The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-10 00:00:00

IRON SCREW STEAM-SHIPS.

(From Mitchell' Stcam-Sh4ping Journal.)
Iron ships, like brick mansions, can be built to
last a few years, or tahold together for a century.
All depends upon the weight and strength of mate-
rial employed, and the architectural design. It has
been asserted by the 3wner of an iron yacht that he
paid at the rate of £4O per ton, builder's measure-
ment, but there are persons who advertise to com-
plete ships in hull, rigging, and machinery, at from
£9 to £l3. Iron ships, therefore, may be purchased
to suit the capitalist. He may have solidly built
vessels of good metal, or he may have common
plated ships, constructed expressly to sell. The
weakly built ship, when smartly rigged and painted,
will look as good to the uninitiated as the one more
substantially put together. The Tyne and the
Clyde have a reputation for turning out cheap iron
ships, but we suspect that good strong vessels of
the very first class can be had from off the banks of
those rivers if a remunerative price is paid. Where
honest and independent surveyors are engaged to
overlook the work, it is their fault if material of the
right substance is not employed, though they can-
not be present at all times to see the metal fused.
There is a great variation in the cohesion of diffe-
rent irons. Old metal, transmuted, perhaps, some
thousands of times, till its properties deteriorate, is
slightly mixed with bars of virgin iron, and plates
are turi:ed out, by contract, of a given thickness,
which may by chance stand the atmospheric pres-
sure applied to test its strength. Well coated, these
plates may last for years ; but if, from some parti-
cular cause, an equal strain is brought to bear on
one, or several of them, they fall to pieces like, as
was once described by the shipwrecked mate of a
steamer, " the tearing of a sheet of paper ;" or, to
apply the simile of another seaman saved from the
wreck of a screw collier, " like a pack of cards."
The boatswain's mate of the Royal Charter states
that that ship " broke up like a band-box." In some
instances this strange destruction is less owing to
the fault of the iron than to the peculiar build of
the ship. It is almost impossible to award to each
their proper sharent the blame; but it has always
been observed that when iron ships do begin to
break up there are no half measures ; the rivets
start, a few plates go, and the rest follow. Where
they do hold, their tenacity is great if a ship is
faithfully built. But the durability of a ship de-
pends not so much on the quantity as on the quality
of the metal. A ship built of the best Low Moor
iron, with cold hammered plates, and well strength-
ened horizontally, will stand an enormous strain.
As between Scotch, Welsh, and English iron of
various descriptions, there is a difference in value of
about £5 per ton, more or less, according to the
place of delivery.
The tenacity of metals depends very much upon
their purity. Professor Wallace gives the specific
cohesion and strength of different sorts of iron as
follows :

Specific cohesion. I
.ron (Bar) .. .. .
„ Best quality..
„ German Bit from 9.880 to 6.514
» Swedish
fl Liege from 8.794 to 6.621
$1 German L
If Spanish 8.685
/, Oosement
fl Fine grained 5.306
Il Medium fineness 3.618
Coarse grained 2112
Iron (Cast) French
ff German 7.250
// English from 5.520 to 4'331
Here we have the tenacious union of the particles
of the multifarious descriptions of iron proved to
demonstration. When, therefore, we speak of an
iron-built ship, if we would rightly understand her
build, we must know something of the composition
of the metal used in her construction. But to il-
lustrate the utter impracticability of thoroughly
understanding the relative strength of samples of
iron, we will also give the experiments made by
Rennie to ascertain the direct cohesion of bars one
inch square, in tons.

Tom.
Iron bar, cast horizontally S 32
Iron bar, cast vertically

To this we may add—
Wrought iron, mean of 26 experiments by 8rune1....31•20
Wrought iron, mean of 9 experiments by Te1f0rd....29•25
Wrought iron, mean of 8 experiments by 8r0wn.... 25.00
No two experiments, therefore, yield the same pro-
ducts ; but the average qualities of iron aro so well
known that no purchaser need be at a loss in de-
simnating in plain terms what sort of iron he
wishes to be used, though at the same time it rests
with the honour of a builder, or founder, to pro-
perly mix the metals. There are tricks and adul-
terations in every trade, and we fear the manipula-
tors of iron are not free from the universal vice.
Hence, as screw vessels built of iron are becoming
so common in several trades, supplanting clipper
sailing-vessels, it is essential that more attention
should be paid by intending owners of such ships
to the metal used, and to the principle of construc-
tion. Screw steam-ships do not appear to be fa-
vourites with the public as passenger-ships, though
they answer admirably for the conveyance of hcavp
cargoes. The loss of the Royal Charter, which
could not stern the tempest even with her 300
horse-power auxiliary engines, has deprc ciated
them still further. But her case is an exceptional
one. When brought up by her anchor the masts
were cut away, and they fouled the screw, though
it must be admitted she was dragging before she
was dismasted. This fouling of the screw
appears difficult to overcome. Wire rigging,
chain sheets and halyards are now so much used
that it is difficult to attach any cutting instru-
ment that will prove efficacious. A chain hanging
to a spar will sink under the ship's bottom, or be
drawn under by the ship's suction, and, when
seized by an arm of the screw, insinuate itself
round and round, till it either breaks off the fans
or stops the engine. The steamship Prince, when
caught in the gale off Sebastopol, it is said, was
working off the shore, when the order was given
to cut a way the mizenmast. Immediately the mast
went by the board, the rigging fouled the screw, the
ship was disabled, and her loss followed. Many a
sailing ship has been saved by cutting away the
masts ; but in screw steamers, un'ess care is taken
to see the rigging cjear astern, the remedy is worse

than the disease.
The screw for first-class passenger ships, unless
as a mere auxiliary power for long voyages, is pos-
sibly' doomed. It was prophesied that all steamers
would be propelled by screws before 1858, and the
adaptation of several of the Peninsular and Oriental
Company's ships from side wheels to stern screws
seemed, at one time, to give force to the prophecy ;
but the last new vessel of the company, built to
order, was the Delta, with paddle wheels ; and their
vessel now on the stocks will also have side wheels.
In screw vessels there is so much noise in the after
section of the ship, by the rotation of the shaft,
that it is unpleasant to be quartered there. The
sleeping accommodation is consequently placed
more amidships, and here you have the smell of the
oil from the engine-room, and the heat from the
boilers. Besides which, screw vessels roll badly,
and the vibration from the screw gives a tremulous
motion to the ship, to the sore aggravation of sea-
sickness. In the Great Eastern, when the screw is
at work, the vibration is very great unless canvas
is spread, and the mastheads show this plainly ,by
their heavy quivering. When the screw stops and
the ship is driven by paddle only her motion is free
from all vibration, and she progresses smoothly.
On the Great Eastern's success or failure we appre-
hend will depend whether the double power will
be taken up and brought into use for passenger
steamers.

The unsold portion of the Australian gold in the
market, consisting of the £168,000 by the Orwell, has been
taken for the Continent, together with the 35,000 Sydney
sovereigns by the Phoenician, and £4,000 in bars from the
Bank,

BIRMINGHAM.—Two gentlemen were nominated
for the mayoralty—Mr. Alderman Lloyd, banker,
and Mr. Alderman Baldwin, papermaker ; the latter
was mayor in 1855. Sixty-three out of the sixty-
four members of the council were present. The
votes were 32 for Mr. Lloyd, and 31 for Mr. Bald-
win. Mr. Lloyd was then elected mayor by a
majority of one vote only. A very cordial vote of
thanks was passed to the retiring mayor (Sir John
Itatcliff), who was entertained at dinner at the Royal
Hotel in the evening, the now .Tayor presiding.
Noftwicll. Yesterday Mr. J. H. Tillett was
elected mayor, and Mr. I. Underwood sheriff of
this city. The proceedings excited great interest, as
the appointment of eight aldermen had also to be
made, and until they were chosen, the liberal and
conservative sections of the council were precisely
equal, 28 on each side. As the aldermen are elected
for six years the balance of power would have been
decided for that period, and of course every member
was whipped up on both sides. Both Mr. Tillett
and Mr. Underwood are liberals, and after they had
been appointed mayor and sheriff the conservatives
in a body quitted the Council-chamber. The atten-
tion of the council was then called to an attempt to
bribe one of the liberal councillors to vote so as to
secure the election of conservative aldermen. It was
affirmed that Mr. Fox, the councillor in question, had
been offered £3OO to do this, and Mr. Fox held up, in
support of the assertion, the halves of threel3oo
notes, which he alleged had been given him as an
an instalment. The proceeding of course produced
great excitement, and a committee was appointed to
inquiri into the circumstances, with a view to the
vindication of the character and dignity of the
council. It is fair to add that the Conservatives
argue that they are entitled to a share of the alder-
men, as they have a majority of elected councillors.
They also complain that they ought to have had, in
rotation, a Conservative mayor, in accordance with
an understanding entered into some years since.
NORTIIAMPTON.—Edmund Francis Law, Esq.,
architect, was yesterday morning unanimously
elected mayor.
COLCHESTER.--Yesterday the town council of this
borough met for the purpose of electing a mayor and
aldermen, when, in consequence of the strong poli-
tical feeling which has characterised the municipal
elections, an attempt was made to break down the
system of choosing the chief mn;;istrate from the
ranks of aldermen exclusively. Alderman Smythers
proposed E. Williams, Esq., D.D., as chief magis-
trate, which was seconded by Joseph Cooke, q.
Councillor Carr condemned the principle of retain-
ing the office of mayor amongst the aldermen, and.
proposed Thomas Moore, Esq., an influential coun-
cillor, which was seconded:by Councillor T. Taylor,
but upon a division, Alderman Williams was elected
by 13 to 7. At attempt was made to abolish the
mayor's salary of 50 guineas per annum, but the
proposition was lost. After some opposition, the
retiring aldermen were re-elected.
OXFORD.—Mr. Thos. Randall, hatter and hosier,
was elected chief magistrate of this city by a majo-
rity of six over his opponent, Mr. James Wickens,
'wine and spirit merchant.
NEWBURY.—Mr. Henry Flint was elected ; Mr.
Councillor Marten and Mr. Councillor Turner were
chosen aldermen in the place of Mr. Alderman
Alexander and .11r. Alderman Adey—the former
of whom retired. It is anticipated that if the late
mayor and Mr. Alderman Adey offer themselves as
candidates for the vacant posts of councilmen they
will be elected.
READING.—Mr. Henry Adolphus Simmonds was
elected.

ROCIIESTER.—Yesterday Mr. John Foord, a
justice of the peace for the county, and also a bo-
rough magistrate, was unanimously elected mayor
of this city for the ensuing year.
SoUTIIAMPToM.—Mr. F. Perkins was elected
mayor of Southampton yesterday. He is the
youngest mayor ever known in that borough. A
grand banquet was given to the corporation last
evening at the ancient audit house to celebrate the
inauguration.
WOLVERHAMPTON.—CounciIIor Henry Under-
hill proposed Alderman Benjamin Hicklin for the
office of mayor. Alderman Perry seconded the
nomination, and there being no other candidate he
was unanimously elected.
LANCASTER.—Wm. Whelon, Esq., was yesterday
elected mayor for the ensuing year.

STRANGE COMPANIONS IN A BAIL-

WAY TRAIN.

On the evening of Thursday last one of our citi-
zens accompanied by a male and female friend,
entered a second-class carriage at the Canterbury
station, for the purpose of proceeding to London.

In the same carriage, at one corner sat a man, evi-
dently under the influence of drink. The train
started, and the strangers began to chaff each other,
and then to quarrel. At length the tipsy man took
off his coat, turned up his sleeves, and prepared to-
do battle with his antagonist, who appeared to be

in the same mood. This scene so alarmed the fe-
male that she went off in hysterics, and on reaching
Wye our citizen and his two companions went into
the next carriage. Here sat two dragoons—a ser-
geant and a private; the former was enjoying a nap
in .the corner, but the other was looking wildly
about him. The movements of this man were most
extraordinary and alarming. A few moments after
the newcomers had taken their places he plunged
his arm under the seat occupied by the sergeant,
and brought forth a forage bag. This he carefully
examined, and at length drew out a razor, which he
opened and proceeded to strop, to the terror of the
other passengers, who could not possibly imagine
what the fellow was going to do, his countenance
being anything but prepossessing, and his actions
those of a maniac. Having well stropped the razor,
he then helped himself to a lump of bread and meat,
which he cut with the razor, and masticated with
great rapidity. His hunger appeased, the remainder
of the meat and bread was deposited in the bag,
and the man again deliberately set about sharpen-
ing the dangerous instrument. At this juncture
the terror of the female was extremely painful
to witness, while that of her companions was hardly
less intense, but there was no escape. Fortunately,
the light at the top of the carriage enabled them to
witch, with breathless silence, the extraordinary
manoeuvres of their singular travelling colleagues,
but did not tend in the slightest degree to calm the
intense excitement and fear which they had pro-
duced. At length the sergeant awoke from his
slumbers, and no sooner did he open his eyes than
he immediately grasped the dragoon by the throat,
and forcibly took the razor from his grasp, which
he immediately deposited in a place of safety. The
fact was then elicited that the man who had been
playing such antics with the razor was a maniac,
that he had been sent from one of the transports in
charge of the sergeant, who was taking him to
head-quarters prior to his dismissal from the ser-
vice. The passengers loudly complained of the
conduct of the sergeant, in having gone to sleep
while having such a dangerous character under his
care, but he excused himself by saying that he had
been up with him the whole of the previous night,
and could not keep his eyes open any longer.—
South-Eastern Gazette.

LIFE IN CEYLON.—The white ants, for instance,
or termites, render life almost unendurable to a good house-
wife, who sees her furniture crumble into dust, her books
and papers eaten through, her clothes rendered unwearable,
and the souvenirs of absent friends destroyed, by the ravages
of these omnivorous insects. So rapid, too, is their working,
that they have been known to raise " a pinnacle of moist
clay, six inches in height, and twice as large in diameter,
underneath a table, between sitting down to table and the
removal of the cloth." To the person, however, there are
greater annoyances even than ants. In passing through
woodlands the traveller is liable to be covered with ticks.
which burrow under the skin, " causing a sensation of
smarting as if particles of red-hot sand had beat scattered
over the flesh." Then, there are the myriapods and the
millipede, which inflict wounds so acutely painful that
fever is oftentimes the consequence. But worse than all
other foes to personal enjoyment are the land-leeches. 1
awn
diminutive tormentors, for they do not eFee.d more than
"
one inch in length in their normal state,inTnuate them-
selves through the meshes of the finest stocking, not only
seizing on thefefnesttealanoukltehse,
tebuntzceesntdpianrgt
otfothtehbeobdayeft
and throat, and g
—.Literary Gazette,

ROYAL

ENGLISH OPERA,
COVENT -GA RDEN.
Under the management of Miss L. Pyne and Mr.VIT. Harrison
THIS EVENING will be performed SATANELLA.
Messrs. W. Harrison. Sautley, G. Honey, 11. Corti, St. Albyn,
Miss Cruise, Filling, and Louisa Fyne.
Conductor, Alfred Mellon.
Ballet, LA FIANCE• Messrs. W. A. Payne, H. Payne,
F. Payne, Mdlle. Lequine, Pasquale, Pierron, Mons. Vandris.
Doors open at half-past 7—Commence at 8 o'clock.

TIIEATRE -R OYA L, HAYMARKET.
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buck-stone.
THIS EVENING the performances will commence with
THE CONTESTED ELECTION. Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Mathews, Mr. Buckstone, &c.
Followed by MY WIFE'S DAUGHTER.
After which, OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND. Mr. C.
Mathews.
And JACK'S RETURN FROM CANTON.
Commence at 7.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Lessee, Mr. A. -Harris.
THIS EVENING, the performances will commence with
a new drama, entitled THE MASTER PASSION. Messrs.
Ryder, 0. Melville, Graham, R. Cathcart, Garden ; Miss C.
Lec'ercq and Mrs. Charles Young.
After which, PUSS ; or, Metempysychosis. Miss L. Keeley.
To be followed by a dramatic tableau in Watteau colours,
by J. R. Planche, Esq., entitled LOVE AND FORTUNE.

NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHL
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Beni. Webster.
THIS EVENING (first time) THE DEAD HEART. 3lr.
B. Webster. J. L. Toole, David Fisher, Paul Bedford. Stuart,
Billinp;ton, C. J. Smith, Eburne, Moreland; Miss Woolgar,
and Miss IC. Kelly.
Followed by (fourth time) a piece of extravagance, (called
DINORAH UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 3lczsrs. J. L. Toole,
P. Bedford, C. J. Smith, Eburne, and Miss K. Kelly.
Doors open at half-past six—Commence at seven. Bos-
t:Mee open from 10 to 5. No charge for securing seats,
nor for bills of performance. All fees to servants of this
establishment arc strictly prohibited.
Acting Manager—Mr. Wm. Smith.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE,
King-street, St. James's. Lessee, Mr. T. B. Chatter-
ton. The nearest Theatre to Chelsea, Pimlico, and West-
minster, the Park being. open to carriages and foot passen-
gers all hours of the night.
THIS EVENING, anew Comedy, LONDON PRIDE ; or,
Living for Appearances. Messrs. Leigh Murray, Barrett,
Charles Young ; 3lesdarses Frank Matthews, Murray, and
Nelly More.
Followed by MAGIC TOYS, support:d by Miss Lydia
Thompson, Miss Clara St. Casse, and a numerous Corps de
Ballet.
To conclude with the New and Original Burlesque, by L.
Buckingham, Esq., of VIRGIYIQS ; or the Trials of a Fond
Papa.
Reduced Prices—Gallery, 6d ; Pit, is. The Box-office
from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at half-past six ; perform
sues commences at 7.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE,
Westminster-road.
Sole Lessee Mr. William Cooke.
Every Night the successful Drama, by, Tom Taylor, Esq.,
entitled GARIBALDI, supported by Mr 11. Phillips, Bel-
more,
.Raymond, Miss Kate Carson —Powerful Company—
Full stud of trained Steeds—Great Military Tableaux—
Scenes in the Circle by Madlle. Mar n erite, Sigior Isacihi,
the wonderful Italian Equestrian, Miss Rosina and John
Henry Cooke—Clowns, Messrs. Croueste, Rowella, and the
Parisian Grotesques—terminatinz with an exceedingly droll
Ballet entitled LOVE'S VAGARIES.
Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips

CANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS.—
EVERY EVENING. The Nnsic of Verdi's Opera of
MACBETH (now first made public in England at these Con-
certs).
And a Grand Selection from Meyerbeer's new opera of
DINORAH.
Comic Vocalists —Messrs. George Hodson (the Irish Come-
dian and Mimic), W. T. Critchfield, and E. W. Hackney.
Several interestintr, Pictures are added to the Fine Arts
Gallery. The suite of Halls have been re-decorated and
beautified, and constitute one of the most unique and brilliant
sights of the metropolis.
ROSA BONHEUR'S celebrated PICTURE of the HORSE
FAIR is now added to the already magnificent Collection of
Pangs in the Canterbury Hall Fine Arts Gallery. The
gallery is opei from e 9
am. till 12 p.m. Admission, Six-
pence.

THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, NOVEMBER 10.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
46—highest since noon yesterday.
37—lowest this morning and during the night.
40-1-this day at noon.
B AROVETEE.-30,70=-the highest this year.
WIND, North-Easterly in the morning, now North-
Westerly; light, with foggy or hazy weather.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tuts Day.—Morning, lh. 22m.—Afternoon, lh. 40m.
To-Monitow-Morning, lh. 58m.—Afternoon, 2h. 16m.

441
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THE SUN.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1859.

The banquet at the Mansion-House last even-
ing
passed off with becoming eclat, although
the two great rivals of modern power hap-
pened to be absent the first being at Wind-
sor celebrating the heir-apparent's minor-majo-
rity, and the other nursing a foreign cold at
Richmond. All things considered, the tone
of the Speeches was quite up to the mark, and ex-
pectation had little left to hope for. The Home
Secretary, Sir G. C. LEWIS, spoke for the Cabinet
in a spirit which did him far more honour than
when he presided with a bad -grace at the Exche-
quer. He said that we are determined to bring
the Chinese to book, aided by the gallantry of our
Allies over the Channel ; and if they enter
into the matter heartily, the Chinese
will rue the day when they broke
faith so treacherously with the " outside bar-
barians." But whether the French join us or
not, we are strong and too willing to give a good
account of those perfidious Russians in disguise.
All that is wanting is a clear view of our necessi-
ties for such a campaign—men of character for
daring resolve and promptitude of action in going
ahead with the fortitude of soul resolved to " do or
die."

After the many sad experiences we have had in
the Crimean and other wars, we sincerely trust
that men will be chosen to command merely for
their known aptitude and enterprise—men who can
and will do the work—not royal favourites, whose
chief qualifications seem to be their imbecility in
the field, and their servility in the Court. England
has paid too dearly in brave blood, and lost trea-
sure by confiding her precious honour to the keep-
ing of such unworthy favoarites of irresponsible
councillors.

In referring to our domestic affairs, the Home
Secretary made the following pertinent re-
marks respecting the late (we hope) disturb-
ance in the metropolis caused by the strike :
" We have seen one unfortunate event in which the
inhabitants of this metropolis have been especially
interested—l mean the disturbance which has .
occurred in the building trade, but which I
trust is now approaching its termination. That
has been an event of which her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment have been no unconcerned spectators,
although in regard to it we have felt it our duty to
maintain a policy of consistent non-intervention.
It has been our desire not to interfere in
any question between employers and their work-
men, but to leave both parties to adjust their dif-
ferences according to the natural law of supply and
demand. And I trust the time will never 'arrive
when any scheme of intimidation will be attempted,
or any endeavour made to introduce a system of
protection for labour, which must prove not less
unsound in principle than the exploded doctrine of
protection to agriculture, which was recently ex-
punged from the legislation of this country with so
much advantage to all classes of the community."
As to the affairs of Italy, we are gl•id to see that.
Ministers are resolved to endeavour to let the
Italians have fair play in the conduct of their own
Government. How far that resolve may be re-

spected by other Governrunts remains to be seen.
If ever there was a complexity of selfish interests in
the settlement of any question, the case of
Italy presents as fine a specimen as the
ver:est diplomatist could desire! It is well for

the cause of freedom that England has hitherto
kept out of the quarrel, for her apparent reluctance
has acted positively in favour of the weak and
paralysed the arm of the strong. Lotus MAroLEoN
has most marvelously outwitted himself, and puz-
zled both his friends and monies at the same
time. May he always do so for the benefit of
humanity ! He has clearly realized that the