The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-07 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—The following brief summary is gleaned
from the evidence (not the report) of the Parliamen-
tary committee " On Anchors and Cables, Merchant
Service," printed by order of the House of Com-
mons, March 7, 1860.

Liverpool and Sunderland appear to be the only
ports of the United Kingdom provided with public
proving-machines wherewith the strength, and con-
sequent efficiency, of anchors and cables can be
tested. The statistical results from 1855 to 1859 ad-
duced by the Liverpool Superintendent are most
remarkable. He states that during the above four
years 49,777 fathoms were proved at the corporation
machine, out of which 41,146 fathoms were found
defective, or 821 per cent., at a proof 121 to 15 per
cent. less than the official test applied to all cables
used in the royal navy, or 11-,1,- tons to the square
inch ; and good ordinary iron is computed to bear
28 tons tensile strain before fracture.

He is asked (question 367)—" What is the nature
of the fractures you class under the head ' defec-
tive P—Cracks, openings of the weld, and flaws
in the iron. (446.) Am Ito understand a defective
cable to be one which yields in one or two or three
links ?—We have had as many as 70 bad links in
one length of 15 fathoms. (452.) What becomes of
the condemned cables ?—I do not know—they are
sold. (584.) Can you state what proportion of the
cables in the port of Liverpool are tested P—l do
not think we test one in a thousand; I believe the
greater proportion of cables are not tested."

A Sunderland shipowner is also examined (ques-
tion, 1,760),—" Taking the case of a brig of 250
tons, what is the weight of her two chains ?—About
four tons. (1761.) What is the difference of value
per ton between the worst and the best cable she
could take out P—l endeavour to see that I get the
best; it is just lOs. per ton. (1,762,) The conse-
quence is that for L 2 you make the difference between
risk and safety ?—Between risk and less risk."
In order fully to appreciate the meaning of these
questions and answers, let us turn to the scene en-
acted yesterday week off Yarmouth. The anchorage
is an open roadstead ; 100 or more coasters, colliers,
&c., had resorted there for safety. At 10 a.m. a fine
brig was first seen dragging towards the edge of the
Scroby Sands, and shortly afterwards nine others
were to be seen driving to swift destruction, within
sight of horror-stricken spectators who thronged the
beach to witness this accumulation of casualties.
The men whose duty it was to man the lifeboat were
all this time wrangling on the beach; every moment
thus sacrificed claimed its victims, and some 50 or 60
precious lives perished in the sea or sands around
Scroby.
Thus practically demonstrated is the nice distinc-
tion between " risk and safety, or risk and less risk."
One ship is supplied with anchors and cables truly
symbolical of hope and safety, and by which she
rides out the fury of the tempest ; while the ill-
fated ship found with worthless anchors and
fraudulent cables is driven from alongside to certain
destruction or shipwreck.
An hydraulic proof apparatus for testing the
strength of chains and anchors is very simple and
inexpensive in operation ; 10s. per ton covers the
whole expense and outlay, and the establishments
at Liverpool and Sunderland are thus rendered self-
supporting.

It would be no restriction upon trade, or inter-
ference with the shipowner, to enforce a recognised
standard proof for anchors and cables, the same as
for guns and pistols, gold or silver plate.
I implore the aid of your powerful pen once more
in the cause, and remain,—Yours, ix.
JOHN TROTMAN.
42, Cornhill, June 5.

JOHN B. GOUGII.--During the past year
Mr. Gough has delivered 175 of his powerful addresses in
the provinces, 14 in Exeter Hall, and 10 in theatres, halls,
and chapels in London. In the provinces it is estimated
that over 140,000 have listened to his arguments and
appeals, and over 4,000 have signed the pledge of total
abstinence ; while in London he has addressed upwards of
30,0 n persons, and 1,600 persons have been added to the
pledge-book at the close of the meetings, besides large
nvanbers afterwards.

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