The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-07-24 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

LAUNCH OF A NEW PILOT BOAT.

On Saturday shortly after .tovelve o'clock there' was
launched, from the building yard of Mr. Royden, Baffin-
street, a pilot-boat, to supercede the " No. 4" of our
fine fleet of that class of vessels. There is something
especially interesting in all that appertains to craft of this
kind; for though comparatively small in tonnage, they
associate in the mind, with those who know them, remi-
niscences of " dangers and of difficulties" in our outw..rd
and perilous channels, which come home to the business
and bosoms of all nautical and commercial men. Were
we ourselves naval architects, we should deem it as high
an honour to be employed to build a boat for the Liver-
pool Pilots' Committee (though a private body) as by an
order to construct a frigate for the Royal Navy. Our
talented master-shipwrights have each had their share
successively in this pratronage ; and, we believe, we do
not overstep the mark when we assert that, over many
years, they have turned out as noble, swift, and seaworthy
vessels of the prescribed dimensions, as have ever been
produced in any part of the world. The fame of these
vessels will be enhanced by this addition to the fleet. It
would be impertinent in us to put forth in laudatory terms
the merits of Mr. Royden as a shipbuilder. It is enough
to say that he has constructed some of the finest of our
mercantile marine, proving themselves capable of carrying
a large cargo on a comparatively small draught. of water,
and having sailing and weatherly qualities rarely attained
by " fanciful" science. We need but add that, if a
" clipper" be wanted, he is equally "at home."
The new pilot-boat is of the following dimensions :
Length of keel.. .. .. 61 feet.
Beam 164 feet.
Measurement .. .. (about) 74 tons.

The model was left to Mr. Royden himself, and when
we saw her on the stocks some weeks ago we conjectured
that she was intended for a " first-rate" yacht. Her
frame is of the best English oak, with the grain suited to
the curves of the timber; and she is planked with East
India teek-wood, so finished, that, but for the paint, a
coat of varnish would have rendered her as fine exteriorly
as a piece of cabinet-work. She was " christened" in
spirited style by Miss Sheppard, the daughter of the
head master-pilot of the boat,—who named her " The
Auspicious." The launch was altogether beautiful. The
vessel is coppered from the keel to the bends. Two other
pilot boats were in the offing, and their crews gave hearty
cheers as the new vessel glided into the river.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the owners of
the vessel which had that day been launched. The pilots
of Liverpool were perfectly fearless of all the " free
trade." They were not to be overcome. The vessel was
unquestionably a noble specimen of naval architecture,
and he felt satisfied, as a practical man, that she would
realize the fullest expectations entertained of her excel-
lent qualities. (Cheers.)
Mr. HUGHES returned thanks as one of the owners.
He had no doubt but that, the Auspicious would prove
herself to be a noble vessel, and he hoped her owners
would be as prosperous as the pilots of Liverpool had
hitherto been, by pulling together.—(Hear.)
The CHAIRMAN said that all must feel a deep interest
in the next toast—" The builder of the vessel." Were
he an orator, he would endeavour to do him justice, but
even then all his encomiums would fall short of the merit
due to him. In producing such a specimen, all had been
done that could be accomplished, both in the architecture
and the fidelity of the workmanship. When a builder
was confined to size and capacity in a vessel, he had much
to contend with. In this instance the builder deserved
well of his country for the specimen of naval architecture
which he had that day had the pleasure to see floated off
into her destined element.—(Cheers.)
Mr. ROYDEN modestly thanked the chairman for the
compliment paid to him. He stated that it had always
been his endeavour, as it was a pleasure to him, to satisfy
all parties—shipowners, pilots, or others. When he un-
dertook the building of the boat, it was stated to him that
she must be something out of the ordinary way, as regarded
both safety and speed ; and no pains or expense were
spared to make her quite as good a vessel as any of her
class. He rejoiced to say, that during her construction,
not a word of difference had arisen between the owners
and himself, all having acted together in the most cordial
good feeling. He proposed the health of Mr. Shepperd,
and might he long live to navigate such a vessel.—(Loud
cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN seeonded the toast in terms highly
complimentary to Mr. Shepperd, who, as a pilot, had long
shown that capability, energy, and zeal, which were the
characteristics and the honour of all who belonged to his
perilous avocation.—(Cheers.)
Mr. SHEPPERD replied in feeling terms, alluding to his
anxiety to do his utmost for the interests of all who were
connected with the boat which he sailed.

The health of the Pilots' Committee was proposed, and
drunk with enthusiasm.

Captain COOKE responded, and spoke to the anxiety of
that body to consult the interests of the trade of the port.
The CHAIRMAN, in a suitable and complimentary ad-
dress, proposed the health of Miss Shepperd, who had
christened the vessel.—This was ably replied to by Mr.
Roydon, jun.
Mr. GLADSTONE said he had to propose the health of
the gentleman who had so ably presided over them that
day, and took occasion to compliment the pilots of the
port who had long and faithfully contributed to the safety
of life and property in our dangerous outward channels.
The health of Mr. Cooke was hailed with " three times
three."

The CHAIRMAN feelingly responded to the compli-
mentary remarks of their esteemed friend, Mr. Glad-
stone. He felt truly proud of being superintendent of
the Liverpool pilots, and he might challenge Europe to
produ,:e a class of men so competent, and so fearless in
their vocation. He proposed the health of Mr. Hudson,
master pilot, which was loudly cheered.
Mr. HUDSON replied, and alluded to the modern im-
proved principle of building pilot-boats and other vessels.
A number of other toasts were afterwards proposed and
responded to, including "Mr. Leece ;" "The Pilots of
Liverpool ;" " The Ladies :" " The Town and Trade of
Liverpool," &c. ; and the company enjoyed themselves at
the festive board for some hours. The new vessel was
towed by the Satellite into the Brunswick Dock basin,
and was hauled into dock by the apprentices of pilot-
boats Nos. 2 and 8.

[Thus far our reporter, whose account of these proceed-
ings we have given at greater length, perhaps, than the
space at our disposal to-day warrants. At a time, how-
ever, when the pilots of Liverpool, along with those of
other ports, are threatened with a sort of confiscation by
our free-trade Ministry, some facts connected with this
vessel deserve a little notice, as confirming our views ex-
pressed last week as to the impropriety of any govern-
ment interference with the pilotage of this port. The
vessel, yesterday launched, only 75 tons in burthen, will
cost, we understand, upwards of £2,000 when ready to
sea. This is at the rate of above £26 per ton ; and shews
not only how different is the character of the vessels re-
quired for this service at Liverpool from that of most
other ports, but also the determination of our pilots to
provide such boats, regardless of cost, as will ensure
safety of life to their crews, and efficiency in attending to
the wants of our commercial marine.—Ed. L. S.l