The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-08 00:00:00

IRON-CASED SHIPS.

The following letter has been addressed to a
contemporary :
Sir,—ln the discussion on the Nayy Estimates
on Monday night Lord C. Paget is reported to have
made the following statement
"Lord C. Paget wished to correct an impression
that seemed to exist, that the Admiralty never
consulted anybody bilt the Controller of the Navy
in the construction of ships. They had consulted
several of the most eminent shipbuilders, including
Mr. Laird, of Liverpool, and Mr. Napier, of
Glasgow, as to the construction of these ships."
I was applied to by the Admiralty on the
28th of January, 1859, with several other private
shipbuilding firms, and also, I have heard, some of
the master ship xrights of the various dockyards,
to give designs and detailed information respecting
the ( onstruction of iron-cased ships of large size.
The dimensions and form of vessel were left to
the parties applied to, but general information as to
the weights, armament, stores, &c., to be carried,
the height of ports out of water, was furnished by
the Admiralty. _ _

I sent in the plans and information, as request-
ed, on the Ist of March, 1859, and, as the other
parties refered to no doubt did the same, it would
appear desirable that the description and dimen-
sions of vessels proposed by the several parties
applied to, and the report of the Controller of the
Navy on the various plans submitted, should be
published and laid on the table of the House of
Commons for the information of members and the
public.
Soon after the plans and information above
referred to were sent in (on the 30th of April,
1859), the Admiralty requested tenders for the
construction of an iron-cased ship (since called the
Warrior), and I am not aware that any private
firms have since been asked to submit plans, but I
believe that all the other frigates now building
are constructing on the designs of the late or
present Controller of the Navy.
I regret to see the decision that has been come
to by the Admiralty to build wood ships and case
them with iron as, it is generally admitted that
the adoption of iron for the construction of vessels
of war of large size is not only desirable, but is
the principal means by which the increasing ex-
penditure in our dockyards can be put a stop to.
I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant,
Birkenhead, June 5. JOHN LAIRD.

AN ENGLIsII CONSUL CAP2URED BY

BRIGANDS.

A letter from Genoa of the 3d in the Gazette de
France, says :—" The English Consul at Valermo
has been placed under ransom by some brigands.
Mr. Rose had left the city with his family, and
when he arrived at Porazzi his carriage was stopped.
He was made prisoner, and a ransom of 2,000 gold
ounces demanded. Mr. Rose disputed the sum,
and got it reduced to 200, which he pledged his
word as an Englishman to send to his captors.
The latter imposed on him the condition of not
saying a word on the subject, which he agreed to.
His watch was taken from him, but he was pro-
mised that it should be returned when the money
was paid. Mr. Rose was then set at liberty. He
determined to pay the 200 gold ounces, and not
to lodge any complaint, but the coachman and the
children talked of the affair, and on its coming
to the ears of the authorities they interfered to
prevent the money being paid. Mr. Rose replied
that as a private individual he must keep his word,
but that as British Consul he must refer the matter
to London ; from whence applications would be ad-
dressed to the Government of King Victor Em-
manuel, which is responsible for what takes place
on Italian ground. Mr. Bastoggi, the Minister of
Finance, will have to reimburse the 200 ounces."