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

the period since they last had -an 0P Pnrtnni tYto rellB ri ill
the members, at the special generameeting held in 1851. This gratification, felt at all times, and by most m
en
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 during these 3 years, to report to the mem hers a
continuance of the success, although of a somewhat less-
ened character to that which they had hitherto been able
to show as the result of 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
rom a -. . renewer-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 Protection,
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 ream-
neratiug freights which were obtained, did induce some
persons again to look to his property as being fairly reran-
nerative in which to embark their money, and that as a
natural consequence, the capital of your association has
shown indications of agaia reaching the point at about
which it stood some years, for that whilst in 1851 and
couireittee find the sum 'of 51,6701. already entered upon
5128,55250' i/t had fa
. ; and it
tleis rit4h7Csosnolsid"eirat rose in
blesatisract3 and 1854,ionthat pour
to
tie
your deed for 1851 and 1855.
re
sheen TI The
tmh
eo srat t
e at important
whie
hp part
heo of thisessel
ssparntd
iins,g
of
in Ctohu 1 le
ire rt c'e
-
seective classes have been insured, and your committee
would call particular attention to these rates as follows :
For the years 1851 and 1652. Per Cent.
. For ve"ets insured in Class A 1 £4 5 0
Class A 3 6 6 2
titttoto_ . . , Class A 2 5 1 0
For the years 1852 and 1853.
For vessels insured in Class A 1
- Ditto Class A 2 10 0 0
Ditto 'Class A 3 13 2 0
• And far the years 1853 and 1854.
For vessels insured in Class A 1 . 4 15 0
Ditto - - Class A:2
theelaagrateAo3f insurance fso7r tlhge Tooe a r
It willbteietet4en that
1852 and 1853 is unfortunately the highest_ ever paid since
the establishment of your association, and aio wonder, when
it is generally admitted that this :wee 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 theme veasiels
formed as good property. as
,any insttred in your anemia.
tion, and covered IGO as lirge -inns 'Wallowed by
rules. . .
In the other two years happily only two total losses in
each year occurred. .Notwithstanding these adverse cir-
cumstances, the greater gratification is felt by your corn.
mittee from the fact that the rate of insurance for the
whole 13 years the association has been in existence has
only reached --
41. 10s. 11d. per Cent. for
Si. lie. lid.
61. 17s. lOid. '
3.
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 cot-
rage of these commanders, your 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 lints, and to the master of the
Janet Sherman.

L in Class A 1.

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 inlthe 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. Cuckow 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
the 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 1,2001. to
1,40)1. has been made to the association in these two
cases.

In conclusion, your committee rests satisfied that the
experience obtained by the working of this association
during the 13 years 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
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-opezation 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 survey 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 fully 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, rernuneration was always
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
him 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 be 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 he firmly believed it was now ire a state of progres-
sive prosperity. (Hear, hear.) And he also was of
opinion 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 reool-
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. CIICKOW returned thanks.
The PRESIDENT gave the health of the Vice-president
of the Committee of Management of the Wet Doek,
Geo. Josselyn, Esq.—(cheers)—and spoke in high terms
of the valuable services of that gentleman in promoting
the welfare of Ipswich.
Mr. JOSSELYN replied by saying, he had slwar a high
opinion of such meetings as the present, se it brought
t ,
111;:sttt?wwilitidaitsh
is
old friends together. (Hear.) He weld prcre? it the
t
health of the Visitors to Ipswich,"
name of Mr. Geo. Bayley, of Lon
Mr. G. BAILIIT, in acknowledging
was a source of great pleasure todch;;
kind a reception from his Ipswich friends.
native town, and the earliest as
were connected with it,
present. But nearly 50 y
IPswiell bad to him a peculiarregularity
beauty of the scenery, the
uniformity of its buildings,
in fact, his native place.
uniting Intl( 1
thet
aesocu►tions of his youth
had passed since then..
and with some of those he saw
9z
charm. It was not the
of its streets, or the
that attracted him. It was,
(Applause.) He felt an inward

pleasure when going
overthi pages of history,
eh to see
mention made of the obscure town of l pewit, . He wee
happy to hear it was in so prosperous a eondition, aad he
earnestly hoped it would go on. (Hear.) Ipswieh had
done
much in improving the build of ships, and with
which the name of Gower was early associated. (Hear.)
Tile PRESIDENT proposed "The health of A. Colelsolel,
Esq., the Secretary to the Society," and thanks to him
for his valuable services. (Applause.)
Mr. A. COBBOLD responded, and said be ahoald al-
ways feel great pleasure in giving his humble eerriees
for the benefit of the association. (Hear, hear.)
Mr: LAWRANCE, after speaking in high terms of the
intellectual skill of Mr. Hurwood, the engineer of the
Ipswich Wet Dock, proposed that gentleman's health.
(Cheers.)
Mr. HURWOOD acknowledged in suitable terms.
Mr. CHRISTOPHERSON gave "The Committee ef Ma,•
nagement," which Mr. Goddard acknowledgati,
The PRESIDENT shortly after proposed "The Ladies,"
which was warmly received, and this being the last
toast, the President vacated his seat, and the compeo7
soon after broke up.
We cannot close our report without adding our tsstt.
niony to the admirable dinner supplied by Me. Taylor,
the landlord of the Vine. The most fastidione eolatl'ecit
desire a repast of a better description. The wines Were
ess.elleat, and the dessert of the e)wicoot, deseFiptim