The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-04-20 00:00:00

JERRY BUILDING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Sta,—My letter in your paper a week or two since, on the
above subject, having elicited an extremely irascible reply in
the Journal of Saturday last, from " A Builder," I trust that
you will indulge me with a corner in your next publication for
the insertion of a rejoinder thereto.
I will not, in imitation of his bad example, give way to ,
scur-
rility —merely observing casually, that " the galled
,jade" must
,
winte," or, if the cap nts, he is at liberty to wear it.
With respect to his remark on the quantity of land usually
allotted or allowed for the site of a house, he has entirely mis-
. construed or perverted my meaning, as, Heaven knows, we
cannot accuse builders of giving too large a space to each indi,
vidual tenement Quite the contrary; or how does it become
requisite to make such frequent applications to parliament for
the alteration and amendment of our local acts ? I would be
understood that it was intended to apply numerically to the
stacks of cottages now in course of erection, which no inge-
nious sophistry on his part can overcome.
Again : "A builder" says, regarding the mortgage or sale
of property, the owners are quite justifiable in offering an arti-
cle at the cheapest possible cost. This position is quite tulle-

enable; for we invariably find, in articles of merchandise, what
is salted cheap too often proves on trial the dearest. Slop
goods-will not stand the wear and tear of a more substantial
fabric-;. the same with jerry-built houses : hence my assertion
is fully confirmed, by the exceedingly great difficulty that now
exists of obtaining loans or mortgages on such crazy edifices.
As to levying rates on this description of property, how can
the owners with propriety object to become liable, when they
continually boast of the large per-centage received from small
houses, to the great detriment and depreciation of the premises
of their neighours that are ratepayers, and who, from this
cause, and in consequence thereof, n many instances are under
the necessity of quitting their residences, to seek more undis-
turbed abodes beyond the limits of the borough ;—thus being
compelled to unite in self-defence by the formation of a respec-
table and responsible joint-stock company, • which would like-
wise have a tendency to benefit the humble classes of Liver-
pool, in affording healthy and convenient dwellings, and not
leaving them unprotected to the tender mercies of a griping
landlord. In fact, it is a common practice with this class of
builders (jerry) to let nominal tenants into their cottages,
having thereby a semblance of being occupied; these parties,
on a change of ownership, &c., prove men of straw, and are
readily transferred to another lot for a similar purpose; and
thus, as a revolving wheel, the nefarious system is perpetuated
ad infinitum.
I shall conclude the foregoing remarks, by stating it is not
my intention hereafter to intrude on your columns, to reply to
"A Builder," or any other writer; feeling satisfied in the con-
sciousness or assurance of having fully exnosed some of the
tricks of trade, and being solely actuated by a desire to con-
tribute a mite to the measure of public utility.
Your obedient servant,
Liverpool, 13th April, 1847. EPHRAIM.

TOXTETH AFFAIRS.

TILE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

n,—Permit me to ask through your columns why the Over-
seers of Toxteth-park did not appear with their accounts before
the auditor? I understand that they are in an awkward posi-
tion, having excused from payment of rates upwards of 5,000,
occupiers, and now as a rule have exempted (their own tenants
of course included) from payment all tenants of houses under
.4'lo per annum, the landlords pocketing the taxes.
Yours, &c.,
ANOTHER LOOKER-ON.

THE WALLASEY COMMISSIONERS AND SEA-

COMBE FERRY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
SITI,—My attention has been directed to a leading article in
the Weekly News of Thursday last, on the above subject, in
which some of the Commissioners of Wallasey are severely
censured for the part they took in the recent, debate on this
subject. The writer seems to be somewhat ignorant on the
matter at issue, and has supplied the place of argument by
broad assertions and low witticism. It would be a profligate
waste of time to follow him through the whole labyrinth of his
coarse and vulgar article, and I shall therefore briefly offer a
few remarks upon such parts of it as seriously affect the repu-
tation of those gentlemen who conscientiously opposed the
establishment of a new ferry. I know not why Mr. Alawdes-
ley is to be sneered at for his efforts to save the public purse
from useless outlay, by those who so loudly boast of their zeal
for economy of government and diminution of taxation. Ido
not see the cogency of the reasoning by which he is charged
with "the filth and squalor" which characterize the streets and
lanes of Seacombe, since it is none of his creation; and his
vote upon the ferry question cannot affect the state of the roads
or the cleanliness of the township. Your contemporary has
stigmatized Mr. Mavvdesley's defence of the rights of the ferry
proprietors as an advocacy of a "vested interest," wishing
by that odious epithet to prejudice the public mind against
their claims. I maintain that where the proprietors of a public
ferry, as at Seacombe, show a laudable desire to accommodate
the public, and to afford them every convenience, it is an act of
great wrong to deprive them of their trust. It matters not to
the inhabitants of Seacombe who has the management of the
ferry, if their convenience is studied, and their wants supplied;
and it is very unjust to put the township to an expense which
will serve to sacrifice the Messrs. Parry, without benefiting it.
Those gentlemen have long conducted the ferry with spirit
and energy, have sustained severe losses, and do not now, I be-
lieve, make it pay a reasonable per centage, in order to serve
and accommodate the public. As private characters, they
stand deservedly high in the esteem of the inhabitants, and as
ferry managers they deserve the highest encomiums.
Trusting that you will permit me through the medium of
your valuable and widely circulated paper to disabuse the pub-
lic mind on this important subject, and to expose the wanton
ignorance and flippant effrontery of your not over-truthful con-
temporary.

I am, sir, yours, &c.,

DELTA.

THE MINERVA IRON STEAM-SHIP.

This beautiful and fast vessel, built by Messrs. Thos.
Vernon and Co., for the Cork Steam-ship Company, and
to run between Cork and Glasgow, touching intermediately
at Dublin, completed a successful trial trip, on Monday
night. She is a remarkably beautiful vessel, modelled by
Mr. Hazleden, and has proved herself to be a regular
" clipper." Her dimensions, &c., are :
Length on deck
Beam (of hull)
Depth of hold
Burthen, (O.M ) about

, s „
She is propelled by steam engines, of admirable con-
struction, by Messrs. Bury, Curtis, and Kennedy, and of
400-horse power. The iron-work of the vessel is chiefly
of Kennedy and Vernon's patent material, of great
strength, with the least possible weight.
She•acconaplished the trip to Dublin, with a small party
of nautical and scientific gentlemen, (including Mr. Bury,
Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Vernon, sen., Lieut. Gibson, R.N.,
Mr. Hazleden, and others.) in 8 hours 48 minutes, and
that under disadvantages, the new engines being necessa-
rily stiff, and the advantage derived from the tide-way
being comparatively small, as it only flowed to the height
of 131 ft. The distance is 40 leagues, as the bird flies.
On the return trip, she made the Skerries, from Kingston,
in four hours, being half the distance, and there she was
overtaken by a dense fog, which in the absence of a
definite sight of land, and some distrust of the compasses
in a new iron vessel, rendered it imprudent to proceed at
more than half-speed, otherwise she was in a fair way for
making the port in eight hours from the time of starting
—or 15 knots an hour. The engines made, when at
speed, 21 to 22 strokes per minute, with paddle-wheels
each of 27 feet diameter. The party were quite delighted
by the voyage, and especially by the kindness and ur-
banity, at the intervals which he could spare from his pro-
fessional duties, of her commander, Captain Hirste, a
gentleman of long experience in steam navigation, and
possessed of much general information.
The Cabins of the Minerva, (which have not been de-
scribed,) are well worthy of a passing notice. The saloon,
which is about 60 feet long, and of the full width of the
ship abaft, is a beautiful apartment, combining taste,
elegance, and convenience. Only two state-rooms (with
double berths,) are taken off at each corner, forward.
The style is fanciful rather than classical, or pertaining to
no peculiar style of architecture ; yet the parts so fully
harmonise, that the effect is highly pleasing—no mere-
,,tricious or highly costly ornament being introduced. The
room is cheerfully lighted by seven stern windows, and
two square deck lights, with frosted glass of a neat pattern.
Depending by gilded hains, are two handsome globular
lamps. There are two elegant mahogany book-cases, of
classical and appropriate design ; and the tout ensemble of
the apartment is at once chaste and beautiful.
The ladies' and the genitemen's sleeping cabins are
fitted up with roomy berths, and every possible conveni-
ence. The fore cabin, not yet finished, will be equally
comfortable. We should add, that the dinner and tea
services are beautiful—the greater part of silver. The
cabin was painted and decorated by our talented townsman
Mr. Troutbeck, and he has here added another laurel to
his brows, for the wood and marble-work though painted
and polished in imitation merely—have been mistaken
by many for the real materials.

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF THE STEAMER
GRANA UILE.

On Thursday intelligence was received here of the la-
mentable loss of this fine vessel by fire.
The Grana Uile, a fine vessel that has lately undergone
thorough repairs in hull and machinery, sailed from the
Clarence dock for Drogheda, on Tuesday evening about
Light o'clock. There were on board about 68 passengers,
a crew of 20 persons, a few individuals to whom free pas-
sages were given by the company, and we believe two or
three with parochial passes making in all, as nearly as
can be calculated, about 98 souls. The Grana Uile was
245 tons register, and was commanded by Captain Raw-
don. The cargo was chiefly grain, but she had on board
a number of bales of flax, which were stowed with every
care, and covered with a tarpauling, in the lower hold.
About 6 A.m. on the following morning,:when off Lambay,
all on board were roused by the cry of " fire ! fire!" the
cause for which proved but too true. For a length of
time every exertion was made to subdue the destructive
element, but so great was the confusion and consterna-
tion, that every one seemed appalled ; for a length of
time, however, the most sanguine expectations were held
of quenching the fire, the coal bunkers, however. ignited,
and the flames raged to an extent that ultimately put a
stop to every exertion. The scene that followed, as might
be expected, was one of the most heart-rending descrip-
tion, and can be much more easily imagined than described.
There was a frantic rush in the first instance to get pos-
session of the vessel's boats, into which they plunged, and
both boats were swamped, and unfortunately all perished.
The vessel kept her course till about seven o'clock, when
she was observed by a fishing smack, the Bessy, of Rings-
end. The captain, Mr. William Pullen, immediately pro-
ceeded to rsscue the crew and passengers on deck from
their awful condition. Mr. Pullen, with the mate, John
Parker, George Upham, and an apprentice named Symes,
rendered most praiseworthy exertions ; they first picked
up a boat, and took from her three or four of the unfortu-
nate individuals, with this boat and a small punt belong-
ing to the Bessy, the crew, with the assistance of the
hands belonging to the Grana Uile, succeeded in saving
all who had the good fortune to stay by the vessel, save
the Commander, who vowed that he would not stir until
passengers and crew were all safe, a determination which
cost him his life, for in the last extremity he took a life-
buoy and jumped overboard, and was picked up in the
steamer's wake. The crew of the smack seeing all hope
of saving the vessel at an end, bore straight for Dublin
[where she arrived about 6 o'clock on Wednesday even-
ing,) and soon lost sight of the steamer. None on board
saw her sink, and the general impression was, that she
still continued to float when they lost sight of her. All
who were on deck, or clinging to the vessel when the
Bessy reached, were saved, including 45 passengers and
21 of the crew—in all 69.. Those who are lost are sup-
posed to number 22 persons. One man had his leg broke
in jumping into the boat with a child in his arms—three
women were injured, and a child scalded. The injured
persons were sent to Baggot-street Hospital on the ar-
rival of the Bessy.
On Thursday, an inquest was held at Dublin on the
body of Captain Rawdon, before Dr. Kirwan, one of the
coroners for the city, and a highly respectable jury.
The first witness examined was the mate; he corrobo
rated our. introduction as to the sailing of the steamer,
and stated that he was two years mate of her. She had
on board 43 regular passengers, and 15 or 20 without
tickets, a crew of 20 persons, including the captain and
apprentices. Amongst the cargo we had 80 bales of flax,
which was stowed in canvas in the after hold. At about
half-past five in the morning, we observed smoke issuing
from the bunker holes. There were no coals underneath,
the coals having been removed farther forward, the space

underneath being used for stowing cattle in. Noticed the
smoke issuing from the after hold, which was stowed with
flax and Indian corn to the top. The hatch, which opened
in the 'tween decks, was securely covered down. The flax
was the last of the cargo put in. We got the hose under
way, and worked it as long as we could, till the fire gained
upon us. I was present when the flax was lowered into
the hold, and did not see any men smoking near it. We
had three boats, the number required by Act of Parlia-
ment, all of which were in good order. When they were
to be lowered, there was a general rush to the boats, and
great confusion. If the passengers had been calm, and
taken our advice, we could have saved every one. When
they rushed into the boats, they broke down the davits.
Could not say any one was killed by the rush. The cap-
tain walked from the quarter-deck to the paddle-box, and
told them if they would be calm all would be saved. Tea
or twelve got into the first boat, which was swamped; the
second boat was lowered, but was capsized. On the life-
boat being lowered, it also capsized, but was held by one
tackle. The pilot and two men got into her, when she
went adrift, and was afterwards picked up by the Bessy-
lam certain from 15 to 20 persons were lost. S'aw the
captain overboard, clinging to a life-buoy, on the vessel's
weather quarter. I think it was about seven o'clock. A.
little before eight, the smack kept tacking about (the sea
running very heavy) in search of him, and found him
floating on a life-buoy, perfectly lifeless. Had not the
slightest idea how the fire originated. (Some one here
observed the probability of oil having come in contact with
the flax.) The mate, after describing the difficulty in:
getting the passengers from the steamer to the boats, in
consequence of the heavy sea running, concluded his evi-
dence by stating that he hoisted a signal on seeing the
fishing smack Frederick, of which they took no notice-
This, he thought, disheartened the captain, and produced
fright amongst all on board.
It was here stated that the Frederick had her nets out;
that it would have taken an hour to get them in : they,
however, could have been left with buoys. The Frederick
was cemman hi a person named Whittle.
The next witness examined was Captain Pullen, of the
Bessy, who was followed by the engineer and some of the
passengers, but as their evidence was merely corroborative,
we need not detail it. On Captain Pullen being asked by
the coroner if he thought the captain bad left the steamer
before he ought, he replied, "No ! I think it was high
time when the boats had gone. I would have done the
same myself."

. The coroner, after highly lauding the conduct of the
crew of the Bessy, detailed the evidence to the jury, who
found a verdict to the effect that the captain was accident-
ally drowned, but there were no means of ascertaining
how the fire originated ; but no blame or want of precau-
tion are attributable to the owners, captain, or crew. The
jury expressed their high admiration of the spirited con-
duct of Captain Pullen and the crew of the Bessy, and
recommended them to the notice of the Humane Society.
They also censured the crew of the Frederick.
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

The step taken by the directors of the Bank of England
in advancing the rate of interest to 5 per cent., although.
it has seriously affected the price of government and other
stocks, does not appear to have repressed the spirit of
speculation which forms the prevailing feature of our lead-
ing produce and food markets, which continue to exhibit
a rising tendency.
A slight advance in the price of Consols was experienced
on Tuesday, which was lost in the course of the day, owing
to an impression prevailing that the Gazette accounts of
the Bank of England would be unfavourable, coupled with.
the advance in the corn markets. The former expectation
was fully realized on the appearance of the Gazette, which
showed a decrease in the public deposits of £1,017,572,
and in the rest a decrease of £599,565, with an increase of
other deposits amounting to £1,755,653.
The amount of notes in circulation is £20,403,425, being
an increase of £548,485 ; and the stock of bullion in both
departments is £9,867,053, showing a decrease of £379,357
when compared with the preceding return, and of upwards
of five millions below the ordinary stock held. A large
portion of this deficiency, it has been ascertained, has been
drawn off to cover our purchases of grain in the United
States, to which the amount of specie registered as im-
ported into the three principal ports—namely, New York,
Boston and New Orleans—between January Ist and the
sailing of the steamer was not much below £2,000,000
sterling, to which must be added very large sums taken
out by passengers of all descriptions (emigrants as well as
others), of which no record is made.

The arrival of the Hibernia mail steamer from Boston,
bringing dates to the Ist inst., has renewed the excitement
in the market for our principal staple, cotton, which may
be quoted fully one halfpenny per pound higher than at
the close of last week. The accounts of the crop are
generally confirmative of the anticipations held out of a
short crop, 1,800,000 bales being now stated as the ex-
treme quantity, whilst other accounts give it still lower_
The falling off of the receipts at the ports in America was
considerable, as compared with the receipts at the corres-
ponding period of last year ; and hence deficiency in the
stocks in the interior is augured. Many good authorities,
however, maintain that this test will prove a fallacious
one. Holders at the plantations are said to be not at all
anxious to hurry the crop to market, the high freights
offering for bread stuffs to Europe operating as an induce-
ment to hold back their supply for the present ; whilst
the river shipping is almost exclusively employed in the
transport of provision:,, at higher rates than the planters
feel disposed to pay. Probably, when this pressing de-
mand for freights abates a little, we may find that the
stocks are not so limited as speculators would indurp nc
to believe.

Upon this subject the circular of Messrs. White and
Lewin, of New York, made up to the 31st ult., states :
" The improved feeling and advance in prices has not been
confined to this market alone, but has been general throughout
the entire south, and has resulted from the fact that a very
material falling off in the receipts at the ports has taken place
during the past month, and an impression which has become
very genera!, that the total crop will be much less than had
been previously supposed. In our last circular the excess in
the receipts since the Ist of September last, as compared with
those of the year previous, was 51,500 bales, while by reference
to the comparative statement given above, it will be seen that
the figures show a decrease on those of last year of 76,108 bales,
making a total falling off in the receipts during the past four
weeks of 127,608 bales. The deficiency is likely to 1,5 e an in-
creasing one for some four or five weeks to come, after which
it is likely the receipts may keep pace with the limited quantity
received last season. At all events the extent of the crop for
the season 1846-7 may be ascertained with sufficient accuracy
for commercial purposes by the Ist of May. The most gene-
rally entertained estimate in the extreme south is below
1,800,000 bales, and even in Charleston and Savannah, where
hitherto the estimates have been largest, they are reduced to
1,800,000 bales."
Another circular, that of Messrs. Schmidt and Co
of
New Orleans, dated March 18th, confirms the views
ex-
pressed above, as to the supply being kept back. Refer-
ring to some large operations in that market, they say :
" The cause of this renewed improvement in the condition
of our cotton market must be attributed exclusively to the
sudden and palpable falling off in the receipts of the article at
the various points, and which has created a very general belief,
that the crop will be smaller than was first anticipated, not ex-
ceeding. 1,800,000 to 1,850,000 bales. On the other hand, it is.
however, proper to add, that the very sudden manner in which
the receipts have fallen off, has awakened suspicions in the minds
of many persons, inducing them to maintain that the supplies
are purposely kept back, and who, looking to the precedents of
former seasons, continue to count with confidence upon a fair
proportion of receipts during the remainder of the year. The
true state of the case cannot remain much longer a matter of
doubt ; in the interregnum, however, without the aid of fur-
ther and decidedly bad news from Liverpool, material reduc-
tion in prices here can scarcely be loot ed for."
The operation of these accounts upon the Manchester
market has been to increase the gloom previously existing
and to give a further stimulus to the working of short
time. The stocks of goods offering have been generally
withdrawn for higher prices than buyers were disposed to
give; and unless such higher prices are acceded to, produc-
tion cannot possibly go on. The orders brought out by
the Hibernia are represented to be very considerable; and
as manufactured goods are very scarce throughout the
United States, it is probable that the demand from that
quarter may in time give a little activity to the trade. At
present, however, there is no chance of anything extensive
being done at the low limits sent out.

Our corn market during the past week has exhibited
considerable activity, and higher prices have been given
for all descriptions. It seems now to be pretty generally
held that we can have no relaxation of the existing rates
for a while, owing to the demand for the continent and
the difficulty in finding tonnage for the stocks held in
America. It is anticipated by the growers and merchants
that they will be enabled, in the course of a few months,
to pour large supplies into this country, their last harvest
being untouched this year, and a large surplus of that of
the preceding being still available. The shipments from
New York alone from September last, when the necessi-
ties of Europe were first known in that country, up to the
middle of March, have been, of flour, 909,949 barrels ;
corn, 3,081,314 bushels; wheat, 1,304,846 bushels; and
rye, 596,484 bushels. Taking the probable wants of Great
Britain for the present year to be 92,000,000 bushels,
America has thus sent us about 17 per cent of our defi-
ciency. It is calculated, howeveii, that in the next five
months she can more than make up the remainder, having-
a surplus of at least 150,000,000 bushels, after providing
for her own population.
From St. John's, New Brunswick, the date of our
papers extends to the 27th of February. These state
that a scarcity of shipping had been created by the number-
, of vessels taken up for employment in the American
trade. The subject is thus alluded to
" ;
Only one ship has been chartered this month for timber or
deals, and the rate was 115 s. sterling per stand for having cargo
delivered.• All other vessels have been taken up or have sailed
for ports in the United States, and some new ships have also
gone in the same direction. Inquiries are made for vessels to
take deal cargoes, and .E 6 per stand has been offered and
refused. No sales of timber to report, but the price asked is
30s. for 20 inch description. Deals are scarce. Red pine is
15s. to 205., and birch 15s. to 225. Gd. Sterling Bank Bills
continue 8 per cent."
Freights at Quebec were low as compared with the
rates at New York. Two ships for Liverpool were taken
up on Saturday, March Gth, for flour at ss. 3d., for one
or about 900 tons, and ss. Gd. for a ship of 700 tons.
There will be twenty vessels (now building) ready for sea
by the 20th of May, capable of taking 150,000 brls.
flour. Freights at New 'York on the 19th, were quoted
at 7s. and 7s. Gd., showing them to he much higher than
the before-mentioned quotations at Quebec.
It is stated that the Batik of England has been offi-
cially made the agents in this country for the Russian
government. It may be hoped that the autocrat, by way
of keeping a good account,
will
than for
for
o
his surplus god here.
e e
been
more
makeor
ea
largemit ed lodgment
The amount of business transacted in railway shares
during the past five days has
e
considerable time past. No dealings of any particular
time, and
limited
condition of things could not well be conceived. prices,
during the greater portion unless
snt businessei e r
were
e entirely occurredno
fi
suspended,
lasipfel
eyn
w,leneka ?lore inactivere
d:ede,
wat any
heavy at
successive declines, but no sooner did the Consol market
become firmer, than values improved to a proportionate
extent, and our usual weekly comparison of prices exhibits
a rise in various instances.