The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-30 00:00:00

Captain M‘Killop's Cofferdam.

Yesterday afternoon a great number of gentlemen inte-
rested in shipbuilding and the management of vessels when
afloat witnessed a public trial of Captain WKillop's portable
cofferdam in the East India Docks. Amongst those pre-
sent were Vice-Admiral Sir John Kingcome, K.C.8., late
commander-in-Chief in the Pacific; Captain the Hon. A. C.
Hobart, R.N. ; Major-General M'Killop, Mr. C. H. Wigram,
Mr. C. M'Killop, Mr. Martin, master shipwright at Sheer-
ness Dockyard ; Mr. Rumble, late inspector of machinery
at Sheerness; Captain Symonds, R.N., chairman of the
London Engineering and Shipbuilding Company : Cap-
tain Bowen, H. M. S. Wellesley, &c.' It had been in-
tended that the trial should be made on the Great
Victoria, one of the fleet belonging to the Black Ball
line of packets ; but, although an attempt was made
to demonstrate the advantages of the invention by apply-
ing it to the vessel named, it was found that there
was not sufficient space between the vessel and the
dock wall ; but the Queen of the Colonies, also a
"Black Ball" vessel, was kindly lent, and the cofferdam
was soon applied to it by the dock labourers. The appa-
ratus, as is well known, consists of a large sheet of water-
proof canvas, at either end of which is a tubular bag, which
is filled with air on the canvas being hauled taut under
a vessel's side, when the whole is made air and water tight
by the pressure on the outer surface. The volume of water
contained in the interior of the canvas is then soon pumped
out, and the canvas being distended by a framework of iron
a dry space is kept clear to alloW of men repairing any
damage the 'ship may have sustained, or stopping a leak.
In places where no dock accommodation exists—and they
are plentiful enough in our colonies and in other parts of
the world—the. invention will prove of considerable
value, and will save many a tall ship from being con-
demned. The practical men who witnessed the applica-
tion of the invention yesterday were well satisfied of its
utility, and it was stated that Mr. Mackay, of the
Black Ball line, had ordered a set of the apparatus to
be sent out to Brisbane, in Australia. After several
very satisfactory trials had been made, by which it
was shown that any part of a vessel, from her keel to her
water line, could be thoroughly examined and repaired,
the company present were invited to proceed on board
the Great Victoria, in the state saloon of which vessel a
luncheon had been provided. After the customary loyal
toasts had been drunk,• Admiral Sir John Kingcome pro-
posed the health of Captain M'Killop, and success to his
invention, which he warmly praised, and at the same time
bore testimony to the courage and humanity displayed by
the gallant captain when in China. He also stated that
if ever he required a man to carry out an order which re-
quired bravery and cool courage he always selected Capt.
M'Killop. A few more experiments were afterwards tried,
with increased success, as a more powerful engine had been
procured to pump the water out of the interior of the cof-
ferdam. When the utility of the invention becomes more
generally appreciated, probably no large vessel will put to
sea without one, as the cost is trifling compared with the
great benefits to be obtained, and the total weight of the
apparatus is under a ton. The Iron Ship Coating Company,
of which Capt. M'Killop is managing director, is about to
forward the apparatus used yesterday to Gibraltar, in which
port it will probably be of immense service.

MARKETS—This Day.

HAY MARKETS.

SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 7s 6d; clover,
£5 5s to 16 7s 6d ; and straw, £1 6s to £1 10s per load.
Trade firm.

CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 lOs Od; clover,
£5 5s to £6 lOs Od; and straw, £1 6s to £1 12s per load.
A fair demand.

WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 7s 6d; clover,
£5 5s to £6 7s 6d; and straw, £1 6s to £1 103 per load.
Trade steady.

COLONIAL.

TEA.—Business has been very inactive, and the few
dealings entered into have been at about previous rates.
SUGAR..—The market has remained dull, although
superior descriptions fully maintain former prices. In the
refined market goods are scarce, and quotations remain
firm.

COFFEE.—The demand for colonial has been steady, and
prices, generally, are well maintained.
RICE.—A moderate amount of business has been done,
and soft grain descriptions realise fully previous values.
TALLOW.—The market has remained very quiet, and
quotations for both present and forward delivery exhibit
no material variation. P.Y.C. on the spot is marked 40s
6d, and last three months' delivery 41s 6d to 41s 9d per
cwt.

COAL MARKET.
Price per ton at the close of the market.
s. d.
Keno()
South Kelloo
Tunstall
Cowpen Hartley
Hartlepool
Heugh Hall
Stewart's 18 0 Eden Main
Caradoc l7 6
Ships at market, 46; sold, 44.

THREE BOYS DROWNED.—On Saturday afternoon
three boys, named Frederick Drensfield, Joseph
Seddon, and Walter Bartlett, were drowned in a clayhole
or delph, near the Edge-hill and Bootle Railway, near Tue
Brook. The boys Drensfield and Seddon had ventured on
a raft in the water. Tho raft divided and they were preci-
pitated into the water. Bartlett rushed in to save them,
but in the effort to do so he sank with them, and all were
drowned. The bodies were conveyed to the Tue Brook
Hotel, where an inquest will be held to-day.—Liverpool
Albion.