The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-13 00:00:00

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.—Jan. 12.

(mom oun own connEsPoNDEra.)
LAUNCH.—The public were gratified on Tuesday last
with the launch of the Peninsular and Oriental Com-
pany's new steam-ship Vectis, of 1,000 tons, the first of
theirs built on the new principle, without timbers, being
all sold planking. She is the handsomest model of a
steamyacket, notwithstanding her magnitude, ever
launched upon the waters of the Medina. She was con-
structed by Messrs. John and Robt. White, on their
" patented improved diagonal principle," and is intended
to form one of a fleet of steam-packets, upon the new
contract, to carry the mails between Marseilles and
Malta, and vice versa. At 12.15, everything being in
readiness, this splenidid production of the Whites' re
ceived the name of Vectis from the patriarchal sire of
the new firm, who, in his 80th year, pronounced the
blessing with "God speed, and success to the first of
the new breed," amid the hearty congratulations of some
hundreds 'of spectators, among whom we observed
several of the cognoscenti, and naval and scientific) gen-
tlemen. As soon as the noble craft was freed from the
dogshores and cleets which held her, she glided majesti-
cally and slowly along her ways to her destined element.
There was a strong breeze blowing from the westward •
nevertheless she was forthwith warped into the Medina,
Dock, where she has been placed to be coppered and
completed, prior to proceeding to London, to receive
her 400-horse power engines, on the oscillating prin-
ciple, manufactured by Messrs. John Penn and Son.
On any former occasion of a launch from the " modal
arsenal" of the Messrs. Whiten brief notice was all that has
been necessary, but as the Vectis is the first which has been
constructed on an entirely new principle, destined to form a
complete revolution in ship building, some few remarks
will be necessary as regards the method on which she
has been constructed. It would appear that the intro-
duction of iron ships into our leviathan steam companies,
as well as into the navy, threatened for a while the anni-
hilation of wooden ships altogether. To meet the re-
quirements and reasonable demands of the various steam
companies, and to counterbalance the advantages which
iron ships possessed over those of wood, some improved
method in the construction of the latter was absolutely
necessary, in order to render them stronger and more
buoyant, and carry a larger cargo, in proportion to their
tonnage, with equal speed, to attain which objects the
Messrs. White were induced to turn their attention -,
and, after successfully making a series of experiments
and models, at no inconsiderable cost, they at once satis-
fied themselves of the practicability of their plan, and
undertook to build ships of any magnitude, and any de-
gree of sharpness, combined with all the requisites of
speed and internal capacity—and this by a combination
of planking, without the necessity of ribs or frame
timbers. Their new mode of construction enabled them

to produce vessels whose sides were only as thick as
an iron ship with ribs and ceiling.. The frame being
entirely dispensed with greater buoyancy was pro-
duced ; and the ships were consequently enabled to
carry from 15 to 20 per cent. more cargo in dead weight,
with equal speed ; or the same quantum of cargo as an
ordinary built ship, but with greater speed in conse-
quence of being enabled to have finer lines. In the mode
of construction, viz., two thicknesses of diagonal plank-
ing, and longitudinal planking outside, greater durability
and safety were effected over the old method, and by the
exclusion of vacant spaces, where foul air is generated
from the bilge-water, or dirt collected in the openings,
the plan was rendered more healthy. Moreover, in the
new method, there is freedom from rats and
other vermin, and, above all, the plan is particu-
larly adapted for men-of-war, from their being no
iron strapping or iron knees, and the sides being
solid there would be consequently less splintering
from shots, and particularly healthy in warm climates.
These improvements were thereupon patented by the
Messrs. White, as an improved,-practicable method of
building large vessels more than as a new scheme ;
and feeling that they had bestowed considerable
time and attention to the subject, in prosecuting
their experiments, they consider themselves entitled
to at least a recognition and some preference
should the system they have introduced become
generally adopted, remembering that vessels may be
constructed on their method upon any lines, and conse-
quently on that question there would be no interference
with another's mode of construction. Since every one's
"lines" is the produce of their brains, and their brains
their bread, it is, therefore, gratifying to find that the
plans produced by these eminent architects were approved
of by two of the greatest steam-packet companies in the
world, and their confidence of the talents and practical
knowledge of these gentlemen have led the Peninsular
and Oriental Company to intrust them with the con-
struction of the Vectis, of 1,000 tons ; and the Royal
West India Mail Company, at the same time, gave or-
ders to construct the Solent, a steam-ship of 2,000 tons,
which is now building! by the Messrs. White] in their
yard. Independent of which, they have also laid down
the keel of another steamer to be of 450 tons, and to be
constructed on the same method.

Last week, a West Indianan, of 350 tons, was
launched from the same yard, which was built on the
diagonal principle, thus showing that the new theory can
be carried into practice on a small as well as on a large
scale, and is equally applicable for a merchant trader as
fora mail steam-packet.
...

than ve r been
4 o o
i
THE LAMBING- SEASON IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT.—A
more
have farmer
lost has
more never
e
known.
lambs. The rain, which set non the 21st of October,
disastrous Three
esfeas our on
friends
forends the
still continues, and very little wheat has been got into
the ground, and we fear that much of that little has
perished, the consequence of which will be that a vast
breadth of barley and oats will be sown in the spring_
greater, perhaps, than ever before known.
THE WEATHER.—The south-west gale still continuos
and there is a dreadful sea outside. The He ,
American ocean steam-ship, made two attempts to pro-
ceed to Nin ourew York yesterday, but bore up and remains.
roadstead ride well.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS.

_,.________
THB GREAT NORTHERN RAlLWAY.—Traffie return for
the week ending Jan. 2, 1853 (285 i miles) £12,719 18 1
Corresponding week last year (241 i miles) 9,403 1 7
LANCASHIRE AND Year
RAlLWAY.—Traffic re-
turn for the week ending Jan. 9, 1853 £17,527 3 2
Corresponding Week last year 15,501 18 6
CHESTER ANTI HOLYHEAD RAlLWAY.—Trafficreturn for
railway and steam-boats for the week ending
Jan. 9, 1853 .... . CorresPoladin ......... .. £2,919 310
g week last year
2,393 9 8

Increas• in 1853