The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-15 00:00:00

TIIE SUN,

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
SOU FII WALLS.

Yesterday, at two o'clock, the adjourned meeting
of this company was held at the Paddington qation
of the Great Western Railway ; Mr. J. Mee Mat-
thews, in the absence of the Hon. Mr. Talbot, pre-
siding. There WAS a full attendance of directors,
with but only few proprietors.
The meeting was consequent on a resolution carried
at the half-yearly meeting on 301 i August, when five
shareholders, Messrs. Macnaghten, Morrison, Mor-
timer, Stead, and Baker were ri,quested to meet the
directors, and to make, conjointly with them, such
applications to the Great Western Railway directors
as they might deem advisable, and to report their
opinions and remarks to the proprietors on all matters
brought under their notice.
The CHAIRMAN said it had been thought necessary
to hold the meeting, which had been re-adjourned
from the 2d of October, simply to state to the pro-
prietors that the committee appointed at the last
meeting thought it desirable still further to adjourn
the business they had been called on to investigate to
the 19th of December, when he believed their report
would be ready upon the questions they were called
on t )investigate. The Chairman then moved a reso-
lution of adjournment accordingly.
Mr. A. K. BARER, a member of the committee,
seconded the resolution.

Mr. CMARLES NASH having put a question as to
the Bills, respecting which notice had been given of
an intention to lay them before Parliament next
session,
The CHAIRMAN said, the sanction of the share-
holders' committee, he believed, had been given to
the promotion of the two Bills relating strictly to the
South Wales Company ; and, if not directly, at least
indirectly, to that of the Vale of Neath; but only as
it was promoted by the Vale of Neath Company did
it affect the South \Vales Railway. "With respect to
the Bill for the Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow
Railway, the directors of the South Wales knew no-
thing of it, and the time for considering it would be
when it came before Parliament.

Mr. FREDERICK SAUNDERS, the secretary, said
that, with regard to the Bill for the Vale of Neath,
the notice given did not affect the subscription by the
South Wales, but was merely to authorise an ar-
rangement for the joint station at Neath, and to re-
lieve the South \Vales from an expenditure they
would otherwise incur. There was no expenditure
contemplated.
Mr. MACNAGIITEN thought the discussion hardly
fair in the absence of other proprietors.
Mr. BARLOW, a director, coincided, and said the
proprietary would have been present had they not
been informed that the meeting would be adjourned.

After some further discussion the chairman put the
resolution, which was carried unanimously, and the
meeting was declared to be adjourned to the 19th of
December, after a vote of thanks to the chairman,
proposed by Mr. NASH, and seconded by Mr. MAC-
NAGHTEN, for his conduct in the chair.

SAMBRE AND MEUSE.
A special meeting of this company was held on
Tuesday at the office, lloorgate-street, to consider
the present position of their affairs and to deter-
mine on future proceedings ; Mr. W. P. Richards in
the chair.

The CHAIRMAN said he deeply regretted the present
unfavourable position of their affairs. It was ex-
tremely painful to his feelings to state that those
gentlemen who had embarked with him in the under-
taking had left the direction, and others who had sub-
sequently joined him in the direction had retired
()wing to some differences with regard to matters of
economy, so that he was left alone in the direction
with the exception of Mr. Sheward. He then
entered into a short history of the company, and
stated the great prospects that were held out
to them of a large and remunerative traffic.
The directors before commencing operations
employed Mr. Sopwith, who was well acquainted
with the mineral traffic in the north of England,
and he had expressed his full confidence
.that the
traffic of the district would be very remunerative.
Statistics compiled from official documents showed
that a large traffic existed in the district, and the Mi-
nister of Public Works spoke in the highest terms of
it, and said it was the best concession he had to give.
lie (the chairman) heard no one say anything against
the expected traffic ; even the contractors for the
Works had made it a condition that they should hare
a large number of shares, and under these circum-
stances the promoters thought they were justified in
expecting a large remunerative income. The tariff
of tolls granted to the company was much higher than
the tolls charged on the Government lines, in consi-
deration of the difficult nature of the works which
the company had to undertake to Walcourt and
Morialme. But when they were about opening a
portion of the line, the Belgian Minister
came forward and insisted on the company
abandoning their authorized tolls, and adopt-
ing the scale of tolls then charged on the
State lines. The tolls on the State lines had
been- reduced since the period :when the concession
Was granted to this company, which made the terms
still more unfavourable to them. He (the Chairman)
had expressed his opinion to the board at the time
that the company could not work the line on those
terms, and he advised them not to open the line, but
the majority were in favour of opening the line, as
the contract with the Minister was only far twelve
Months, and they were anxious to see what the line
Would do. The result was that the traffic receipts
averaged only 1701. per week, and the expenses
amounted to 2101. per week. Up to the present time
they got nothing by working the line; they had in-
curred a debt of 5,0001, and they were adding to that
debt every week. Under these circumstances Mr.
Sheward, the managing director in Belgium, gave
notice to the Minister of Public Works that the
company would cease to work the line at the expira-
tion of the twelve months. This announcement
bad caused considerable resistance on the part of
the Belgian authorities. The company had been
deprived of their tariff, and they had therefore
no option but giving this notice. There was no
symptom of improvement in the trade of the dis-
trict, and the question for them to consider was,
whether they should or should not carry on the traffic
!t a loss.—(Hear, hear.) He believed that the feel-
ing in Belgium was most unfavourable to this corn-
PanY• The course adopted by the Belgian Govern-
ment towards this and other companies was most
disheartening. They ought to remember that the
company had expended large sums of money in Bel-
gium to carry on the works, at a time when that
Country was oppressed with a grievous famine. These
works had conferred considerable benefit on the people
Belgium. It was but reasonable to expect of the
/3elgian Government that they should entertain a
rearrangement of the whole question. It was with
this View, and to save further loss to the company,
that Mr. Sheward had given the notice. He then
proposed a resolution to the effect that in the present
position of the affairs of the company it was inexpe-
Merit to continue the working of the line, unless some
i~aapgement be made with the Belgian Government
ding to a reasonable conclusion that it would be
Worked at a profit.
Mr. FISHER wished to know how many directors
there were at present.
The CHAIRMAN said there were Mr. Sheward and
himself ; Mr. Lindo bad resigned, but he believed that
Mr. Greig had not resigned. As to Mr. Williams, he
resided very far from London, and they never rec-
koned much on his attendance.
It was stated in reply to questions from Mr. Crad-
dock, that the working expenses were not yet reduCed
to 2101. per week, and therefore the loss averaged more
than 401. per week. Prior to opening the line it was
estimated that the receipts would average 300/. per
week, and that the profit from traffic would be suffi-
cient to pay the interest on the preference shares. The
actual receipts were 156/. per week, being scarcely
more
than one half the amount estimated by the
committee of investigation before opening the line.
Mr. SUEWARD said that when the Minister had
forced the tariff upon the company, he (Mr.
Sheward) estimated that the loss to the company
by the new tariff would be about 12 per cent., but,
in fact, it proved to be 26 per cent. Up to the
present time the Government have not shown the
least intention of relaxing the terms of the
tariff. From the general outcry with regard to the
arrangement he thought the Government must even-
tually give way. When the company commenced to
Work the line certain expenses were 19,000 f. (,i 60/.)
Per month, but they had been gradually reduced to
10,000 f. (4001.) per month.—(Hear.) The 20,0001.
raised by the issue of preference shares had been
xpended, and there was not one shilling left when
they opened the line for traffic. The 30,0001. which
the former directors had lent to the contractors to
Carry on the works was reduced by 6,0001. for work
done, and there remained due to the company 24,000/.,
for which they held as security mortgages on iron
Works and other property, which would not now pro-
duce 10,0001., although at the time the money was
lent they were good security. The contractors had
promised to repay the money in sums of 60,000 f. per
Month, but they were unable to do so. The iron
works were out of blast, and property which at the
time the money was lent was worth 100,0001. is not
now worth 16,000/. It was absolutely necessary
that the shareholders should aid the directors, and give
them that support which a diminished board other-
Vise does not possess.
[lr. MELLOR thought it was scarcely possible that
the Belgian Government would persist in acting
towardsi. the company so unjustly as had been described.
fie trusted that a reconsideration of the matter would
induce them to deal fairly with the company. It ap-
peared very hard on the shareholders, who had paid
up the whole of the original capital, that the directors
should have deserted the chairman and left the com-
pany in difficulties.
Mr. BURKE quite agreed with Mr. Mellor that the
directors, particularly those who were
_the promoters

of the undertaking, shoul l not have left the company
in its difficulties. Ho had been induced to become a
shareholder in the company from the glowing account
Mr. Stephenson had given him of the prospects of the
line—that it would be the Stockton and Darlington
of Belgium. He then gave an account of the various
unpleasant matters he had to contend with at the
board during the short time he had acted as a
director. Nothing would induce him to remain a
director, although he would be happy to render the
company any assistance as a shareholder, and to give
his advice.

The CHAIRMAN said he felt personally indebted to
Mr. Burke for his as.,ist,.:nce and advice, and he re-
gretted his retirement from the board.

Mr. CRADDOCK said, he w ould be glad to know
whether there was any chance of the Government
taking the line off their hands.

The CHAIRMAN replied, he did not know, but he
would be glad if the Government would take the
line and work it, and give the surplus to the com•
pany. It would require 350,0001., in addition to the
600.0201. they had already expended, to complete the
whole of the undertaking. About 210,0001. would
enable them to open the line to Vireaux.
A conversation ensued, in the course of which it
was stated that at the time the concession was
granted there were 24 furnaces "in blast," but now
there were only three in blast. The works were all
at a stand-still.

Mr. BURKE said that everything now depended
upon an effective demonstration to the Belgian. Go-
vernment. The only mode was by a deputation of
influential shareholders to Brussels to negotiate with
the Belgian Government, and determined to obtain a
definitive answer to certain propositions.
The Ch AntaiAN invited some influential share-
holders to fill up vacancies in the direction, but they
declined to do so, owing to their professional and other
engagements, with the exception of Mr. Cotton, who
promised to consider the matter.

The resolution was then put and unanimously
adopted, as were also other resolutions to the effect
that the notice given by the directors of their inten-
tion to close the line be confirmed, and that a com-
mittee of shareholders be formed for the purpose of
assisting the directors in negotiating with the Belgian
Government, with the view to further arrangements
more favourable to the company.
A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the
proceedings.

GREAT WESTERN OF BENciAL.—Yesterday the
wit:ding up of this company's affairs, under the pro-
visions of the Joint Stock Companies Act, came on
for hearing before the Master in Chancery, Dowdes-
well, at his chambers in Southampton-buildings,
Chancery lane. The petition in support of the pro-
posed process was verrified by affidavit from Major-
General M Leod, of Clifton-place, Hyde I. ark-
gardens, the chairman, and Robert Wolesley, of
Guildhall Chambers, Basinghall street, the secretary
to the company. The various parties were in attend-
ance for the appointment of an official manager, to
superintend the winding up the affairs of the estate.
There were four propositions. Messrs. Freshfield,
who appeared for a number of shareholders in the
East India Railway Company, with which the Great
Western of Bengal has been amalgamated, nominated
Mr. Coleman accountant ; Mr. William Galsworthy,
on behalf of several allottees, proposed Mr. Quilter
accountant ; Mr. James, for the petitioners, proposed
Mr. J. 11. Norris; and Messrs. Fry and Loxley, Mr.
Ernest. After a discussion, the Master adjourned his
decision as to a selection.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

SIR THOMAS BYAM MARTIN, G.C.8., TAE

ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET.

The Gazette of Tuesday officially promulgated the
appointment of the senior Admiral of the Red, Sir
Thomas Byam Martin, G.C.8., to be Admiral of
the Fleet, in the room of Sir James H. Whitshed,
Bart., G.C.8., deceased, and likewise the other con-
sequent promotions ; and also those on account of the
death of Sir S. J. B. Pechell, Bart. Sir Thomas
Byain Martin, we regret to find, retains the ap-
pointment of Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom,
which is a life-holding, although the gallant officer
cannot derive any emoluments from the office, seeing
that his superannuation as Comptroller of the Navy,
and his pay as admiral, ate of such an amount as to
render him ineligible to receive the salary attached to
the appointment of Vice-Admiral of the United
Kingdom. We trust, however, that now, occupying
the highest and most diAinguished appointment in the
naval profession, the Gallant Admiral will relinquish
the latter office in favour of a less fortunate junior
flag officer. We copy the following account of Sir
Byam Martin's most gallant career from " O'Byrne's
Naval Biography :"-
" This officer, whose name had been borne from
June 23, until Dec. 31, 1782, on the books of the
Foudroyant, 80, Captain John Jervis, entered the
Royal Naval Academy in August, 1785, and em-
barked in March, 1786, as captain's servant, on board
the Pegasus, 28, commanded by his Royal Highness
Prince William Henry, with whom he continued to
serve in that vessel, and, as midshipman, in the An-
dromeda frigate, on the North American and West
India atations, until July, 1789. He was then in
succession employed, chiefly on Channel service, in
the Colossus, 74, Captain Hugh Cloberry Christian ;
Southampton, 32, Captain Richard Goodwin Keats;
and Barfleur. 98, and Royal George, 100, flag-ships
of Admiral Barrington ; and on Oct. 22, 1790, he
was made Lieutenant into the Canada, 74, Captains
Lord Hugh Seymour and Erasmus Gower. After
serving for two years in the capacity last-mentioned
on board the Inconstant and Juno frigates, commanded
in the Channel by Captains G. Wilson and S. Hood,
he was promoted, in May, 1793, to the command of
the Tisiphone, 12, fitting for the Mediterranean, where,
on the sth of the ensuing November, having witnessed
Lord Hood's occupation of Toulon, he was made post
into the Modeste frigate. His ensuing appoint-
ment was to the Artois, in which vessel, we believe,
he co-operated in the reduction of Bastia. Obtaining
command next of the Santa Margaritta, of 40 guns
and 237 men, Captain Martin, besides making prize
in that ship of Le Jean Bart corvette of 18 guns,
and the privateers Le Buonaparte of 16 guns and
137 men, and Le Vengeur of 18 guns and 110 men,
succeeded -June 8, 1796, in effecting the capture, after
a close and gallant action of twenty minutes, of the
Tamise of 40 guns and 306 men, of whom 32 were
killed and 19 wounded, with a loss to the British of
only 2 slain and 3 wounded. In December, 1796,
he removed to the Tamar, 38, and being ordered to
the West Indies, was present in April, 1797, in the
unsuccessful attack on Puerto Rico. During the five
following months -he had the fortune to capture not
less than nine privateers, carrying in the whole 58
guns and 519 men. In October, 1798, at which
period he had command for ten months of the
Dictator, 64, Captain Martin removed to the Fisgard
of 46 guns and 281 men. Continuing in that
frigate on the Channel station until December, 1801,
he contrived, Oct. 20, 798, when off Brest to capture
the French ship Immortalite of 42 guns and 580 men,
including troops, at the close of an obstinate conflict
of great length, productive of a loss to the enemy of
54 killed and 61 wounded, and to the Fisgard of 10
killed and 26 wounded. To add to the merit of Cap-
tain Martin in possessing himself of the Tamise and
Immortalite, we may record the fact that in both in-
stances his own ship was manned with a young, raw,
and inexperienced crew ; but in neither case did his
value meet with the least reward. On the night of
June 23, 1800, we find him in personal command of
the boats of a squadron, entering the Quimper river,
and effecting on its banks the destruction of three
batteries, mounting seven 24-pounders, together with
their magazines. Prior to leaving the Fisgard he
further took La Venus of 32 guns • and 200 men, Le
Dragon, corvette, of 14 guns, La Gironde, privateer,
of 16 guns and 141 men, l'Alerte, privateer, of 14
guns and 84 men, El Vivo, national vessel, of 14
guns and 100 men, and three others mounting 18
guns. His seleceeding appointments were-in March,
1803, to the Impetueux, 84, in which ship he served
in the Channel-until Dec. 22, 1805-in 1807 to the
Prince of Wales, 98 ; and Implacable, 74, on the
home and Baltic stations ; Sept. 2, 1808, to the
Victory, 100, as captain of the fleet under Sir James
Saumarez, commander-in-chief in the Baltic; a short
timetAhueg2u6asfttth,e rlAwBua
god,ussttao, glatBihnoeBt,
Rocoatyhp
aet
la Inm Ap aa cr at Sovereignibnl ;3a,
atact
tihdht
e. a
tb
ioonul
net
in the Implacable, fell in with, and after a long chase,
brought to close action, in a most brave and gallant
manner, the Russian 74 .gun ship, Sewolod whose fire
.
he silenced about 20 minutes, being only' prevented
from capturing her by the approach of the whole
Russian fleet, which bore up to her support. She
soon, however, grounded upon a shoal at the entrance
of the port of Rogers wick, and in that position was
attacked by Rear-Admiral Sir
.Samuel Hood, in the
Centaur, who, although that ship herself took the
ground, compelled her to surrender after an obstinate
defence, in which and in her engagements with the
Implacable (six of whose people were slain and
26 wounded) she had 303 men killed, wounded, and
missing. She was then set on fire and destroyed-
the Centaur having been previously hove off by the
exertions of Captain Martin, who displayed so
much professional skill and ability on the occasion
as to call forth the thanks of Sir Samuel Hood. In
alluding to the conduct of the Implacable in her ante-
, cedent action, Sir Samuel, in his official letter, declares
himself unable by any words of his to enhance the
' merit of her brave, worthy, and excellent com-
mander;' upon whom the King of Sweden, as an
acknowledgment, conferred the insignia of a Knight
of the Order of the Sword. On the 6th of July,
1809, Captain Martin, in company with the Melpomene
igate, entered the Gulf of Nerve, and captured nine
merchant vessels. Being advanced to the rank of
rear-admiral August 11, 1811, he hoisted his flag in
April, 1812, on board the Aboukir, 74, and returned
to the Baltic, where he took an energetic part in the
defence of Riga, and co-operated with the Russian
army under Prince Bagration against the French

LONDON,

troops under Davoust. In the course of the same
year he was appointed second in command at Ply-
mouth, at which port he continued (with the excep-
tion of a short time passed in tl:e Creole, 36, and
Akbar, 50, on the coast of Spain and cif the Scheldt)
until 1815 ; his flag flying during the period in the
Prince Frederick, 74; Impregnable, 98 ; and Ganges,
74. In 1814 he received the honour of knighthood.
lie was created a K.C.B. Jan. 2, 1815; a vice. admiral
August 12, 1819 ; a G.C.B. March 3, 1830 ; a full
admiral July 22 following; and vice-admiral of the
United Kingdom in 1847.

"In JanUary, 1815, Sir Thomas Byam Martin
was appointed Deputy Comptroller of the Navy, and
in the following year he succeeded Sir T. B. Thomp-
son as Comptroller of the Navy; the duties of which
post he continued to discharge for many years. From
1818 until 1831 he sat in Parliament as Member for
Plymouth. He is now one of the Elder Brethren of
the Trinity house, and has been a director of Green-
wich hospital, a Commissioner of the Board of Lon-
gitude, &c. At the funerals of George IV. and
IV illiam IV. the Admiral acted as an assistant sup-
porter of the canopy over the royal body. He
married Catherine, daughter of Captain Robert
Fanshawe, R.N., Resident Commissioner of Plymouth
Dockyard, sister of the present Captain Arthur
Fanshawe, R N., C. 8., and sister-in•law of Admirals
William Bedford, Sir John Chambers White, K C. 8.,
and lion. Sir Robert Stopford, G.C.8., by whom he
has had issue three sons and three daughters. His two
eldest sons, William Fanshawe and Henry Byam, are
both captains in the Royal navy.
Rear-Admiral Berkeley, C. 8., M.P., did not ac-
company the other members of the Board of Admi-
ralty to Portsmouth on Tuesday. The Gallant Ad-
miral is staying at the Park, Fairford. Their Lord-
ships, we believe, for the first time proceeded by the
Brighton and South Coast Railway.
The following gentlemen passed for the rank of
Lieutenant at the Royal Naval College, on Tues-
day :—J. J. Josling, late of Scout, Lieutenant; V.
Robinson, late of Philomel, Lieutenant ; G. F. Mee-
ham, Acting Lieutenant ; J. Berkeley, Acting Lieu-
tenant ; —.Gammell, Mate, Excellent ; T. M. Pasley,
Mate, Excellent ; T. IL Martin, Acting Lieutenant,
Scout ; A. Bathurst, late mate, Calypso ; J. D. Cur-
tis, late mate, Calypso; John Moresby; A. T. J.
Bullock, Mate ; W. A. V. Royse, Mate.
Lieutenant Josling has been six years in China,
and Acting Lieutenant two years and four months,
during which time he was severely wounded, in com-
mand of the boats of the Scout, whilst boarding a
Borneo pirate. Mr. Gammell passed the best exa-
mination, having obtained the Lull numbers. Four
others went up to pass, but did not obtain the num-
bers.

Admirals Sir William Gage and Sir John Louis,
with Mr. Atherton, chief engineer, and Mr. Peake,
master shipwright's second assistant, went out in the
Conflict screw sloop, on Tuesday, round the Eddy-
stone, to try her engines.
Mr. Alward, master shipwright's assistant, relin-
quished his duty at Devonport on Tuesday, and
Mr. George Turner, late from Bombay, commenced
the duties of his new appointment as first assistant.
The Indefatigable, 50, was taken into No. 5 dock
at Devonport, on Monday evening, to have her bot-
tom cleaned and the copper completed. Captain
Smart arrived on Monday evening, and joined the
following day.
PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAY.—A foreign galliot-
rigged vessel, laden with rosin and turpentine, took
fire off the back of the Wight yesterday morning. A
pilot was on board her, and the vessel was run on
shore near Shanklin, at high water, and all hands es-
caped. The vessel continued to burn till last night,
and the light from it was seen at Portsmouth between
eight and nine o'clock. Wind, S.W., strong breezes,
and squally, with rain at times.
THE DAY OF THANKSGIVING.—The following
general memorandum was issued by the Commander-
in-Chief to the commanding officers of the ships in
commission at this port to day :
" Victory, in Portsmouth Harbour,
Nov. 14, 1849.
" To-morrow (Thursday, the 15th inst.) being
appointed as a day of prayer and thanksgiving to
Almighty God, to acknowledge His great goodness
and mercy in removing from us that grievous disease
with which many in this kingdom have lately been
visited, it is my direction that the same be observed
on board her Majesty's ships at Portsmouth
accordingly. " T. BLADEN CAPEL, Admiral."
The exact performances of the Termagant yester-
day were 6.501 knots as the mean speed of four runs
along the measured mile in Stokes Bay. The engine
made 24 to 27i revolutions ; barometer indicated 25
deg.; thermometer in engine room 95 deg.; pressure
of steam, 131 b.; she was deep, drawing 17 feet 2
forward, 16 feet 9 abaft. All screw ships lose speed
by being immersed. In all other respects the ship
answered admirably.
A Watt Institute has been established amongst the
labourers of the great steam factory of this dockyard,
and last evening a soirée was held at the Hall of the
Beneficial Society to celebrate its foundation. Mr.
Murray, the superintendent engineer of this dockyard,
was called to the chair, and amongst the company
(about 600 in number) were some of the leading
scientific members of the Government establishments,
the Naval College, the service, and the inhabitants
generally, and a brilliant assemblage of ladies. Mr.
Murray, in an eloquent address, exhibited the advan-
tages of such institutions, and their influence on the
members and the public generally. A library, read-
ing room, and evening classes will be formed in this
new institute, and lectures and public readings upon
the most edifying and instructive subjects connected
with scientific pursuits periodically given. Capt. James,
R E., of this dockyard, afterwards gave an able exposi-
tion respecting the origin of coal and iron, the geolo-
gical position and extent of our iron and coal mines,
and the mode of manufacturing iron from its ores,
explaining the formation of coal from decayed trees,
vegetable matter, &c. Mr. Spence, foreman of the
steam-factory, delivered a most spirited address on the
nature of mechanics' institutions, showing how much
the working classes had the improvement of their con-
dition in their own hands. The meeting was also
addressed by Mr. Fincham, master shipwright of the
dockyard ; the Rev. T. Roe, chaplzin to the contrac-
tors' men in the dockyard ; the Rev. G. Barton, in-
cumbent of St. George's, Portsea ; Mr. Chigwell,
Mr. Sheppard, &c. From the sem, timents expressed
and the good feeling that was manifested, this institu-
tion seems to promise to be of inuceh future service to
the artisans of the port.

APPOINTMENTS.

WOOLWICH, Nov. 14.—Master— William Ellis (b)
(1842) to be a chief• officer in the Gast-guard.
Clerk Assistant—William Evans, to the Impreg•
nable.

The Minx steam screw-propellez vessel went down
the river to-day, under the charge of Master-
Commander S. B. Cook, of the Black Eagle, with
Mr. Taplin, second assistant to the chief engineer at
Woolwich dockyard, to test the disc engine of 10
horse power with which she ha been fitted. The
engine, at starting, made 130 revolutions per minute,
but the average during the trial in Long Reach was
120 revolutions per minute ; the draught of water of
the Minx being the same as on her last trial. The
speed attained was 5 271 knots with the tide, and 2.0
knots against the tide, giving ati average of 3.625
knots per hour. The engine worleied during the trial
with a pressure of 601 b. to the •square inch. The
speed was comparatively so little tthat she was towed
back to Woolwich by the Moi ikey steam-vessel,
Master-Commander Bryant, at Hu rate of 8.45 knots
per hour.
The Stromboli steam-sloop, Commander Lord
Amelius Beauclerk, is hourly exp 3ctcd at Woolwich,
having left Devonport on Alondre,y, with Lieutenant
Robertson and the seamen riggerf: who navigated the
Styx from Woolwich and the VulL%'ure from Sheerness
to Devonport.
The Terrible steam-frigate, nt*jw ready for com-
mission, was taken out of the int e r basin to-day, and
is to be taken into the west dock to have her bottom
examined. Captain Hope, who is expected to com-
mission her, visited this dockyardl yesterday.
The Enterprise, Captain Sir J ames Clarke Ross,
and the Investigator, Captain El . J. Bird, are to be
taken to Chatham when all het' stores are taken on
shore and the crews paid off. . Amongst the stores
brought on shore to day were t'Atc ) of Porter's anchors
in as good condition as on the d ay they were taken
on board. These anchors werer specially applied for
with extra sized cables by fr e scientific officers
to whose judgment was cool ded the selection
of stores for the Enterprise and Investigator
previous to their departuve for the Arctic
regions, and they were used on all occasions in
the North Polar Seas, and ex.p erienced the severest
trial in regard to temperature., which was at cer-
tain periods 80 degrees below tt e freezing point, an
amount very injurious to it of r and other metals,
causing great brittleness. TA( anchors were also
subjected to very great straires caused by the im-
mense masses and drifts of ice pressing against the
ships, but their still perfect et ate has realised the
utmost expectations of the of Le ers. The Admiralty
anchor, supplied to the Investige ator in a useless state,
was only fit for being placed under one of Nasmyth's
hammers as old iron, having be „rn broken merely in
letting it go from the bows 04 the vessel when in
Yarmouth Roads, on her red; rn home, and under
ordinary circumstances. Had the common anchor
broken during a storm, the liver of the intrepid navi-
gators might have been perilledl when least expected ;
arid it, on inquiry, the breakirm took place in conse-
quence of the low temperature affecting the iron of
which it was made, Porter's are hors, which have been
found so effective, ought to be si ibstituted on all occa-
sions in future, as they afford gi
,eato
n whichconfidence
the
y to
have
the
ve
officers and men on every occat n
been tried.

The interest which the return of the Enterprise
and lovestigatqr has excited cols tinues: unabated, and
the folio vying is a brief accoung of some of the expe-
ditions sent out by this con t 4 ry with the view of