The Sun.
London, England, 1832-09-03 00:00:00

SHEATHING FOR SHIPS' BOTTOMS.

A new metallic sheathing, the invention of Baron Wet-
tersdett, has recently been introduced for covering ships'
bottoms, -and which possesses many practical advantages
tar this purpose over copper. To prevent the rapid cor-
rosion and decay of this metal, when in contact with the
sea-water, has long presented itself as a desideratum in
practical inquiry, and it was for this purpose that Sir
Humphrey Davy proposed the use of protectors, or the
contact of some more easily oxidisable metal, as zinc.—
Although the practice founded upon his ingenious theory
proved unsuccessful, yet it was satisfactory to the in..
goiter, as it pointed out the course of remedy necessary to
tie adopted; as by the electric influence of certain metals
when in contact, it is only that chemical action can be
prevented' Alloys of copper have been proposed; and are
not so susceptible of being acted upon by chemical agents
is pure copper ; but they are destitute of that tenacity
and elasticity which is necessary to adapt them to the cir-
cular forms of the bottom of the vessel. All these defects
in practice are found to be Ovived in th's ne,v
invention, which possesses some peculiar advantages for
this and many other purposes, to which its use may be
extended. Whilst the surface is perfectly clean, there is
no adhesion of barnacles, shells, or other marine produc-
tions, which proved so seriously detrimental to the success
of the experimental trials with the protectors. This, new
compound is highly tenacious and elastic, and posses-es a
peculiar and advantageous power of adapting itself to
surface, so much so, that by a violent strain or blow, it,
readily yields to the force of the percussion. This power
of adapting itself to surface, will not only be found advans
tageous on first sheathing the vessel, but will also prevent
the evil effects of any subsegnent strain or blow, and even
tend to preserve it from any external injury. The price
i 3 considerably less than that of ordinary copper sheathing,
whilst it is found to be far mare durable.

NEW REGULATIONS FOR THE DOCK
YARD.—As stated in a previous publication, the present
system of work in the Dock-yards is to he completely abo-
lished, and the old plan of day.work reverted to. By
this management, the men will he divided into divisions,
under the superintendence of a quarterman awl two leading
men ; the quartermen to have 7s. I Id., and the leading.
men 6s. and 53. 6d. per day, It is also stated that the
office of Store-receiver is to bo surperseded by a Timber-
master, as formerly—the job-note office abolished, and the
measurers to have the option of accepting the offices of
quartermen, or retire upon superannuation, the number of
quartermen from the divisions of working men. Tbitt
latter arrangement is one which cannot fail to be of consi-
derable advantage to the service, as it will produce emuts.
tion in that class which has the means of combining a
sound practical with a theoretical knowledge of ship,
building, and will be a reward for steady and good con-
duct, which must have a beneficial effect. The black-
smiths in the several yards will, in future, work the same
hours only as other artificers,-Devomport Telegraph.
The horse of the Queen of BELGIUM tOOk
fright on Tuesday last, as her MAJESTY rode out near
Lreken, and tan away with her. LEOPOLD, through fear
of doing more harm than good, did not pursue her very
quickly, and it remained for a poor waggoner to probably
save her MAJESTY'S life, by drawing his vehicle across thet
road as the furious horse approached, and thus stopping
him.

SUPPOSED CHILD MURDER.-011 the after
noon of Sunday last, some boys found, in the reighbour-
hood of Aries Well, wrapped up in a piece of cuar,e bag-
ging, the body of a female child, applri ntly about nine
months old. Its head bore the marks of several wounds;
and a piece of cord was firmly bound round irs neck, with
which it had evidently been strangled. The hod) was
,a cried to the Humane Society House, aid from thence
it was conveyed by the keeper to the Police-office.— talus.
you: Herald,