The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-17 00:00:00

THE BLACK PRINCE OFF THE WIGBT.

As previously announced, the Black Prince iron
frigate, fitting for commission at Portsmouth, yes-
terday made her experimental trial outside the Isle
of Wight to test the capabilities of her enlarged
rudder under steam. The original area of the rud-
der was 130 ft, but with the temporary wooden
casing, under which she was tried yesterday, the
area was increased to 153 ft, giving an increased
area of 22.04 ft. The draught of water of the ship
was, aft 23ft lin, and forward 22ft. The propeller
is an improVed Griffiths's—that is, with the tip of
the blades inclining forward, with a pitch of 30ft, a
diameter of 24ft Ms, and an immersion of 2ft Tin.
It is hardly necessary to state that the engines are
by Messrs. Penn and Son, of 1,250 nominal horse
power, made from the same pattern as the Warrior's.
The ship was in command of Capt. H. Broadhead,
commanding the reserve at Portsmouth, Mr. G.
Murdoch, inspector of machinery afloat at Ports-
mouth, and Mr. Miller, assistant•engineer of the 1
dockyard, superintending the proceedings on the
part of the Admiralty, the machinery being under
the control of Mr. Holliday, of Messrs. Penn and
Sons, and Mr. Tucker, the chief engineer of the
ship. Capt. B. A. Powell, C. 8., commanding her
Majesty's ship Defence ; Commander Hope, R.N.,
and other naval officers were on board as visitors.
The ship cast off her fastenings to the Duke of
Wellington, to which vessel she had been made fast
since being undocked the previous day, at 9 50 a.m.,
and at slow speed left the harbour, increasing the
revolutions of her engines to 40 as she passed the
Spit Buoy, clear of the harbour channel, and to 52
revolutions as she passed the Nab, or Bembridge
light vessel, where full speed was given to her and
a course laid to give her the necessary distance from
the light ship to make the circles, the Nab being
taken as the point on which the circles were to be
made.

Like the Warrior, her sister vessel,theßlackPrince
was fortunate in point of weather, the strong N.B.
winds and tumbling seas which had previously pre-
vailed having subsided into a moderate westerly
breeze with smooth water, so that the trials were
made under most favourable circumstances. The first
two trials were made to complete a circle at full
speed, the time being taken from the giving the
order to shift the helm, with 12 men at the wheel,
which number of men was continued throughout.
The first experiment was "hard a-port," the ship's
head being on with the Nab, and the rudder was
got over 16 deg. The first half of the circle was
completed in 3 min. 52 sec., and the second in 4
min. 13 sec., completing the circle in 8 min. 5 sec.
To these first half-circles, however, it will be neces-
sary to again refer. The next attempt at making
a circle was thrown out of consideration altogether,
owing,to a discrepancy in time, and the suceeed!ng
attempt was also compelled to be thrown aside
ecooowlulirinssiego,
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The second successful experiment was made with
the helm hard a-starboard, the rudder being gut
over 13 degs., and the half circle being completed
in 3 milt. 56 see., the second in 5 min. 53 see,, emu.
plating the entire circle in 9 min. 49 see. The helm
was n0,.7 kept in the sumo position n.s, in makit:g
this last. circle, the rudder being, of course, at the
same angle, and a second circle (mitred upon, with-
out change in helm or rudder, the time, of course,
in this instance being taken with the helm in the
required position, and not from the moment of a
given order. The half-circle Was made, under these
circumstances, in 3 min ~,
• 0- sec., the second half in
6 min. 6 sec., and the entire circle in 9 min. 38 sec.
The next experiment was with putting the helm
down hard a-port, and taking the time when the
ship's head came on with the object (the Nab)
whence the circle commenced. The first half-

circle was completed in 3 rain. 54-4 see;, the:neeen4,
in 5 min. 2 sec., and the entire circle e ompletsa,
in 8 min. 56 sec. The next trial. wao';‘t -411u1f...53;
speed, the engines being stopped dead, the sh ip per-
fectly stationary, the helm a-starboard, and the. time
being taken from the engines moving fairly al. 'end
on the word being given. The rudder was got o. eer
to 26 deg. before turning ahead, but after the eei-
, gines got into full play this was reduced to 24 dege.
I owing to the stretching of the tiller ropes, or some-
other cause. The ship's head began to move round..
a little in this experiment, in answer to her helui,,
before she actu:4ly got way upon her by the action.
of her engines, a fact that deserves notice. Eight,
points, or the quarter L'ef a circle, were made in 4
pair:. 7 scc. Sixteen points, nr half the circle, were
made in 6 min 48 scc, and the entire circle was coin-
under precisely -similar Circumstances, but with the
com-
pleted in 11 min 52 sec, The next trial was made
helm aport. The rudder on ttijs occasion was got- .
over to 27 deg. and keptto it, an extra turn 1-;nviing
hen taken round the barrel of the wheel with ;lc;
ropes, which may have caused the difference in I 're:
degrees mainteined between this trial end the last..
Thu first eight points, or quarter circle, were made
in 4 min &see; the 16 points, or half-circle, in 7 min
16 sec, and
the entire eircle was completed in 12 mia
20 sec. The revolutions of the engines during' tqa
experiment, however, varied from 22 to 34, eThe
last trial concluded the completion of the circles.
With reference to the-time given for the completion
of the first portion of the circles, it is necessary to
state that the point taken—tba Nab light vessel—
was only about a mile distant from the ship when
the times were taken, and it is well known that the
closer the object taken for a point is to• a ship in
notingetitne to make a circle, the more in,lecurate
the time-given for the first completed parts of the
circle must be. The figures as representing the time
in which the circles were completed may, howea afr,
be taken as correct. A' the same time, as the pro.-
' setittrial is only a comparative one for the next-
trial, when the ship will be tried at the same marks
and under, as near as possible, the same circum-
stances of wind and weather as yesterday, the
temporary wooden casing being removed, and the:
rudder being brought to its original area, the,
means taken yesterday are all that can be desired
under the circumstances, Arrangements have
been made for bringing the rudder over to 35 deg.
when the hydraulic steering apparatus is fitted to
the ship, but the question remains to be solved.
whether, under those circumstances, the rudder-
head, or outer sternpost, will stand such au im-
mense strain. It is but repeating an oft-told tale,
the truth of which is acknowledged by most people,
that the rudders of our screw ships are in their
wrong position abaft the screw, and that the chily
true remedy for our present weakness of steering
and weakness of stern-frames would be the adop -
tion of subaqueous rudders and non-lifting screws.
The temperatinre of the ship below during the trial
was much improved yesterday upon that of her trial
of speed at light draughi on Nov. 19 last, on her ar-
rival at Spit Lead from Greenu'ck. On deck the ave-
rage. temperature was 49 deg. the the engine-room
platform the average was 85 03. h/ the stokeholes
the seven thermometers gave an average, commen-
cing from forward to aft, of 79.6, 96.6, 102-6, 102 0,
91.6,101.3, and 80.6. At her present draugLt of
water the ship's area of midship section is 1,1591 t.,
with a displacement of 6,384 tons. The area of 1-if...!
screw blades is each 66ft. In outward appearance
the hull of the Black Prince is much more graceful
than the Warrior's ; this is chiefly owing to a less
breadth of bow above the water-line, and to her
hammock berthing forward and her head having.
been raised. considerably above those of the War-
rior. This work has been done since the ship's are
rival at Portsmouth, and, although it certainly can-
not help her materially in a sea-way, it still adds
much to, as we have said, the gracefulness of her
outward appearance. An immense amount of work:
has been done to the ship since her arrival at Ports-
mouth in the shipwright's department, comprising-
the fitting of her hammock berthing fore and aft, the
arching of her upper deck ports for her Armstrong
guns, head, boats, crutches, davits, bridges, sky-
lights, recond catheads, cabin fittings, and general
fittings of upper and maindccks. In progress are the
fitting of the capstan for steam power, the examina-
tion of water-tight and ballast compartments, the bed
for the auxiliary engine, ventilation of the magazines,
making maindeek ports watertight by vulcanized
indiarubber linings, fitting sluice cocks, <<nd a mul-
tiplicity of other work, together with the construc-
tion of a "head" for the accommodation of the =ell:
at sea. This latter innovation is the result of the
Warrior's cruise at sea, the experience gained of
that occasion proving that the "head" of a ship in
its ordinary position is inaccessible to the crew of
an iron cased ship, owing to the liveliness of the •
motion of the latter description of vessel over that
of an ordinary wooden constructed ship at sea. The
work in the engineers' department, although not of
so extensive a nature as that of the shipwright's
department, has still been of an unusual character,
although having little to do with the maker of the
engines. In this department the chief points in the
completion of the ship's fitment consist of the ship-
ment and fixing of her auxiliary engine, and the
fitment of her steering hydraulic apparatus. The
ship was brought into harbour again at the conclu-
sion of the trials, and berthed alongside the Belle-
rophon hulk temporarily, her orders being to go
alongside the dockyard and receive her masts, &e.
The coals used were specially placed on board for
the trials and were the same as were supplied to
the Warrior on her trial trips, and which are
also kept in store for the use of her Majesty's
yachts Nixon's Navigation Steam Coal from
the Aberdare pits. The mean revolutions of
the engines during the trials were—at full
speed, 583-; at half speed, 32, It would
be'almost superfluous to speak of the performance
of the machinery of the ship after what has already
been said of its working on her trial of speed, and
also of the working of the Warrior's, which are from
the same manufactory and made from the same
patterns as those of the Black Prince.

HEA T E-R0 N A 1,, HAYMARKET.
Lesse Mr. J. B. Blackstone.
On EASTER MONDAY, JOHN JONES.
After which, at half-past 7, will be performed (102 d time)
OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. Asa Trenchard, Mr. Buck-
stone ; Lord Dundreary, Mr. Sothern.
Followed by the Spanish Ballet entitled THRicardSo, E TARan OF
ANDALUSIA. Senora Peres. Nene, Senor d the
Corps de Ballet.
TI) conclude with MY HUSBAND'S GHOST.
Commence a 7

,LOYAL LYCEUM THEA.TRE.
Manager. —Mr. Edmund Falconer.
THIS EVEN-DIG, 133 d time of the new and original Drama
entitled, PEEP O'DAY ; or, Savourneen Dee lisb. Messal-
rs.
Walter Lacy, Hermann Vezin, Charles Selby, Edmund E
I::,ner ; Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Miss Clara Weston.
Alter which, a new and original Burlesque Extravaganza,
entitled LITTLE RED RIDING ROOD; or, The Fairies of
-the Rose, the Thistle, and the Sham miss
Principal charac-
ters by Mr. Chas. Selby, Mr. Warlow, Miss Cicely Nett, and
Elsa Lydia Thompson.
Acting Manag,er—Mr. F. B. Chatterton.
*es as usual. Doors open at half-past 6to commence at
'.'. Box-office open daily from 11 tills.

-p OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.'
U Lessee, Mr A. Harris.
On SATURDAY EVENING, at a quarter to Eight, a new
and original drama, in five acts, entitled THE GOLDEN
DAGGERS. rrincipal characters by Mr. Fechtcr (his first
comb,r since his severe indisposition), Mr. H. Widdi-
Mr. G. Jordan, Mr. Potter. Mr. J. G. Shore, I.r. Cath-
Cart, Mr. Moreland; Mesdames Elsworthy and Carlotta Le-
clercq.
Mr. A. Harris Is happy to state that he haucceedd in
indu ing that eminent artist Mr. W. Telbin, to s s
give the aid
of his unrivalled talent in the concluding tableau of the
drama.

INJEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.-
Solo Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, A PRIVATE ENQUIRY. Mr. J. L.
ale. Mr. Billington, Mr. Sefton, Miss Kate Kelly, and
Miss K. Bland.
Followed by ONE TOUCH OF NATURE. Mr. William
Penholder (his original character), Mr. B. Webster ; Messrs.
F.illin„ ton, Eburne, C. J. Smith ; Miss H. Simms.
To conclude with a new domestic drama, entitled DOT :
Messrs. J. L. Toole, Emery, Billing ton. Stephenson ; Miss
Woolgar, Miss Louise Keeley, Miss H. Simms, Stc.

Commence at 7.

A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHATRE.-
---x Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty.
Wonderful Performance of Mr. Bell's trained Elephants.
'1 HIS EVENING, the Grand Eastern Spectacle of THE
RAJAH OF NAGPORE, introducing two colossal Asiatic
Elephants, pronounced by all to be the cleverest animals
ever exhibited.
To be followed by brilliant and daring feats by the un-
rivalled Troupe of Equestrians.
Concluding with a laughable Farce.
Stage Manager, Mr. W. Searle.

AND FINE

(..)ANTERBU ItY HALL
ARTS GALLERY.
The miraculous STECKEL, from the Cirque Napoleon
Paris, EVERY EVENING, at a quarter to ten.
Grand Selections from "La Traviata," by Miss Russell
with Band and full Chorus, conducted by Mr. Jonghmans.
The Comic by Mr. Randall, Mr. J. G. Forde, Mr. Hollings.
worth, Messrs. Hildebrandt and Ormond, and Miss Caroline
Parkes, the accomplished danseuse.
Admission—Hall, 6d. ; Stalls aad Balcony, is.

'THE OXFORD, 6, OXFORD-STREET,-
HEN RI and PFAU on the Flying Trapeze
EVERY EVENING.
The musical entertainment as usual, including Robert
Burns' celebrated " JOLLY BEGGARS," with music composed
cap essly for this establishment by Mr. George Linley.
Operatic Selections by Miss Russell, Mdme. Negri, Mdme.
Maria, and Mdme. Enderssohn. Full Band and Chorus.—
MuCcal Director, Mr. F. Jonghmans.
Comic—Messrs. Sam Collins, Harvey and French (the
Nerves), E. Marshall, and W. Randall.
6d.; Stalls and Balcony, ls. ; Private Boxes, 10s. 6d.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.—Morning, 3h. 31m.—Afternoon, 3h. 51m.
To-MORROW. -Morning, 4h. 16m.—Afternoon, 4h. 40m.