The Sun.
London, England, 1870-04-11 00:00:00

THE INSTITUTE OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS.
SATURDAY.
The final meeting of the present session of the Institu-
tion of Naval Architects was held this day, at noon, in
the hall of the Society of Arts, John-street, Adelphi;undei
the presidency of Sir J. S. Pakington, Bart, M.P., the fol-
lowing gentlemen being, amongst others, also present.—
Admiral Sir John Hay, M.P., Admiral Sir E. Belcher,
K. C. 8., Mr. J. D'A. Samuda, M.P., Captain De Horsey.,
RN., Captain Symonds, Mr. F. Lloyd, C. 8., Mr. J. S.
Russell, F.R. S., Rev. Dr. Woolley, Messrs. N. Barnaby
and F. K. Barnes, Constructors for the Navy. Mr. C. 11.
Wigrave, Mr. J. Grantham, Mr. J. A. Froude, Mr.
C. W. Merrified, honorary secretary, and Captain
Selwyn, R.N.
Sir J. PAKINGTON mentioned that Mr. Henwood had
given notice of his intention to propose the altdation of
the title of the society to that of "The Institution
of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers,"togetherwith
the publication of a monthly journal recording the
transactions of the institution, the launch and trials of
ships, shipwrecks and casualties, list of patent inventions
relating to ships or marine engines as well as correspon-
dence. The changes proposed by Mr. Henwood were
-of so important a character that it was thought desirable
that the council, to whom were entrusted the general
guidance of affairs, should be consulted on the subject;
and the decision arrived at was that looking
at the fact that the proposal would affect a
complete change in the constitution of the
society, Mr. Henwood's plan could not be carried
carried, out, and that even if it were acted upon its bene-
ficial effects would not compensate the society for the
expenditure it would involve. (Hear.)
Mr. HENWOOD contended that although naval archi-
tects and marine engineers were, as professional men,
practically distinct, they were necessarily connected with
each other. It was well known, too, that marine
engineers and civil engineers were distinct— (" no,")
—the former had an instruction of their own, but the
latter had none. As at present constituted, the society
was incapable of exercising a beneficial influence on the
marine engineering profession, and he strongly argued
that in order to ensure the proper development of practical
shipbuilding, and improved efficiency of the public ser-
vice, tne institution ought to take cognisance of marine
engineering as well as naval architecture. (Hear, and
dissent.) The naval architect was chiefly responsible for
the construction of the ship ; and in order that that might be
effectually achieved not only was a profound theoretic
knowledge required, but a sound practical experience
based on the knowledge. Hardly less was the responsi-
bility which attached to the marine engineer ; but not-
withstanding this, and the fact that the two professions
were entirely distinct, the Admiralty had recently
abolished the office of marine engineer to the department
having thrown the duty of that office upon the naval
architect. Equally absurd had been some of
the so - called economies perpetrated by the Board
of Trade, who had abolished the naval architect,
and made the marine engineer fulfil his duties
Thus, efficiency had been sacrificed, and the word economy
abused ; and in that way, and after that fashion, it was
still intended in a bill which was now before Parliament
to perpetuate an utterly impracticable arrangement by
legislative enactment, an arrangement which afforded no
protection whatever against loss of life at sea. (Hear.)
He was strongly convinced of the necessity of remodelling
the institution, and if it had been properly constituted it
would have secured the commendation instead of the
ridicule of scientific and mercantile bodies. (Hear, and
disapprobation.)
It was resolved by a vote of 24 to 9 that Mr. Henwood's
resolution should not be entertained.
Mr. W. P. KING read a paper on " The small fastenings
of wooden ships." He explained that the timber frame of
a well-built house often lasted strong and undecayed for
upwards of a hundred years, whilst the frame of a ship
was considered old and worn out in less than twenty years.
That was chiefly owing to the way the wooden ship was
put together ; but if the principle of using short copper
metal, screws were adopted, and treenails and
iron-bolts only sparingly used with certain precautions, he
confidently predicted that the life of wooden ships would
be considerably prolonged without any increase of ex-
pense in construction.
Sir J. HAY believed that iron bolts could be applied
equally as well as metal in the case of teak ships, and
would be attended with more economy.
Sir EDWARD BELCHER next presented a paper on "The
Navigable Dock." He said that the ordinary floating
docks or lifts were of such a character that they could
not be made available for the great vessels, of which the
present navy was composed. The desideratum, great in
importance, could only be obtained by one firm, connected
structure, totally independent, sound and fleet as any
steamship, and capable, not only of carrying herself, but
perfectly adapted to rescue and safely house at sea in
moderate weather the largest ironclad the country now
possessed or intended to construct. Consultation with
competent authorities had led him to the adoption of one
great vessel of such form and dimensions as would
afford to her lower, submerged, substantial frame
all the lifting power demanded, and yet, by her
super-imposed upper works, which no lateral strain could
affect, create such an additional amount of cubic contents
as would be much in excess of any possible requirement
for immersion in the operation of clocking our largest
ships. With respect to the period of immersion, and the
time involved in taking the weight of the vessel off her
susension in water, be adopted the action of the
turbine, discharging at the rate of 2,000 tons per
minute, thus relieving any vessel which might be placed
on the dock blocks from actual danger, and in twelve
minutes lifting any ironclad three feet dry without the
necessity of using the dock gates. The apertures pro-
posed were four, each of 3ft. Gin. in area.
Mr. Scorn RUSSELL imagined that in modern warfare
it was indispensable that a war fleet should be at-
tended by a dock for the purpose of exe-
cuting repairs expeditiously. Supposing a " running
down " vessel came out of an engagement
victorious, she would seldom come out of it without sus

taming damage; and to know that there was within mo-
derate reach of her a dock would be a source of great com-
fort to the admiral or captain in command. He was as-
sured that their future wars would be sudden and expedi-
tious; and if that were so, and if foresight and fore-
thought were to be a part of their organisation, their
floating docks would form an indispensable portion
of the fleets of the future. (Hear, hear.) On the
general principle and arrangement of the floating dock he
agreed with Sir Edward Belcher, but he did not agree with
him as to his mode of propelling. The hydraulic pro-
peller had many advantages for certain circumstances,
and for those circumstances he would use it, but he did
not think the floating dock a proper thing to which it ought
to be applied. A screw propeller could not be placed'
on both sides of the vessel, nor could it be placed at
the bow nor the stern • but if a longtituolinal tube
were constructed at the' bottom and in the centre, the
screw propeller could be there inserted, and would be
entirely protected in the event of running down or can-
nonading. (Hear.)
Mr. Claughton, Mr. 0. Byrne, and Captain Selwyn
also took part in the discussion.
Mr. C. G. GRUMPEL next read a paper on `•.A New
Kind of Balanced Rudder," and Sir E. BELCHER one on
" Balanced steerin,,. gear." Captain SELWYN deprecated
the use of a balanced rudder. Every flip had an
angle of rudder which could not be determined before-
hand, and no law of mathematics could be applied to the
solution of the difficulty.

Sir JOHN PAKlNGToiri;aving been thanked for presiding,
the proceedings were brought to a termination.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.

To-day and to-morrow are the only days on which the
House of Commons will assemble this week as
an adjournment is then made for the Easter
holidays until Monday the 25th instant. This
afternoon the House will go into committee of Ways
and Means, and also of Supply. The Poor Relief (Me-
tropolis), Merchant Shipping Code, Merchant Ship,
ping Acts Repeal; Board of Ilrade, and Game
Laws Bills will come on for a second reading,
and the Attorneys and Solicitors' Remuneration Bill will
be discussed in committee. To-morrow four bills will
some on for a second reading, viz., Married
Women's Acknowledgments, Stamp Duty on Deeds.
Annuity Tax Abolition (Edinburgh and Mon-
trose) Amendment, and the Sunday Trading Bills.
The first of these measures will be opposed by the
Attorney-General, the third by Mr. M`Laren, and the
last by Mr. Taylor, which members will respectively
move that the bills be read a second time that day six
months.

THE MILITIA.—At the training of the militia in
1869 there were present on the day of inspection the fol-
lowing numbers :—English Militia.—Officers, 1,607; non-
commissioned officers, 3,065: corporals, 2,435 ; drummers,
800 ; privates, 61,082. Scotch Militia.—officers, 235;
non-commissioned officers, 435; corporals, 325; drummers,
107 ; privates, 8,913. The numbers absent without leave
were—in England, 11 officers, 3 non-commissioned officers,
16 corporals, 1 drummer, 3,86-T privates; in Scotland. 1
officer, 4 corporals, 553 privates.
THE CHURCH IN THE CITY.—The spoliation of
the Irish Church is likely to be followed by a somewhat
similar measure as regards the Church in the City of Lon-
don, which, pace Mr. Blomfield—who as President of SionCollege wotld have shewed more regard to the responsi-
bilities of his office by communicating his opinions to that
body before appealing ad populum through the Times—we
must term revolutionary. Not only is there to be a whole-
sale destruction of churches, one lay speaker, Mr. Thomas
Monkey, suggesting one church in the place of twelve, but
the clergy are to be reduced per saleum at the hands of a
Commission, not necessarily of Churchmen to the level of
stipendiaries, and the parochial funds—often, we admit
very badly administered—diverted from ecclesiastical
and charitable purposes, to the education of a class
well able to pay for it themselves, in entire indopsti.
deuce of course of the Church of England. Mr,
Blomfield assures us that the promoters of the bill are
"friends of the Church :" but Mr. Andrew Johnson, the nom i•
nal author. of the bill (Sir C. Trevelyan at the Sion Collette
meeting unwittingly avowed the paternity), admitted that
he was not even now a very warm Churchman. But the
true friends of the Church in the City are those who, Wee
Mr. Cowie, casting aside Vie hard and fast lines of the
parochial system by means of a hearty vigorous service,
not only make a congregation, but a large and devout con-
gregation. It is not scarcity of population, but pewed
churches and dreary services that have emptied tin. City
churches. Moreover the City has a Cod to glorify and a
soul to be saved on seven days in the week, and not only
on the first, though Radical reformers are not likely to
see this. We trust that Churchmen will lay aside their
too usual apathy, and, whilst working for a reform in the
direction we have indicated, refuse to be led astray by
bk. Johnston and his clerical backers up,—JohnAlN. 7