The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-12 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE.

The general weekly meeting of the Dock'Committee was
held yesterday in the Dock-office, Custom-house. The fol-
lowing members were present :—Messrs. Benn, Barclay,
Yates, Taos. Holt, Holmes. Smith, Horsfalli Ripley, Tobin,
Dixon, Martin, Gladstone, Segar, and G. Holt. The de-
puty chairman, M r. Benn, presided.
The SECRETARY read a letter from Mr. Richardson, con-
taining a description and specification of a new life-boat which
he had invented. A model of the boat was also placed Oil
the table, and it was stated that the inventor considered it a
very suitable vessel fur the Hoylake station.
Mr. TourN thought the present life-boat establishment
could not be improved. There were already nine life-boats,
and there was no occasion for any addition.
The MARINE SURVEYOR, having been called in for the
purpose of giving his opinion on the boat, said he was de-
cidedly of opinion that it could not be properly managed by
the crews of the present boats. if it were adopted it would
be necessary to keep it afloat, and in heavy seas he thought it
would -be unmanageable. One great objection to it was
its great draught of water.
Mr. YATES enquired whether it would not be desirable to
have a life-boat afloat?
The MARINE SURVEYOR thought not.

Mr. G. HOLT said the first question to be considered was,
whether the present system could be improved, and the next,
whether the adoption of Mr. Richardson's boat would afford
the necessary improvement.
The MARINE SURVEYOR did not think that the present
plan could be improved. The great object was to have such
boats as the men could easily manage, but this could not be
managed without great difficulty.
Mr. YATES had great respect for the opinions of the Ma-
rine Surveyor, but must say that there were some advantages
about Mr. Richardson's boat not possessed by those on the
life-boat establishment. It was a deck boat ; there was a
small cabin in which persons in a drowning state might be
placed and assistance comfortably administered to them. If
►t accomplished this object, he contended it would be worth
while trying whether the difficulty arising from the size and
weight of the vessel could not be. overcome. It was surely
worth laying out £2OO. to ascertain the practicability of sav-
ing life and property. As to the sailing qualities of the boat,
he had said to Mr. Richardson—`• You will never sail this
vessel against a storm ?" and his reply was that he intende
her to sa►l only *here a pilot-boat would sail.
The MARINE SURVEYOR pointed out a variety of techniea
objec.ions to the boat, and ultimately the discussion termi-
nated by the subject being referred to the Life Boat Com-
mittee.

The SECRETARY reported that he had received a letter
from the owners of the New York packet-ship, dated Green-
ock, 9th June, relative to the damage to the Queen light-
ship, by the collision which we reported in our last. The
letter stated, that as the New York was in charge of a rezu-
lar pilot, they had written to the Pilots' Committee, by whom
all the circumstances were being investigated, and they re-
quested that no legal proceedings might be taken until the
decision of that committee had been pronounced. The letter
was ordered to lie on the table.

The NORTH HARBOUR MASTER reported that Robert
Smith, a gateman at the Waterloo Dock, was drowned on
Sunday night. -It appeared that he had gone down the steps
for some purpose, and that he had accidentally fallen into the
water. Policeman No. 25, who was on duty, dived twice after
the unfortuuate man : the first time he brought the body to
the surface of the water, but was unable to retain his hold,
and the second he was totally unsuccessful. In consequence
of this accident a vacancy had occurred.
Mr. HORSFALL asked whether the committee had power
to award any gratuity to the police-officer for his praiseworthy
conduct?

The SECRETARY replied in the affirmative.
Mr. TOBIN said, in that case it would be better to give the
man something now, than wait to be asked for it.
The CHAIRMAN said application should be made to Mr.
Whitty on the subject.
The CHAIRMAN read a letter from Mr. Porter, requesting
the loan of a 15 fathom chain, for the purpose of testing its
strength against his own, or of trying some experiment of
that nature.

After a desultory conversation, the application was refused.
Mr. GLADSTONE.—Are you in a position now to report to
this committee the state and progress of the dock bill? We
have never had any report upon it yet.
The CHA iumAN.—We have nothing now to report. No-
thing more has transpired since the special meeting at which
the report was read. The committee met on Friday last, but
in consequence of some misunderstanding about the business
to be proceeded with on that day, they were not able to go on,
and they adjourned till Monday.
Mr. GLADSTONE.—With regard to the expense of the bill
—is there any way of ascertaining it, or can you give me
any information ?

The CHAIRMAN.—I am not aware of the expense. I can-
not say what it has been.
Mr. GLADSTONE.—I presume you must have some idea of
what amount has been expended already. Can you tell how
much ?

The CHAIRMAN.—I have no idea at all. I cannot tell
indeed.

Mr. GLADSTONE.—Perhaps you can, Mr. Mason ?
The SECRETARY.—I cannot indeed.
Mr. ToßlN.—lt can be furnished; can it not?
Mr. HORSFALL.—Yes ; the treasurer may tell what he has
advanced.

The conversation then terminated, and the committee ad-
journed. _

THE ARCHIMEDES STEAM YACHT.—This vessel, having
on board Captain Chappell, R.N., and Mr. Smith, the in-
ventor of her mode of propulsion. sailed yesterday morning
for Glasgow, whence she will depart for the continent, hav- •
ing first shewn her powers at Newcastle, Hull, and the other
ports onthe eastern coast of Great Britain.
It wiil be observed that the anniversary sermon of the
Church of England Schools will be preached this year by the
Rev. R. W. Evans, rector of Tarven, and fellow of Trinity ..
College, Cambridge. Most of onr readers are probally aware
that this gentleman is the author of that beautiful and poll:
lar little work entitled `• The Rectory of Valehead." If 0
a hundredth part of the persons who have been delighted. withtd
the rev. gentleman's writing should seek to become fiequaelleare
with the character of his delivery, from the pulpit,
venture to promise the patrons of these schools a
addition to their treasury upon the occasion. inwaterial