, "Oh, yes—yes; very well."
Some superficial persons present fancied for a moment that
the Minister had not read or even seen the decree counter-
signed by him; and they began to repeat the snot, rightly
or wrongly attributed to the Emperor—viz., that M. Bil-
lault saw all and signed nothing; whereas M. Persigny
saw nothing and signed everything,

A private despatch from Berlin states, on the
authority of letters from St. Peterburg (says the Moniteur
of yesterday), that Russia is on the point of accepting the
candidature of a Bavarian prince_to the throne of Greece.
The _France formally contradicts the news that
Victor Emmanuel was coming to Paris for the
christening of his grandson. The day for that ceremony is
not yet fixed, but whenever it does take place the King will
be "represented in due legal form."
FOUNDERING OF Two SHIPS OFF LIVERPOOL.—
A fearftii collision occurred off the port of Liver-
pool on Tuesday night during the prevalence of a dense
fog, by which two vessels, a steamer and a sailing ship,
foundered. It appears from the scanty information which.
has come to hand that the screw-steamer Liverpool, bound
from London to Liverpool, got in contact with a barque in
the neighbourhood of Point Lynas, the name of which was
at the time unknown. The steamer foundered, and it was
uncertain for some considerable time what had become of
the sailing vessel. The crew of the steamer had arrived
safely at Holyhead. From subsequent information it seems
that the strange vessel was the barque La Plata, Captain
Pearson, which sailed from Liverpool for Lima on Tuesday,
and that she had also sunk. It is believed that all of her
crew have been saved. One of her boats, containing five
men, was picked up and brought to Liverpool by the screw.-
steamer Athlete, from Cork. The Liverpool was an iron
vessel of 750 tons and 120 horse• power, and was under the
command of Captain Charlesworth. She belonged to the
London and Liverpool Steamship Company, and sailed
from London for Liverpool on Saturday last. The other
vessel, the La Plata, was of 275 tons, and was despatched
by Messrs. Imrie and Tomlinson, of this town.
Mr. Manhall Wood has received a commission to
execute a colossal marble bust of his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, to be placed in the Town Halt, Manches-
ter, for which his royal highness has been graciously pleased
to express his pleasure to grant Mr. Wood the neceasarr
mittingo,