The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-25 00:00:00

Duke of WELLINGTON'S anticipation "that places of

defence can possibly be constructed on the Goodwin
Sands" may be realised by the erection,
on that perilous • bank, of a battery, light-
house, and barrack of the most enduring
and substantial description, on this screw-pile foun-
dation. Let us take the case of the Maplin I;ght-
house. Its foundation consists of " nine spiral
flanches, each of 4 feet diameter, keyed on the foot
of as many wrought-iron piles : these were screwed
into the bank to the depth of 22 feet, and from the
nature of the groand, might have been sunk to a
much greater depth, had it been considered neces-
sary." Now Messrs. 'MITCHELL and SON properly
enough cite the high authority of the Duke of
WELLINGTON for the necessity of raising works of
defence off certain points of the coast on similar
principles of construction. " Disclaiming for our-
selves," say they, " all pretensions to military engineer-
ing, we venture confidently to propose a screw•pile
foundation as the best means, yet known, by which
batteries could be erected on sub-marine sand-banks
exposed to the storms and swell of the open sea. To
render our plan more intelligible, we subjoin an ele-
vation view of a screw-pile battery, of 28 guns,
with a vertical section of the bank in which the screw
piles are fixed." From this description, and that of a
model prepared by them, it appears that the proposed
battery would be supported as we have described it
" on 41 malleable iron piles, placed in five parallel
rows, the three interior ranges consisting of nine, and
the two exterior of seven piles each—the platform
being oblong, having the angles cut off." This last
feature, on the analogy of our round-stern men of
war, strikes us as very judicious, being calculated to
throw off the strength and fury of the waves. From
the measurements given, it seems that the extreme
length of pile from screw foundation to foot of plat-
form would be 71 feet—diameter of pile at surface of
bank, 12 inches ; at screw foundation and at platform,
10 inches; and of the screw itself, 4 feet. This screw
would be imbedded fsto the depth of 30 feet in the
bank ; the platform would rise above the bank 41
feet, and above spring tides 22 feet. Diameter of
horizontal bracing would be 8 inches, of single ditto,
4. The wl.ole length of the platform would be 120
feet, by GO broad; of the barrack-rooms, 90 by 30;
the lantern to cave of roof 13 feet high, by 12 broad.
The engineers observe—" As compared with ships,
the risk to such batteries from hostile attacks appear
trifling ; the narrow surface and rounded form of the
piles and each part of the frame-work rendering it
nearly ball proof ; for, unless struck in the direct line
of the centre, shot would glance off from their curved
surface ; and even bar or chain• shot could have no
effect on the main supports of the building, owing to
their great strength and weight. We would recom-
mend iron alone to be used in the upper
works." .. . "The efficiency of battery,
guns as compared with those afloat, needs no com-
ment, and in working them a small garrison is all
that is required." . . . . " The whole
weight of the structure, including guns and military
stores, would be about 1,000 tons, or something less
than twenty-five tons upon each pile; a mere fraction
of what those piles would be sufficient to supports
We are of opinion that a battery and lighthouse of
the proportions before described, could be completed
for about 25,0001."
These are important and highly interesting par-
ticulars, to which we have no exception to take, ex-
cept that they do not seem to contemplate the great
exposure of both battery and barrack, in a position
thus advanced, as it were, into the sea, from the great
guns of first or second class men-of-war, for example.
Nor do they allow, we venture to suggest, for the
facility with which enemies' steam ships-of-war might
run under the guns and close in to the frame supports
of the battery, so as to lie there with comparative im-
punity, from the impossibility of the garrison bring-
ing its guns to bear directly down upon them; whilst
their own heavy metal, and even mortars might be
played at any required elevation, with terrible effect
on the works above them. A military friend, who is im-
pressed with the highest opinion of Messrs. MITCHELL
and SON'S scheme and pamphlet, remarks, that such a
battery might easily surmount the dangers we have
thus hintedat,by being supplied with an efficient furnace,
metal, and materiel for heating and throwing red hot
balls ; from the effect of which neither steamers nor
line-of-battle ships would find it very practicable to
preserve themselves.
We once more strongly commend the preparation of
these coast defences to the earliest and most serious
attention of Parliament.

The intelligence from Madrid is to the 17th instant.
The ex-Minister, OLOZAGA, who is now at Lisbon,
had addressed a letter to the electors of Madrid, in
which he states, if they elect him a Deputy to the
Cortes, he will take his seat as soon as his political
friends may judge it advisable. He attributes his
flight to the personal danger to which he was exposed,
and the threats publicly made against him. The
Government, it would appear, are determined to keep
the press in order, and not suffer even an advertise-
ment to be published without their permission. " ilo
species of advertisement," the Political Chief an-
nounces, " whether printed or in manuscript, can in
future be distributed without my permission, with
the exception of play:-bills, and those of other public
amusements."

-- -
The Madrid Gazette of the 17th publishes the fol-
j9wng.ecree.,P
idf the Finance Minister,:
, .,
4.,'" 1. All personsTindevted to the Treftshry fol. bverdue
debts.
contracts, • may liberate themselves by paying 17 per
cent. in specie, and 83 per cent, in' overdue coupons of
. having to
" 2. All persons pay purchases of national
the home and foreign consolidated
property according to the new centralisation,, may ,effect
-their payments by giving 18 per cent. in specie, and 82
per cent. in bonds of the home and foreign debts as above.
" 3. Persons having payments to Make to the Trea-
sury in discharge of engagements due, will be at liberty
to avail themselves of the above dispositions, provided
they do so before the Ist of next March."
The Three per Cents. were done at 25/ for cash,
26 7-16 at 60 days'; and the Five per Cents. at 19i
at 60 days.
____.........._

The discussion in the French Chamber on the ad-
dress, at the sitting of Monday, possesses considerable
interest, showing at the same time the hostility of
many Members to England, and the firm and frank
determination of M. GUIZOT to adhere to- a policy
which he justly considers the safest and best for his
country. His speech, in reply to that of M. TRIERS,
which we published on Wednesday, will be found in
another part of the paper. It is well worth perusal.
In adverting to the amendment of M. BILLAULT, re-
lative to the phrase 'entente cordiale," the Journal
des Debats says, The question whether the Cabinet
shall continue to- exist .or not was distinctly and re-
solutely put in the sitting of yesterday. The
Minister of Foreign Affairs, driven to the point by
mean and petty cavils, came forward, and in clear
and direct terms called upon the Chamber to declare
categorically whether it wished to maintain or
destroy the work of pacification and reorganisa-
tion to which the Ministry of October 29 had
for three years devoted all its mind, all its en-
deavours, all its influence. The majority replied, the
Ministry found it to be intact, faithful, and persever-
ing; the same majority that for three years has given
its concurrence on every important, every solemnoccasion.. This question was mooted three times
during the last session, not to go further back, and
every time it was resolved triumphantly for the
Ministry. Now, let the Opposition probe and dissect
at its leisure the pretended misunderstandings of the
Cabinet and the Conservative party; let the Honour.
able M. DUPIN, whom we have great embarrassment
in classing, and who can safely assail all parties with-
out risk of wounding himself, dart out his wit and
sarcasms upon the indissoluble union of the Ministry
and the Conservative party. Yes ! this union is close
and firm, much more indissoluble than others wish.
The majority of yesterday was one more unanswer-
able proof that, although it exercised upon occasions that
freedom which is the essence and honour of Parlia-
mezitary government, it nevertheless is determined
to rally and reunite whenever the fundamental policy,
and with it the existence, of the Cabinet is at stake.
It proved in a word that there subsists between it and
the Ministry of October 29 an entente cordiale."
Notwithstanding an angry speech from that "ill-
conditioned" statesman M. DUPIN the elder, and great
excitement in th Chamber caused by his remarks on
the English alliance, the Ministry prevailed, and
M. BILLAULT'S amendment was rejected by a majority
of 30, according to the Constitutionnel. The. National
says it was only 25. M. DUFAURE, and about
twenty Members of the left centre, declined to vote.
The Legitimatists voted for the amendment.
On Tuesday the discussion was resumed, when the