The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-04-24 00:00:00

THE MURDER AT ST. HELENS.

The following has been received, in answer to a numerously-
signed memorial on behalf of George Murray, who was con-
demned to be executed for the above murder,
or rather ag-
gravated manslaughter. Both the prisoners implicated in the
affair will now escape the extreme sentence of the law. _

" Whitehall,-18th April, 1840.
" Sia,—The Marquis of Nornainiby having carefully con-
sidered your application on behalf of George Murray, 1 have
the satisfaction to acquaint you, that, under all the circum-
stances of the case, his lordship has felt warranted in advising
her Majesty to grant the prisoner a pardon, on condition of
transportation for life.-7-1 am, sir, your most obedient, hum-
ble servant, "S. M. PHILLIPS.
" Mr. J. Andrade,
" 1, Brunswick-street, Liverpool."

The Hampshire Advertiser states that gcvernment has
officially announced their selection of Southampton as the
station for the mail steamers to the West Indiesand America.

SKETCHES OF LIVERPOOL AND ITS VICINITY.

No. lI.—CONTINUED.

(Written for the Liverpool Standard)

THE FOURTH OR MOSTYN CONTRACT.
This length extends from the end of the last, in .Led-
sham parish,. to the terminus of the railway at Ches-
ter, being a distance of five miles and a half. The
excavations were computed at 450;000 cubic yards, and the
masonry and brickwork, at no less than 13,500 cubic yards.
The line here declines, the fall being from 1 in 350 to 1 in
1,367 on its approximating Chester.
This longest portion of the line, on which the work is
heavier than on any of the others, had been relinquished by
the contractors, and was taken into the hands of the com-
pany, with a view to its completion, so that the opening of
the line might not be retarded. The greater part of the
earth excavated at the north end was required for forming the
embankment at the Moston Valley, and to expedite the work
side cuttings were resorted to in the elevations on the south
side, so that the embanking latterly proceeded from both
ends. The work has been considerably impeded at this
point by the unfavourable state of the weather ; the material
excavated being principally marl or clay. Such, however,
has been the activity with which the operations have latterly
proceeded, that the whole is nearly completed. Here, in
August last, about 900 men and 40 horses' were employed,
and the work has been actively continued, wherever practi-
cable, throughout the winter.

The road in this length verges a little to the eastward, its
direction (in nearly a straight line) being about SSE. half
E., to the point of junction with the Chester and Crewe
Railway, at Brook-street, on the eastern extremity of the
city of Chester, whence runs the road to Tarvin. The
ground is of more unequal surface than that through which
pass the other portions noticed, a cutting of considerable
depth being required from the commencement of the con-
tract to the Moston Valley, or nearly half its extent ' • and
the remainder presented considerable variety of hill and dale,
and being intersected by brooks, roads, &c. requiring bridge-
work of a costly description.
The most interesting portion of this final part of the rail-
way, (and perhaps of the whole line,) is the embankment and
viaduct across the Moston valley, at the iottom of which are
the Chester and Ellesmere Canal, and a brook of considerable
size, the latter 68 feet, and the former 37 feet below the level
of the railway. Some part of the embankment is above fifty
feet in height, arid it was computed that it would require
358,000 cubic yards of earth to complete it. To facilitate the
work of embanking, a temporary wooden bridge was thrown
across while the viaduct was in course of erection, and the
whole is completed within about 40,000 cubic yards of earth-
work.

The viaduct consists of eleven arches, forty feet in height
from the surface of the canal, and in several places, 52 feet
from the foundations. The central arch, a skew-bridge on
an angle 0f45 degrees, which spans the canal, is of rusticated
ashler. and is of 45 feet in span. The other ten, (five on each
side of the valley, and forming a continuous bridge with the
centre one,) are of the same height, but smaller in span.
The piers are of corresponding rusticated, stone-work of
massy dimensions ; and the arches are turned in brick work.
Below, in order to strengthen the foundations, the piers are
united by inverted arches in the manner of culverts. The
masonry throughout is exceedingly substantial, and the
bridge, as seen from the valley, presents a light and hand-
some appearance.
The valley and the surrounding country is well wooded
and picturesque. To facilitate the operation of embanking,
a steam engine has been employed at the top of the eminence
north of the bridge, for the traction of waggons laden with
materials, which, on reaching the crown of the ascent, run
down to thei embankment on an inclined railway plane.
On approaching Chester, the railway is, for the most part,
elevated on embankments, and the views of the country are
extensive and pleasing—the Cathedral tower of the ancient
city forming a prominent object. There is a considerable
number of bridges on this part of the line, including a fine
skew bridge at the crossing of the Liverpool and Chester
turnpike road. As the railway, at its junction with the
Chester and Crewe line, is on a level with Brook-street, a
bridge will be built to carry that thoroughfare over the rail-
way. The length of the line is 14 miles and 56-100 of a mile.
The station-houses, sheds, &c., have not yet been erected,
but plans and specifications are in progress, and materials in
readiness, for the principal erections at the termini. The
whole quantity of railway, in portions, laid down, is equal to
about 15 miles of single railway, and (I learn from the last
report) about 10 per cent. only of the whole amount of earth-
work remains to be completed. Several engines and a con-
siderable number of carriages are also built; and such is the
general forward state of the whole undertaking, that I trust,
Mr. Editor, to be enabled by the month of August to supply
you with a " sketch" of the opening 'of the line, which will
furnish a more interesting paper to the.mass of your readers
than the details now submitted.

I may remark, in conclusion, that it was resolved at a
meeting of the directors of the railway, held on the 10th
instant, to issue new shares for the sum of £125,000, autho-
rised to be raised by a recent amended act of parliament, for
the completion of the works. Of this sum, however, only
£85,000. is expected to be called up. The three directors
ballotted to retire, but again eligible, were re-elected, and
the utmost cordiality has prevailed throughout.

No. 111.

THE DOCKS, QUAYS, AND SHIPPING OF

LIVERPOOL. •
It has been well said by an admired English bard,—
" Ever charming, ever new ;
When the landscape tire the view ?"
And, though, in common with all men of a somewhat poetical
or enthusiastic temperament, I should prefer, as a perma-
nency, the quiet of the country to the bustle of the town. I
may, 1 trust blamelessly, with reference to our great port,
equally exclaim,
Ever charming, ever new;
When will the Mersey tire the view?
_ .

For myself, I am. as if instinctively drawn, every leisure
hour, to the docks or quays ; and I almost begin to think
that I can smell the approach of high water, and am entirely
independent of the justly celebrated Mr. Holden, or any
other manufacturer of almatacks on this point. Ido not
remember to have gone to any one of our principal quays
or pier-heads, at any time, in summer or in winter, by night
or by .day, without seeing something new, something inte-
resting. On our outward piers, many of those congregated
watch with intense interest the approach of the vessels from
foreign ports in which they are interested, and give them
joyous welcome when they reach the quay ; or with equal
anxiety witness the departure of others on foreign and peril-
ous adventures ; and the whole becomes a scene of dramatic
amusement to even the idle spectators.
I have before stated that my friend, Mr. Alfred E- had
been abroad ; and I may add that both of us assume a touch
of seamanship, and particularly in boat-sailing. Weare both,
and I more than he, particularly curious in all nautical im-
provements. We differ on some points, on this as on some
other topics, to a considerable and almost hostile extent, until
the better argument, admitted by one or the other, confirms
our mutual friendship and respect.
I yesterday (Wednesday) regretted that my friend could
not accompany me on a short ramble round some of the
docks. The day was cloudy and hazy, but, withal, mild and
agreeable; and I strolled down James's-street, reminded, as
I past from Lord-street, of the docks, by the Custom House,
a certainly heavy pile of stone work, which, in the thinking
of my friend, usurps the site of the ancient " cradle of
Liverpool" (the Old. Dock), with no adequate claims to the
same consideration or respect. He regards it as a mere
specimen of the bulk of matter that can be raised out of a
quarry, and put together in huge, and to the sight, over-
whelming masses. Ido not altogether agree with my friend,
and shall express my own opinion, on noticing the principal
public buildings of the town. But now to my ramble.
GEORGE'S DOCK.

It is impossible for any one, who knew anything of ship-
ping even 20 years ago, to observe the changes in our corn=
mercial marine, in particular, and not to acknowledge that
both in the size of the vessels, for the respective trades for
which they are destined, as well as in their equipments and
finding,—the palm of superiority is due to the modern owners
and builders. Thirty years ago, there were few vessels of
the ordinary tonnage of our larger New York line ships, in
the kingdom, with the exception of vessels of war, or East
India-men. 'Our merchant vessels, too, from small to great
are, (independently of exterior mechanical appliances,) fitted
up, in cabin and interior accommodation, in a manner, sur-
passing all ideas of our forefathers, and showing that the
utmost cleanliness, comfort, and even palacial splendour may
be accomplished on board of ship (a floating box after all),
notwithstanding the ancient opinion that it was hopeless and
effeminate to endeavour to .overcome, in any vessel, the
offensive effluvium of tar or bilge-water,—a supposed infliction
of father Neptune for our vain attempts to tatoo" him, by
furrowing him up by our thousands of keels. We manage
these matters better now-a-days in England, and in most
other countries. Much science, and a variety of taste, are
displayed in the production of vessels ; and skill and compe-.
tition have combined to improve the character of our whole
government and mercantile marine.
George's Dock is the most central, and, therefore,- though
small, as compared with some of the others, is, from its po-
sition, one of the most important in the town. It is con-
tiguous to and parallel with Castle-street, the centre of busi-
ness, and it is thence accessible by several wide thoroughfares
at right angles, in one of which (Water-street,) leading from
the front of the Exchange, are nearly all the steam-packet
offices, in which the business of transmission is transacted,
whether as regards Wales, the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland,
in our proximity, or New York on the other side of that
puzzling and ill-natured dub called the Atlantic ocean.
George's Dock recall to memory some interesting histori-
cal facts. The Tower of Liverpool, the once residence of the
Earls of Derby, and one of whom, together with "Mr." Gros-
venor, of Eaton, was entertained by the mayor in 1566,—
stood at the bottom of Water-street, near the north-east
corner of the dock. A portion of the same building was, I
believe, afterwards used as a gaol, and was extant about
twenty years ago, but has now disappeared. In the same di-
rection, but a little further from the dock, is St. Nicholas's
Church, formerly a chapel-of-ease of the parish of Walton,
and which remained so until 1655, when Liverpool became
ecclesiastically independent. On the east side, and facing
tkniean,
enrwslaynminetssntaiwluehol e ,
ec,na
rneedextNevna whichtr standswarehouses.
stood
osecis the lofty pile of buildings
on.
tThhe,esaornriegisnitael, bwueilrdeinbgnsrnotf
a nid'htenerutinntsalclooistsininubetniiildoinbgusrininfdo rrntei pr
cwh- aarndds
soef
three minonlBtrs
was estimated at £323,000.
In this dock, vessels from any part of the world are ad-
mitted, but comparatively, few are of the largest tonnage of
those that frequent the port. On the south side are congre-
gated, stern to the quay, brigs, schooners, and sloops, chiefly
from Ireland and the south of England, with grain and other
produce. On the west side are ships, brigs, and first-class
sharp-built schooners, the last handsomely fitted up, and
chieflyemployed in the Mediterranean trade. At the north
end may be generally found foreign brigs employed in the
trade to Havana. Some of those are of fine model, and a
Polacca " may occasionally be seen amongst them. On
the east side are the larger vessels discharging or loading ;
but I may here remark, us regards all the docks, that the dis-
on the east, or town, side of the
charging is principally
dock, and that vessels for distant countries, and having a con-
siderable time to wait for a full cargo, generally haul, after
called
Dock yesterday, and but just
discharging, to the west or river side of the dock. to load:
arrived Amongst the " clippers" whichvedl observedwere
schooner i.
George's
the Trinity Yatch, formerly belonging to the maritime insti-
tution of that name ; and the barque Mischief, a rakish-
looking craft, with her masts raking
is said to be
as brother Jonathan would say. This vessel
"pretty considerably,"
-
one of the fastest out of the port. She was once the Van-
guard, a private-armed slave-vessel, and was, I learn, caught
by one of our cruisers, by stratagem or chance, rather than
fair sailing, on the coast of Africa. She underwent some
alterations in her upper works, after her arrival here a few
years ago, and still more in her rigging. She was, so far as
1 remember, a ship, when she sailed on the voyage up the
Mediterranean from which she had just returned ; but now
appears in the dubitable modern rig of a barque, with masts
and spars, and cordage enough to tear her to pieces, from
their top weight:and leverage,—including poles for the setting
(besides royals) of " sky-scrapers" and `'inoon-rakers." This
appears to me as reprehensible and dangerous as the overload-
ing of a tine, spirited, and speedy horse; and 1 feel assured that,
as a three-masted schooner, with a couple of light topsails,
the " Mischief" would be uch more safe, and paradoxical
as it may be, much more "mmischievous" than now. As for
the " barque" rig—now becoming so common—l almost
agree with my friend Alfred, that it is a sort of paltry
merely to save the wages of
t
coin-
promise between a ship and a brig, marring the look and
aoften i
harry
the sailingtw o in ofni
aanfiangei vessel,ng
the
mizen topsail and topgallant-
sail. As my friend 'belongs to the old school, nothing will
reconcile him to the naked pole stuck in the tail of a fine
vessel,—that, to look well, and sail well too, he considers
should, under all contingencies, be square rigged throughout.
He goes the length of asserting, that if this rig be adopted by
the Navy, " Rule Britannia" may for ever be expunged-from

our national songs ; but in this I do not coincide, inasmuch
as, independently of sails, I opine that we shall be fully com-
petent to cope with any foes that may rise against us, by
force of steam—that mighty agent in the new mechanical
world. Our government have nothing to do but to secure
the exclusive services of Messrs. Fawcett, Preston, and Co.
in the making of steam-engines and great guns, to secure us
as complete a triumph over our foes as was achieved by Go-
vernor Elliott, when he pitched his red-hot balls into the
combustible hulls of the Spanish junk ships, in Gibraltar• Bay.
At the south-west corner of George's Dock lies

TINE MARINERS' CRURCII,
Formerly the Tees, sloop of war, of 28 guns,—a frigate built
vessel. She is an object of considerable interest to strangers,
and passers by will be gratified by a visit to this floating tem-
ple. The bow of the vessel is of very tine mould, and she is
anything but wall-sided, having fine and rounded bearings
amidships ; but she is rather deficient in length, and above all
in transome, being tucked in astern so as to leave little sup-
port abaft to weather a gale. Though still, however, a strong
vessel, and retained on the admiralty lists as one of our " thou-
sand" ships, it is questionable whether she will ever again be
put in requisition as a man of war. In all probability, she
will continue as a sanctuary, from which the doctrine of peace
and good will towards all men will long be inculcated.
The interior of the Mariners' Church is spacious, and
neatly and appropriately fitted up. The body, or lower part
is fitted with seats having backs. The pulpit is raised a little,
and on the " starboard" or right side of it is the seat for the
family of the minister, and on the " larboard" side a similar one
for the committee. There is a gallery all round, formed on the
main deck, from which an oval portion has been cut out. The
front of it is neatly empanelled and painted in oak, as are the
the pillars. The altar is neat, and the commandments, the
apostles' creed, and the Lord's prayer, inscribed in compart-
ments, divided by pilasters, painted in resemblance of veined
marble. The gallery extends round the altar, and there is ano-
ther above it, for the accommodation of the Sunday-school
children connected with the church. The roof is raised from
the upper deck, fore and aft, 'to a considerable height, and
the sides of this erection being glazed from end to'end (be-
sides several port holes below), the whole is well and cheer-
fully lighted. The ship will accommodate about 1000 hear-
ers, and I am glad to learn that even during the severe
winter months the attendance was every Sunday from GOO to
700 persons, including many of the most respectable ladies
and-gentlemen of the town, who befriend this excellent esta-
blishment; and that on the .last day of worship it was quite
full. The annual meeting will take place this day. The
officiating clergyman is the Rev. Mr. Maynard.
An intelligent old seaman, named Walker, who has been
appointed by.the Admiralty to take charge of the ship, and
who is keeper of the church, politely shewed me all through
the vessel. The original after-cabin, lighted from the stern,
is converted into a vestry-room, and is neat and well furnish-
ed. On one side are closets, and on the other the library
for the supply of mariners with religious works at a cheap
rate. The whole establishment is supported by subscriptions
and voluntary contributions. I was much pleased with a
visit to Mr. Walker's private cabin, or domicile, on the up-
per deck. It is a neat, well furnished, cheerful little room.
On the chest of drawers stands a model of a church, with a
tower, made of mahogany, with holly railings, ballustrades,
and ornaments of holly. By turning a handle, a fair imita-
tion of a peal of bells is produced from wires within. This is the
work of the good old tar himself, with very humble tools,
and is credi'able to him. He has here also a model of one
of those East India or Ceylon boats, that, being very narrow,
are kept from upsetting, when under sail, by two outriggers,
or poles, to windward, to which is affixed a log of wood,
sharpened at either end like a canoe, and parallel with the
boat. The model also shows the manner in which the sail is
set. The sight of it brought us to a long, and, to us, inter-
esting conversation on boat-sailing, in which the old tar had
had much experience in the south of England and abroad,
and I took my leave of him with a resolution to pay him an
early visit in his floating home.

GEORGE'S PIER.

From the Floating Church I sauntered to the Pier-head.
The day was cloudy and inclined to rain, but the air was
mild, and the water smooth, and hundreds were hurrying, on
pleasure or business, to and from the river steam-boats.
The shouts of the boatmen were ever and anon heard—
" Now for Eastham !"—" Now for Woodside !"—" Now
for the Rock !"—" Now for Birkenhead !"—nor did they
shout in vain, for multitudes crowded their decks, and over
the hum of conversation rose the sound of little bands of
music, with horns, the scraping of a fiddle or' two, or the
tinkling of an Italian wire organ, from on board. Sailing
and row boats were also in requisition, so smooth and in-
viting was the bosom of old Mersey, upon which the light
air from the northward scarcely raised a ripple. The white
houses on the Cheshire shore were, in the morning, but
visible through the haze, which mellowed down, to apparent
clouds, the more distant and elevated parts of the landscape.
What a contrast did this placid though busy scene present
to that witnessed from the• same spot during the last great
storm, when the. tide driven from the western ocean by the
fury of the hurricane, rose much above its usual height, and
roused into tumultuous waves, rolled over the whole line of
sea-wall, and rose in showers of foaming spray that reached
across the whole extensive aera, between the pier and the
dock ! When some vessels were dragged from anchorage and
wreckedor disabled, while others that held on rocked and lifted.
on billows scarcely inferior to those of the Atlantic in a storm ;
when the basins and quay walls were strewed with pieces of
wreck, and many lives as well as much property fell a prey,
on shore and on the water, to the indiscriminating devasta-
tion ! These awful visitations are, however, rare, and I re-
vert to them only as a reminiscence which may tend to lessen
the arrogant pretensions of our species, to teach them that
all our science, our philosophy, our mechanics, are vain and
impotent when placed in contact with the elements, thus
wielded for inscrutible purposes by the great Author of the
universe. I continued my ramble to