The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-13 00:00:00

THE AUSTRALIAN PASSENGER TRADE

The universal application of iron to all the pur-
poses of ship-building has been long admitted and.
acted upon, alt hough for passenger traffic on long
voyages the adoption of iron ships has not been
general ; yet the splendid fleet of iron steam-vessels
now running between this country and America
affords practical evidence of their fitness for such
purposes. In proof of this it can scarTely be neces-
sary to refer to such splendid and successful vessels
of this class as the Persia,the Scotia, the oagnificent
Inman fleet, and, though last, certainly nor: least,the
Great Britain. The value of iron ships has now
also been acknowledged in a variety of way's by
the Gover:nment, which has even tardily at length
recognized their merits as troopships, With so
many evidences in their favour, it is gratifying to
know that our enterprising shipowners are taking
steps for their extensive introduction in the passen-
ger trade with Australia. Yesterday the first of es.
line of iron sailings ships to Irak
le between London
and Sydney was launched from the building yard of
Messrs. Vernon and Son in Liverpt.sol. The vessel
referred to is the Cornwallis, a splendid ship, of the
following dimensions :—She is 205 feet in length_
between perpendiculars, is 31 feet 6 inches in
breadth of beam, and 23 feet deep in the hold. Her
calculated register tonnage is 1,1‘'4 tons, and she :is
to class A 1 for 12 years at Lloyd's: In form she
is exceedingly handsome, and in conotruction she
embraces every arrangement which could be devised
to insure strength and durability, combi,ned with
speed and a large and comfortable carrying capacity.
The Cornwallis, which is owned by Messrs.. Liston,
Young, and Co., of Liverpool, and is to be the Black.
Ball packet from London for Sydney of the 10th
of August, has extensive and admirable passenger
accommodation. She is a full poop ship, and has
large oval side ports to secure good veniiletieo, is
built upon exceedingly fine lines, and is is fact a
model of a good merchant ship—one indeed of
class which is highly appreciated, and which :5
coaling rapidly into use, not fewer than four exactly-
similar ones being now in course of construction by
the settle builders, varying from each other only in
a few minor details. The celerity with which this
large and fine vessel has been built may be under-
stood from the statement that she has been lauoched-
from the same berth from which the Lord Lyndhurst,
was launched on the 30th of November last. At
launching the Cornwallis had her masts (all of
iron) and most of her rigging up. Her cabins are
nearly all completed, and she had a porti.in of her
cargo, consisting of ironwork for railway bridges
in Australia on board before leaving the ways.
Besides the Cornwallis and the other four vessels
referred to Messrs. Vernon and Son have also in.
hand five other iron vessels, all to class A 1 'for 12.
years, and varying in size from 500 to 1,100 tons.-
The beautiful vessel so successfully launched yester-
day is to be commanded by Capt. Pryce, formerly of
theHavering,afterwards in the General ScrewSteana-
ship Company, and lately of the Donal,d M'Kay ;
and it is expected she will prove a great favourite
with passengers, as she will compare favourably in
size, comfort, and convenience with the celebrated.
wood ships already engaged in the passenger trade
between London and Australia.

COUN2

.1,., ------ -

BIRMINGHAM—JUNE 11.
There was a short supply of English wheat, which sold
at an advance of isper qr upon the currencies of this day
week Foreign also at is advance. Oatz:, leans, and peas
were firm at late prices. Barley a rather bolter inquiry at
last week's rates.