The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-06 00:00:00

THE STEAMER BELGIQUE.

The following is the full report of the surveyors ap-
pointed to examine the Belgique. She was classed as
A 1 abroad :

" Southampton, Feb. 4.
"Gentlemen,—ln compliance with your request we
.this day surveyed the Belgique, steam-ship, in the
dry dock at this port, and have to report as fol-
lows :—We thoroughly examined the hull of the ship,
and the only leak of importance we could discover
was before the main sternpost, between the garboard
strakes and the keel, in the wake of the angle iron
placed there to increase the stiffness of that part of the
keel. We also found several of the butts and rivets,
more particularly in midships, slightly disturbed, and
the topside of the ship, near to the large ports, exhibited
symptoms of working. The mainmast has settled down
in consequence of a want of strength in that part which
supports the step. The port boiler has received da-
mage in the furnaces, caused by the plate having been
overheated. One of the blades of the screw propeller
is cracked, and some of the nuts and screws at the
end of the stern pipe are torn off or damaged. This
may have been caused by the screw having caught a
hawser while it was in motion. In consequence of
the symptoms of working before mentioned, we beg
to recommend that the cargo ports should be en-
tirely closed and plated up to correspond with the rest
of the ship's sides, and that all loose rivets should be
cut out and replaced, and butts of plates examined and
caulked where found necessary. We also recommend,
in order to remove all doubt as to the strength of the
vessel, that she should be fitted with an iron stringer,
wrought on each side between the main and spar decks,
extending at least three-fourths of the ship's length,
this stringer to be 2 ft. 6 in. deep, and inch thick,
with an angle iron 3 by 2i, rivette4 to the upper
and glower edges, and fastened to a reverse angle
iron on each of the frames. We recommend that all
the pumps should be overhauled and put in good order,
and wash plates fitted on each side under the floor plates
of engine-room, to prevent them being washed up ; also,
that the hold and 'twixt deck pillars be properly secured
at top and bottom to the beam ; the step of mainmast
should also be made securely fastened and supported on
the top of the tunnel. The furnace of the defective boiler
must be repaired and made good, and the cracked blade
of the propeller efficiently repaired. Having given a ge-
neral outline of the principal defects which have been
detected, things of minor importance may arise during
the progress of the works. _

"W; are, gentlemen, your obedient servants,
(Signed) " JOHN RONALDS,
" G. I. RUBIE,
" Shipwright Surveyors to the Board of Trade.
" W. A. SUMMERS,
" Engineer and Iron Shipbuilder.
"Messrs. Owen, O'Carell, and Co., Agents to
the Belgian Royal Mail Steam Navigation
Company, Southampton."

Amongst the passengers by the Peninsular mail
steamer Sultan, which arrived at Southampton yester-
day, was George Rennie, Esq., late Governor of the
Falkland Islands.

Sir William and Lady Knighton have left Howchin's
Hotel, St. James's-street, for their seat, near South-
ampton.

kiir William and Lady Won't*, and family have left
Howchin's Hotel, to take up their residence in Port-
land-place.

THE AFRICAN MAILS.—The Royal mail steam•ship
Etbiope, Cenimander Barnwell, which left Plymouth on
Friday for Madeira and the West Coast, got as far as
8.30 west lang. and 46 north lat. on Sunday morning,
at 11 o'clock, when she was obliged to put back leaky.
Her mails are returned to the Post-office, and she will
be discharged for repair.
NAVAL RECEIPT AND EXPENDITURE.—Yesterday was
issued an account of the Naval Receipts and Expendi-
ture for the year ended March 31, 1855. The total
sum appropriated by the Acts 17 and 18 Vict., c. 121,
and 18 and 19 Vict., c. 129, for naval services, in the
year 1854-55, , was 14,812,6091., and the total expen-
diture in that year is shown by the account to have been
15,017,5911. ls. 5d., a sum which exceeded the amount
voted by the sum of 659,0111. 4s. 11d.
MANCHESTER, Feb. s.—The cloth market has not
been so active as on this day week, but manufacturers
have adhered very firmly to their quotations. For long-
cloths there has been a good demand from the Greeks,
at full prices, and a considerable business has been ef-
fected. For some descriptions of printing cloths there
has been an active inquiry. The demand for ehirtings,
Madapollams, and jaconets suited to India has under-
gone a considerable modification, the accounts by the
last mail from Calcutta being regarded as the worst that
have been received .for many years. The advices from
Bombay are also discouraging, but manufacturers are
well engaged to order, and prices are not affected.
There has not been much business in yarns, but prices
are mostly firm. Manufacturers in some instances have
found the market easier, but on the other hand sellers
report that in twist for export, where spinners are en-
gaged, they have realised a slight advance. These, how-
ever, are exceptional ewes. As a rule, the market has
be less activ.a thin last week, but prim are unaltered.