The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-19 00:00:00

had made within the last few days :—She made her
first trial trip to Douglas, Isle of Man, thence
to Holyhead, and from there to Liverpool, her
average speed being 10 knots, and the consumption
of coal to 10 tons hi 24 hours. During this trial
the weather was bad, with strong winds and heavy
sea. The next trial was to ascertain her efficiency
as a tug-boat ; and on Wednesday last she towed
out to sea, from the Mersey, a new vessel belonging
to Mr. Edward Bates, called the Edward Percy.
The Edward Percy is about 900 tons measurement,
and was drawing fully 18 feet. She towed this
vessel easily at the rate of eight knots per hour,
.which is considered a first-rate result, looking at the
nominal power of the steamer and the size of the
vessel towed. The consumption of coal during the
time she was towing was at the rate of 12 tons in
24 hours. The surface condensers worked beauti-
fully, the vacuum being steady, at 28. Two other
trials were made, each of four hours' duration. In
one case she made a speed of eight to nine knots,
with a consumption equal to six tons in 24 hours;
going 10 to 11 knots, the consumption was equal
to 101 tons. So far, therefore, this improved class
of engines with surface condensers has proved satis-
factory, and its advantages will be more apparent
When contrasted with engines on the common plan,
especially for long voyages, the boilers being kept
perfectly clean and free from the incrustation usual
when ordinary condensers are used. The various
trials having been satisfactory, the Island Queen
will be despatched for China in a few days.—
Liverpool Albion.

GRAVING DOCKS OF THE 111E1?SEY
AND FOREIGN _PATRONAGE.

Some of the largest and best graving docks in the
world are situated on both sides of the Mersey, and
foreign governments seem to be fully aware of the
fact and appreciate it. We believe that no port in
England has received more patronage from the
Turkish and Egyptian governments than Liver-
pool ; while Russia and several minor continental
powers have also taken advantage of the immense
facilities afforded at Liverpool for the completion
and equipment of vessels intended for the different
naval powers. Even our own government have at
length begun to recognise in Liverpool anew dock-
yard, and at the present moment arrangements are
being matured at Birkenhead tor the laying of the
keel of an iron war steamer, which will eclipse in
size and power such vessels as the Warrior, Defiance,
or La Gloire. This vessel will be built under cover,
and a large shed is now being erected over one of
Mr. John Laird's graving docks for that purpose.
While France and Russia, Prussia, and a number
of the German States ere in a perfect furore about
increasing their fleets—indeed, there are public
subscriptions opened in Germany for making a
navy—and while our own Government is pursuing
" the even tenor of its way," the Egyptian execu-
tive are in their own quiet way, without increasing
their navy, making it more useful and effective, but
not without incurring an expense which is far
from being in accordance with the prin-
ciples of sound economy. We have now in Liver-
pool and Birkenhead two Egyptian vessels under-
going a process of rebuilding. One of these is the
Fied Gehashd, a paddle steam yacht, belonging to
the Viceroy of Egypt. This vessel is to be length-
ened 75 feet, and we understand that this is to be
accomplished by cutting the vessel in three pieces
—the engines, paddle-wheels, their boxes and sup-
ports remaining stationary, while the two ends,
stem and stern, are drawn away, one up and the
other down the dock 40 and 30 feet respectively,
an alteration in the bow giving the additional five
feet. This vessel, when completed, will be 391 feet
in length over all, nearly filling up the No. 1 Dry
Dock at Woodside; her breadth of beam is 73 feet,
which is too wide for her to enter any other than
the dock in which she is at present, the gates of
which are 85 feet wide. This vessel will be fitted
up under the superintendence of Messrs. G. For-
rester and Co., of the Vauxhall Foundry, who, we
understand, have charge of the other Egyptian
Government vessels now undergoing repairs at
Liverpool. In the Queen's Dock there is at pre-
sent a vessel called the Sergohah, of the Egyptian
navy. As she now lies—the very acme of dilapi-
dation—we have before us a good specimen of what
can be accomplished by a diligent attention to accu-
mulation of filth and an inherent desire to be lazy
and careless. This vessel has been cut in two by
Messrs. Clover and Royle, and is to be lengthened 20
feet at the stern and 80 feet amidships, while her
upper deck will be raised about one foot. From a
sailing vessel she will be altered into a screw
steamer, and of course her carrying capacity will be
materially increased; and it will be March or April
next year before she is finished. So great a havoc
had inattention and dirt and filth caused in this vessel
that nearly all the timber from the upper deck
to the keel .ppeared charred and rotten. All the
outside planking and most of the ribs of the vessel
had to be removed and their place supplanted by
fresh timber; in fact, "when completed," observed
a gentleman connected with the alteration, "this
vessel will hardly have a foot of her original tim-
ber in her. She will be new from masthead to
keel." But the expense? " Why, it will cost as
much, and more, to repair the Sergohah than it
would to build a new ship." And this is Egyptian.
economy. Messrs. Forrester, who are making en-
gines for the above vessel of 500-horse power, are
also "mending" the Nile, a paddle-steamer, and
daily expecting the rebuilding of another Eastern
frigate. _ _

In looking round at the various graving docks on
the Mersey, we find that all those capable of taking
in the largest steamers are full, and the repairs to
which will take many months for their completion.
Two of the Galway Company's steamers are being
strengthened, viz., the Hibernia, in Mr, Laird's,
and the Columbia, in Clover and Royle's yard.
Another of the Galway boats is expected round
from Southampton for repairs, because there are
no docks at that port large enough to accommodate
her.

Liverpool, it will thus be seen, affords better fa-
cilities for shipping repairs than any other port in
England, and when the immense new graving docks
across the Mersey are completed, and the entrances
to those already constructed enlarged, I Liverpool
would become the great harbour of refuge for
such vessels as those whose size and tonnage will
prevent them from entering other ports. The
capabilities of doing large repairs in private docks
with all the appliances in machines on the premises
is so apparent, especially for iron ships, with the
furnaces, puncturing and shearing machines close
at hand, give such an immense saving in time to
and from the ship, that it is no wonder these docks
are sought after for heavy repairs, where they can
be closed up, and lay undisturbed until completion.

THE RFV. JAMES LONG AND THE
CALCUTTA MISSIONARY CONFERENCE.

At a special meeting of the Calcutta Missionary Confer-
ence, held on Tuesday evening, July 30, with a very fully
attendance of members, the following resolutions were
adopted and ordered to be published

1. That this conference has viewed with much concern
and regret the proceedings recently instituted against one of
the'r number, the Rev. James Long, for the part ho took in
publishing an English translation of a native drama, the Nil
J)uipan. The members of this conference have known Mr.
Long too well, and have witnessed his zeal in connection
with the native press for to many years, too doubt the per-
fect accuracy of the statement he has put forth, explaining
the history of his connection with that production, and the
reasons which induced him to assist in making it known as
an exponent of native thought and feeling; and they deeply
regret that, after the statement appeared, he should have
been subjected to a prosecution, especially by a form of pro-
cedure which has been characterised as the harshest known
to English law, and should on that harsh form of trial have
been condemned to imprisonment and fine.

That while they cannot but regret that, in the introdue-
Voa to that translation, Mr. Long has not more carefully
guarded himself against the supposition of having adopted
as his own all the sentiments and representations of the
native author, yet, confidently relying on the purity of his
motives, and highly respecting his missionary character,
this conference sincerely
sympathise with him in his pre-
sent untoward position, and cordially assure him of their
contibued affeotion and respect.
2. That the conference do not feel called upon to pro-
nounce an opinion on the judgment exhibited in the mode
adopted for circulating the Nil Duipan ; since on this
subject, the party chiefly concern, d, the (late) secretary
to the Bengal Government, has already made the :most
ample acknowledgments; but they 'entirely concur with
Mr. Long in his appreciation of the importance of the native
press, and of a watchful attention to its productions. If the
effect of the recent trial should be to restrict freedom of
action in the translation and republication of native works,
the conference have reason to believe that serious detriment
may ensue.

3. That the members of this conference lament exceed-
ingly the continuance of any estrangement between the
non•official classes and the Government, or between the
different classes of the community themselves; and they
therefore refrain from the expression of any opinion, which
might
uen unwittingly provoke further contention. The me-
morialpresented by members of this conference to
the Lieut.-Governor of Bengal, asking for an inquiry into
renew
giy
the social condition of the millions of this great province,
embodies all that appears to this conference as of most
pressing urgency in connection with its public interests.
And they cannot but believe that their motives in giving
due attention to these and similar questions, as providential
circumstances may suggest, will not be misconstrued by any
who take into account the very peculiar circumstances of this
country, or have at heart the welfare of its inhabitants.
(Signed) ALEXANDER DUFF, Chairman.
JOgrl4 gVkliEl% Secretary,