The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-30 00:00:00

THE SCREW PROPELLER.
(FROM A CORICE:4PONDENT.)
It has been a desideratum ever since that ingeni-
ous contrivance, the screw propeller, was employed
in steam navigation to improve on the invention, by
discovering a mode of attaining the utmost degree
of velocity compatible with complete security. Se-
veral expariments were tried with various success,
and it is at last ascertained with certainty, that by
enclosing the screw in a strong iron cylinder, open
at one end, and its semi-diameter in length, the
object designed can he achieved in a manner the most
simple and efficacious. Water being incompressible,
it appears that the rapid rotation of the screw acts
with increased force on the portion contained in the
cylinder, creating a par'iel vacuum, and instantly
generating an external column in the resisting ele-
ment, on which is expended the entire power, with-
out any loss or waste arising from lateral divergence.
Should this cheap Expedient be generally adopted,
and realise the anticipated results, the advantages
gained are too valuable not to be justly appreciated.
The moving power will be attached to-the firmest part
of the ship, and placed indirect line with the centre of
gravity—the screw, protected and concealed, will
supersede that enemy of all symmetry, the clumsy
paddle-box—additional speed will be acquired—that
tremulous vibration, which shakes the framework
of the vessel, and produces such unpleasant sensations,
will be quite obviated, while its sailing qualities will
he assisted and improved. The plan is also admirably
adapted to canals, as the banks can sustain no injury
from an under current that causes neither agitation
nor disturbance. From these considerations, it is
clear that the subjt et is worthy of notice and desei yes
public attention. L. G.

CHARING CROSS BRIDGE COMPANY.
The annual meeting cf proprtet ,re of this company
was held yeslerday. at the offices, 9, Villiers-street,
Strand; Mr. Coles Child in the chair.
The SECRETARY read the report, which stated that
the tolls for the half-year ending the 31st July last
amounted to 3,118/. I Is. 7d. (being 110/. 18s. 4d. less
than the receipts for the corresponding period of the
previous year); the rent and interest received to 239/.
13s. 3d.; and there is a sum of 871. 10s. due for the rent
of the company's wharf at Midsummer last. 'The balance
at credit of revenue is 2,149/. 14e., but there are claims
against this account fur interest, &e., to the extent of
about 900/., reducing the same to 1,249/. 145.; adding
to this 87/. 10s., the' amount due to the company for the
rent of the wharf, the sum available for dividend will be
1,3371. 14s.
The CHAIRMAN expressed surprise and regret at the
felling off of the tolls, but angered well for the future
from the liberal policy of the South-Western Railway
directors in granting season tickets at reduced rates,
a course which must, he thought, encourage build-
ing to a considerable extent in the vicinity of the
line, and thus benefit the bridge company. Ir
also appeared that the directors availing them-
,elves of the balance of revenue left •in their
hands by the proprietors declining a dividend at
the meeting in February last, immediately liquidated the
unsatisfied claim of the Hungerford Market Company,
amounting to 500/, thereby saving the interest accruing
thereon, and closing ell existing questions with that
company. The balance due to Mr. Chadwick for the
erec ion of the bridge and approaches having been certi-
fied to he 3,3961., this claim bad been satii lied by the
issue of bones of the company at five years' date, bearing
interest at the rate of 4f and 4 per cent. The London
snd County Bank, Mr. Brunel, and Mr. Wood, to whole
severalty the sums of 8,5001., 1,000/., and 500/, were
owing, have also accepted bonds for their respective de-
reatids. By a reduction in the charge for gas supplied
to the bridge a farther annual saving of at least 50/.
will be effected; and the directors, having appealed
against the assessments fur rates and taxes in respect of
the bridge, anticipate that the atnuunts of the assess-
mews will be eetverially reduced. 'The formation i.l
the proposed new street between the Yolk and Belvidere
reeds, referred to in the last report, has had the unceas
ing at tentioteef the directere, end negotiations on the sub-
jeet are still pending. Oct this point they have coneidetee
it tt air duty to communicate with the directors of the
South-Western Railway, in order. if possible, to secure-
their co-operation in carrying out the project. Sog-
,teations have also been under consideration for the efe c-
tion of a steam. boat pier at the south tower of the
bridge, in which it is proposed teat the railway, bridge,
and market companies should be interested.
After tee ad...l)nel) of the rep It. it was moved by Mr.
TURNER and seconded by Mr. Few, that "Itiastnueh as
the company have received from Messrs. Jackson and
others :he sum of 10,0001., and, as admitted by the Sc.
counts submitted to this meeting, are debtors to those
gentlemen in this amount, but have hitherto aesisted re
payment thereof under the advice of counsel, arrange
merits be made fur the cessation of further litigation in
reference to such repayment, and for the kettle:tient of
the demands of the parties claiming the said 10,000!.
iu
such manner as the directors may deem expedient, and
that the directors do take the necessary steps to give
effect to this resolution."
Alter a prolonged discussion the proposition was ne-
gatived, principally on the ground that a apecial•trotice
ought to havo been given before so impertact a question.
was gone into.
The CHAIRMAN moved--" That a dividend of 7s. 6d.
on each original share, end interest at the rote of 3 per
cent, per annum on the amount paid on each eighth
share in the company, be paid for the half-year ending
31st July."
This was carried.
The election of officers followed, and after the usual
complimentary votes the meeting dispersed.

„
THE SUBMARINE r.,LECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—DOVER,
THURSDAY. This afternoon his Grace the Duke of Wel-
lington visited the Submarine Electric Telegraph, that now
connects the shores of England and France. The wires are
carried in temporarily at the terminus of the South-Eastern
Railway. In the absence of Mr. Reid, the telegraph engi-
neer, who superintended laying the wires across the Channel,
his foreman showed the Noble Duke the working of the in-
struments, and explained to him how the wires were insu-
lates!, and the plan adopted for laying them across. At the
Duke's request he also furnished him with a specimen of the
insulated wire. His Grace seemed highly pleased, and would
no cl,ubt appreciate this wonderful agency that could com-
municate in a second of time between this country and the
continent. The interest generally felt by the public on both
sides of the Channel on the completion of this triumph of
scientific skill will render the following brief description of
the communicating wire worthy of perusal. We are in-
debted to the Gutta Percha Company for the specimen from
which we are enabled to write. The wiry is of copper, of the
size used for bell-hanging; and, in order to preserve it from
the action of the sea water, it is cased in solid gutta percha,
of the diameter of about half an inch. The wire, therefore,
has a detersive coating of a quarter of an inch all round.
This combination of wire and gutta percha renders the cord
perfectly flexible and very strong, while, from the indestruc-
tible nature of the sheathing by the water, it will secure to
this telegraphic communication a permanency of many years.
THE SOUTHAMPTON DOCK CoIPANY.—The half
yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the
offices, Bishopsgate- street Within, Mr. Thomas R. Davison
in the chair. The report stated that after paying the in-
terest on the mortgage debentures, the preference stock, &c.,
there was a small deficiency in the revenue account. The
contract for the Brazilian mail would come into operation in
the month of January next, giving to the revenue the ad-
vantage of the receipts from twelve additional steam-packets
per annum from that source alcne. The receipts for the past
year had been 1a125/ , and the disbursements 10,4111. The
report was adopted, and acme formal business transacted,
and, alter a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting
separated.
THE SFA GIVING UP ITS DEAF.—Within the last
week the remains of some bodies have been washed ashore
near Margate, presumed to be those of passengers on board
the Royal Adelaide, the total loss of which vessel and of all
on board will be in the recollection of our readers.
A DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT.—About two o'clock
on Sunday morning last groans were heard issuing from a
ditch in the rear of the gasworks, Birkenhead. Some lads,
who happened to be strolling in that neighbourhood at the
time, immediately proceeded to the spot, and discovered
ar
old man completely sunk in the gas tar which flows from the
works. After some difficulty they succeeded in releasing
him from his perilous situation. On being taken to the in-
firmary- he was promptly attended by three or four medical
men. His nostrils, eyes, ears, &c., were filled with the tar,
and, in order to cleanse him, six or seven gallons of oil were
used for that purpose. His clothes had to be cut from his
body. The unfortunate man had walked into the ditch
whilst in a state of intoxication.—Liverpool Courier.
Intellect is a mercenary who will fight under any
banner. and never once stumbles over moral scruple:.—Eliza
Cook's Journal.
- .

A MICROFCOPIC DIVIDEND.—In the matter of
Bowles, Ogden, and Wyndham, of Shaftesbury and Salis-
bury, bankers, who were bankrupts in 1810, a final dividend
of one-eighth part of a penny in the pcuud has been declared.
THEM'S UM.—" I say, captain," said a little keen-
eyed man, as he landed from the steamer Potomsc, at Nat-
chez. " I say, captain, these here arn't all. I have left
somethin' an board, that's a fact." " Them's all the plunder
you brcught on board, anyhow." " Well, see now, I grant
its OK accordin' to list—four boxes, three chests, two band-
boxes, a -portmanty, two hams, one part cut, three ropes of
inyans, and a teakettle; but you see, captain, I'm duber-
some ; I feel there's somethin' short. Though I've counted
um over nine times, and never tcok my eyes off um while on
board, there's someth in' not right somehow " "Well, stranger,
timt;s up; them's all I know on; so just fetch your wife and
five children out of the cabin, cos I'm off." "• Them's um I
darn it, them's um I I know'd I had forgot somethin'."

PAISLEY.—The manufacturing population here is
of present fully employed, and good weavers are still in de-
mand. This presents an agreeable contrast to the state of
matters at the corresponding period last year, and for many
preceding. We are glad to learn that the expenditure on
account of pauperism is lower at the present moment than it
*as even prior to the great distress of 1842-3. Crime has
of late months greatly decreased, so much so that at this date
the prisoners are one-fourth less than they were half-a-year
ago.—Glasgow Citizen.
The town, we are happy to say, is filling very fast.
Arrivals continue to pour in, and houses are in great demand.
—Brighton Gazette.
Mt:LAIN CHOLit DEATH AT THE HOLBORN SWIBISING
BATAS.—On Wednesday evening a young man namett Ro-
berts, 19 years of age, the son of a highly respectable
house-decorator, residing at 13, Cross-street, Islington, en
tered the Holborn Swimming Baths for the purpose of bath-
ing. He plunged into the water at the lower end of the
bath, which is about 70 feet in length, at which time there
were about twenty persons swimming. On his rising to the
surface he swam towards the upper end, Nthich he had just
reached, when he was seen to struggle for a few moments
by a Mr. Pratt, a d then disappear under the water. Mr.
Pratt instantly swam to his assistance, and by diving
brought the body to the surface. The attendants immedi-
ately conveyed it to au adjoining room; and Mr. Jones, a
surgeon of Portugal-s!,eet, and ste-t era! ()they gew ienten were
promptly in attendance, tile, how: ver, bi
A brother of the deceased was a spectator ut the tuelauchuly
occurrence. The deceased laboured under disease of the
heart, which, in the opinion of the medical gentlemen, was
the cause of death.