The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-26 00:00:00

APPOINTMENTS.

Lieutenants—M. Nolloth (1838), to the Bittern ; A. Gor-
don (1836), A. F. Webster (1843), and A. S. Booth (1836),
to the Endymion.
Surgeon—B. Browning, M.D. (1828), to the Grampus. II
Paymaster and Purser—J. F. Russell (1813), to the
Grampus.
CnATIIAaI, Nov. 25.—The Janus steam-sloop has again
returned to her former moorings by the sheer hulk, opposite
to the dockyard, having been towed up on Friday, the 21st
instant, by the Wildfire steam-vessel, she having broken
down at sea. This unfortunate vessel, it appears, left Coch-
ham-wood Reach at twelve o'clock at noon on Wednesday,
the 18th instant, as reported for Portsmouth, whereas she
was to take a cruise in the Channel, having on board Cap-
tain W. H. Shirreff, R.N., Captain Supenntendent of her
Majesty's yard, accompanied by Vice-Admiral the Earl of
Dundonald, the constructor of her engines, and manned by
the seamen of the ordinary; and reached Sheerness in about
two hours and a half, the paddle wheels revolving about
thirteen times to the minute, and oil her arrival outside the
river, touching the sea water, her pace betarne slackened,
and it gradually decreased, and on her arrival near the
Mouse her speed was so reduced that her wheels only
made eleven revolutions in the minute, although she
had a strong wind in her favour, and in attempting to
turn her she drifted astern ; consequently it was found
necessary to anchor her for the night, as it was rough,
and blew a strong -gale. The next morning the engineers
could not get the wheels to turn until noon, when they re-
volved about five times to the minute; and at which rate
the engines continued working until eight o'clock at night.
The next morning (Thursday), the -weather being fine, it
was attempted to run the vessel over to the Downs, but it
was found that, by using every exertion, she would not make
head against the sea. Further trial was thertfore deemed
useless, and the vessel was beat, up again for pheerness ; and
on her arrival in the River water she returned to her former
speed. On passing her Majesty's vessel Trafalgar, however,
her engines broke down, and she was obliged to annhor for
the night; and on Friday she was towed to this port. On
raising her anchor it struck her bow, and made a hole in it.
It is now clear that this vessel, according to her present con-
struction, will never go a-head, having now failed in a hun-
dred experiments, and having had all the reStitirceS of Chat-
ham-yard lavishly expended on her for the last year Without
the least improvement. Her engine is stated to be very de-
fective. The rotary engine of this vessel, it appears, is fitted
with four tubular boilers, equal in bulk and expenditure of
fuel to 500-horse power boilers, and with engines estimated
at 220-horse power, but withal, the boilers have never worked
up to 60-horse power. The boilers are divided into two Sets,
with a stokehole between them, which forms a hind of pan-
demonium, where the 'unfortunate firemen are scorched by
six furnaces on each side of them, and by the cylinders full
of steam above their heads, while their feet and ankles are
immersed in hot water, and where they are deprived alike of
air and light. It is stated that this machinery is not fitted
with the appendages which experience has shown to be es-
sential to the safety of a steam-vessel, because they cannot
be attached to a rotary engine without extraordinary compli-
cation. Yet, notwithstanding these omissions, it occupies
38 feet, fore and aft, and great part of the upper deck, while
a perfect pair of engines of 220 horse-power, with tubular
boilers, and every appendage for safety and convenience com-
plete, with ample airy stokehole, and free access to every
part, would not occupy more than 34 feet.
During all the expensive experiments on this unfortunate
craft not the least improvement has been made. With wheels
proportioned to her nominal power she would not make two
miles an hour, and when sent to sea in this instance she did
not make headway against a light sea,whereasanother vessel
would have run full speed.
The Janus, on going out, had only 40 tons of coals and 4
tons of water on board, She is now two feet lighter than
she was during her first trips, and has one and a half streak
of her copper painted black, to make her appear deep in the
water. Her engines, since her arrival, are being taken to
pieces. Yesterday it was discovered that a portion of the
works of the interior cylinder was broken, and the whole of
the bars were destroyed in this last trip, and are now being
sent to the smithy of the yard to be made good. She is to
have a new rudder, as the one she had proved to be useless.
The Earl of Dundonald left here on Saturday, andreturned
to London.