The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-10-11 00:00:00

THE FINE BARQUE CUMBERLAND.

This vessel, belonging to the St. George's Steam Packet
Company, and which is on the eve of sailing with passen-
gers, and a general cargo for the distant port of Sidney, New
South Wales, has, for the last few weeks, attracted much
attention amongst nautical men, and admirers of improve-
ment and novelty in naval architecture, from the beauty of
her model, her apparent great sailing qualities, and the cir-
cumstance that she was originally a steam-ship. This is the
second " steamer" which the same company have converted
into a " sailer," though both of them were highly success-
ful in their original branch of navigation to Ireland. The
trade, however, in which they were engaged—such are the
rapid mutations of even our domestic traffic by sea—de-
manded vessels of a different construction and capacity, and
their engines requiring, at the same time, considerable repair,
it was deemed advisable, as they were well-built vessels, and
entirely sea-worthy, to convert them by considerable alter-
ations and renovations, particularly in their upper works, into
sailing vessels. The first experiment of this kind was made
on the George the Fourth, a large vessel, which was rigged as
a three-masted schooner, and has, in her voyages from Dub-
lin to the Western slands and eLsewhere, more than
justified the expectations formed of her sailing powers. The
second steam-vessel which they have similarly altered is the
Cumberland ; and they have turned her out one of the crack
sailing ships of the port. In both instances the result is high-
ly satisfactory, as it must tend to the encouragement
of adventure in nautical enterprise; inasmuch as parties may
thereby be encouraged to build steam-vessels for peculiar
trades without the apprehension that should they, in a few
years, become from their tonnage or other circumstances,
unadapted for the trade in which they have been engagEd, they
may be converted into profitable sailing craft.
'the Cumberland has been re-built of the best materials, and
will stand A 1 for many years. In her upper works she has been
entirely renovated, and her fastenings are such that she may be
said to he " as strong as wood and iron can make her." The
whole of the work was visited from time to time by the In-
spectors to Lloyds, and has been highly approved of by these
gentleman and other judges of the " noble" art of ship-
building. She has a remarkable fine entrance and a clear
run; and having, withal, extraordinary beam for her
tonnage, cannot fail to turn out " a clipper." Her rigging
and equipments are of the best and most approved descrip-
tion •, though, with regard to the former, we should have pre-
ferred less taunt masts, and squarer yards. This, how-
ever, is a mere matter of taste. She registers, (new
measurement) 464 3-1-100 tons. Her length over all is 135
feet, and depth of hold 131 feet. She has, therefore, an
uncommonly rine and capacious deck. The height. between
decks is seven feet, affotding ample room and accommoda-
tion for passengers. She has a, top-gallant-forecastle; and a
poop deck of spacious extent. Under the latter are the
cabins and the sleeping rooms.
The principal cabin is 36. feet in length. The entrance is
from the main deck by two doors; the upper portions of which
are glazed. This appartment is neatly empanelled, and other-
wise enrished. The pilasters and cornicing are finely painted
in imitation of Scagliola marble, and the mouldings in grained
oak. The styles of the state-room doors and of the inter-
mediate spaces are also in oak, and the panels of satin wood.
The whole is cheerfully lighted from the roof. The furniture
is of corresponding.taste, and includes a handsome sideboard
and pier-glass at the entrance.. end, behind which is the
steward's pantry. The sleeping-rooms are exceedingly neat
and commodious; being in the style of those of our finest
steam-vessels.

Further aft, and each lighted by two large cabin or stern
windows, are two private cabins for ladies or families. The
general finishing of these is more elaborate than that of the
large cabin ; and the painting, which is much admired, (and
was, we learn, executed by our townsman, Mr. Cormick,) is
in oak, bird-eye maple, and satin wood. There are three fine
broad sofas in each room, calculated for beds. The floors in
all the cabins are covered with tine wax-cloth. EaCh of the
ladies' rooms has its adjoining water-closet, and every possi-
ble convenience for washing.

The accommodations for'steerage passengers are on a com-
parative scale,—no expense being spared to secure the health
and comfort of all on board. Besides a supply 'of water in
casks, for primary use; there are tanks fixed below calcu-
lated for a cold, pure, and plentiful supply of water—a great
desideratum during so long a voyage. The Cumberland
carries six guns, six-pounders, and two swivels, besides small
arms, cutlasses, as a protection frorri pirates or other
depredatory parties that may fall within her tract. The
cooking-house is fitted up on the most modern and approved
principle. Her crew will consist of twenty-six men. She
has a patent windlass ; and, we need but had, that her whole
appearance and equipmets are highly creditable to the enter-
prising company to whom she belongs, and to those who have
superintended and completed her fitting-up. She is com-
manded by Captain Edward Osborne ; the first officer is Mr.
W. Timothy ; the second, Mr.. Wm. Garrett—all experienced
seamen. She is provided with splendid chronometers and
nautical instruments. We understand that she will be towed
down the channel and clear of the land by a steam-vessel, to
ensure her safer departure. She takes out a large number of
emigrants ; and we can but add, that we wi.h her every
success.

ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH UNION RAILWAY.—We re-
gret to state, thata man working on the North Union Rail-
road, near Wigan, was killed on Monday last. Whilst in
the act of escaping from a train in one direction, he unfor-'
tunately came in contact with one speeding its conrSe in ano-
ther. ,lle was thrown down, and dragged a considerable diS
tance, much bruised, and had his head nearly severed from
his body.