The Sun.
London, England, 1840-12-28 00:00:00

NAVAL ARCHITECTURE.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

When military nations, whose chief defence ionsists
in a land force, cherish with a lively feeling every new
improvement that occurs in the development of the
sciences that can in any way tend to strengthen their
position, it cannot be considered at all unnatural that
a nation like Great Britain, who must owe chiefly to a
naval force the protection of its coasts and commerce
from hostile aggression, should eagerly follow up the
least clue by which a new application of any science
may be brought forward to give increased effect to
ships of war. The numerous improvements which in
this country are continually taking place, not only in
naval architecture, but in all that can be considered to
constitute the materiel of a ship of war, bear ample tes-
timony to the zealous and patriotic energies which are
unceasingly at work to promote the efficiency, durability,
healthiness, and economy of the English Navy. It has
long been known that the weakest part of a ship of
war for attack or defence was the bow. It appears a
frigate is shortly expected to be commissioned, named
the Vindictive, which, owing to the peculiar principle
upon which her bow is built, will present a battery for-
'ward of twice the force that has hitherto been prac-,.

ticable; and, the principle being applicable to ships of
all classes, the consequence of its general adoption (if
upin trial of this ship it is found to answer) will be to
vivo to the attacking ship double the number of guns
forward for attack, and if assailed by steam-vessels for-
ward will not only give there for defence double the
number of guns, but some of the guns on one bow can
be so pointed as to fire across to the opposite bow, a
thing hitherto unprecedented. Mr. R. Blakr, the
Master Shipwright of Portsmouth Dockyard, has the
credit of this invention, where the ship is now in duck,
and it is said excites much almiration among naval
amateurs.

Dec. 27, 1840.

THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY.)

CORN EXCHANGE.
The arrivals of Grain last week.were small, and scarcely
any fresh supplies. The frost continuing, higher prices
were demanded for all sorts of Corn, and for good foreign
Wheat Is. per 9uarter more than last Monday was ob-
tained; but so little has been done in other Grain, that
prices may be reported the same as last week. There was
a fair demand for Flour at i;s latl terms.
PANICS OK BOARD OF SFIP
Whcat,Red (old) —a. —s. Beans, Small (new) 43 45s
----- White (old) --s. —a. -- (old .45 48r.
It ed 1134:!) .04 55.. --.-- Tick (new) 3i 39-.
Fine 5:o. 57A. • (old) 48..445.
—Superfine 5Ss. t 3. -- Harrow (new) 40..41s
--White (IS4( )....551. s•+s.-- (old) 345. 4CI.
-- Fine 106 635. Brant-
-- Superfine 6ss 70s. Oats, Feed —s 6.
---Forenni fr ee 51a ..ok. -- New 004.'23F.
Ryr- :!B.s. 40s. Poland
Barley 265 374. New 25,..25r.
-- Grinding • 6s. 2Ss. Potatoe —6.-5.
Malting 32a. 375. ------ New 2l=. 30s.
Malt s6s, 60.. Scotch 27,3±)5.
Fine New 625. 63s Irish 18s. ... 215.2 ts.
Pease, Grey, Ncw 'I s. 3,.45. Flour Town (per sack).... 50s. s',s.
-- Maple New 40, 41s. Seconds 465. 4ss.
---- White 31s. 3-is. —.-- N.rtli Country .... 45s 46:.
—. Boilers 375.:'.8.. Bran l- 12 •
ARRIVALS OF GRAIN IN LONDON DURING LAST WEEK.
Wheat. Earley. usu.. , Flour
English
Irish —l
roreian I -- --:,rls