The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-02 00:00:00

NEWMARKET RACES.

On Saturday the Northumberland presented a
most curious appearance. Though not waterborne,
the lighters, barrels, and pontoons, of course, were so,
and she seemed to be afloat in the most unusual and
heterogeneous mass of objects that ever surrounded
a ship. The tide was slow and sluggish, and the
very little wind that was stirring was against its full
flow. Yet at about 1 o'clock confident hopes were
entertained that it would be high enough to float
the vessel easily soon after 2 in the afternoon. The
most intense interest was evinced in all the details
connected with the gigantic operation, and long
before the hour fixed for the attempt to start her
the yard was crowded with high nautical authorities,
ivil engineers, peers, and gentlemen of every rank.
Levels had been carefully adjusted to the stern and
midships section to detect if she moved either ver-
tically or horizontally even by the eighth of an inch,
and soon after 1 o'clock, when there were very
little more than 20ft. of water under her stern, it
began to lift slightly till it was more than half an
inch raised from the ways. As the tide flowed more
strongly her liveliness, though never visible to the
eye, could be easily marked by the instruments.
Every five minutes reports of the depth of water
and rise of the stern were brought to Sir John
Hay. These showed that the tide for its time was
much less than had been calculated on, but they also
proved that the Northumberland was steadily lift-
ing aft. Her stern rose at least two inches off the
ways, and at the midships the lift was about half an
inch. Beyond this point, however, there was no mo-
tion, or rather buoyancy ; for it is under the bows
that the ship has caught, and there she is in no way
waterborne, nor can she be so until she gets off the
ways entirely. Some doubt seemed to be felt whe-
ther it would be wise to make the attempt at all
under the disadvantages of what was evidently going
to be a short tide. Yet, as 2 o'clock came on, the
stern was so visibly affected by the enormous power
of flotation under it that it was determined to make
the trial. This was deferred, however, to the latest
moment of the flood in order to gain the aid of every
half inch depth of tide that might get round her.
To do this with the utmost certainty the condition
and appearance of the flood stream was reported 1
every minute, and the crews in the lighters chained
under her were ordered to tighten the tackles to the
utmost to lift her. This they did with such effect that
those in charge on the deck of the Northumberland
hailed the dockyard officials below them, and said
that the lighters on the starboard side were in dan-
ger of going down, they were so near the water's
edge. At once then the bugle sounded, and every man
was ordered to his station, and wentto his post with
a quiet good order that seemed almost like military
training. Those in charge of the pontoons stood
ready to open the valves and let them sink directly
the ship was under way ; the crews of the lighters
prepared to cut themselves adrift from the pon-
derous hull before it sunk them. Detachments
manned the handles of the hydraulic pumps, and
all was ready. At ten minutes past two the second
bugle note was given, and the dog shores were
knocked away with a thundering boom, and the
chain cables which held her to the anchors on shore
flew out with a terrific din from the hawse holes,
and all went to work. The 15 inch hawser, which
was worked by the steam capstan from a dredging
machine moored in the river, was drawn absolutely
straight under the tremendous strain which was put
upon it. The teams of horses also were brought
struggling up till they broke away
which they were all the tackles to
attached ; at the same time the
hawser attached to the steam capstan broke like a
thread and sprang
though powerful auxiliaries,cutling were not depended upon
back into the river. These,
as much as the efforts
be recollected that there were
rams. It will
ise three of these—one of
nearly 1,000 tons power placed
under her bows to lift
her upwards,
and two of 600 tons power each were
levelled at the cradles to thrust her
down the incline.
Fora a long time they were kept working, and the
ship
seemed to be moving slowly, though easily, 1,;;,,,,
me
inches. Unfortunately, however, this twaa
an
optical delusion caused by the post which was put
to record her movement, and which was connected
a
with the ponderous timber backing of the rams be-
ioff crushed slowly back. It is diffiult to describe
the° crush which this ram on the starboard side made.
It destroyed and splintered up one of the most power-
ful timber backings of its kind ever constructed. The
ram on the port wile appeared scarcely to be doing
its work, for, when the tide fell, it was found that
not as much as a chip of its backing bad been in-
jured, which certainly could not have been the case
had it been working without leakage, and at its full
power. In spite of everything, however, the ship
did not move an atom, and the piling under the two
rams which were best at work was giving way so
rapidly, and, in fact, had given way so completely,
that it was useless to continue further. The signal
drum, therefore, was beaten, the efforts to launch
ceased, and the work of securing the hull began
again. This was so well and quickly done that in
little more than half an hour the ship was moored

Notice is hereby given, that in future a toll of ss. will
be demanded for every carriage or other vehicle going on
to the Heath. _ .

_
The gatekeeper at the entrance of the road leading from
Newmarket will collect the toll, and give a ticket, which
must be given up at the gate placed at the other end of the
road, near the weighing stand.

Carriages coming from Burwell, or in that direction,
may enter at the side-bar, near the new saddling stables,
where a man will be placed to receive the toll, and no car-
riages will be allowed to come on the Heath except by one
of the two roads above named.

Carriages leaving the Heath and returning to it during
she day will have to nay each time. By order,

March 26, 1866.

C. WEATZERBY.

Almeric, the steeplechase horse, dropped down dead
while galloping on Monday last.

J. Searle, of Epsom, is open to an engagement as trainer
and would have no objection to go abroad.
Dubious was scratched for the Opera Bunt Stakes and
the Nanteor Stakes at Abergavenny directly the weights
appeared.

--
The flat racing season in France commences on Monday
next, at Longchamps, the Paris Spring Meeting having
been fixed for April 2,8, 15, 22, 26, and 29.

Mr. Joseph Casson's bay gelding by Strychnine, out o
Helen Augusta, 3 yrs, has been named Fred Taylor. He
has been put into work for steeple-chasing.
Le Sport states that in consequence of the heavy rains
during the week the horses at Chantilly have been exercised
on the course, the gallops in the forest being impracticable.
Mr. Burton, who was so seriously injured while riding
Blotting Paper in the Scurry at Kidderminster on the 11th
inst„ and only partially recovered his consciousness on
Saturday last, is now, we are glad to say, slowly improv-
ing.
The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort left Northampton
on Thursday last for Badmington. The noble duke has
been suffering from a severe attack of gout, which
has prevented his leaving Northampton since the races.
Thomas Lye, the Lambourne trainer, died on Wednes-
day morning last, from the effects of an internal injury
sustained whilst dismounting from his hack on the pre-
vious Sunday. He was civil, obliging, and much respected
Originally he was intended for an architect.
NORFOLK.—A steeplechase has been arranged to come
off at Haddiscoe on Tuesday, April 3.
HARPENDEN RACES.—The idea of extending this meet-
ing to two days has been abandoned, and it will be held
on the Friday before Epsom as heretofore.
BEDMINSTER.—This horse is put to the stud. He stands
for the season at air. George Holmes's veterinary establish-
ment, Beverley.
CANTERBURY EASTER RACES.—A meeting of the hunting
and military elements will take place on Tuesday next.
The programme will comprise five races.
WoncasTEß SUM NER MEETING.—The Earl of Coventry,
the Ron. F. G. Morgan, and W. G. Craven, Esq., have ac-
cepted the stewardship of these races.
BASCRURCII STEEPLECHASES.—The objection to Mr. E.
Burton's Jack for the Open Steeplechase was overruled by
the stewards, and Jack gets the stakes.
Irsw wit RACES. —T he Rendlesham Stakes, with 100 sovs
added, for two year olds, half a mile, closes on the 10th
proximo.

DURHAM RACES.—We understand from the clerk of the
course that Three per Cent should not have been included
among the acceptances for the Durham Handicap.
FouDHAM. —We regret to hear that Fordham's sprained
wrist is likely to prevent his appearing in the saddle or
even being present at the forthcoming Newmarket Craven
Meeting.
RICHMOND RACES, SEPTEMBER, 1866.—The Easby
Stakes of 5 sovs each, 3 ft, with 25 added, for two and
three years old, weight for age, will close and name on
Thursday next.
GRAND NATIONAL HUNT AND WEST SOMERSET STEEPLE-
CHASES.—III consequence of the Military Plate not filling,
a new race has been substituted, to be named the Dorset-
shire handicap, with 100 sovs added.
REVIVAL OF BROOMYARD RACES.— After a lapse of many
years an effort has been made to revive this Herefordshire
meeting. An excellent bill of fare has been issued, and
the races are fixed for the 26th of April.
MALLOW STEEPLECHASES.—These races, which have
so successfully been carried out for the last two years,
are to come off early in May, the arrangements for which
have again been entrusted to Mr. E. O'Rierden, Mallow.
THE CARLOW DRAG HUNT.—This hunt comes off on
Easter Monday, over a splendid country, four miles run,
land ends at the famous racecourse of Ballybar. First
prize £2O, £l5, and £lO. A great number of horses are
entered.
ROTHBURY STEEPLECIIASES.—In consequence of the
Scottish National and other meetings clashing with this
popular gathering., the stewards (Sir J. Swinburne; Bart.,
high sheriff of the county ; Lord Binning, H. Parker,
and W. Foster, jun., Esqs.) have deemed it prudent to
postpone these sports from April 2G until Thursday,
May 3.
THE SHEFFIELD INUNDATION FUND.—The treasurers of
the Bentinck Benevolent Fund have received from Mr. J.
Stephenson the sum of £353 12s. 3d., being half the sub-
scriptions collected by Messrs. Stephenson and Morris, less
amount paid back to subscribers.
CATTERICK BRIDGE RACES. —This meeting will be held
on Thursday and Friday next. There is a very fair pro-
gramme, which includes two steeplechases, one of the con-
ditions of which is that " with respect to gentlemen riders,
the Grand National rules are not in force."
Yonx. STEEPLECHASES.—This meeting will take place on
Wednesday next, the day between Durham and Catterick
races. We hear that the ground is capital "going," and,
as the North Eastern Railway Company have announced
that they will issue return tickets for the day from all their
stations, no doubt there will be a large attendance of the
general public as well as of racing men.
THE RAWCLIFFE YEARLINGS.—The annual sale of the
Itawcliffe stud
yearlings will take place at Messrs f
t. Twenatter-
sail's on Monday, the 7th May, when upwards oty
yearlings, by Newminster, Stockwell, Voltigeur,
uYnobuntg
Melbourne, Ignoramus, Thormanby, Buccanee ,
tic. GoaGoa ,
and Leamington, will bo disposed off, the particulars of
which will bhortly appear.
THE SANDBECK HUNT AND 15111 HUSSARS STEEPLE-
CHAS will come off at-Retferd, Lincolnshire, on Monday
noeixt. Soren events are announced in the programme, all
money which
amounts
have
value 60closed with good entries. The "added"
ounts to £320 exclusive of the Subalterns' Cup,
race is fixed guineas,fo theh
'c lock.
GALL * A
0P1NG.—.... match ca
a-side, near the Rising Sun,
black cob Peter and Mr.
the Vale, distance one mile
mare, and Joe Brown the cob.
and Mr. Harry Tucker judge.
gift of Cornet Wilson. The first
half-past twelve, and the last at five
cam© off on Monday last, for £lO
Woodford, between Mr. Amos's
7.2„zd's chestnut mare Maid of
Mr. Stove Boswell piloted the
The.
sltaV. p©a was starter,
but after going a few strides the blackrtwwenast tan good one,
and held the lead for three-quarters of a milerthe mare
then went up, and Mr. Boswell, by dint of good
horseman-
ship, completely outrode his opponent, and 4 i o
the cleaver, seeing he had no chance, lulled up knight
; It:10-r
yards
from from home.