The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-20 00:00:00

NY JANUARY 20, 1849.

Drouet's establishment. From observations made on
the spot I have not come to a satisfactory opinion as to
the cause of the outbreak of the cholera. I believe the
over-crowding predisposed to it. I should not consider
the children who were not affected with cholera as in a
bad state of health, but they were not robust. I did not
consider them starved. I saw some very healthy chit-
dren amongst them. Question by Mr. Grainger—Were
not the particulars respecting the condition of the sur-
gery and dispensary in my report given to me by Mr.
Popham, and are they not correct?—Mr. Popham ad-
mitted that they were. He had always seen the bottles
of a medical establishment labelled, and should not like
to take medicine out of bottles that were not labelled.)
I am certainly of opinion the children were over-
crowded. I refer the diseaie to the state of the atmos-
phere.

SALTASII BRIDGE.—CORN WALL
RAILWAY,
(From the Plymouth Herald, of Saturday, Jan. 20.)
Our readers will recollect that, during the application
to Parliament for the Act authorising the formation of
the Cornwall Railway, the Legislature objected to the
crossing of the Hamoaze from Morice town to Torpoint,
which it was intended to do by means of a flouting-
bridge, compelling the company to erect a bridge over the
Tamar at Saltash passage ; the bridge to have a clear
width between the piers of not less than 300 feet, and a
clear height of 100 feet above high water. As might be
imagined, in order to carry out this great work, it was
necessary that the most minute surveys should be made.
This task was uralertsken, under the directions of Mr.
Brunel, the company's engineer, by Mr. Glennie, the
resident engineer, and a staff of able assistants ; and the
following information was obtained :
The depth of water in the middle of the river is from
sixty-eight to seventy feet at high water; and the depth
of mud covering the rock varies from about ten to seven-
teen feet; the width of the river on the lino of the pro-
posed bridge is 347 yards at high water, and 256 yards
at low water. The river being considerably narrower
at this spot than it is above and below Saltash, the tides
flow with rapidity, both on the flood and ebb, but they
seldom exceed two miles an hour at spring tides, and at
the neap, three-quarters of a mile, or at times even less.
It might here be stated that it was represented by the
engineers, that if the piers of the bridge were to be
placed so as to give only 300 feet clear width, as re-
quired by the Act, two of the piers would have to be
placed in deep water, whereas by extending the width to
about 420 feet, one pier would be situated on the rock on
the west shore, another nearly in the centre of the river,
and the third, just below low water mark on the east
shore, so that only one pier would be in deep water.
The necessary excavations preparatory to the actual
commencement of the undertaking having been com-
pleted, we had an opportunity on Wednesday last,
through the courtesy of Mr. Glennie,'of viewing the
operations, and of witnessing the mode by which the na-
ture of the foundation, &c., had been ascertained; and
we hare no doubt the following particulars, which were
then obtained, will be read with much interest.
Experience has shown that great difficulty always ex-
isted in obtaining borings in deep water and a strong
tide way, and to meet this Mr. Brunel ordered a wrought
iron cylinder, for the twofold purpose of being enabled
to bore within it, in still water, and of ascertaining
whether, on its being inserted into the mud, it would
serve the purpose of a coffer-dam, in keeping out tho
water.
For the purpose of moving the cylinder from place to
place, in order effectually to carry on the work of ex-
amining the bottom of the river, two gun brigs were
purchased of the Government, and strongly moored in
the river with chain and hemp cables, a space of fifteen
feet being left between the two, and over which a strong
stage was erected. A lofty pair of sheers were raised
with suitable purchases, for lifting the cylinder, and a
six horse power steam-engine, with winding gear, was
fitted up in one of the brigs.
The cylinder, which was made of Finch boiler plates,
rivetted similar to the boiler of a steam-engine, with
strong internal bands of iron, at intervals of four feet
six inches throughout its length, is six feet in diame-
ter, 85 feet in length, and weighs 28 tons ; it was
brought to Saltash from Bristol in four lengths,
which were rivetted together on a wharf at the former
place. When the stupendous cylinder was ready, a flat
wrought iron cover with a stop-cock in it was screwed on
the top, and a wooden end put into the bottom, so as to
exclude the water; it was then rolled off the wharf into
the water and towed to the brigs; the purchases having
been made fast, the upper end was lifted sufficiently
high to allow the lower end to clear the mud on its ob-
taining an upright position ' • a hawser having been pre-
viously fixed to the wooden head it was then hove out
and the cylinder gradually assumed an upright position,
the air confined within being sufficient to float it, and to
slacken the purchases attached to the upper end ; the
stop-cock being then opened to allow the air to escape, it
sunk into the mud in the required position. The corer
was then removed, and the capability of' the cylinder to
serve as a coffer-dam was at once most satisfacto-
rily proved,—by drawing out all the water with a
large iron bucket, provided for the purpose, the
surface of the ,mud was exposed to view, and the
leakage was so small, that on leaving off drawing
the water, it only rose at the rate of eighteen inches an
hour. Having so safely established this point, a series
of borings were commenced and carried on until the
level of the rock was ascertained over a surface of 50
feet square. During these operations the cylinder was
moved 35 times and 175 borings were obtained. The
level of the rock on the east shore, a little below low
water, was also examined by borings without the aid of
the cylinder, and found to be most favourable, as over
a surface of 66 feet square the level did not vary so
much as one loot; the depth of mud covering the rock
varying from 8 to 18 feet.
The requisite number of borings having been ob-
tained, it now remained to excavate down to the rock
within the cylinder, in order to examine its nature, and
also to ascertain whether any flow ef water or any
other difficulty might present itself; but, preparatory to
this, in order to remove the inconvenience of drawing
water by buckets, while the process of excavating was
going on, the cylinder was raised and laid along
the stage, and a lift-pump, with an 8-inch working
barrel, was fixed within it, and gear fitted for connect.
ing it with the engine. The cylinder being placed in its
firmer position, it was ascertained, by boring, that the
bottom of it was eighteen inches above the rock, and in
order to prevent any irruption of the mud between the
cylinder and the rock, a circle of small oak piles, 6
inches broad and 2i inches thick, were driven down as
the excavation of the mud proceeded, and on approach-
ing the bottom these piles were further strengthened by
a strong iron band, to prevent any pressure of mud forc-
ing them in. The mud was soft blue or black, very ad-
hesive near the surface; but about 3 feet down it became
mixed with shells, and so compact as to require the pick-
axe. Under this was a bed of large stones; and at
length the solid reek was found 12 feet below the sur-
face of the mud. The rock was a hard dun stone, be-
longing to the slate formation; three distinct beds
crossed the bottom of the cylinder, nearly at right angles
with the course of the river, and inclining to the south,
forming an angle of .sli degrees with the horizon.
The excavation of the rock was then prosecuted to
the depth of three feet below its surface at which depth
the bed joints, which had been about three inches wide
at the surface and filled with yellow clay, became so close that it was not deemed necessary to proceed fur- ther; the entire surface presenting a solid mass of rock
capable of sustaining any weight of masonry that could
be placed on it; and during the process of the operations
the water draining was much less than could have been
anticipated. We have already noticed that the working
barrel of the pump was eight inches in diameter, the
length of the stroke was in the first instance thirty-
three iuches, and when it was not required to keep
the water close down it was maintained at a level of
two or three feet above the surface of the mud by
working the pump only one minute in every sighs, or to
one-eighth of its power, at the rate of eighteen to
twenty strokes a minute. IVhen the excavation
was commenced and it became necessary to keep
the water clear, a shorter crank was applied to the en-
gine, and the length of stroke was reduced to seventeen
inches, and the water was easily kept down, notwith•
standing the occasional stoppages for emptying the skips
of mud sent up. When the rock had been excavated to
a sufficient depth, a small sumpt-hole was sunk below
the general level, of sufficient size to receive the end of
the suction hose, and by this means the surface of the
rock was kept dry.
Having given these particulars, we may now state that
the party who had been invited on board—amongst
whom were Mr. Woollcombe, the chairman of the South
Devon Railway Company; Mr. Henderson, the Master.
Attendant of the Dockyard ; Mr. Walker, the Queen's
Harbour Master; Captain Burgman, the Civil Engineer
of the Dockyard; Lieut, Woollcombe, Flag•lieutenant ;
Mr. Hennett, the eminent contractor ; Mr. Fisher, en-
gineer, &c.—had every part of the works explained to
them by Mr. Glennie ; and those gentlemen who felt
inclined to do so, descended the cylinder. We took the
opportunity of visiting the bed of the Tamar in this
novel manner, and found, as was described, the surface
of a solid roek; the water just oozing around the foot of
the cylinder, to the depth of an inch or two; the mode
of descending and ascending the tube, 85 feet, it should
be recollected, in length, was very simple and per-
fectly safe.
In concluding our observations, we can state on au-
thority that the result of the whole of the operations has
been most favourable; excellent foundations have been
discovered and the success of the experiment of the
cylinder, as serving the purpose of a coffer-dam, has ex-
ceeded the hopes of the most sanguine. The applica-
tion of the cylinder to such purposes is a new era in
engineering, and it reflects much credit on the abilities
and ingenuity of Mr. Brunel; while the carrying the
work out so ably by Mr. Glennie is equally meritorious.
The assiduity and talent, exhibited throughout, by
the
latter gentlemase cannot, we arc assured, h
praised. By this experiment it is now ascertainedeodtcpmuch
wathttart
the otherwise difficult work of raising
fl'ectod—for thpier, cats be, comparatively, easily
be-
yond
the expense of constructing and
timensious to build
'putting down a
wrought iron cylinder of sufficient l
the centre pier within it, the expense of the piers falls
down to the ordinary of emuch excavation and
masonry, which in thise
be far below the cost of
ste, s
we are informed by eowpe..
tent judges, would certainly
equal quantities of vvr?rl,itunneling. Thus, it is the' e-
fore Seen, that the
"impossibilities," difficulties'" and
"enormous expenses,"
which have been, from time to
time, by report, saddled upon this undertaking, have
vanished, as the work can be executed whenever it ma
be required, without any extraordiaary expense. y
The
sought for engit is ineer having obtained all the information
now intended to build up with masonry
SO much as has been excavated below the surface of the
rock, and then fill in with clay to the level of the mud
at the bottom of the river.
a copper case, with A copper plate, enclosed in
the following inscription will be
placed in the masonry.
" Cornwall Railway. Saltash Bridge, Trial founda-
tion of Centre Pier. January, 1849. I. K. Brunel, en-
gineer; William Glennie, resident engineer."
The cylinder will then be withdrawn and landed on
the quay, and the works will be suspended, until the
return of more prosperous times, will authorise the pro-

NA VA L 11Y TELLIGENCE.
During the past week the new First Lord has been making
himself personally acquainted with the gentleman and their
offices and departments at the Admiralty.
We believe the levees of the First Lord of the Ad-
miralty will not commence before some time next month.
The naval medals granted to survivors of those actions
which were enumerated in the first notice in the London
Gazette, it is expected, will be ready for issue on the Ist of
February next.
Commander John 11. Gennys (1845) has been appointed
to study steam, at the factory, Woolwich.
Lieutenant IL S. Micklethwaite (1842), first of the Bel-
lerophon, 78, Captain Baynes, at Palermo, to be succeeded
by Lieutenant Heard and Mr.
just received his T. L. Hallowes, who had
on to the rank of lieutenant from
mate of the Vangupromotiard, have come home via Marseilles in the
Medina.
SIR C. NAPIER'S SQUADRON.--.lt WAS understood that the
squadron under the command in chief of Rear Admiral Sir C.
Napier, R.C.13., was to leave Lisbon for Gibraltar, &c. im-
mediately on the arrival of the packet in the Tagus
'from
England, after the sth inst. The Stromboli steara-sloop,
Commander Lord A. 'W. Beauclerk, is ordered to Spithead.
The Driver, 6,1, steam-sloop, Commander Johnson, will pro-
bably be sent to join Sir Charles Napier.
We stated in December last that the 'Vanguard, SO, Capt.
Rich, and the Rodney, 92, Captain Collier were to be de-
tached from Sir W. l'arker's squadron, early in JanuslD,, to
join Sir C. Napier, at Lisbon. The Vanguard left Naples
January 1, for Malta, and as she was ordered not to remain
there longer than absolutely necessary, it is likely she may
meet Sir C. Napier at Gibraltar. The Rodney was to follow
the Vanguard to Malta in a few days. The Prince Regent,
90, Captain W. F. Martin, at once proceeds to the Mediter-
ranean, and the Powerful, 84, Captain the Hon. R. 5. Dun-
das, C. 8., shortly follows her to the same station, as we have
previously stated.
The Espiegle, 12, Commander Campbell, arrived at the
Cape of Good Hope, Nov. 16, and remained there on the 22d,
on her way to England, to be paid off.
PORASMOUTH, FRIDAY.—The Espeigle put in to the
Cape of Good Hope prior to the 2d of December, with fore-
mast defective. She was refitting at the above date, and was
to sail about the 10th of December for England.
The President, Southampton, Nimrod, Geyser, Espi2gle,
Dee, and Seringapatam, were in Simon's bay on the 2d
of December. The President was to sail for England on
the 4th.
The Brilliant, 22, Captain Watson, and the Eurydice, 26,
Captain Anson, were at the Mauritius.
The Arab, 12, Commander Morris, had gone on to India.
The Pilot, 12, Commander Lyons,
sailed from Simon's Bay,
on the 18th of November, for Singapore.
The squadron were all well.
The Sharpshooter, 8, Lieutenant-Commander Bailey, is
ordered to seek Sir Charles Napier's squadron, with dis-
patches from the Admiralty. She will be dispatched on
Tuesday from Spithead, offering the first opportunity to
the friends of officers and men in the squadron for commu-
nicating.
The Rapid, 8, Commander E. Dixon, will not be paid off
before to-morrow, her stores not being all returned.
The Sharpshooter steam-schooner, Lieutenant J. C. Bailey
commanding, will be ready for sea to-morrow.
The Driver steam-sloop, Commander Charles R. John-
son, sailed for Plymouth this evening with supernumeraries.
The jury-masts of the Arrogant were taken out this after-
noon.
The Superb's topsail-yards were crossed this afternoon.
In Port and fitting.—Victory, 22, flag-ship of Commander-
ia-Chief; Illustrious, 10, flag-ship of Admiral Superinten-
dent ' • Excellent, gunnery exercise ship; Victoria and Albert,
Royal yacht; Superb, 80; Blenheim, 56, gmard-ship of
steamers; Rapid, 8; and Rolla, 6, exercise-brig for naval
apprentices; Centaur, steam-frigate; Sharpshooter, steam-
schooner; Fairy, Fire Queen, Myrtle, and Bee, steam-
tenders; Vulcan, steam revenue-vessel; and Echo, steam-
tug vessel; Fanny, Commander.in-Chief's yacht; Porta-
mouth, Admiral Superintendent's yacht and pay vessel.
At Spithead.—None.
In the Old Basin.—Pembroke, 72; Defence, convict-hulk;
alabar, coal depot; Centaur, steam frigate; and Comet,
teamer.
In Dock.—Princess Charlotte, 104; Collingwoed, 80;
-Vindictive, 50; Flying Fish, 12; Devastation, steam-sloop;
and Sparrow, surveying-ketch.
' In the Steam Basin.—Ajax, 56, steam-guardship; Retri-
bution and Termagant steam-frigates; Salamander, Birken-
head, Phoenix, and Cormorant steam-slops; Urgent, Otter,
and Jackal steam-vessels.
PLY:4I6IIPB, JAN. 18.—Her Majesty's steam-sloop Virago,
one of the reserve steam-vessels ordered from Sheerness to
this port, arrived on the 16th. She is to be victualled and
ready for service at 24 hours' notice.
Came in yesterday and to-day—the merchant shi p Lady
United
Peel, Captain Johns, of Penzance, from Baltimore,
States, 15th of December, much damaged, wit U
h 27,
bushels of Indian corn and 600 barrels of
tour. 2Sd of Deooo-.
cember, in lat. 27 11 N., long 63 W., experienced contrary
gales, and hove ship to. 29th, lat. 38 25 N., long. 50 9 W.,
was struck by a heavy sea, which carried away jibboom and
gear, strained the ship, and threw her on her aide, when
she made so much water that the crew were compelled to
throw overboard above 5,000 bushels of Indian corn. The
schooner Palmyra, Foster master, of London, from Galli-
poli, with oil. Brigantine Commodore, Cousins master, 72
clays from Galatz, with wheat: and the schooner Byzantium,
Thurtle master, from Odessa, with wheat—all four YAM'S
bound to Falmouth or Cork for orders.
On the 15th of December there were at Baltimore 14 to
15 vessels (chiefly foreign bottoms) loading or engaged to
load grain and flour for England.
Wind, S.W., blowing strong.
WOOLWICH, FRIDAY.—There is no truth in the report
which appeared in a morning contemporary to-day, that
‘• the cash-box of Woolwich Dockyard had been stolen, and
that its contents ware about I,0001."
'I he Niger steam-vessel still continues in the harbour with
her sails bt nt, and it may be stated that the reasoon she did
not proceed to Devonport on Tuesday morning, as intended,
was owing to the want of stokers.
Commodore Eden is most active in the discharge of his
duties as superintendent of this dockyard. During the pre-
sent week lie has inspected the schools for the apprentice,'
now opened, and, accompanied by Lieutenant Robertson,
visited the police-station and their dwelling-rooms. Yester-
day the gallant officer, accompanied by Mr. Gosman, master
of the Fisgard, inspected the Sulphur and Hebe, convict-
ships, and the Unite and Wye, convict hospital ships.
CHATHAM, Jex. 19.—This week the annual examination
of candidates for apprentices in the dockyard took place.
The usual number if shipwright apprentices annually has
been 16, but it is generally thought that in future not more
than half that number will be taken. There were between
70 and 80 candidates, whose names are forwarded to the Ad-
mira 1 ty for their Lordships' selection.
Mr. John Barnaby, draughtsman of this lard, who has
been for a long period employed as inspector of ship-building
for the navy in the river Thames, is ordered to return to his
duty in the dockyard.
The- Aid, Smallman, master, is alongside the dockyard
loading stores for Portsmouth.
Invalids.—Since January, 1848, to January, 1849, the
number of invalid! soldiers from the East Indies and different
colonies, who have pa,sed medical inspection at Fort Pitt, is
3,050 men, which is a less number than the former year by
50. Nearly the whole of these men have been pensioned oil; very few having been found fit for farther service.

AIL W IVIARKETS.
BRISTOL, JAN. 19.
STOCK EXCHANGE. —The market still continues to have
an upward tendency, and holders were very firm. Great
Western, Quarters, were done at 1% dis.—Ditto, New 171.
Shares, 1% dis. _ _

LIVERPOOL, JAN. 19.
STOCK ExcHANon.---The share market has been very
brisk to-day, and a large number of transactions are reported,
at higher prices. The sales are—Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe,
and %vest Yorkshire, No. 1, 6!;3 Ditto, Preference, guaran-
teed 6 per cent. (B), 191—Caledonian, Preference, I%i p._
East Lancashire, Quarters, 51j—Kendal and Windermere,
101. Preference, 14 p.—Lancashire and Yorkshire (late Man-
chester and Leeds), li ifths,3/. Is. 3d. dis.—Ditto, 32/. Shares
(late Extension), 754 dis.—Ditto, 10/. Preference, 1% p.
ex int.—Ditto (late West Riding Union), Fifths, 4% dts.—
London and North-Western, 132—Ditto, Fifths, N
p.—
Ditto, New Quarters, 3/. 18s. 9d. p.—Ditto, Quarters (C),
314 p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 63%
Midland Stock, 91—Ditto, New Halves, 5/. 13s. 9d. dis.—
North Staffordshire, 27;4 die.—Scottish Central, 26—Shrews-
bury and Birmingham, Preference, S per cent. guaranteed for
ten years, 9% c.- South-Eastern and Dover, 25%—Ditte,
No. 2, 9 dis.—Ditto, No. 3, 22!,1 ex int.—Ditto, /410. 4,
Thirds, 77 ex int.—York, Newcastle, and Berwick (Exten-
sion, No. 1), 1 I/8 c. p.—Ditto (G. N. II Purchase), % P.
MANCHESTER, JAN. 19.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-7'he sales are--North Staffordshire,
2 13-16 dis.—Leeds, Fifths, 3 1-16—Ditto,
p.—West Riding Union, 4% dis.—Cheshire Juactio 94
dis.—Chester and Birkenhead, 15%—North-Western,
dis.—South-Eastern and Dover, ;No. 4, 7 9'16 la,n, Quar-
ters Preference, 7—Manchester and Birming
Sheffield and
Preference, N
ters (C), 354 p.—Caledonian, Preference, 1_ p.—Sheffield 25....
Lincoln, 1214 dis.—Old Leeds, 19 dis.—Old
Clitheroe, No. 1, 6—Old Grimsby, 24%. i
_9.
BIRMINGHAM, JAN.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The
bampton, an
ey,
tions:—Birmingham. Waiver .
fnollowlinagndarep i
drt
mh the
ntdgoauhyra' n
is
~1) uayi
It
2a
6-
(-srtsrteowsbury and Birmingham
s.. , Preference,
Northt —h
Staffordshire,
dal aoiridds,h6i
rpee, r 234 cent.ds
(A), .51/2 dis.-
113;:lusi.ness transacted to-day was
31..-11 3d. dis.—Ditto - -
JAN.da. 18.
Ditto (B),
, , and,, Boston, 4%
I p.
—South
—aSiati,°irleiells4 Nottingham, and
Newcastle and
as follows :-
91i ex ins.-your-
----- E tension), l, 20I4—Ditto (G '
. N. E. Pur-
Berwiek ( x
9d.
Northern,.
No. .
chase), e I. es.
dig Great

GLASGOW, JAN. 18.
ExcluorGr.—The sales
and girth, 52
STOCK
ind Ditto, preference, V. Bs.—Dundee and Perth, 26—Edinburgh
Glasgow, 821/i—Edinburgh and Northern, 11%—Glas-
gow General Terminus, 11—Wasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle,
s—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, Halves, No. I, 51 61—
Glasgow and Greenock, Preference,
Northern, 91fi—Scottish Central, 26ini—Wishaw and Colt-
ness, 45. 74 ss. 6d.—Great

Dispatches
Were sent off lust evening from the
Colonial- office fur the Governors of Hong. Kong and
Ceylon.
itorAL LYCEUM.—H. H. H. the Duke of Cam-
bridge, H. R. H. the Duchess of Cambridge, H. R. H. Prince
George of Cambridge, and H. R. 11. the Princess Mary, at-
tended by Mr. M. St. Mildmay, honoured the Lyceum
'lleatre with their presence on Tuesday last. During the
woek the following distinguished persons have also visited
the theatre :—Lord Granville, Lady and Misses Trollope,
Lord Guernsey, Lord Durham, Dowager Countess of Essex,
and Miss Johnson, Earl and Countess of Harrington, Lady
Shelley, Lady Morgan, Earl of Cardigan, Lady Glengali,
Hon. Ain:. Murray, Earl of Cork, Lord A. Lennox,:Lord G.
Paget, Sir John Lowther. Bart., Mr. Hubert de Burgh, Mr.
Ricardo, M.P., &c. &c.

FRESH J. ti ORR. FROM AMERICA.—The Niagara,
from Bostoa, brought this time, as part of her cargo,
one hundred carcases of fresh pork from America.
They were preserved in ice, and were in fresh and ex
cellent condition. On Thursday they were sold by
auction, and brought from 325. 6d. to 355. 6d. per 1201ba.
This is the first importation of the kind from the States,
and should the experiment succeed on a larger scale, it
cannot but produce a material effect upon the general
PrOi§i9l4 l:lll4ll4t,—LiverpodiaPer•