The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-25 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Stocks active. Illinois Central, 68 ; Erie, 231 ;
New York Central, 76. Exchange on London, 107.
Cotton advancing. Middling uplands, 151 e.
Flour quiet and drooping.
Provisions dull.
Coffee firm, and at sales mostly withdrawn.

QUEBEC, JULY 13.
(PER NOVA SCOTIAN, via LONDONDERRY.)

The elections for the Canadian Parliament are
nearly over. Parties are very equally balanced,
but the Ministers so far have a slight majority.
The central part of the province was visited by
a sharp shock of earthquake on the 11th inst. It
was felt severely at Ottawa city, chimneys being
shaken down and walls split.

TRIAL TRIP OF TILE BLACK PRINCE.

The preliminary trial trip of this vessel took
place on Tuesday, marking another stage in her
progress towards completion. Since the launch of
the vessel on the 27th February last—shortly after
which she was towed to Greenock and berthed
within Victoria Harbour—the business of sheathing
her with the 4k-inch iron plates, putting in the
engines, laying the 42-inch planks on the iron
decks, and otherwise preparing the vessel for her
full naval equipment at Portsmouth, has progressed
steadily. At these operations there have been, in
and outside of the vessel, as well as in the tempo-
rary sheds erected along the quay, between 300 and
400 men employed, most of whom were from Messrs.
Napier's ; and latterly the complement was strength-
ened by a party of engineers, smiths, and boiler-
makers from the Messrs. Penn's works. A trial of
the engines was made in the harbour about a month
ago, when they were found to work smoothly even
at the first; and last week, after the propeller had
been attached it was again lifted, to admit of their
being tested a second time. On that occasion the
vessel's head would have been placed against the
quay, and the propeller kept in its place, but it
was feared the action of the fans would have caused
so much motion in the water that the foundations
of the quays would have been injured, so that
there was nothing for it but a trial in the open.
waters. Accordingly everything was so far for-
warded as temporarily to admit of this being done,
and on Tuesday the vessel was towed out of the
harbour into the stream for that purpose. Upwards
of 500 invitations were issued by the Messrs. Penn,
and at half-past 12 the vessel got under weigh,
with more than her full complement on board. The
departure was witnessed by a large number of
people, who lined the quays to witness the depar-
ture of the vessel, and who cheered lustily as she
gathered way on her first voyage. The vessel was
towed out of the harbour by five tugs, under the
direction of Captain Miller, the harbour master, and
after passing the harbour mouth the vessel's own
engines were set in motion. As she passed onwards
she increased in speed, and fairly got under weigh
a little below Greenock—the band of the Hogue
and the Greenock band playing " Rule Britannia"
and "The National Anthem"—very soon thereafter
distancing the tugs which had brought her out. At
about 30 minutes past one the vessel passed the
Cloch, and we believe it was then intended to have
run the Lights, for it was then perfectly apparent
that the vessel was making at least 14 knots an
hour, which is equal to 16 statute miles; but after
being abreast of the Cumbrae, and when near the
entrance to Millport, it was thought advisable, as
certain parts of the machinery had not had fair play,
to bear up and return ; accordingly, the ship was
laid about, and this was the first time the helm
was proved in turning her. In every respect she
answered her rudder exactly, and although some
time elapsed before the colossal ship could be
made to:describe the circle, she soon came round,
and in a short time distanced the small craft who
were then in company with her. During the several
times she plied within the Lights it may be safely
affirmed of the Black Prince that her speed was not
under 14 knots an hour ; and this was attained
with a pressure of 201 b. of steam. The screw varied
from 52 to 58 revolutions per minute, and the 40
fires of the ten boilers were all in trim. During the
whole time the vessel was under the charge of Capt.
Ewing, of the Liverpool Company's service, and
Mr. Adam, as pilot. About 70 men belonging to
the Hogue were told off to assist in working the
vessel, and the services of most of them were re-
quired at the rudder, which has not been finished,
and had to be worked with blocks and tackling.
After the vessel had proceeded as far as Ashton she
was again laid about as successfully as before, and
again she passed the Cloch on her way down at 3h.
36m: 108'. After proceeding at full speed for a
considerable distance it was deemed expedient to
slacken the pressure, and shortly afterwards the
company adjourned to the after compartment of
the main or gun deck, where a sumptuous dinner
had been provided for them. Some idea may be
formed
of the proportions of this gigantic ship
when it is intimated that in the space allotted for
the cabins of the vessel more than 300 people were
comfortably seated in a few minutes.
After dinner the company adjourned to the
upper deck, and by this time the vessel was off
Gourock, on her upward course. The steamer Lady
Kelburne, which, along with several of the Clyde
Shipping Company's tugs, had been in attendance
on the vessel throughout, then came alongside, and
the larger portion of those on board were transferred
to her and conveyed to Greenock. Although this
has only been the preliminary trial, it is only say-
ing the least of it that altogether it has been most
satisfactory, and gives fair promise of superior ex-
cellence when the vessel has been entirely cora-
pleted.—Glasgoto Herald.