The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-09 00:00:00

%v/' I

c-

~,._• - -
------.2
k- .. . . .
. - •: 1
- 2
,1
,lIIN 1 . . I- ; . -, I\
41P'-' L,- • ) -
+ //2
t' .4._•=1,1._,..5- '
lIIMINIMIN.,IIIIMM .-LI ' F.
, ----,

[PRICE SD.

-

. ~--_-

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
The Amphion screw-frigate was taken into the basic
at Sheerness on Tuesday, and was unmasted on Wed..
nesday, and docked, to be brought forward for re-cons mission.
The Spiteful steam-sloop, in charge of the master of
the flag-ship Ocean, left Sheerness on Wednesday for
Plymouth. She called at Portsmouth yesterday, and dia.
charged the seamen gunners belonging to the gunnery.
ship Excellent, and also such seamen and marines as be-
longed to that port from the ships lately paid off at Sheer..
ness and Chatham.
The Ajax steam guard-ship at Portsmouth will be
ordered to Devonport, to be the depot ship of the steam
ordinary at that port.
CHATHAM, FEE. B.—LAIINCH OP THE ELFIN
iSTEAMER.—The Elfin steam-vessel, launched from her
Majesty's dockyard this day, is from the design of 0. W.
Lang, Esq., the assistant master-shipwright at Wool-
wich. She has been built on the diagonal principle—
three thicknesses of mahogany, two of iths diagonally,
and one of 3i inch fore and aft, worked up very fair end
smooth, much more so than in iron boats. Her figure-
head is surmounted by a nymph standing on a water-
lily, having water-lilies and scroll work for trail
boards; the after end is also ornamented with a re-
presentation of a child in a shell, and scroll work round
the quarters. She has a far more spacious deck than
her appearance would indicate, gradually diminishing to
the hold, so as to enable her to glide over the sea with
the least effect from the undulation of the waves, thereby
moving with as little loss of speed as possible. Her
windlass and steering apparatus aro far superior to any.
thing ever before made in this yard, being of mahogany
mounted with brass, brass tiller and blocks, the chain
being galvanized to prevent any attraction of the com-
pass. A Downton's patent pump has been fitted in mid-
ship, fur the various purposes of clearing the fore, main,
and after holds, washing decks, wetting sails, or extin-
guishing fire, and also to pump fresh water from the
tanks—which, considering its manifold appliances, occu.
pies but a small space, whilst its deck fitments form a
very neat appendage. Her general equipment is of the
same character; there are comfortable deck•quarters for
the commander and officers; the fore cabin is fitted
with equal regard to comfort and convenience;
the engine-room, 22 feet long, occupies the
most roomy part of the vessel, but ample accommo•
dation is still left for the saloon, ladies' cabin, &c.,
the former fitted with bird's-eye maple pannels and
mahogany stiles and rails, French polished, and furnished
with sofas; the latter having couches, which may be con-
verted into beds; the whole being well lighted and ven-
tilated. She is already coppered, and will proceed at
once to the Thames to take in her engines (about 22 tons
weight) from Sir J. Rennie's, Blacktriars Bridge, under
the superintendence of Mr. Humphries. The Elfin is
destined to run from Gosport with the mail to Osborne
House, during the time of her Majesty's sojourn in the
Isle of Wight. The following are the dimensions of this
unique little steamer:— It. in.
Length between the perpendicular ... 103 6
Breadth extreme, and for tonnage ... 14 0
Breadth moulded ... ... ••• 13 8
Length of the keel for tonnage ... 93 11
Depth in hold ... ... ... ... 7 3
Burthen in tons. O.M.' 97 85.94. New 65 10.
Engine-room 22-639. Register tonnage 42-261.
The First Lord of the Admiralty, the Right Hon. Sir
F. T. Baring, Bart., having been re-elected M.P. for the
borough of Portsmouth, without the slightest opposition,
on Tuesday last, returned to the Admiralty, and resumed
his duties at the board.
STEERING A SHIP WHEN ON FlRE.—Captain Henry
Mangles Denham, R,N., F.R.S., whose abilities as a
marine surveyor, and as a first-rate practical navigator,
are well known to the mercantile as well as the royal
service, perceiving the importance of ships being pro-
vided with a means of steering when the usual helm
fitments become disabled through being on fire abaft—
the rudder tree or head being shattered by shot or a
wringing strain—the in-board tiller breaking short off
—or the wheel gear breaking down suddenly in a gale or
in a tide-way—has contrived a plan for bringing into
instant action an effective temporary helm, whereby a
vessel is rendered independent of those casualties. As
a practical appliance (without risking a man over
the stern) when the usual inboard steering apparatus
meets with accident, this fitment recopamends itself;
and, if adopted as an established part of every ship's
equipment, will avert the delay of preparing a substitute
from chance materials on board, in the hour of need,
which is not the hour for contriving, but rather for ap-
plying at once what has been prepared as a stand-by
Happily, the calamity of a ship on fire rarely occurs,
but when it does, its appalling threatenings to those on
board are most dismaying if the helmsmen are, at the
outburst of flames and smoke, driven from their station!
The ship then becomes ungovernable, though perhaps
possessing propelling power by canvas or steam that
would, if she could be steered, enable her to close with
succouring vessels, or the nearest land, The other exi-
gencies, however, for which the jury tiller is adapted are
of such frequent occurrence, and so sadly hamper a ship,
if not actually risking her safety, whether in broad or
narrow waters, as to crave a forthwith remedy—and
here it is at a cost not exceeding 20/. for the largest ship!
The Herald, 26, Captain Kellet, C. 8., in the Pacific,
having failed to communicate with the Plover, Com-
mander Moore, we understand that it is the intention of
the Admiralty to order the Herald to Behring'a Straits,
in May next, with dispatches and provisions, for the
Plover. The orders for the Herald will go out with the
next mail to Chagres, on the 15th inst., and we doubt
not that any friends or relatives of the officers and men
belonging to the Plover, who are desirous of communi-
cating with that vessel could forward any letters that
might be sent to the Admiralty before the 16th.
It is now stated in some papers, under date of Wool-
wich, that the Conflict, screw-frigate, will be detained
at Sheerness, to have her steam-chest made perfect,
instead of proceeding to Devonport with the men paid
off from the President. The fact is, shes was never
ready to go to Devonport, but, as we stated, she was, and
is, in the hands of the contractors, having her machinery
adjusted.

The Niger, screw-sloop, at Woolwich, it is said, is
having some alterations made in her valves : we stated
so on Tuesday. The work is pretty nearly finished by
this time.