The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-27 00:00:00

,2'

the period since they last had an opportunity to report to
the members, at the special general meeting held in 1851.
This gratification, felt at all times, and by most men
when able to surrender a faithful account of the discharge
of those duties which had devolved upon them, is greatly
heightened by your committee being able, from their ex-
perience drain.. these 3 years, to report to the members a
continuance of the success, although of a somewhat less-
ened character to that which they had hitherto been able
fip show as the result or working out this system of mutual
insurance.
Your committee feel that they should err, did they not
notice that the capital of your association has considerably
fallen off during two of these years. This has arisen not
Loin any suiriutniuss or unwillingness manifested by ship-
owners to insure in your society, but from the many and
repeated losses cf vessels formerly insured, and owing also
in part to the fact, that during the long trial of the various
political struggles between Free Trade and Proteition,
commercial and other men hesitated before they would
again invest their money in this species of property.
Your committee rejoices, however, at the same time, to
observe that the long-looked-for re-action in shipping did
take place in the autumn of 1853, and that the more remu-
nerating freights which were obtained, did induce some
persons again to look to his property as being fairly remu-
nerative in which to embark their money, and that as a
natural consequence, the capital of your association has
shown indications of again reaching the point at about
swhich,
12it hadln to 750
itstoodfasleome years,4,s Ifoit rosethat inw 85h1ilst3
and 85
in 18151174
5
c5,2im,5m50i/t.t;ceafinculdi
t is with c
the sum onsiderable
alreadysatisf satisfaction
that
uponyottr

_
your deed for 1851 and 1855.
The most important part of this report is, of course to
shew the rate at which the vessels standing in their re-
spentire,classes have been insured, and your committee
•
would call particular attention to these rates alfeoll2ws :
For the years 1851 and 1652. E.:l r 5
Cent.
For C nt
For vessels insured in Class A 1
Ditto
ClassCias AA .... ..... 51 0
Ditto
For the years 1852 and 1853.23
For vessels insured in Class A 1 8 2 0
Ditto Class A 2 10 0 0
Ditto Class A 3 13 2 0
And for the years 1853 and 1854.
For vessels insured in Class A 1 4 15 0
Ditto • Class A 2 5 10 0
Ditto class A 3 7 0 0
It will be seen that the rate of insurance for the year
1852 and 1853 is unfortunately the highest ever paid since
the establishment of your association, and no wonder, when
it is generally admitted that this was the most disastrous
year amongst shipping ever known. There were, besides,
even a greater number than the usual list of casualties and
claims for damages, six total losses. Some of these vessels
formed as good property as any insured in your associa-
tion, and covered too as large sums as allowed by your
rules. •
In the other two years happily only two, total losses in
each year.occurred. Not Withstanding these adverse cir-
cumstances, the greater gratification is felt by your com-
mittee from the fact that the rate of insurance for the
whole 13 years the association has been in existence has
only reached. _

41. 103.11 d. per Cent. for vessels insured in Class A 1.

51. lls.
61.175. 101 d.

To make mention of praiseworthy conduct on the part
of any commanders of vessels insured in this association
is a duty not a little pleasing to your committee, and they
have had under their notice during these three years two
or three instances of very excellent management by captains
whose vessels have more or less been placed in situations of
difficulty; and yet, by the energy, perseverance, and cou-
rage of these commanders, y our association has been called
upon to contribute to averages far less than must other-
wise have been the case but for their exertions ; and to
mark their sense and approval of such conduct, your com-
mittee have presented small gratuities to the masters and
crews of the Magnet, the Muta, and to the master of the
Janet Sherman.

It is right now to notice, that, in the discharge of their
duties as your committee, it is scarcely possible but that
in the numerous instances of damage and losses by " col-
lisions" at sea, "collisions" at law will sometimes arise—
and several cases have required the grave and mature con-
sideration of your committee ; therefore, without enume-
rating more, it is well the members should know that one
case in,the year 1851 and 1852, and one during this last
year. have been the subject of a long and tedious trial in
the High Court of Admiralty.
Both cases were surrounded by difficulties of no ordinary
character,—especially the first—that of the Amphitrite,
insured by Mr. Cackow and others ; which vessel, when
on her homeward
.voyage from the Mediterranean, was
run down by a large Norwegian barque; the other, that of
the Adam Clarke, insured by Mr. Brooks of Mistley, also
required the greatest care and watchfulness in conducting
it to an issue. Fortunately both these trials resulted in
favour of your association, a result mainly obtained by
tho unceasing attention personally given to them by your
secretary, and by the knowledge and experience possessed
by him in the practice of the Court of Admiralty, coupled
with the able advice and assistance of the proctors into
whose hands your secretary and committee always entrust
these suits.

That the members may know more fully and appreciate
what is here stated, a saving of not less than 1,200/. to
1,403/. has been made to the association in these two
cases.

In conclusion, your committee rests satisfied that the
experience obtained by tho working of this association
during tho 137 ears now completed fully justifies its being
established—that the anticipations indulged in at that
time have been fully realised, and to a much larger extent
perhaps than was to have been expected. And it is not
any unfair confirmation of these sentiments, to note to the
members generally that many similar societies for insuring
property upon this mutual plan have been established in
London and other parts of the kingdom ; and whilst,
naming this, your committee refers to it more in ,
con-
firmation of their belief of the desirableness there is to
1 maintain in our own port so useful and valuable an insti-
tution.

The success attending your association has been in part
achieved by the united co-operation and endeavours of
your committee, assisted by the able, practical, and nauti-
cal judgment possessed by some of them; but their
endeavours would have failed greatly had it not been
for the zeal and attention constantly given by your secre-
tary to the discharge of his duties, no less than for the
prudent and solicitous care he takes that expenses (legal
expenses especially) should be avoided, without good
grounds exist for their being incurred. Your committee
cannot entertain too high an estimate of such services;
and coupled with them are to be included, in like honour-
able mention, the able, consistent, and practical judgment
and watchfulness of your surveyor, by whose ability and
faithful attention to the sur.rey and inspection of ships
offered for insurance, and also of those continued upon
your deed from year to year, so much benefit and security
to your association have been obtained. And your com-
mittee doubts not these sentiments will be fillip shared in
by the members at large.
After a few remarks upon the Report, the PRESIDENT
stated that it was the determination of the Committee,
in all cases which came before them, not only to give
equity and justice, but liberality. (Hear, hear.) Many
advantages were attached to this society not to be found
in others. In the loss of anchors and chains, and other
minor parts of a ship's stores, remuneration was alwaye
made for such loss. He would now propose that they
drink " Success to the Ipswich Maritime Association."
(Loud cheers.) With reference to the rate of insurance,
while theirs was only 41. 10s. 11d., other societies in
various parts of the kingdom were as high as 14, 15, and
oven 20 per cent. for their first-class property.
The PRESIDENT gave the health of Mr. Clarkson, of
London, the proctor of the association, with thanks to
bhn for his courtesy in coming amongst them. (Cheers.)
'Mr. CLARKSON acknowledged the compliment, and
stated the pleasure he felt in meeting the company ; at
the same time expressing the pleasure he should always
feel in promoting the interests of the association.

(Cheers.) .
Mr. COBBOLD proposed " Prosperity to the Commerce,
Manufactures, and Trades of Ipswich," coupling with it
the names of Messrs. W. Bayley and C. H. Cowell,
(Applause.) There was a time, said the hon. gentle-
man, when the town was in a state of great depression,
but lie firmly believed it was now in a state of progres-
sive prosperity. (Hear, hear.) And he also was of
opinon that the shipbuilders, at that moment, were em-
ploying as great a number of hands as upon any previous
occasion. He did most sincerely hope that the town
would continue to prosper.
Mr. BAYLEY and Mr. COWELL briefly responded.
Mr. E. LAWRANCE, in rising to propose- the next
toast, said he did not expect to be called from his usu-
ally obscure position to take so prominent a part in the
proceedings of the evening. He always felt some diffi-
dence in proposing toasts, but the nature of the one he •
held in his hand relieved him from many difficulties,
which, perhaps, in any other matter he should have
laboured under. He believed he was the oldest in the
present company, and with nerves unstrung and recol-
lections fresh, he did not but feel himself flattered by the
compliment. The toast was—" The Merchant Navy
of Great Britain," especially that part which belonged
to the port of Ipswich. (Loud cheers.) He begged to
couple with the toast the name of Mr. Cuckow. (Cheers.)
Mr. CUCKOW returned thanks.
The PRESIDENT gave the health of the Vice-President
of the Committee of Management of the Wet Dock,
Geo. Josselyn, Esq.—(cheers)—and 'spoke in higiaterms
of the valuable services of that gentleman in promoting
the welfare of Ipavhch.
Mr. JOSSELYN replied by saying, he had always a high
opinion of mall meetings as the present, as it brought
old friends together. (Hear.) He would propose "The
health of the Visitors to Ipswich," unitintwith it the
nwkaianmnsidear
a. ofsGro
reception
crßecrp.ett Geo.yioi :great
r:Beo
iamanty ley, of London. (C h
toast, e e ru. )
said
it
1 aweiatrhl
yiaphte,likeassnieupwrselwectlichoginliginitht: m:,wFOA s-o-
-native toweßne,tueatand the earliest associefrittse.oflhiat waysouhtt
wpreerseeneot.nn 50anydes7. is t nh eaodmpe
passed
etdh osseineehetrenw.
Ipswich bad to him a peculiar charm. It was not the
beauty of the scenery, the regularity of its streets, or the
uniformity of its buildings, that attracted him. It was,
in fact, his native place. (Applause.) He felt an inward
pleasure when going over the pages of history, to see
aaention made of the obscure town of Ipswich. lie was
\
happy to hear it was in so prosperous a condition, and he
eaornneemstluychhoipnedimitprowovninldg gtoheonb.uild(Hoefars.h)
ipslrawindelawhiathd
d
which the name of Gower was early associated. (Hear.)
The PRESIDENT proposed "The health of A. Cobbold,
Esq., the Secretary to the Society," and thanks to him
for his valuable services. (Applause.)
Mr. A. COBBOLD responded, and said he should al-
ways feel great pleasure in giving his humble services
for the benefit of the association. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. LAWRANCE, after F peaking in high terms of the
intellectual skill of Mr. Hurwood, the engineer of the
Ipswich Wet Dock, proposed that gentleman's henith.
(Cheers.)
Mr. HunWOOD acknowledged in suitable terms.
Mr. CHRISTOPHERSON gave "The Committee of Mlaa.st
nagement," which Mr. Goddard acknowledged.
The PRESIDENT shortly after proposed "The Ladies,"
which was warmly received, and this being the
toast, the President vacated his seat, and the company
soon after broke up.
We cannot close our report without adding our testi-
mony to the admirable dinner supplied by Mr. Taylor,
the landlord of the Viiie. The most fastidious could not
desire a repast of a better description. The wines were
excellent, and the desert of the choiatiet dowiptien.