The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-03 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE

The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held in
the Custom-house yesterday. The following members were
present :—Messrs. Horsfall, Dixon, Ripley, Yates, Barclay,
Thomas Holt, Holmes, Gladstone, Hornby, and Mellor.
Mr. Horsfall was appointed chairman.
The SECRETARY read a report from the Marine Surveyor,
suggesting the necessity of a buoy with a bell and perch
being placed so as to mark the position of the Cole Rock.
A short conversation took place, in which it was stated
that the committee had no power to order a buoy to be
placed in the position recommended, although they fully
estimated its utility in that dangerous place, as it rested with
the Trinity Board. Eventually a resolution was passed, or-
dering the Secretary to transmit to the Trinity Board a copy
of the Marine Surveyor's report.
The CHAIRMAN said the next business would be to con-
sider who should be appointed the printer and the stationer
to the committee for the current half year. The stationer
for the past half year had been Mr. Robinson, of Castle-
street, and the printer, Mr. Harris.
The SECRETARY, in answer to a question, said that Mr.
Hodgson, a very respectable man, in Lord-street, had not
yet had the printing.
Mr. RIPLEY said Mr. Pannell had not yet had it.
Mr. HORNDY believed Mr. Hodgson to be a respectable
man ; he did not however know him, but had on one occasion
bought some steel pens at his shop.
Mr. GLADSTONE asked whether it had been given to all
the newspaper offices yet?
The SECREXARY.—Yes.
Mr. GLADSTONE.—Have Lace and Addison had it ?

The SECRETARY.—NO.
Mr. GLADSTONE knew that Mr. Kaye had had it, and
that the proprietors of the Mercury had also. He would
move now that Messrs. Lace and Addison be appointed
printers and stationers to the committee for the current half
year.
Mr. RIPLEY seconded the motion.
The motion was unanimously adopted.
The SECRETARY read a memorial from certain rate-payers
and inhabitants of Seacombe, Egremont, and New Brighton,
representing the importance of providing suitable facilities to
the passengers to and from these places, for crossing the
southern gut of Prince's Dock. By the present arrange-
ments a delay of 20 minutes was caused. The memorialists
suggested that a gut bridge be erected, as at George's Dock.
The CHAIRMAN said this matter had been several times
under the consideration of the committee. Mr. Hartley's
attention had been called to it, but there had been some im-
pediments—he did not know what—to prevent any altera-
tions. He suggested that the memorial be again referred to
the surveyor to report.
The suggestion of the Chairman was adopted.
The SECRETARY then proceeded to read a letter from the
Chairman of the committee, (who is now in London,) rela-
tive to the bill now pending before parliament. The letter
was read in too low a tone to enable the reporters to catch
the words, but we believe the following will be found a cor-
rect summary of its contents. It was dated July Ist, and it
desired the secretary to inform the committee of the result
of the uegociations which had hitherto taken place upon the
dock and warehouse bills. The decision of the committee of
the House of Commons yesterday was that the promoters of
the Harrington and Herculaneum bills should have the option
of taking their bills now, with the condition of clauses being
inserted forbidding them from building warehouses, and for
the protection and security of the dock estate, or that they
might wait the decision of the Liverpool committee upon the
dock and warehouse bills. This decision was, the chairman
believed, unexpected by all pities, and Mr. Lace and Mr.
North were unprepared to give any advice. The com-
mittee consequently adjourned till the following day to
give time for the preparation of the proposed clauses. The
chairman added that till the decision of the parties upon this
matter was known it would be impossible to give any opinion
upon the future progress of the bill. In a postscript, how-
ever, the chairman added that it had just been announced to
Messrs. Parker and Preston, that the promoters of the Har-
rington and Herculaneum dock bills had decided to go on
with their bills, so that the dock committee must wait to see
what their future proceedings would be.
Mr. GLADSTONE congratulated the committee upon hav-
ing these very regular reports of the progress of events in
London.

Mr. YATES said that when he gave his evidence before the
parliamentary committee he suggested conciliation, and re-
gretted the waste of public money that would follow if that
course were not taken.

The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Yates whether he had any mo.
tion to propose.
.

Mr. YATES replied in the negative

After a desultory discussion upon subject of the telegraphs,
Mr. Yates and Mr. Ripley were appointed a sub-committee
to visit the several stations, and to report the several altera-
tions and improvements which they might think necessary.
The committee then separated.

We understand that Dr. Bowring has accepted:the invita-
tion to dine with the liberal electors of the united borough of
Penryn and Falmouth ; but public business will prevent his
leaving town before •the 16th of next month.— West Briton.
PRINCE ALBERT'S MOUSTACHIOS.-4' It is not true,"
says a correspondent, " that Prince Albert has shaved of
his mustachios !" Doubtless this will be delightful intelli-
gence to multitudes of young fellows who, ever since Prince
Albert's arrival in this country, have been sedulously culti-
vating tips, whiskers, and moustachios ; and who were sadly
perplexed at the rumour of the last few days, that her Ma-
jesty had actually prevailed upon her royal .consort to shave
his upper liP.---Morning Herald.

THE " BRITANNIA" STEAM-SHIP,
FOR THE LIVERFOOL, HALIFAX, AND BOSTON ROYAL

MAIL STATION

This is another fine specimen of the skill and ingenuity of
our northern fellow-countrymen in the production of beau-
tiful and fast-sailing steam-vessels, and one, too, of larger

size than has hitherto been built in Scotland. A noble ri-
valry has, indeed, arisen between this port and Glasgow, in
particular, in the construction not only of steam-ships, but

of marine engines ; and as both towns thereby derive great
and mutual advantages, from immediate intercourse, as well
as, it may be said, they will now do from transatlantic traffic
by steam, we trust they will go on in the same good fellow-
ship, their only emulation being, by new discoveries, inven-
tions, and adaptations, to give increased efficiency to the
application of that mighty agent which has already worked
such gigantic commercial improvements on sea and ou shore,
and which yet promises to be a principal agent in spreading
the blessings of civilization and refinement throughout the

whole of the habitable world.
Entertaining these feelings, it will not, we trust, be deemed
that our expression of them is a prelude to an overstrained
or exaggerated account of the vessel now under review. All
we desire is to do justice ; but such have, within the last year
or two, been the rapid improvements made in steam-ships,
both as regards their size and equipments, and the construc-
tion of their hulls and engines, that we have found some diffi-
culty in describing, in adequate terms, the new wonders
which science, enterprise, and taste, arc constantly adding to
this department of our marine. We shall shortly have to
notice two new ocean-going steam-ships, and another that

may be considered equal tonew„all now fitting up for sea at

our own port. That they are all first-rate ships There exists
no question, both as respects hulls and engines ; but as the
manner in which their cabin accommodations are planned is
very different, we shall probably in noticing them not precisely
concur in opinion with many of our readers, inasmuch as, to
a certain extent, a matter of taste only is involved. We must
endeavour, however, to do our best, and as we wish them all
well, we shall not, at least, be amenable to a charge of par-

tiality. But to proceed.
The Britannia arrived at this port from Glasgow, on Fri-
day morning. after a fine passage of 17 hours, and is now lying
on the north side of the Coburg Dock. She was built (as we
noticed some time ago) by Niessrs. R. Duncan and Co.,
Greenock. We need scarcely state that she is of the best
materials, and put together in a manner to give entire satis-
faction to the government surveyor appointed to superintend
her. She was launched on the sth of February, and has
since received her engines from the long-celebrated Mr.
Robert Napier, of the Vulcan Foundry, Glasgow, who, we
learn, also directed and superintended the construction of the
hull. She is the first vessel yet completed of the four en-
gaged by Government to carry the mails between Liverpool
and our North American colonies—a project which originated,

it remembered, with Mr. S. Cunard, of Halifax,
Nova Scotia, and in which he was joined by a party of enter-
prising and influential gentlemen in Glasgow. all of whom
(proprietors of these vessels) have now formed themselves
into The British and North American Royal Mail Steam

Ship Company."
The following are the dimensions, &c., of the Britannia
Length over all
Length of keel 2lO
Beam
Depth of hold
Admeasurement
Horse-power of engines
Diameter of each paddle-wheel
Diameter of cylinders

1200 tons.
440
28 feet.
72 inches

Although we some weeks ago furnished an account of this
vessel from a Glasgow paper, we cannot, in justice to our
northern neighbours, do less than give our own notice, not
doubting but it will be corroboratiie of what has already
been written on the subject.
The model of the Britannia is all that can be desired by
the admirers of modern improvements in the architecture of
steam-ships—combining sharpness with sufficiency of bear-
ing. She is truly a beautiful vessel, and is finished in the
best and most tasteful manner. She has a fine bold full-
length painted figure of Britannia as a head, with a helmet,
spear, and shield, and on each side are the lion and unicorn,
and the rose, thistle, and shamrock, carved in alto and gilded.
Her stern and quarter galleries are also handsomely carved.
She is neatly rigged, as a three-masted schooner, with fore
and main topsails and topgallant sails, and appears as if she
could carry a very considerable breadth of canvas.
On stepping on board, the visitor will immediately perceive
that the arrangements of the cabins and their appendages are
on a novel plan. There is a flush deck. In the middle of it
are erected, at the stern, the captain and the second officers
respective cabins, and next to these are the saloon and the
steward's pantry, all under one continuous roof. Further
forward are several minor erections, including rooms for
the other principal officers, the cooking and other conve-

mencics.
THE SALOON.—There is a space between this deck apart-
ment and the bulwarks of the ship on each side, forming a
spacious promenade, widening from the stern of the vessel
forwards ; and to the lobby between it and the steward's
pantry there is an entrance from either side. The saloon is
a handsome oblong square apartment, entirely per se, and
having therefore no immediate connection with the sleeping
apartments. It is about thirteen yards in length, and is
cheerfully lighted by six windows on each side, each consist-
ing of two large squares of plate glass fixed in mahogany.
The style of the empanelling and decorations is Elizabethean,
and the whole is neatly and chastely painted in oak of various
shades. The room is completely surrounded with fixture
sofas, upholstered in figured hair-cloth, and along these,
longitudinally, are two rows of handsome mahogany tables.
with moveable sofas on the opposite side, so that sufficient space
is left in the middle for the passage of the company or the
waiters. The tables and central sofas or seats, are so con-
structed that they may be compressed or extended in length
at pleasure. The larger panels round the rooms are appa-
rently carved in oak, in reliero, and are much admired for
their simplicity and effect. In the centre of each, alternately,
is a medallion likeness of Queen Elizabeth, and Sir Walter
Raleigh, surrounded by floriated ornaments, filling up the
whole in a tasteful and classical manner, and without any
gilding. Our readers will be surprised when they are in-
formed that the whole of this " carving" is embossed or
highly raised in leather, which promises from its elasticity
and other qualities, to be highly durable. The panels of the
door of the saloon, in still higher relief, and containing
classical figures and embellishments ; and also- the " carved"
portion of the handsome cornice, are of the same material,
and look rich and beautiful ; so that we should not be at all
surprised should the old adage be revived (in reference, for.
the first time, to the elegant cabins of ships), that " there is
nothing like leather." The roof of the saloon is neatly
groined, also in oak ; and the beams that span it are sup-
ported by neatly carved brackets or trusses, the upper portion
of each of which is a classical figure, with the hands crossed
on the top of the head, as supporters.
Immediately facing the entrance to the Saloon, and sepa-
rated from it only by the breadth of the passage or lobby, is
the STEWARD'S PANTRY. A handsome timepiece, in a
richly carved and gilt case, faces the entrance, fixed to a
central partition or division dividing the apartment in two,
but leaving a passage on each side. At the bottom part of
this division there is a spacious table, that may be reduced
in size by folding leaves. Above this table, and all round
the room, are shelves ingeniously contrived for the safe re-
ception of dishes, plates, glasses, &c. Along each side are
also spacious tables or counters, with drawers below. The
roof is completely hung with wine-glasses, of a rich pattern,
vegetable and fruit dishes with bottoms, and a variety of
other articles. At each corner are glass cases or cupboards
for the plate, which has a very splendid appearance. Water
is here introduced in a very convenient manner, for all the
purposes required by that " prince of good fellows" on board
of ship, the steward. We had almost forgotten to notice,
though it is immediately under the clock, and facing the
visitor as he enters, the " tap" or rather bar engine, pre-
cisely similar in appearance to those used in the bars of inns
for pumping malt liquors from the cellars. Though the form
and handles are, however, the same, the interior construc-
tion is adapted for a ship ; and this engine, or series of four
pumps, is for the purpose of raising from the cellars below
either spirits or wines, so as to avoid going down with lights
so frequently as the old system requires, and, consequently,
the danger of originating tire, so generally fatal in ship.
We have seen nothing, indeed, more compact or better con-
trived than this pantry.
THE LOWER CABINS AND SLEEPING Roosirs.—Leading to
these, which are also novel in arrangement there are two dis-
tinct stair-cases, one leading to the ladies and the other to
the gentlemen's apartments, so that both are distinct. The
stair-cases descend from each side of the entrance to the
steward's pantry, and are spacious, with massy brass hand
rails. The LADIES' PRIVATE CABIN is roomy,loftyand hand-
somely fitted. It is panelled, and neatly painted in delicate
light colours, with gilded mouldings. In the centre, on one
side, is a neat small marble chimney place, with a polished
grate. On each side of this, in recesses, are broad sofas;
upholstered in hair cloth, and along the full length of the
room opposite them are others to correspond, with massy
oaken carved arms : occasionally these may be all used as
beds. There is here a handsome small sideboard of polished
oak, covered with a thick marble slab, and the tables are of
fine mahogany. The sleeping rooms diverge from the prin-
cipal apartment at both ends, and are roomy, commodiously
fitted up, and well lighted and aired, which, indeed, may be
said of all the others in the ship. It must be a great comfort
to ladies at sea that they can retire to their own domicile,
without closing themselves up in small sleeping rooms, when
they are weary of the general society of the saloon, or seek
retirement from other causes.
THE GENTLEMEN'S CABIN AND SLEEPING ROOMS, are
contrived with an equal regard to comfort ; but of course on
such a scale as to accommodate a larger number of persons.
The cabin is nearly similar to that appropriated to the ladies,
but finished in a rather plainer though neat manner. It is
painted in oak. It has also its marble chimney piece,
and appropriate furniture ; and may be used, we presume,
for a private dinner party, if required. Leading from it at each
end, (and like the other its length is across the ship), are two
long corridors or passages, on each side of which are sleeping
rooms also roomy. Here, including some rooms at the stern,
(in which there are seven windows) about 70 gentlenien may
be accommodated. The beds are hung with fine printed Saxony
cloth. This part is chiefly lighted by lights from the vessel's
side, and also by lights at the bottom part of the exterior of
the saloon, the light entering in a diagonal direction, and
though not, of course, so cheerful as the saloon itself, it is
far from being gloomy. Beneath are spacious cellars for the
wines, spirits, &c., all readily accessible ; also a luggage-
room, and what may be called " the post-office," for the
safe keeping of the mail-bags. But we must return to the
deck.
There is a FORE CABIN further forward, large and lofty,
and which, with its sleeping rooms, is scarcely inferior, if at
all, to those noticed. Diverging from this are eight dormi-
tories, each fitted with four beds or berths, so that in all the
cabins about 130 persons may be accommodated. Some of
those in the fore cabin are appropriated to the use of the offi-
cers of the ship. There are also accommodations for the
servants and others.
There is an excellent cabouse or cooking-
house on deck,
with many improvements ; also an apparatus for condensing
the waste steam into pure water, which will be a great saving
of that valuable element taken with the ship.
The engines (by Mr. Napier) are splendid pieces of me-
chanism. The framework is of Gothic design, and the whole
is beautifully finished. The boilers are on a new plan, which
promises many advantages. There is a passage between the
two, and also all round them, so that coals may be taken
along either fore or aft for firing, and communication imme-
diately had without trouble or inconvenience.
There is also on the deck a commodious smoking room,
and a variety of erections which we have not time to enume-
rate. _ _

Suffice it to say, in conclusion, that the Britannia appears,
in the absence of gaudy ornament, to combine all that is re-
quisite for genuine comfort ; that she has already proved
herself a remarkably fast vessel (having, we learn, accom-
plished nearly 14 knots an hour) ; and that she may take her
place amongst the first-rate steam .ships of the day.
The Britannia will take out a large number of passengers,
amongst whom will be the Earl of Caledon, Mr. Cunard,
and many individuals of the first respectability. She will be
y
commanded by Captain Woodruff, R.N.,most
a gentgentleman,gentleman,of
long nautical experience, and a most agreeable companion.
The passengers cannot fail to be comfortable, from the ex-
o ostahteurrdi river r ; t 1,
and the pas-
sengersis d a ( Fri-
T
g,4
pc eelilee
tn,t
to a chnc opms
rrnt oedeamt ifoenr st
and
dd s
a tiliberalsfee tiaerer.a n in every
arrangements,
:vsislleolb'cweliotlicakkgen she o
ut
willf d c
sail
i linto
on
on board from the Eaiont slip, near
theday )h,
e va
at
12
south end of the Prince's Dock, at 10 o'clock in the
forenoon of that day. It is anticipated that she will make
the passage, if the weather be not exceedingly adverse, in
about twelve days.
The Acadia, which sails on the ith August, will be fitted uP
in all respects in the same manner as the Britannia.

I