The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-24 00:00:00

TEE TRADE OF SUNDERLAND.

The trade of Sunderland is greatly improving,
considerable activity having been infused into the
management of the dock since it came into
the hands of the River Wear Commissioners.
Since the Ist of May, 8,000 quarters of wheat,
barley, and oats have been received into the
dock warehouses from Dantzic. Last year, during
the same month, the imports were only 500
quarters. Large quantities of goods are also being
shipped from the manufacturing districts. One
vessel loading in the docks is taking in iron' from
Staffordshire and locomotives for India. A large
vessel, the Elenore, now in the dock, is taking in
.a cargo of 800 tons of goods, a large portion of
which is iron rails from Middlesborough. When
fully laden she will draw 21ft. A number of
United States' vessels have left the docks during
the past two or three days laden. None of these
vessels could have taken in cargo and sailed from
Sunderland but for the southern sea outlet from the
docks, which is materially conducing to the pros-
perity of the port. On Monday a very fine 13-years'
ship, the property of Messrs. Fen wick and Laroche,
of London, was launched from the building yard of
Mr. James Laing, on the Wear. On Tuesday a
very noble-vessel was launched from the building
yard of Mr. William Pile, North Sands. She is
named the Malabar, and is one of the finest East
Indiamen ever built in the port. She has been pur•
chased by Mr. Richard Green, the London shipowner
and shipbuilder. Her dimensions are :—Extreme
length, 230 ft. ; for measurement, 210 ft. ; breadth,
37ft. ; depth, 22ft. She is classed for 13 years, and
will carry a burden of over 2,000 tons. Her timbers
are all oak, her planks teak, and she is extremely
well fastened for a 13-years' ship. A recent rule of
Lloyd's requires that all ships whose length is five
times their breadth shall be fastened with diagonal
iron plates over their timbers, but under the skin
of the vessel, for the purpose of giving additional
strength to the ship. This is fully carried' out in
the Malabar, and, although the regulation has only
been in operation six months under Lloyd's com-
pulsory‘ rules; it, is no new thing, haling-->33
adonud s.omo veirs_ago ill most ships built
for Mr. (ireen. Competent authorities pronounce
her to be built upon the most approved principle for
combining the maximum of carrying capacity and
speed. She has been fitted with a poop 90ft. in
length and topgallant forecastle, and being intended
principally as a troop and passenger ship, great
care has been taken to have her 'tween decks lofty
and commodious. They are 7ft. high, and great
attention has been paid- to the ventilation. When
viewed from a distance, previous to the launch, her
great length and beautiful model attracted great
attention. Her prow is adorned with a splendidly
carved figure-head of a Malabar chief, lift. in
height, in a riding position (the old man-of-war
style) with-shield and scimitar. On the shield is
the name of the vessel " Malabar." The carving
of this figure is by Mr. James Lindsay. Her total
cost will be about £30,000. She will be fitted out
in Sunderland, and will proceed to the Thames to
be copnered. The collieries on the Wear are kept
busy and the colliers well employed. The Earl of
Durham has sunk a shaft in the Hutton seam at
Harrington, and is sinking another shaft at
Lumley.