The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-03-08 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY TEST OF ANCHORS.

THERE are few inventions of more importance to our
marine greatness than that of an Anchor of perfect
construction, both in form and material ; and it is
therefore tle more gratifying to notice the many recent
improvemetts in this implement, and the praiseworthy
regard for the safety of our mercantile marine, as shown
by the Adniralty in the severe tests to which the diffe-
rent anchors submitted to competition were exposed. We
gave last leek the final result of the Admiralty trials, by
which it appeared that the palm was awarded to the
anchor krown as TuormAN's, which are manufactured by
Messrs. 11. WOOD and Co., of Liverpool, and of the Dee
Ironworls, Chester. It will be remembered that a gene-
ral trial if the anchors of all nations took place last year,
and at tlat time it was proved thatTnorm AN's improvement
of Pontes patent anchor, as manufactured by Messrs.
Woon,vas fully forty per cent.superior , in the most valuable
qualities, to the Admiralty and other anchors which were
tested it these trials. The tremendous hurricane which
swept ever the Mersey on Saturday, the 26th ult., afforded,
however, an unexpected but at the same time most
valuate additional testimony to the superiority .of these
anchors. The trial was no longer the steady artificia
strain to which the Admiralty had subjected the various
anchors, but the rude blast of the hurricane and the
heavy swell of the mighty waves which had to be with-
stood. The anchor was put to its real use ;it was tested
by tle Lona fide process to guard against which it was
designed; and the real advantage was apparent when the
storri had done its work, and left many a wreck to tell
the tale of its fury and the danger of inefficient anchors.
One of the most striking illustrations was afforded by the
Constitution, of New York, a ship of 1,600 tons, which,
with anchors and cables of WOOD'S manufacture, safely
rode out the gale under the most trying circumstances.
In offerings testimonial to the great merit of the anchor,
which had done him such good service, Captain JOHN
Barrpon says, in a letter to Messrs. Wool) and
Co. _

"My ship the Constitution, of New York, 1,600 tons
register, with cables and anchors of your make, safely
rode out in the Mersey the great gale of Saturday last
(Fel. 26th).
" A perfect hurricane blowing at the time, with the
tide running ten knots an hour, two sh4ss—the Atlas, of
Baltimore, '350 tons, and the Anna Rich, of Boston, 750
tons register—were driven from their anchorage, broad-
side upon the Constitution ; and the three ships being so
locked together for about half an hour, your cables and
anchors 'were thus submitted to an enormous strain,
which,l am happy to say, they perfectly resisted.
" It affords me pleasure to certify this circumstance as
a testimony due to the superior quality of your manu-
facture."

One of the most trying tests of the capabilities of an
anchor ivthe sudden strain when checking a vessel just
launched, and in this respect the following letter will
prove amply satisfactor•

" Liverpool,-7th March, 1853.
" Messrs. .Henry Wool and Co.
"Gentlemen,—At the launch lately of the Maha
Ranee, upwards of 1!OO tons register, built by Messrs.
Piele, Scott, and Co., of Workington, we had a capital
opportunity of testirg the properties of-Tratman's Patent
Andean, •and are s) highly pleased with the result that
we beg to return our thanks to you for having induced us
to take these patent anchors in preference to common.
They thoroughly:ehecked the course of the ship, and were
found ,more deeply imbedded in the ground than when
first placed. hitherto, in launching vessels there with
common anchors, the latter invariably jumped out of the
ground, at imminent risk of damage to the ship.
" Your cables also we are highly pleased with, as they
sustained, without breaking, the enormous strain of check-
ing the vesrel,
" We remain., Gentlemen, yours most respectfully,
(Signed) " BUSHBY and EDWARDS, owners.
" P.S. -- The patent anchors are about thirty per cent.
lighter than the weights required by Lloyd's for common
anchors."

Another ,striking illustration of the advantage of these
anchors was afforded in the instance of the large American
packet-ship-New'World, which at the time of the hurri-
cane had only one anchor down, and that one TROTMAN'S
patent, supplied by Mes3rs. Woon and Co., but fully 20
cwt. lighter than a .common anchor would have been re-
quired by •LLovO'.3 regulations. Yet she rode out the
storm in perfect safety, while many a goodly ship, which
had not such anchors to rely upon, were driven ashore,
and met with other casualties.

It is almost impossible to over-estimate the importance
of an invention the efficacy of which has been,established
by such signal proofs. It has not only stood the severest
tests when thrown open to unrestricted competition with
the best anchors by other makers, but in the tale to
which we have referred it was the means of saving much
valuable property at a time when other vessels not-so well
armed were suffering by the fury of the blast. .All that
was wanted by the shipping interest was an anchor, the
properties of which had been well tried and proved, and
as this result has now been afforded in the case of ',nog.-
MAN'S patent, shipowners .will be culpable who do .not
avail themselves of the advantage thus afforded, and we
shall hear less frequently of ships driving from their an-
chorage. There can be no doubt that the Admiralty will
avail themselves of this valuable invention, and it has
even been suggested that underwriters should insist on
.their being taken to sea beforeadmitting a ship to be fully
'seaworthy.

AFFECTING STORY OF A FEMALE EMI-
GRANT AT BIR.L.ENHEAD.

..m0..--.--

A.few days ago, a poor woman, named Elizabeth Smith,
with tier child, arrived from London at Birkenhead, en
route tosthe Antipodes, whither she was going to join her
husband. it appeared that her husband was transported
to Western Australia four years ago, and through his
good conduct and attention he had recently obtained a
ticket of leave, and the government immediately con.
sented to his sending for his wife, offering to pay half
her passage money. A few days ago she received orders
from government to proceed to Birkenhead to embark,
but being unprovided with necessaries, she applied
to Mr. Day, the vestry• clerk of St. George's, Lon.
don, who forthwith waited with her upon Mr. A'Beckett,
at the Southwark Police-office, having ascertained
that the pari±h authorities could not assist her.
The amiable police magistrate, Mr. A'Beckett, after
thoroughly investigating her case, handed over sufficient
money to purchase the necessaries from the poor-box,
which enabled the poor, deserving woman to join her hus-
band in a. foreign land ; but still there remained something
to pay her fare to Birkenhead, which was soon subscribed
for. On Saturday week the poor woman, accompanied by
Mr. Day, waited upon Mr. A'Beckett to thank him for
his kindness, and informed his worship that, through the
liberality afforded by the poor-box, she had been supplied
w?th clothing and every necessary for herself and child,
and that she was to leave London on Sunday.
This case is one among many others which gives proof
of the great good which is effected by the subscriptions
which are forwarded by a generous public to the poor-
boxes of police courts for distribution at the discretion of
the magistrates. Only a few weeks ago a gentleman sent
£5O, and others smaller sums to enable a widow named
Escott to proceed with her seven children to Australia ;
her three eldest being. entirely provided for by Mr. Sidney
Herbert's Female Emigration Society, but the mother
and young ones were not eligible. All the money, how-
ever, has been absorbed by paying the high rate of passage ;
therefore, although the public have been very liberal to
them, time i§ not §ufkient to pay for Mir putfitg.

THE ROSCOE CENTENARY.

On the near approach of the popular ovation to the
memory of our greatest townsman, the most ardent
anticipations of success are indulged. AU the tickets
for the breakfast at the Philharmonic-hall had been se-
cured yesterday. It is confidently expected that Sir Ed.
ward Bulwer Lytton will honour the occasion with his
presence. The Earl of Sefton and the Lord Bishop of
Chester will be present. An anthem, composed by Roscoe
himself, has been discovered, and this will be performed,
on the company assembling, by Mr. Sudlow and a staff of
musicians. After breakfast the proceedings will open by
an address from Lord 'Sefton ; and then an address will be
delivered by one of th e present, in reference to
'the literary labours of Roscoe, his personal qualities, and
distinguished philanthropy. A sentiment will be given,
to which a member of Mr. Roscoe's family will respond.
'Other addresses will succeed, and the company will break
up shortly after one o'clock.
The opening of the Tree Public Museum in Slater-
street will be an event of great interest. No more com-
plete collection exists inEurope than the one to which we
are indebted to the Earl of Derby. In the centre of the
largest of the four apartments, we may remark, is the
model of Liverpool, which was exhibited at the Crystal
Palace.
The Museum opened, there will be a gathering of the
old friends of Roscoe, esteemed and venerable gentlemen,
who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, at the Royal
'lnstitution, and they will•be joined by the members of the
various learned societies,-when Mr. J. B. Yates, on behalf
of Mr. Sandbach, the president of the institution, will
deliver an address.
The soirée given by the Mayor this evening will, it is
expected, be a brilliant affair. More than 1,000 guests
• have been invited. His worship was, of course, unable to
extend his hospitality on this occasion to all who think
they have a right to his consideration. One of the Mayor's
angry correspondents, when told by his worship that the
rooms would only hold a certain number, replied with
terrible facetiousness thatinvite thinner
would hold twice the num-
ber, if he would only thinner people ! The follow-
ing will be the order of the arrangements at the soiree :
NINE-O'CLOCK.

The reception,. promenade, and examination of the specimens
of art and science m the drawing-rooms and small ballroom.
Tea, coffee, and ices in the centre room.
HALF-PAST NINE O'CLOCK.

music, by a few members of the Liverpool Philharmonic
Society, who have kindly volunteered their assistance, under
the direction of W. Sudlow, .Esq.
PA RT ./.

" Who shall Win my lady fair." .... Purcell,
Miss Stott, Miss Sharpe, Messrs. band, Haswell, Graham,
H. Sudlow, Lloyd, and Armstrong.

FOUR-PART SONG ."
I know a maiden." - Halton
Messrs. Hand, Haswell, Graham, H. Sudlow, Lloyd,
and Armstrong.
"The Skylarlc"
Miss iiiott

Hatton,

Soto—Piano-forte.. Selection ftam-the "Leider aline Norte."
Mr. Toms. plendelsaohn.
TEN O'CLOCK.

Promenade, and examination of the specimen and microscope
tables, at•which the following gentlemen will attend to give
information—

Illustrated Books.. Mr. Picton and Mr. Fernibough.
Miscellaneous Zoology and Botany.. Dr. Dickenson and Mr

T. C. Archer.
Local Antiquities.. Dr. Hume and Mr. Mayer.
Rare Manuscripts and Books of Art...fosenbßrooks Yates, Esq
Original. Letters of Roscoe, and Articles.of Vert . Mr.
Boardman, (whose property they are.)
_ _ _

Architectural and Mealinical Models, -and.kereeiscopes.. Mr
H. P. Horner and Mr. New•lands.

Microscopes

Drs. Inman and J. B. Edwuids, and Messrs
Byerly and Cauty.
liv',.LF-PAST TEN O'CLOCK.
MUSIC--PART 11.

MADRIGAL " O'er desert plains" Waelren t
Miss Stott, Miss Sharpe, Messrs. Hand, Ludlow,
Graham, --Haswell, Lloyd, and Armstrong.

Solo—Violin

"TremblO",

De Beriot

Mr. Thomas.
TOUR-PART SONG .. "The Nightingale" Mendelssohn,
Miss Stott, Miss Sharpe, Messrs. H. Sudlow• and Armstrong.
Soho " Oh, lizten, dearest lady" Balfe,
Mr. Armstrong._

"The Squirrel" (words 13‘. Roscoe).. Sir.G.Rmart,
Messrs Hand, Graham, H. Sudlow, and Armstrong.
Mr. Toms will.preside at the Piano-forte.
At Eleven o'clock the Refreshment-room will be opened.

It is understood that the gentleman appointed to deliver
the leading address will read it, in compliance with the
wishes of the principal members of the committee. They
think that in that way it will be more formal and official
than any speech could be, however eloquently composed
and rhetorically uttered.
To commemorate the occasion, a beautiful bronze bust
of Roscoe, said to be faithful by those best able to judge,
has been published by Mr. Flower, of Bold-street. A
Collection of Roscoe's Poems, a sketch of his birth-place,
his well-known poem of " The Butterfly's Ball and the
Grasshopper's Feast," and a medal, bearing an excellent
likeness of the historian, have also been issued.
Mr. Harold Herdman, son of Mr. W. G. Herdman,
artist, of this town, has prepared models, it is said, of the
birth-place, residence, and the place where our celebrated
townsman, Roscoe, died, by the order of the Mayor, to
be exhibited at the soiree.

THE EMPEROR OF Russt 1 has appointed Joseph Boyce,
Esq., J.P., his consul for Dublin. _

SUDDEN DEATHS.—On Sunday, Ebenezer Powell,
tailor, residing in Botanic-terrace, took suddenly ill, and
expired in a few moments.—John Carmichael, clothier,
died suddenly, of apoplexy, at his house, No. 4, Great
Crosshall-street, yesterday morning about three o'clock.

BOY BURNED TO DEATH.—John Clifton, a boy four
years of age, residing with his parents at No. 11, Aston.
street, Park, died on Saturday, from the effect of some
burns which he accidetttally received a few days before.
The poor little fellow had endured great agony ere death
closed his sufferings.

CHILD FOUND IN A CIGAR Box.—About 11 o'clock
on the forenoon of Sunday last, the attention of the
police-constable on duty in that neighbourhood was
drawn to the burial ground of St. Patrick's Chapel, Tox-
teth Park, where a boy named William Kane had acci-
dently discovered the body of a child in a cigar box. It
was immediately conveyed to the dead house, and an in-
quest will, we believe, be held to-day. The child is sup-
poged, from appearances, to bane been still-born.