The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-14 00:00:00

t
N°. 18,089. j
LONDON SATURDAY
1 SEPTEMBER 14) 1850.
4 - ,e 0 7

RAILWAY PASSENGERS' ASSURANCE
COMPANY;
Empowered by Special Act of Parliament, 12 and 13 Vic., cap. 40.
Offices, 3, Old liroad•stroct, London.
DIRECTORS.
Chairman—JJllV DEAN- P.l UL, Esq., 217, Strand.
Deputy-Chairman—GEOßGE BERKELEY HARRISON, Esq., 24,
Great Tower-street, City.
Humphrey Brown, Esq., M.P., Twining Park, Tewkesbury.
James Clay, Esq., M.P., 25, Montagu-square.
Georce Clive, Es.] , Sauderstead Court, Croydon.
Samuel Whitfield Daukes, Esq., 14, Whitehall-place, Westminster.
Harvie Morton Farquhar, Esq , 10, St. James's-street.
Alexander Greg, Esq., 10, Lowades-strcet, Belgravc-squaro.
The lion. Arthur Kinnaird, Pall-mall East.
Geor fe Robert Paul, Esq., Portland Lodgo, Worthing.
Bankers—Nessr. Strahan, Paul, Paul, and Bates, 217, Strand ;

Messrs. Ransom and Co , East.
Stan ling Counsel—Henry Davison, Esq., Brick-court, Temple.
Solicitors —Messrs. Fry and Ilolt, Walbrook Ilmse, City.
Surgeon—Barnard Wi;;lit Ilolt, lan., F.R.C.S., 5, Parliamciit•street,
Westminster.
Secretary—Alexander Beattie, rm.
This Company has been established for the purpose of affording
compensation in cas s of personal injury, and the payment of a cer-
tain suns in the event of death by railway accident.
During the year just closed the following are the particulars of the
claims that have been made on this Company by 37 persons who
have sustained injury in travelling by railway :
No 1. A holder of a periodical ticket, No. 5,091, met with an ac-
cident by falling off the platform at Prevon, on the night of the Ist
November. Adjusted by a payment of 71. Gs.
No. 2. A mail guard, insured by a periodical ticket, No. 5,584,
whilst travelling from Ccatbridge to Perth, on the 29th November,
having occasion to get out at the Stirling Station, he slipped between
the platform ami post-office van: The injury he sustained prevented
him from attending to his duties till the 3d January. Awarded 201.
No. 3. The holder of a periodical ticket, No. 5,396, whilst travel-
ling from Macclesfield to :Manchester, on the 31st December, was
thrown against a gentleman sitting oppasite to him, and received a
blow on his face, which rendered him incapable of attending to his
business for a few days. His claim was settled by the Company pay-
ing at his request 5 guineas to the Manchester Infirmary, the
elahnant being himself a medical man.
No. 4. A commercial traveller, and holder of a periodical ticket,
No. 16,880, met with an accident at the Thirsk Station of the York.
Newc tstle, and Berwick Railway, whilst about to proceed to New-
castle on the 21th of January. The injury consisted of a severe
bruise of the thumb, caused by a porter shutting tae door of the car-
riage, o❑ his left hand, befo e lie could take his seat ; the accident
obliged him, after remaining a week at Newcastle, to return home
from his journey, which he was unable to resume until February 11.
Awarded 311. 103.
No. 5. The holder of a first-class ticket, issued at Leicester,January
28, was a passenger is the train that ran off the rails between Blis-
worth and Wolverton ; he was thrown with great violence against
another passenger, and the shock unfitted him from attending to
business for some days. Awarded 141. 145.
No. G. The party in this instance is a clerk in the Travelling Post-
office, and the holder of a periodical ticket, No. 5,474. and was se-
verely injured, especially in the face and eyes, by the collision of the
mail with the goods' train, that occurred on the 13th February, near
the Abingdon Station, on the Caledonian Railway. Awarded 2101.
The injury to the eyes appearing to be of a permanent character.
No. 'l. The holder of a single journey ticket was also a passenger
in the same train. The claimant was about to proceed to New
York, by the Canada, but the injury he received prevented him from
doing so. Awarded 301.
No. 8. The holder of a periodical ticket, No. 7,313, was injured by
the collision between the passengers' and goods' train in the long
tunnel in the Leeds and Bradford Railway, on the 18th February

Awarded 401.
No. 9. A commercial traveller, holder of periodical ticket, No.
16,851, was travelling by the mail train that left Newcastle at 4 P.M.
on the 13th March for Manchester, and susta ned a severe shock
by the engine running off the line near the Victoria-bridge.
Awarded 101.
Ik• o. 10. A Government officer and his wife were passengers by the
mail train that left Durham at half-past four o'clock P.M. on 6th
May, which ran into an engine in,the siding from the points not
having been properly set, near the Belmont Station of the York,
castle, and and Berwick Railway, lhey were both much hurt by the
collision. Awarded 351.
No. 11. An engine-driver, whilst driving the engine of a goods'
train on the 25th of May, between Blisworth and • Wolverton, was
thrown b.meatli the engine from the train coating in collision with a
bal : of cloth that had just fallen on the line from a passing train; he
was much scalded and otherwise severely injured. Awarded 421.
Claims 12 to 17 were made by parties who were travelling by the
excurs on train on the 3d July from Leek and Macclesfield to
Liverpool, the weight of whieh overpowered the breaks on entering
the station.
.No. 12. The claimant, with his wife and mother-in-law, from Leek,
second-class passengers, were all bruised. Awarde 1 61.
No. 13. A young woman from Leek, a third-class passenger, had
her face hurt. Awarded 21.
No. 14. A man and his wife, employed in the manufacture of silk,
third-class passengers, were both slightly injured by the shock.
Awarded 21.
No. 15. A passenger from Macclesfield had insured himself and
family, six in number, thr.e of whom received some injuries from the
concussion. Awarded 5/. ss.
No. 16. A s..entlemast holding a periodical ticket. No. 8,751, left
Macclesfield in the above train, and was so shaken as to be inca-
pacitated front attending to his business for a few days. Awarded 6/.
No. IL A second-class passenger from Macclesfield was severely
injured about the spine and neck, which still confines her to her
room.
No. 18 and 19. These claims were made by two gentlemen,
holders of periodical tickets, employed In the railway post-office,
and travelling by the snail train that left the Easton Station on the
evening of the 6th of July, and ran into some waggons of a goods'
train, proceeding on the same line, near Harrow. One of them
sprained the muscle of his back, and the other was thrown against
the corner of the post-office, breaking one of his ribs, and being
otherwise injured.
Claims No. 17, 18, and 19. are in course of adjustment.
No. 20. the claimant and his wife were thirthelass passengers by
the same train ; ha escaped with a few bruises, bu. his wife was
much injured. Awarded 151.
From the accident that occurred to the excursion train at Pow-
lairs, on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, on the Ist August,
when six persons were deprived of their lives, and many others in-
jured, the following claims have arisen :
No. 21. A tarmer from Dubheads, near Crief, was hurt about the
head and face. Awarded 61.

No. 22. A carpenter from Auchterarder, received a b'ow in the
head. Awarded 41.

No. 23. A farmer from Strathallen, was also hurt about the head,
Awarded 5/.

No. 24. A.draper.frout Auehterarder, was injured about the thigh
and aide. Awarded 3/. 33.
No. 25. A man. from A ueliterarder, was severely bruised about the
ribs.

No. 26. A brother to the above was slightly injured. Awarded
21. 23.

N. 27. A female was bruised, and otherwise internally hurt,
Awarded 6/.

No. 28. Another female was Injured about the 'chest and side.
Awarded 2/. 28.

No. 29. A man, from Auchterarder, was slightly Injured.
No. 30. A farmer, from Tulllebardine, was seriously bruised.

Claims 25, 29, and 30 are in course of adjustment.
In most of the above cases the sum awarded is exclusive of the
medical ex ienses incurred by the sufferers which have been de,rayed
by this Company, in addition to that of their own medical officers.
who promptly visited the injured parties on hearing of the accident.
The utility of suds a Company is demons trated by these cases,
and the conviction that the premiums which the railway traveller
pays are but a small addition to the cost of his journeys, and create
a Turd for the relief of those who from time to time suffer by railway
accidents, which no human foresight can prevent, will it is hoped
secure the public support to this Company.
Table of Premiums.
Table for a Single Journey, irrespective of distance, to Insure
1,000/. in a first-class carriage, at a premium of 3d.
5001. in a se and ditto ditto 2d.
200/. in a third ditto ditto Id.
For the convenience of frequent travellers, the Company also
issues periodical tickets, to insure 1,000/. for one month, at a pre-
mium of 55. ; for three months, 10s. ; for six months, 16s. ; for
twelve months. 205., with the option of travelling In any class car-
riage, and in any railway in the kingdom.
These tickets may be obtained at the stations of most of the rail-
ways in England and Scotland, of the provincial agents of the Com-
pany, and at the Company's office, 3, 0 d Broad-street, London.

CATHOLIC LAW AND GENERAL LIFE
ASSURANCE COMPANY,
8, NEW COVENTRY-STREET, LEICESTER-SQUARE, LONDON.
The FOURTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Proprie-
tors of this Company took place on the 25th instant, at the Head
Office, at One o'clock precisely. The following is extracted from the
revrt, which is too lengthy for publication :
During.the past year no claims have arisen from deaths in England,
and but two in Inland—one for 500/. and the other for 2MO/.—making
together 700/., which have been paid. This is far bclowthe expected
mortality, and is especially favourable, when it is remembered how
severely the life offices generally suffered from the epidemic of last

year.
The number of lives assured between the Ist of June, 1849, and
the 31st of May, 1850, was more than double the number issued in
the twelve months preceding.
Prop ;sals were made for 138 Policies, amounting to 52,9631.25. 6d.:
of these 121, comrrising 106 lives, were accepted for 45,1251. 6s.
sixteen Policies lapsed, representing 6,0481., upon which 3201. 3s.
was received by the Company in the shape of premiums.
Since the cAnmencernent of the Company to the let of Juno last,
assuran es were effected to the extent of 110,9721. Pas 6d., pro-
ducing in annual premiums 3,7321. 1 Is. 6d. Of these 54 lapsed,
amoutig to 23,930/. 16s. 6d., of which the annual premiums were
7411. I ns.,n leaving the yearly income on the Ist of June last equal to
2,9911. 15s. I Id.
:,ince last meeting loans were applied for to the extent of 17,7001.,
but 1,1831. I Is. 10d. only was adyanced.
The Directors were also highly gratified to report that within the
last four months they had considerably extended their business on
the Continent, having appointed, as Head Agent in France, Monsieur
de I'Etang, a gentleman of high standing in Paris, distinguished for
his integrity and ability in financial and in all assurance matters,
who, under the sanction and patronage of the Archbishop of Paris,
the Cardinal Archbish' p of Lyons, and Monseigneur. Parisis, Eveque
de Langres, has already within the last three months effected a con'
siderabie amount of business, not only in Life Assurances, but in An-
nuities both Ili-mediate and Deferred.
After various resolutions, approving of the Report, and returning
thanks to the Right Reverend Chairman, Bishop Morris, the Vice-
Chairman, Actuary, Secretary, and Medical Officers of the establish-
ment, the meeting separated, highly gratified at its present results
and future prospects.

OYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
IL; II) TWO LAST WEEKS in London of the ALPINE SINGERS
from Styria who will per'orin several of their National Melodies, at
Four, and in the Evenings at Half-past Eight.—Lecture on the
Hydro-Electric Machine, by Dr. Bachhoffner, daily at Two, and in
the Evenings at a Quarter-past Nine.—Lecture on Chemistry by J.
11. Pepper, Esq., illustrating the Ancient Firey Ordeal and the Han
ling of lied Hot Metals, daily at a Quarter-peat Three, and in the
Evenings at Eight.—Model of Weston's Patent Nova-Motive Rail-
way, at work daily.—New Series of Dissolving Views illustrating
some of the Wonders of Nature, daily at Half-past Four, and in
the Evenings at a Quarter to Ten; also a Series, exhibiting Scenes in
the Arctic Regions and Ceylon, daily at One e'clock.—Diver and
Diving-bell, &c., &c. •
Admission, Is.—Schools, Half-price.

DR. C OLVERWELL'S NEW WORKS.
To be had of Sherwood, 23, Paternoster-row ; Carvalho;
147, Fleet-street; Mann, 39, Cornhill ; or direct from the anther,
price One Shilling each ; by post, Is. 6d.

ENJOYMENT OF LIFE.
"Health, Recreation, and rational Use of Time."
CONTENTS:—Early Rising—Spring and Summer Mornings—Ex-
cursions about the Environs of London—The Parks, Lanes, Hills,
Forests, Fields, High-roads, and other pleasant places—Country
Trips and Rambles—The Sea—London at Night—Evening. at Home
—Music—The Drama--On Eating, Drinking, Sleeping, Bathing, Air,
gest, Ease, Occupation, &c., &o.
11.
FRAGMENTS FROM THE MOUNTAINS. Two Vole.
Vol I.

A VISIT TO THE LAKES; SKETCHOF EDINBURGH, &o.

Vol. IL

THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY r REMINISCENCES OF
DUBLIN, Br 4.
WHAT TO EAT, DRINK, AND AVOID,
" That three score years and ten our course may ran."
A pepular review of almost every form (cause and cure) of ner-
vowly-debilitated hlth an enfeebled constitution, that harasses
the yonng, besets the ea
man of d pleasure, business, or study, and ern.
sitters old age, with tables and rules for the diet and physical rega-
-1 ttiou of every-day life.

IV.
THE PASSIONS.
" What passions hurt the body—what improve,
Truths as refined as Athens ever heard."
SUBJECT : -Life's pilgrimage, from infancy to old age. The advent
of the passions. Chastity and its infringements. The casualtitive,es of
licentiousness and dissipation, with illustrations, graphic, narra
and romedlative. Advocacy of early marriages.

V.
THE MARRIAGE STATE.
" To be or not to be, that is the question."
PROGRAMME :—Laws and obligations of nature, society, and red-
Ligion regarding marriage, to be observed by either sex. Titus an
choice, on both sides, as to ago, temperament, complexion, and
figure, to secure healthy offspring, with the art of rearing them.
Physical defectiveness and its removal. Sterility and its conversion.
oases, &c.
By R. J. CULVERWELL, M.D. (1841), M.R.C.S.
(1824). Twenty-five years Medical and Forensic Referee in these
matters. Reception howl daily till ave. Evenings, geT" U 11111 116'
10 ALrgyll-place, Regent-otreet. (1827), L.S.A.

DEDICATED TO' L^IID STUART DE DECIES.
dust ready, in 3 vols.,
T " L ABD UCTION;
OR,
THE MARVELS OF SMERISM.
By the BARONESS PRICHAZKA.
" There are more things in Heaven and Earth
Than are dreamt of in your pintos ,phy." - Shakespeare.
W. Shoberl, Pu!disher, 23, Great Marthorotegh-street.
ediate orders should be giycn to prevent disappointment.

LONDON and .MANCHESTER GLASS
COM PAN Y.
Works, Sutton, n ar St. Ire'en's.
Offices, 30, Brown-street, Manchester,
Notice is hereby given, that the Film ORDINARY MEETING
of the Shareholders will beheld IA the Office of the Company, 30,
Brown-street, Manchester, on MONDAY, the 23d instant, at Twelve
o'clock at Noon.
The Register of Transfers will be Closed from the 11th to the 23d
instant inclusive.

By order of the Roan],
HENRY ROBINSON, Secretary.

Sutton, September 11, 1850

FORD'S WELLINGTON FAMILY and
COUMERCIAL HOTEL, DALE-STREET, LIVERPOOL.
This Hotel, situated in the immediate ♦icinity of the Exchange,
Docks, and other places of public and commercial resort, is fitted up
in first-rate style, and the accommodations for American, Foreign, as
well as English strangers, will be found everything that is desirable,
while the arrangements of the "Cuisine" are in the hands of a first-rate
Cook. The Proprietor urthcr wisnes to intimate that his Coffee
and Commercial Rooms, as well as Sitting and Bed Rooms, will be
found second to none in the kingdom. .

N.B. The charges for servants are included in the Bill (except those
who only stay a few hours), viz., Waiter, Porter, and Chambermaid,
and it is respectfully intimated that all further payment Ls unne-
cessary.

CA 51.13KI1) GE MONUMEN
GENERAL COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.
• CHAIRMAN—The Right llon. the LORD MAYOR.
Ditrurr-CHAIRMAN —The Right Hon. Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR

EFFECTS OF SHOT UPON IRON.
Our readers will remember the experiments of the
effects of shot upon iron which were recently under-
taken, with the view of testing the use of iron
steamers in the event of war. The official reports of
these experiments have just appeared in a Parlia-
mentary piper, moved for in the House of Commons
by Mr. \Yawn. We copy the reports uf Sir Thomas
Hastings, under whose directions the first experiments
were made in 1842, on board the Excellent, and on
those subsequently made by Captain Chads.
The first report shows that wrought iron plates, six
inches thick, rivetted together and fixed over the
planking of a ship's side, would give no protection
in the circumstances under which the experiment was
tried :

H.M.S. Excellent, Portsmouth Harbour,
Sept. 29, 1842.
Sir,—ln obedience to your order of the 31st March,
1842, I have tried the experiment made in Arneric
and reported on by Mr. Belmano, of New York, in
a letter addressed to the Earl of Aberdeen,transtnitted
to me with your order, as to whether plates of
wrought iron three-eighths of an inch thick, rivetted
together to the thickness of six inches, are ball proof.
Here with I enclose drawings showing the result of
our practice with 8-inch guns of 65 cwt., and 32-
pounders of 56 cwt., with their distant charges cf
101bs., at a butt equal in thickness to the size of a
line-of-battle ship at the bends, over part of which
fourteen iron plates, three-eighths of an inch thick,
had been rivetted and firmly fixed; and which was
placed at the distance of 400 yards.
It appears from this practice, that wrought-iron
plates, six inches thick, rivetted together and fixed
over the planking of a ship's side, would give no
protection at that distance against shot fired with
101bs. charges from 8-inch guns and heavy 32-
pounders. . _

It may be added, supposing that they would, they
could not well be brought into use, because the
weight of the top-works would be so much increased
by the addition of such iron plates that the velocity of
steamers, the velocity and stability of sailing ships,
and the qualities of each class as sea-boats, would be
so materially injured as to render this measure im-
practicable.
I understand the American experiment produced a
different result, but it is possible the hollow shot or
shell used in that experiment were not so thick as
those used in ours. It was the conviction that hollow
shot of 46lbs. weight would not stand when fired with
their highest charges against stone--for example,
granite walls—that led me to apply that the weight of
the 8-inch shot might be increased to the greatest
which the guns would bear with their highest charge
of 10Ibs. This was finally fixed at 561b5., and the
recent practice against the butt covered with iron
plates leads me to conclude that 8-inch shot of that
weight, "if their metal is of a proper quality," will be
found effective for battering in breach against stone
walls constructed of the ordinary thickness used in
fortifications.

One of the 32-pounder's shot, which passed through
the plates and the butt, was split; as the rest which
passed through were not observed to ricochet, it is
possible that more of them were broken.

The drawings transmitted herewith were made by
Lieutenant Savage, 11.1111. A., of this ship, whose ability,
zeal, intelligence, and attention in the discharge of all
the duties he is and has been charged with, during
the eighteen months he has served under my com -
mand, have been conspicuous and constant.— I
have, &c.,
(Signed) THOMAS HASTINGS, Captain.
Admiral Sir E. Codrington, Commander-in-
Chief, &c., G.C.8., Portsmouth.
Captain Chad? report upon the experiment of 1846
is equally conclusive : •

REPORT OF CAPTAIN CRABS, C.B. DATED HER MA-
JESTY'S SHIP EXCELLENT, PORTSMOUFU, AUGUST
_ _ _

7, 1846,

Sir,—The Ruby iron steam-boat having been given
over to me for the purpose of ascertaining the effect
of shot on vessels so constructed, I have the honour
to report that she was yesterday placed about 450
yards from this ship, when the practice on her was
made, as shown in the accompanying table. The shot
going through the exposed or near side generally
makes a clean smooth hole of its own size, which
might be readily stopped ; and even where it strikes
a rib, it has much the same effect; but on the oppo-
site side all the mischief occurs; the shot meets with
so little resistance that it must inevitably go through
the vessel ; and should it strike on a rib on the oppo-
site side the effect is terrific., tearing off the iron sheets
to very considerable extent; and even those shot
that go clean through, the fracture b3ing on the off
side, the rough edges are outside the vessel, preclud-
ing the possibility almost of stopping them. Splin-
ters from the near side are very few, but severe;
they are no', however, by any means so destructive
as a shot passing through a body of timber.
As is most probable steam-vessels will engage
directly end on, I have thought it desirable to try to-
day what the effect of shot would be on this vessel so
placed, and it has been such as might be ex
each shot cutting away the ribs, and tearing the
iron plates away sufficient to sink the vessel in an
instant. expected ;

As the Lords of the Admiralty intend visiting this
pert shortly, I propose, should it meet your approba-
tion, leaving the vessel on the mud for their Lord-
ships' inspection, that they may not only see the effect
shot produces on iron vesstls, but judge of the com-
parative damage between the 32-pounder, or the
6-inch shot, the 8 inch shot, and the 10-inch shot.
I have, &c. (Signed) 11. D. CEIADS, Captain.
Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, Bart., Portsmouth.
The next experiment was to ascertain the resist-
ance that iron plates of different thicknesses would
make against musketry, canister, and grape-shot; and
it will be observed that a trial was also made with
oak plank, in order that the two materials might
be fairly tested. The following is Captain Chuds'
report :

Her Majesty's ship Excellent, Nov. 6, 1849.
Sir,—ln obedience to the directions of the Lords
Comtnissioncrs of the Admiralty of the 30th ult., I
have carried out experiments to teat the resistance
that iron plates of different thicknesses would make
against musketry, canister, and grape-shot, and at the
same time I have done so with an oak plank, that a
comparison may be made of the two materials. I un-
derstand plates of 6-Bths are used in the bends and
jths in the topsides of the Birkenhead, and iths in
the bends, and 4 Bths in the topsides of the Recruit.
A marine's percussion musket was used, with a charge
of 4} drams of powder, at forty yards.

REMARKS.
Iron plate, one-eighth, all passed through, making
holes 9 inches.

Oak plank, one inch, all passed through ; the hole
closing up. 3-16th in the thickness of the hatchets
set down, but it is of harder iron than the iron plates ;
the hatchet is herewith returned.
Iron plate, 3 .16ths, all passed through, making very
jagged holes of 1.2 inch in the inner part.
Iron plate, 2-Bths, four in six just passed through ;
two stuck in the plate; jagged in the inner part.
Oak plank, 2-inch, four in six passed through, and
dropped; two did not; holes closed in front;
small
splinters at the hack.
Iron plate, iths, oak plank, 3-inch, both musket
proof.
Canister
char
Iron plate, ithe, all passed through, making holes
age s
:_ at 100 yards from 32
-pouaders, 61bs.
of the size of the shot ; sometimes very jagged
within.
Oak plank, 3-inch, generally passed through ; par-
tially closing at the front, and slightly splintered at
the back.

Iron plate, 4-Bths; oak plank, 4-inch; canister
proof.
Grape at 200 yards from a 32-pounder, Glbs.
charge :
Iron plate, 4 Bths, ditto itbs, all passed through,
making holes the size of a shot; jagged within.
partiallywitOh sink . closing on
plank,4- i nch ,
thedittofront, -i n all passed through,
with small splinters

Iron plate, 6-Bths, all passed through, making
holes the size of the shot; jagged within.
Oak plank, 6. inch, generally passed through, par-
tially closing in front, splintering much at the back.
The specific gravity of iron and oak is nearly as 1
to 8, and it will be observed that the resistance to
shot is as near as possible in the same ratio ; the shot
making jagged holes of its own size on the iron, the
oak partially closing up on the front, with splinters
at the back.

i materialssingthrough is im-
proper The inferences to he drawn from the foregoing
practice, and agairst iron plates in 1842, and the
Ruby iron steam-vessel :n1846, arc-
1.
proper for the bottom of ships.
make Shot soufeh ievearrygedehsocriles thatption
on Pa
this
2. Iron and oak of equal weight offering equal re-
sistance to shot, that iron for the top sides affords
better protection to men than oak, as the splinters
from it are not so destructive.
3. Iron offering no lodgment for shells on passing
through the aide, if made with single plates, it will

he free from the destructive effects that would occur
by a shell exploding in a side of timber.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) 11. D. CIIADS, Captain.
Admiral the Hon. Sir T. B. Capel, 1i.C.8 , &c.
Captain Chads next reports on experiments made
agsinst a double section of iron vessels similar to the
Simoom, in June of the present year. As the Gillant
Captain states, they proved that iron is not a material
calculated far ships of war :
REPORT BY CAPTAIN CIIADS ON EXPERIMENTS MADE
AGAINST A DOUBLE SECTION OF IRON VESSELS
SIMILAR TO SIMOOM, IN JUNE, 1850.
Two sections 'of new iron, each ten feet square,
were built similar to the Simoom at the wales, as to
plates, ribs, and security, with the exception of the
occasional filling-in pieces of oak between the ribs on
the main deck and the inside planking, and which
would not have added to the safety of a vessel or
crew; the plates were 10-16 inches thick. These
sections were placed 35 feet apart, and at a
distance of 450 yards, secured to piles driven firmly
into the ground; a screen of 1-inch fir boards was
placed 10 feet behind the front section, to test the
severity of the splinters, and another of extended
canvas, to ascertain their number. The guns and
charges made use of were such as all the steam-vessels
carry. The accompanying drawing, for which lam
indebted to Captain Savage, of the Royal Marine
Artillery, will show more clearly than can be expressed
the nature of the holes made by the shot on passing
through the sections, to which a detail of the practice
is annexed.
The result of these experiments is the reverse of
those made on the Ruby in 1846, a small, slight-built
iron vessel, when the great damage was found to be
sustained on the shot passing out on the opposite side
to that fired at, making clear round holes only on the
first side. On the present occasion, the resistance
being so much greater, the principal injury has
been on the front side; and the fractures made are
of that description, and two or three shot, and some-
times even a single one, striking under the water-
line, must endanger the ship. There is also another
most serious evil attending this greater resistance
which was not anticipated, and which has caused great
surprise. The shot or shell on striking are shivered
into innumerable pieces, passing on as a cloud of lan-
grage with great velocity, sufficient to pass through
the 1-inch fir boards, the larger pieces going to a
considerable distance (400 or 500 yards), and some
through the rear section, making large irregular
holes ; this would be most destructive, and I firmly
believe men could not stand behind it.
It will be observed that all description of shot, from
the 10-inch down to the grape, have been used, and
all with similar destructive effect.

The last shot fired, an 8-inch with a 51bs. charge,
established the point that the wood-work will not pre-
vent the evils before stated ; it struck a rib that flist-
ened it to the pile of fourteen inches ; it cut away
everything, and made the effect worse.

These experiments, I consider, prove that whether
iron vessels are of a slight or substantial construction,
iron is not a material calculated fur ships of war.
(Signed) H. D. CJIADS, Captain.
Excellent, June 21, 1850.
_

But it was objected that the effect might have been
different if the timber had been fitted differently.
Accordingly a further experiment was tried; and the
result confirmed the previously expressed opinion of
Captain Cheds

Ihr Majesty's ship Excellent, Portsmouth, July 12.
Sir,—lt having been objected that the result of the
recent experiments against an iron section similar to
Simoom, might have been different had it been fitted
with timber on the inside, as is done in that vessel, the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiraly directed the
experiments to be repeated against another section, to
be prepared in every respect like that vessel ; it was
filled and made solid with si-inch oak timber between
the iron ribs, and 4-inch oak planking above the water-
ways, which were one foot thick, and 3-inch fir
above the port sides ; these were strongly secured to
the iron plates by bolts through all, and clenched ; in
fact, the inside timber was that of a frigate, with a
casing outside of i-inch iron plates.
The result I have now the honour to report :-
1. The holes made by the shot are not so irregular
as'on the former occasion, but as clear and open ; all
parts of the shot passed right through the iron and
the timber, and then spread abroad with considerable
velocity ; parts of the iron plates and a very few small
pieces of shot were sometimes retained in the timber.
2. With low charges the shot did not split into so
many pieces as before.

3. With high charges, the splinters from the shot
were as numerous and severe as before, with the ad-
dition in this and the former case of the evils that
other vessels are subject to, that of the splinters from
the timber. A drawing and detail of the practice is
alao enclosed.

In conclusion, it appears that the combination of
wood with iron does not remedy the evils experienced
in the former experiments, that of endangering the
iron vessels from the large holes made by the shot
on passing through, and when they meet with resist-
ance, their splintering into small numerous pieces,
that would prevent men standing at their quarters.
From these circumstances, I am confirmed in the
opinion that iron cannot be beneficially employed as
a material for the construction of vessels of war; the
only exception may be in slight vessels exclusively for
river service, where the shot may pass through with-
out resistance, making few splinters, and when pass-
ing in or out so as to endanger the vessal, it may be
run on shore, and, being wholly of iron, would not
be susceptible of fire.
For mercantile purposes, where the vessels are not
liable to be subject to the fire of an enemy, iron may
be very desirable, require less repair, and when so re-
quiring it may be more readily performed than in
vessels of timber.

The builder's description of the butt is alio enclosed.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) 11. D. CnA7O4, Captain.
Admiral the lion. Sir T. Bladen Cape], K.C.8., &c.
These experiments may, under these circumstances,
be fairly deemed to set the question at rest.

-----
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, PRIDA T.—The Blenheim, GO, Cap-
tain Henderson, C B. ; Fox, 42, Captain Lambert;
Thetis, 38, Captain Kupar ; Dragon steam-frigate,
Captain Giffard ; and the Rolla exercise brig, remain
at Spithead.
The Stromboli steam. sloop, Commander Lord
Amelius Beauclerk, will be paid off early next week.
The Retrihution steam frigate, Captain Warden,
will be at Spithead in a few days. She will bend
sails to-morrow. She is a very floe looking ship
now, and very much resembles the Sidon in her war-
like appearance.
The Adventure store-ship, Master-Commander
Peter Wellington, arrived here this morning from
Deptford, with stores, after discharging which she
proceeds westward.
The Britannia, 120, Captain Yates, is fitting and
rigging with diTatch.
The Dauntless screw steam-frigate, of 1,569 tons
and 520 horse power, Captain E. P. Halsted, went
out of Portsmouth harbour on Thursday, with all her
weight on board, to test her engines, and to try her
speed along the measured mile in Stokes Bay. Very
great interest was attached to the trial, consequently
there was a large number of officers on board, includ-
ing Rear-Admiral Superintendent Prescott, C. 8., the
builder of the Dauntless (Mr. Fincham), Captain
Chads, C. 8., Captain Henderson, C. 8., Commodore
Lambert, of the Fox, Captains Woodford J. Wil-
liams, Lewis, T. Jones, W. Warden (of the Retri-
bution), Ryder; Professor Mayne, Mr. F. P. Smith,
&c. The object of this trial was not so much to de-
termine the ship's capabilities of speed, as the effec-
tive power of a new screw which had been provided.
In an experiment made in May, the ship had a mean
speed of 10.265 knots an hour, with 30 strokes of the
engines in a minute. On Thursday the mean speed
was 10.044 knots an hour, with 30 to 31 strokes a
minute, the strength of the current, which varied
considerably in the course of the trial, being taken
into account. There was a strong breeze nearly in
the line of the ship's course • and the strength of both
the wind and tide, in these last experiments, was such
as to place the results under a measure of uncertainty
as to the exact character of the performance. 'the
new screw is of the same diameter, and of about the
same pitch, as the screw with which the ship was
previously tried. Mr. Graft's apparatus worked won-
derfully well, making upwards of forty g all o
fresh water pr hour with the same coal
that was ne-
f
cessary to ccok the ship's company's dinner. Provi-
sions will be put on board, and in another week the
Dauntless will be ready for sea.
Fox, 42, Commander Lambert, has not yet sailed
from Portsmouth ' • she and the Thetis and Dragon
are all waiting at Spithead Admiralty orders.
Furious steam-frigate was masted at Portsmouth
on Thursday, and will be forthwith jury-rigged, for
the purpose of proceeding to the river for her engines.
Hecate steam-sloop will be commissioned at Ports-
mouth next week.
Stromboli, 6, steam-sloop, Commander Lord A.
Beauclerk, is returning stores at Portsmouth, and
will be paid off on the 19th.
Teaser screw gun-vessel, Lieut.-Commander Sel-
wyn, put into Queenstown on the 11th from the coast

of Africa, in want of provisions, wafer and fuel. She
has had a long passage, and we believe her dates have
been anticipated. She is ordered to Woolwich to be
paid off.
PLYMOUTH, FRIDAY. -- Yesterday Sir Francis
Baring, First Lord, and the other Lords of the Ad-
miralty, accompanied by Sir B. Walker, Surveyor to
the Navy; and Mr. Rip., master shipwright, in-
spected Le Sanspareil, building cn No. .5 slip. Their
Lordships afterwards went on board the Impregnable,
104, Captain Sir Thomas Maitland, in Ilamoaze, and
were occupied two hours inspecting the ship and
examining her crew. From Ler they went to the
Fearless steam-vessel, and then, leaving Hamoaze,
proceeded into the Sound, when they went on board
the Albion, 90, Captain W. J. 11. Johnstone, remain-
ing an hour. Their Lordship., at three o'clock, in
company with Port-Admiral Sir W. Hall Gage and
Mr. Irving, secretary, Captain Sir Thomas Maitland,
S B. Walker, and Mr. Thompson, Qucen's Harbour-
master, landed at the Camber-steps of the breakwater,
where they were received by Mr. W. Stuart, Super-
intendent, and his son Mr. J. W. Stuart. The
Superintendent, who has been upwards of thirty-
eight years occupied on the works, conducted
Sir Francis Baring from the Camber to the
eastern end, his Lordship having on a previ-
ous occasion inspected the lighthouse and eastern arm
of the breakwater. The First Lord walked over the
rough part of the work, and seemed to take much in-
terest in the stupendous undertaking, especially in the
new buttress at the eastern end, which obtained his
Lordship's approval. After being nearly an hour on
the breakwater, these distinguished visitors took
water and proceeded to Devonport.
Last evening the official dinner was given at Moor-
sherd's Royal Hotel, Devonport, and this morning
they proceed in the Black Eagle for Falmouth and
Milford, and not Queenstown, as previously stated.
Two divisions of shipwrights were yesterday placed
on board the Narcissug.
A new buoy-boat, for service at Bermuda, is ordered
to be built on the mast-house slip.
Ships building at the dockyard. Slip, No. 1, Nar-
cissus ; No. 2, Phoebe ; No. 3, Algiers ; No. 4, Ex-
mouth ; and No. 5, Le Sanspareil.
The emigration ship Andromache, chartered by
Messrs. Gull and Woolley, of Cullum-street, left
Plymouth on Wednesday for. Adelaide and Port
Philip. Mr. A. Beckett, brother of the judge at Port
Philip, with numerous other respectable passengers,
proceed by this vessel.
APPOINTMENT.—Surgeon Walter Dickson, M.D.
(1848), to the Firefly steam-vessel, commissioned for
service on the coast of Africa.
WOOLWICH, SEPT. 13.—Lieutenant Trevener, ap-
pointed to the Firefly, has arrived at Woolwich, and
taken up his commission.
The Lightning steam-vessel, Master-Commander
Petley, returned to Woolwich yesterday from Cher-
bourg, after landing at Portsmouth the gallant
officers who proceeded in her to visit the French fleet.
The Hecate, 6, steam-sloop, at present in charge cf
Chief-Engineer James Brown (acting), is ordered to
be commissioned immediately at Portsmouth. She
has engines of 240-horse power.
CHATHAM, SEPT. 13.—The Trafalgar, 120, Cap-
tain the Hon. M. Stopford, which has been fitted at
Sheerness, will proceed to the Nore next week,
where she will remain until the spring of next year,
when she will proceed to her station in the Mediter
raen.

The Cumberland, 70, the ordinary guard •ship, in
lieu of the Poictiers at this port, is complete in all her
rigging and fittings; she is a magnificent ship.
The; Lively naval lighter, from Portsmouth, has
arrived N 1 ith stores for this dockyard, and when she
is unloaded will load again with stores for Devonport.
A general court-martial assembled yesterday in the
officers' mess room, Royal Marine barracks, for the
trial of William Tree, private of the 37th company ;
Colonel S. B. Ellis, C 8., Royal Marines, president.
Lieutenant and Adjutant Fellows, deputy judge-
advocate, read the charges against the prisoner. 1.
For being drunk in the Royal Marine barracks, at
Chatham, on the evening of the 27th of August ;
and 2. For having at the same time and place
►truck his superior officer, Corporal Daniel Race, and
used threatening language to the said corporal ; the
corporal at the time being in the execution of his
duty. The prisoner pleaded guilty to the first charge,
and refused to plead to the other, as he knew nothing
of the circumstance. From the evidence given by
Corporal Race and other witnesses, it appeared that
the affair took place in the barreck-room of which
Corporal Race had the superintendence.- Toe Court
found the prisoner guilty. The prisoner's general
character was bad; his age is twenty-eight, and ser-
vice nine years and five months. The prisoner called
upon First-Lieutenant 11. H. Gold to speak to his
character. That officer said that the prisoner em-
barked ts ith a detachment under his command on
board the Formidable, in Sep'ember, 1841, and re-
mained in the ship until OJtober, 1845, during which
period his general character on board was very good.
The sentence must be confirmed by the Admiralty
before it can be publicly known.

COMPLETION of the BRITANNIA

BRIDGE.
MENAI STRAITS, FRIDAY, SFPT. 13.—After some
years of unremitting labour, the engineers connected
with this great work safely lowered the " last" of the
Britannia tubes to its permanent resting place to-day.
The Carnarvonshire end of the tube was lowered three
feet, the opposite end being joined on to the Anglesey
large tube in the interior of the lower on the Britan-
nia rock, and, obedient to the law of the novel opera-
tion, the centres of both tubes, as before, were raised
up several inches. The Government officer will be
down on an early day to inspect the entire structure
preparatory to its permanent opening. Nothing beyond
a mere fractional deflection has been observed to take
place in the tube that has been opened since March, and
which has been subjected to the constant transit of
heavy trains and traffic. Some curious acoustic ef-
fects have been observe I. Pistol shots, or any sonorous
noises, are echoed within the tube half a dozen
times. The cells of the top and bottom are used by
the engineers as speaking tubes, and they can carry
on conversations through them in whispers ; by ele-
vating the voice persons may converse through the
length of the bridge—nearly a quarter of a mile. The
following (not hitherto published) is an official re-
turn of the cost of the entire structure :—Pedestals
and abutments on Carnarvon side, 17,459/. ; Carnar-
von-tower, 28,6261.; Britannia-tower, 38,6711.; An-
gles,y-tower, 31,430/. ; pedestals and abutments on
Anglesey side, 40,470/. ; lions, 2,0481.; total, 158,7041.
Wrought iron used in tubes, 118,9461.; cast iron in
tubes and towers, 30,619/. ; construction of tubes,
226,234/. ; pontoons, ropes, capstans, painting ma-
terials, 28,0961. ; raising machinery, 9,782/. ; car-
pentry and labour in floating, raising, and completing
bridge, 25,498/. ; experiments, 3,9861.; total, 601,865/.
Tne total weight of each of the wrought iron road-
ways now completed represents 12,000 tons, sup-
ported on a total mass of masonry of a million and a
half cubic feet, erected at the rate of three feet in a
minute.

THE OPERATIONS BY THE SAPPERS
AND MINERS AT SEAFORD.

The preparations for the great explosion antici-
pated here are at length so far advanced as to enable
us to name the afternoon of Thursday next, probably
between two and three o'clock, as the time at which
the mines will be fired. The operations have been
intrusted to Captain Frome and Lieutenants Ward,
Crossman, and Greatorex, of the Royal Engineers,
and they appear to have been conducted with a
degree of skill highly creditable to that deserving
branch of the service. The operations have not been
unattended with danger, but they have hitherto been
unaccompanied by any serious casualty. Thousands
have visited the spot during the last few weeks, and a
brief description of the character of the works will
doubtless be interesting to the numbers who will as-
semble on Thursday next to witness a sight which
can only be presented to us at rare intervals. A
sort of staircase leads the visitor to a chasm in the
lofty cliff about thirty feet above low-water
mark. On entering, he finds a gallery of 6 feet high
and 5 feet wide penetrating the interior of the cliff to
a distance of 80 feet. He traverses this passage,
dimly lighted by candles and supplied with air by
shafts, and finds at its termination two smaller
galleries branching off in opposite directions, one to
a distance of 17 feet and the other 22 feet. These
smaller galleries are only 3 feet in height, and each of
them terminates in
,a chamber which is 6 feet 6 inches
each way. In these chambers, which for greater
security have been cased with boards, 24,0001 b. of
gunpowder were deposited on Thursday last.
Leaving this part of the works, and ascending to
the top of the cliff, he finds five shafts have been sunk
to a depth of 41 feet, each of which will contain a
charge of 6001 b of gunpowder, so that in the whole
no less than 27,0001 b. will be the tremendous explo-
sive force applied to the cliff in these operations. A
voltaic battery has been placed in a temporary.build-
ing on the declivity of the hill, at a short distance
from the upper mines, by which the whole will be
fired.
The object of these operations, and the cause of the
assistance rendered by Government, may be very
briefly stated. The sea, for some time past, has been
encroaching on that part of the coast between New-
haven Pier and the Cliff-end at Seaford. Such an