The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-05-17 00:00:00

PLEASURE-TRIP BY THE PRINCESS
ROYAL.

A trip by sea to the Menai Straits along the magnifi-
cent and picturesque coast of Wales is always an attrac-
tion, but was more especially so on Wednesday last, and
will long be reckoned among the pleasures of memory by
those who were present on the occasion. In the first place,
the weather was the finest which we have, perhaps, experi-
enced this year, and the trip was on board the steam-ship
Princess Royal, belonging to the Liverpool and Glasgow
Royal Steam-packet Company, a vessel which, for speed,
comfort, and sea-going qualities yields to none which
leaves the Mersey. It is a singular and interesting cir-
cumstance in connection with the Princess Royal, that
although she was built twelve years ago, in the infancy of
iron ship-building, and notwithstanding the many im-
provements which have since been made, she has not
been surpassed, of which the numerous party on Wednes-
day last had ample proof, and her voyages between the
Mersey and the Clyde are performed with a speed and
punctuality equal to railway travelling. She had lately
been in dock for a thorough overhaul, when it was found
that not a plate was defective, and with the exception of
her keel, which had been rubbed in. the Clyde, re-paint-
ing, and cabin decorations, were all that were needed ;
and having undergone a complete refit, she was brought
out of dock on Tuesday, and the following day was de-
voted to a pleasure-trip to the Menai Straits, preparatory
to her resuming her station on the Glasgow line on Thurs-
day. Accordingly, a numerous party of gentlemen end
ladies assembled on board be invitation, and shortly after
ten o'clock she started. Every attention had been paid
to the comfort and convenience of the guests. An effi-
cient band of music was stationed on the deck, and the
easy though rapid motion of the vessel as she glided past
the beautiful Welsh coast made the voyage a really de-
lightful one. At twelve o'clock the party sat down to
luncheon, immediately after which dancing commenced
on deck, and continued at intervals to the end of the voy-
age. At three o'clock the Princess Royal lay snugly at
anchor, close under the Menai-bridge, the distance from
the dock tower having been accomplished in three hours
and fifty minutes, giving a speed of upwards of 141 miles
per hour against the tide. It having been announced
that the vessel would return at five o'clock, most of the
company went on shore, and visited the suspension and
tubular bridges.
On their return the ship started for home, and at six
o'clock the company sat down to an excellent dinner,
presided over by Mr. Lamont, the active and indefatiga-
ble Liverpool representative of the Glasgow and Liverpool
Royal Steam-packet Company. Amongst the party were
Provost Mills, of Glasgow ; Mr. Balfour, of the firm of
lleugh, Balfour, and Co., of Manchester ; Mr. John
Lear ; Mr. John Williams ; Mr. and Mrs. Kelly ; Mr.
Alanson ; Mr. Knox ; Mr. and Mrs. R. Cochran ; Mr.
and Mrs. B. Thomson ; Mr. J. H. Hind ; Mr. and Mrs.
James Elliott ; Mr. and Miss Binks ; Mr. and Mrs.
Tamplin ; Mr. and Mrs. Sorley ; Mr. Swire ; Mr. Merry-
lees ; Air. Spalding ; Mr. Muir ; Mr. A. Robertson ; Mr.
Arnott ; Mr. and Mrs. Jones ; Mr. Schroder ; Mr. T.
Warburton, &c.—The Chairman, after the usual loyal
toasts, proposed " The town and trade of Liverpool," to
which Mr. Arnott responded, and briefly noticed the
rapid strides Liverpool had taken during that period, and
expressed a belief that the energes of her traders would
render her second to none.—The toast of " Prosperity
to the city and trade of Manchester" was acknowledged
by Mr. Balfour, who complimented Mr. Lamont upon
the prompt and efficient manner in which he had per-
formed his duties in connexion with the company he
represented.—The next toast the chairman said, carried
him back to the town in which he spent his early years—
the city of Glasgow—which was rising most rapidly both
in population and traffic.
Mr. MILLS, the Provost of Glasgow, in responding,
said that thirty-five years ago, he started the idea of
steam navigation between the Clyde and Liverpool. In
the month of August, 1818, in conjunction with a few
friends, he started the steamer Robert Bruce, which was
considered one of the lions of the day. Her burthen was
about 180 tons, and she had some 70 or 80 horse-power.
Although the water was smooth, she occupied 52 hours
on the passage ; but from that a deduction must be made,
for when she reached the Mull of Galloway, it was found
necessary to give her a rest for four hours, until the fire
was drawn out and the flues cleaned. Like the results to
most pioneers, they found the trade unprofitable, while
the present generation were reaping the benefits of their
early efforts. _ _ _ _ _ _

Mr. LAMONT acknowledged the toast of " The Pro-
prietors of the Liverpool and Glasgow Royal Steam-
packet Company," and said it was the desire of that
company to extend and promote the trade between
Liverpool and Glasgow. Referring to the Princess Royal,
he said that twelve years ago her first trip was made.
Messrs. Todd and M'Gregor, who constructed her ma-
chinery, thought that it would be at least three years
before any steamer would be built which could surpass
her in speed ; but there was not a steamer now trading to
the Mersey that could beat her. She had been carefully
examined, and her condition was so good, that he believed
that twelve years hence she would class A 1 for twelve
years more. lie directed special attention to the accom-
modation now for the first time given to steerage passen-
gers. A commodious cabin had been erected upon deck,
with tables and seats, so as to afford protection from the
weather, and lie hoped the example would speedily be
followed by other steam-packet companies.
The last toast was that of Captain Fraser, the com-
mander of the Princess Royal, who was on deck, where a
festive party whom the spacious salcon could not contain
were assembled, under the able presidency of Mr. War-
burton. The Princess Royal reached the Mersey soon
after nine o'clock, and the company finally separated,
after a day which will long be remembered.
The machinery has been examined and repaired under
the superintendence of Mr. James Jack, of the Victoria
Engine-works, Bootle-road. The paintings and decora-
tions are by Mr. John Bacon, and the upholstery by Mr.
A. Blain, all done with taste and elegance. The banquet
was prepared and served by the regular servants of tha
company, and displayed that skill in the culinary depart-
ment for which the Scotch steamers have long been famous.

ECONOMICAL VESTS.—We were much amused the other
day in being shown a novel article in wearing apparel, a
vest containing eight in one, invented by Mr. Levi, of
South John•street.

OAMSKIRIC.—On Sunday week two sermons were
preached in the Parish Church of Ormskirk, in behalf of
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts, by the Rev. T. Perceval, M.A., the deputation
from the parent society. The collections amounted to
£l4 12s. Did. In the afternoon the rev. gentleman ad-
vocated the society's claims at the Parish Church of Hal-
sall, when the collection amounted to upwards of £5. On
Monday a public meeting was held in the Town-hall,
Ormskirk, when the chair was occupied by the vicar, the
Rev. W. E. Rawstorne, M.A. The Rev. T. Perceval,
the Rev. G. W. Warr, of Liverpool, the Rev. T. Abra-
ham, of Bickerstaff, and other friends, addressed the
meeting. The collection exceeded £3. On Tuesday a
meeti3z was also held in the School-room in Bickerstaffe,
in behalf of the same society.
LIABILITY OF SHIPOWNERS.—In the Court of Queen'
Bench, on Saturday, the case of Baring, Brothers v•
Twizell was tried before the Lord Chief Justice. The
plaintiffs were Messrs. Baring, Brothers, merchants • and
the defendant, John Twizell, a shipowner at North
Shields. The action was to recover damages for the loss
of a quantity of molasses shipped on hoard one of the de-
fendant's vessels, and which had run out of the casks on
the voyage to England from the island of Cuba. It an
peered that on the 13th of July, 1852, a large quantity of
molasses had been shipped on board the brig Elizabeth,
in good order and condition, at Cardenas, in Cuba, to be
delivered to Messrs. Baring, Brothers, in the port of
London, in the like order and condition, " the dangers of
the sea only excepted." When the goods arrived is
London, it was found that nine of the casks at the top ei
the loading under the main hatchway were lying with
their bungholes half down, ani, the molasses having rue
out, the casks were empty. It appeared that the custore
was to stow casks of molasses with the bungholes open,
otherwise the fermentation of the molasses would cause
the casks to burst, but it was also usual that the casks
should be " chocked," or kept in their places by pieces Of
wood placed on each side. This appeared to have been
done in the present case, but it was alleged that the
master of the vessel had been guilty of negligence in not
taking care that the condition of the casks should be exa-
mined from time to time on the voyage, to see that all wag
right.—Lord Campbell said, the simple question for the
jury was, whether or not the loss had been occasioned bf
" the dangers of the sea."—The jury found a verdict for
the plaintiffs, with £lB 10s. damages.
IRON CHURCH FOR MELBOURNE.—A short time since
we gave a description of an iron church, intended for Aug'
trails, and which has attracted considerable attention, at
the works of Mr. Hemmings, the eminent contrator of
Bristol, who has also an establishment at Birkenhead,
we may now add, that the church has been built under
the order of the Bishop of Melbourne, and forms the first
of nine or ten which are intended to be sent out. The
frame-work is composed of wood, so amalgamated as to
admit of being easily taken to pieces and re-erected ; the
roof and walls are of corrugated galvanised iron, and un-
derneath that, in order to prevent inconvenience from the
sun's rays on a metal substance, is placed felt, as a non-
conductor, and without that again a walling of strained
canvas, which has been prepared with a granite paper,
which gives to the building an appearance of great soliditY,
It will cover an area of about 70 feet by 45 feet, and cora'
prises a tower, nave, two side aisles, two galleries, a cote'
munion.table, pulpit, and reading desk, also a robing'
room, baptistry, &c. It will afford accommodation to
about 650 persons. It is so made that, when packed for
the voyage, the freight will not exceed 50 tons measure'
ment. Mr. Hemmings has guaranteed to deliver the
others, in order, at the rate of one per month. On Friday
an interesting service was performed in the church, and
the Archdeacon of Melbourne preached a very impressive
sermon from Ephesians, ii. 21. Full evening service was
performed, and the Archdeacon was assisted by the Rev,
Dr. Spencer and the Rev. H. G. Eland. The choristers
of Bedminster Church were also in attendance. A collet'
tion was made at the close, which amounted to about £s7'

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

MONDAY EVENING, MAY 16.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

RUSSIA.—ST. PETERSBURG, April 21st.—The cholera►
which was then raging with great violence at Moscow,
had reappeared in the Russian capital; several persoq
had died. The latest accounts state that the disease had
not made further progress, and had been confined to
isolated cases.—A telegraphic despatch received at Vienna
announces that, according to reports of the Austrian
Consulate, at Odessa, the Russians have positively sus•
pended their armaments. At Odessa no speculations
made in grain, and large quantities of corn had accumo"
lated in Southern Russia. In spite of extensive pur-
chases made by the Russian Government, prices bee
fallen, and were still falling. No other news of interest.

TATTERSALL'S—THIS DAY.
DERIIY.-3 to 1 agst West Australian ; S to 1 nest Honey"
wood ; 9 to. 1 agst Sittingbourne, taken ; 10 to 1 agst Cinees
11 to 1 agst Orestes ; 11 to 1 agst Pharos ; 12 to 1 agat Umbriel
25 to 1 agst Ninnyhammer ; 25 to 1 agst Jerry Kent; 40 to 1
agst Ethelbert ; 40 to 1 agat Peggy; 50 to 1 agst Filbert ; 100 to l
agat Golden Plover.
OAK 3.-4 to 1 agst Mistletoe.
SONIERSETSHIRE STAKES.-7 to 4 agst Audabon, taken
5 to 2 agst Diomedia, taken ; 7 to 1 agst Red Lion, talon.
FUNDS, STOCK, AND SHARE MARKBr'at an
English Funds have a healthy appearance, and dose
generally
advance. Railway Shares firmer in tone, and close
at an improvement; Caledonians in strong demand' Gold
descriptions buoyant. Crystal Palace on the rise.
Mines and Land Shama receded after opening, but slightly
rallied on purchases. In Bank Shares. no change. Mexica°
and Sardinian good ; Buenos Ayres lower. French

CLOSING PRICES.
Consols, Account .. 100 ft 2 Bank Stock 229 9
Do. Money.... J 100} Excheq. Bills, L. &S 2 601
Three&QuerCents.. 1021 .

FOREIGN
Mexicans 27 4
Do. Threes
Spanish Deferred
Do. Threes 484 9
RAILWAY
Amberg.,Nottingham,
and E. Junction —
Bristol and Exeter
Caledonian
Do. Preference
East Anglian
Eastern Counties
East Lancashire
Eastern Union A -
Ditto nand C
Edinburgh & Glasgow
Great. Northern SBi 9i
Do.
Do.
Great Western
Lanc.and Yorkshire. 79i SO4.
Do. Fifths 4i 4
Leeds Northern l6
London, Brighton, and
South Coast 1044 5i
MINING
it a- I

STOCKS.
Spanish Passives s}i
Turkish
Swedish

SHARES.
London & N. Western 118iI91
London & S. Western 90 1
Manches., Sheff., and y
30
Lincolnshire
Midland Stock
North British 3:4 6i
Do. Preference 113 17
Norfolks
North Staffordshire —
Shrewsbury and Bir-
mingham
Do. L. &N. W. guar.
S. Eastern and Dover 75
York, Newcastle, and
Berwick .. 7O 1
Do. Extension --
Do. Preference
York and N. Midland 62} 3f
Do. Preference

SHARES.
Nugget -
B. Australian
Freehold
Australasian
Colonial
Mariposa
HARES.
Peel River
South Australian
British America