The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-10 00:00:00

THE PROBLEM.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sia,—l ur.derstand you have heard of my mishap
with the Problem on the River Tyne, but that circum-
stance, I assure you, was purely accidental, from
want of proper precaution being taken in not having
the haulyard clear to let go when the squall struck
her. When made fast they had been hitched, so that
when I wanted to let them go they were jammed,
(and there was no knife at hand) ; the consequence
was, she lay down until the water ran into her hatch-
way, filled, and sank. She did not capsize, as many
persons who did not witness the catastrophe imagined
she did From the principle the vessel is built upon,
it is impossib!e to capsize her with sail. She may be
overpowered with canvas, and pressed completely on
her hewn ends, but her deep angular keel, that is run
full of lead for ballast, will still he in the water. To
render a vessel stiff under sail, so that every mast
will go sooner than she will lay down to it, is a very
easy matter by giving them plenty of beam. It is
not on that point I profess any utility rests in my
invention.

The inclosed printed account will give you a true,
just, and correct idea of what really are the decided
advantages the Problem experimental vessel possesses
over every other sailing vessel afloat.
After my mishap, 1 again recovered her uninjured,
with the exception of her masts being carried away
by some vessel running over her during the night. I
made several experiments on days when there was
much more wind than the day the accident happened,
which gave general satisfaction that the sinking was
no fault to the principle I am working upon.
The vessel is now at Shields, lying where the
public may see her bottom. In a few days (if all
goes well), I will experiment at Shields, and then
move on towards the big city, trusting to her capabi-
lities (of jumping over rocks, keeping her back
straight should she bump on sand banks, weatherly
qualities, &c.) that she will take me safe thither.—
I have the honour to remain, Sir, your obedient,
humble servant, H. DhIkIPSTER.,
Newcastle, Oct. 5.

The subjoined in the statement alluded to by Mr.
Dempster :
" The Problem is capable of being made to turn
round and round as if on a pivot, without even a sail
being altered ; attention to the shifting of the helm,
when she takes sternwl.y, being all that is necessary
to perform the evolution. This manoeuvre is well
adapted for vessels of war, as broadside after broad-
side, bow and stern guns, could be discharged with-
out ever having occasion to call a man from his gun
to attend the braces. The vessel can with ease be
propelled stern foremost, and tacked or wore in that
direction ; an excellent manoeuvre for backing a vessel
clear of dangers suddenly observed a-head—i.e., a
stern-board can be given to a square-rigged vessel, or
they can be boxhauled; but they cannot be tacked or
managed astern the same as the Problem can.
" The fore and aft triangle sails go round with
touching a mast. It is in these sails where the prin-
cipal advantage rests in the rig. Under them a
vessel properly managed will never miss stays in the
heaviest sea or in the lightest wind. They are well
constructed for lying-too, backing, filling, or box-
hauling; and it is Mr. Dempster's opinion these two
sails may be well applied to the largest size fishing
boats, particularly those that from their size are inca-
pable of being rowed, but obliged to set and haul
their lines under sail.

" The hull of the vessel is angular, being 120 de-
grees at the central point below.
" The advantages are—strength ; not so liable to
stick on a rock ;* not so liable to break ber back on a
sand bank ; good weatherly qualities ; manoeuvring in
a small compass, &c.
" In the invention there are two distinct points—
the rig can be separated from the hull, and will an-
swer a vessel of the old construction. But Mr.
Dempster does not propose the whole combined for
any other purpose but small pleasure yachts from 20
to 60 tons, or for vessels to instruct the nice nautical
idea how to shoot—science and action being more
required than strength to manoeuvre the Problem."
* Going over a rock, narrow on top, where there is
-or 2 feet less water than what she draws, is an advan-
tage that has been thoroughly tested here at Neweaitle.

- -
FALKIRK OCTOBER TRYST.—The third and last of
these great markets commenced yesterday, when the
sheep sales took place. We anticipated that from the
dull fairs and markets in the south, we would feel the
effects here, and particularly as Broughton fair was a
failure, it was justly feared that purchasers would be
shy. Still, as the rearers from the north have on this
occasion to bring forward their stock as a dernier ressort,
the quantity all around the Stenhouse-muir, on Satur-
day and Sunday, presented, perhaps, the maximum num-
ber that we ever remember to have seen at a similar

Tryst, and Monday presented the ground crowded with
not fewer than from 60,000 to 70,030 head. A few top lots
had been purchased on Saturday, as is usually the case,
including 700 mixed wedders and ewes bought by Mr.
Hunter, Ayrshire, and 400 white-faced wedders and
black. faced ewes. We have scarcely time at the hour
when we quitted the market to classify the various lots
that left the field up to that time, and only add that there
may be a fall since the Tryst in September of from is. 6d.
to 2s. on the head of all stock.—Edinburgh Advertiser of

Tuesday.
DEATII or A DRUNLATID.—SHOCKING DEPRA-
vITY.—Mr. Wm. Carter, coroner, held an inquest on
Tuesday last, at the Royal Standard, Harpur-street,
New Kent-road, on the body of Win. Harris, aged 44,
who died under the following circumstances :—James
Humphries, of 14, Harpur-street, said that deceased_
lodged in his house. He was by trade a gas-fitter, and
had been in an extensive way of business, but during the
last two years had been leading a very irregular life. At
the death of his mother, two years since, he received
575/., the whole of which he had squandered away in gin
and other intoxicating liquors. He was a constant visi-
tor of the principal public-houses in the neighbourhood.
During the time his money lasted he was scarcely sober
a day. His unfortunate wife was an inmate of St.
Mary's, Newington, and his son, who is only 13 years
old, is as confirmed a drunkard as his father. Last
Tuesday morning he left home in his usual state of
health, but returned in half an hour, and said ho was
going to his workshop to sell off his tools. Witness
neither heard nor saw any more of him until he was
called to by the son, when he appeared to be in a fit. He
continued in a state of insensibility until Thursday last,
when he died. Alfred Harris, the son alluded to by the
last witness, said his father proceeded to his work-room
on the day in question, for the purpose of collecting toge-
ther his tools, which he was going to sell to a broker ;
whilst in the act of stooping he fell forward on his face.
A surgeon WU. sent for, and deceased was removed to
his lodgings. A juror remarked that he had seen the
witness as drunk as the deceased. He had seen him
drink a quart of ale at a draught, and he had frequently
been carried home in a state of intoxication. The Co-
roner—ls this true, boy ? Witness—Yes, sir. The Co-
roner—How many times have you been in that state ?
Witness—l don't know ; I - cannot recollect.. The
Coroner—What did you usually drink on these ocea-
sins ? Witness—Fourpenny ale—my father used to
allow the to drink it. The Uoroxer said it was one of
the most distressing cases that had come under his no-
tice for some time. Bradley, one of the relieving
officers, said the wife of the deceased had been in the
workhouse for some time past. The parish received six
shillings per week for her. Both deceased and the boy
had called several times to see her, but they were always
so much intoxicated that they were refused admission.
Mr. James Rathbone, surgeon, said he was called to at-
tend deceased, whom he found labouring under a fit of
epilepsy. He had attended deceased professionally for
gout, which had been brought on in consequence of his
irregular habits of life. The cause of death was epi-
lepsy, brought on by excessive drinking. The Coroner
admonished the boy, and hoped the death of his father
would be a warning to him as long as he lived, and the
jury returned a verdict of natural death.
OPENING OF THE LOCK AT DIGLIS.—ThiS morning
(Wednesday), at eleven o'clock, the ceremony of opening
the lock at Diglis took place in the presence of a consi-
derable number of the citizens, J. Bailey, Esq., M.P.,
Richard Spooner, Esq., M.P., and several of the gentle-
men forming the Committee of Management. The first
vessel that passed through the cutting and the large lock
(having on board the gentlemen above-named) was the
Sarah, belonging to Mr. L. Maybury, of the Wherry ; two
others afterwards entered the lock (the Richard of
Droitwich, and a smaller barge) a-breast; there was
ample space for both, and the length between the gates
is sufficient to admit two others of the same size.
The spectators frequently cheered, and during
_Ore
proceedings three pieces of cannon stationed on M
Maybury 's barge were fired at intervals. The_ length of
erTkhede'
the lock is 150 feet by 30 feet, ands adfineeatydbeeep;
lower gates weigh 32 tons the pair,
leunderstand, the first
with ease by one man.
uiscl.aAt
mag-
nitude
at
attempt
bytlmla
et a hasns
obre.
balancee nl madel h ibstetiinbrise•o: ranlnclo(f:tatsestsiefocaferstsasl;
present be seen, it is .
acottinenl)dlectdi°,ll.wi,ta
t%Nhei sinhuosut
ilivoemvveertne tim're!t:lriamteorsmt,hcaintitzheinssb,t:inetfiiiieotniearee;
of an undertakingeg which cannot fail to Tie
ts
firleequo:,onsttlybecnceitigeriaalurileastueldts.byAgfre.nLtieratimeemr
present, on the approaching termination of a project its
which he has taken so much interest, and to whose exer-
tions its being carried out may, in a great measure, be.
attributed.— !Worcestershire Chronicle.
CHURCH RATES.—During the last three days much
excitement has prevailed in the parish of St. George the
Martyr, Southwark, on account of a, poll being earned or
for a church-rate. At a meeting of the vestry on Mon-
day, the 30th ult., a rate of threepence in the pound was
proposed, for the purpose of paying the Rector's stipend..
and for other purposes connected with the church. Te
this an amendment was moved, to the effect that a rate
of twopence-halfpenny in the pound would be amply
sufficient. On a show of hands, the amendment was de-
clared to be carried, upon which a poll was demanded.
The result was—For the threepenny rate, 120 ; for the
twopenny -halfpenny, rate, 72. Majority for the former, 48.
At, the late meeting of the Arundel and Brtunbel
Association, the Chairman, the Duke of Norfolk, pro"
posed to give a premium of 50/., this time next year, to
" that farmer who shall have proved to the satisfaction
of a Committee, that he has employed the greatest
number of labourers, according to the size of his farm,
during the ensuing winter." His Grace added, "1.
offer this simply as an experiment for one year, and C
trust it may be found to answer the purpose intended,
and if it do, I beg to call 'on all my friends to join ica
the speculation. It' it should answer, I shall al 040
readily continue the premium."