The Sun.
London, England, 1827-11-09 00:00:00

MEETING OF SHIP-OWNERS.

Yesterday, an adjourned Meeting of Ship-owners,
and other persons interested, took place at the City
of London Tavern, for the purpose of taking into
consideration the propriety of affording additional
means of security for ships and vessels navigating
the eastern coast—G. LvALL, Esq., in the Chair.
The CHAIRMAN stated, that the meeting was con-
vened at the suggestion of the Corporation of the
Trinity-House, for the purpose of ascertaining their
opinion as to the expediency of erecting additional
lights. He then read three notices which had been
circulated amongst the ship-owners for their consi-
deration : the first recommending a light being
placed on St. Catherine's Point, in the Isle of Wight,
as a guide to lead vessels to the Nab Light Vessel,
when forced to seek shelter at St. Helen's ; and
also a light to be placed at the Start Point, should
the first light be established ; the second stating,
that it had been strongly represented to the Corpo-
ration that the exhibition of a light near Beachy
Head would be attended with great advantages,
and very materially conduce to the safety of ship-
ping navigating the British Channel, and that the
Elder Brethren had deemed it their duty to give the
subject their most serious consideration, and to take
measures for ascertaining whether any situation could
be found near that headland, in which a light might
be exhibited, without the liability of frequent obscu-
ration from fog, which has rendered, and will, in all
probability, for ever render it tmadvisable to place a
light-house on its summit. In the examination and
observations made for that purpose, the primary ob-
ject of the Brethren, it was stated, had been to se-
lect, if possible, a spot whereon a light-house would
be useful to vessels navigating both to the eastward
and to the westward of the head; and although the
result has not proved fully satisfactory, it had never-
theless been ascertained that a lighthouse may be
erected in a situation to which there is reason to ex-
pect the objection adverted to will not be found ma-
terially to apply: the site so selected is at a consi-
derable elevation above the ocean, and a light thereon
would be visible seaward 'in all directions from the
south Ward of S. 55 deg. E. round to N. 46 deg. W.
by compass. The third notice stated, that in con-
sequence of an urgent representation that advantages
of the most important description would result to
the last-mentioned navigation by the establishment
and maintenance of one or more floating lights (and
if two, the easternmost to be stationed in a situation
near the west end of the Swin Middle, and the
westernmost near where the Shears Beacon now
stands), the Corporatiot had deemed it necessary to
call the attention of owners and masters of vessels
to this suggestion.

The CHAIRMAN said, that he had spoken to seve-
ral ship-owners on the subject, and although there
existed great difference of opinion as to the propriety
of erecting all the lights suggested, they were una-
nimous as to the expediency of erecting a light at
Beachy Head : however, it was for the meeting to
decide the question. He suggested that the propo-
sitions be taken into consideration seriatim.

Mr. GILLisPIE observed, that the three proposi-
tions came before the meeting in a very ambiguous
shape—that the Corporation of the Trinity did not
commit themselves by giving &decided opinion upon
the subject—they merely go upon the opinions of
others, and put the case hypothetically, and say,
" If it is necessary, you pay part of the expence ;"
they submitted no statement of the probable ex-
pence, and the revenue likely to arise; that the
coal trade alone would be subject to an additional
tax of 1,5001. per year, if those lights were erected.
He then moved as an amendment to the first propo-
sition, " That a light on St. Catherine's Point and
at Start or Praul Point, are inexpedient and unne-
cessary."

Mr. URQUHART seconded the amendment, and
warmly condemned the mode in which the Corpora-
tion of the Trinity had applied. If free trade was
considered so essential to the welfare of the coun-
try, why not free institutions ? The Corporation
ought to erect those lights, if necessary, at their own
expence, and not to call upon the ship-owners.
The CHAIRMAN put the amendment, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr. GREY said, that as to the second proposition
as to the propriety of erecting a light at Beachy
Head, he had consulted several persons conversant
in nautical affairs, and they were all 'of opinion as
to the necessity of erecting it. If the Corporation
had expressed a decided opinion, more confidence
would have been placed in the suggestion. He
thought the advantage likely to arise greater than
the expence. He read a letter from a Captain Jolly,
an experienced seaman, who considered the proposed
light of the greatest service to ships coming up and
going down the Channel, and recommended that
every ship-owner should pay a toll for the support
of so desirable an object.
Mr. URQUHART did not object to the erection of
this. light upon the principle of expense; but when
the money is subscribed, he should like to know how
it is expended.
A Gentleman observed, that, as an experienced
man, he had no objection to a light being erected
at Beachy-head ; he was sure it would prove highly
beneficial.

Mr. NicuoLLs said, that in the year 1801, a
vessel coming from Smyrna, richly laden, was lost
off this point, and that in 1806 several vessels were
lost or damaged about this point. He had no doubt
but the Corporation of the Trinity would administer
the money honourably.

Mr. GREY moved the adoption of the second pro-
position, that a light be erected at Beachy Head;
which was seconded.

A Ship-owner moved as an amendment, that the
light be erected, that the Trinity-house keep a sepa-
rate account of all the expenses attending it, and
that when they are paid, that the duty shall be
reduced.

Upon this amendment, a desultory discussion took
place, in which Messrs. Urquhart, Grey, Chapman,
and Fortune, joined, when the original motion was
carried.

The third proposition was rejected.
Mr. CHAPMAN asked the Chairman, if he had had
any communication with the Government upon the
subject of the shipping interest ?
The CHAIRMAN replied in the negative.
Mr. CHAPmAN said, that he would move a resolu-
tion that would et once bring under the eyes of the
Government the depressed state of the shipping
interest ; and that, unless some assistance is afforded,
their prospects would be ultimately destroyed. The
Government had sufficient time to collect informa-
tion, and to have ascertained the deteriorated state
of the shipping interest.
A Ship-owner observed, that he understood that
there exists in some quarter an intention of intro-
ducing a Bill into Parliament early next Session, for
the purpose of depriving Ship-owners of the power
to appoint masters to their ships, and that the au-
thority should be vested in three commissioners es-
pecially appointed for that purpose.
The subject was dropped here, it appearing to be
the opinion of the meeting, that it was injudicious to
discuss the subject more fully, as the meeting was
convened upon another matter.
Thanks were voted to the Chairman, who re-
turned his acknowledgments, and the meeting
separated.

During the eclipse of the moon on Saturday,
an old woman, after attentively observing it some time, was
heard to exclaim, Poor thing ! what pain it must be in."

ATTEMPTED SUlClDE.—Wednesday morn-
ing, a little before ten o'clock, as a gentleman was passing
over the centre arch of the Southwark-bridge, a well dressed
man before him suddenly sprung over the railing into the
river. The gentleman instantly called to the boatmen at
Bankside, who pushed off, and succeeded in taking up the
body in an insensible state, which they conveyed to the
George public-house, where every attention humanity could
dictate was bestowed, and animation shortly restored, when
it was learned that the desperate individual was an eminent
wool-stapler, of Great George-street, Bermondsey, and
evidently labouring under strong mental derangement. A
messenger was forthwith despatched to his house and quickly
returned with his son, who conveyed hint away in a coach.