The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-10 00:00:00

PACIFIC STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY

On Wednesday, the Peru, one of the steam-ships belong-
ing to this company, made an experimental trip from Black-
wall to Gravesend and back again. On this occasion the
`-s of the company had the gratification of receiving on
-v numerous assemblage of the friends and well-
'-is very interesting commercial enterprise.
The Peru is indeed a most splendid specimen of British
steam naval architecture, and her construction altogether
reflects the highest credit upon the builders, Messrs. Cur-
ling and Young. The appointments of this vessel in every
department appear to be perfect. Her size by admeasure-
nent is 700 tons, draught 12 feet, breadth across the beam
I feet. over all, depth 15 feet. Her engines, which are of
Dower each, are of the admirable construction and
Messrs. Miller and Ravenhill, the well-
,ers. The Peru has also the great advantage
g the important invention of Captain George
,—namely, the safety boats of which there
ut an exact model exhibiting at the Polytechnic
-.Lution, Regent-street. This invention, so important
to the safety of the passengers and crew, instead of dis-
figuring the appearance of the vessel, rather adds to its
beauty and symmetry. Tha boats are fitted on the top
the paddle-boxes, with their bottoms upwards. There-is,
therefore, no incumbrance whatever of the decks of the
vessel, and as the figure presents a part of a circle like unto
an inverted cone, instead of the usual form of a square, the
progress of the vessel is rather accelerated than impeded
thereby, particularly when proceding against a head wind,
as it offers less resistance to it. This invention, it appears,
is being now adopted in the royal navy. Another important
feature has been attained in the fitting up of this vessel—
namely, a portable fire-engine, which -can be brought into
operation in a few minutes, the power of which is so great
that it can pour a stream of water into any part of the ship
with the greatest facility ; it efficacy was sufficiently tested
on board during the trip. This company, it would appear,
owes its origin to the encouragement afforded by government
to the project suggested by Mr. Wheelwright and the Hon.
P. C. Scarlett, for a rapid communication between Great
Britain and the west coast of South America, by the Isthmus
of Panama. Heretofore, and even at the present time, let-
ters take four, rive, and six months, in reaching their desti-
nations by the old and dangerous track round Cape Horn,
but now, through the medium of the company's steam-
ships, there is not only the prospect but the certainty of se-
curing communication with the Pacific in so many weeks.
Such a result will no doubt prove highly advantageous and
beneficial to the mercantile world. It appears that the dis-
tance between Valparaiso and Panama is 3142 miles. That
the time occupied by sailing vessels in proceeding from Val-
paraiso to Panama is twenty-seven days, and that the same
distance can be performed by steam in thirteen days, but the
great difference between steam and. sailing vessels is shown
in the return passage from Panama to Valparaiso, which in
sailing takes 52 days, and by steam only 16. These steamers
of the company are to touch at the various ports between New
Granada and Chili; amongst the principal of the intermediate
ports are Guayaquil, Paita, Callao, Arica, Cobija, and Coquim-
bo. It appears that the latest advices from the Pacific express
the greatest anxiety for the arrival of the steamers in that ocean,
and we are happy now to think that those wishes are very
soon to be realised by the presence of the company's vessels
the " Peru " and " Chili." The latter vessel started on her
outward bound voyage about a fortnight since. The rate of
sailing of the Peru from Blackwall to Gravesend and back
again, appears to have thoroughly realised all the most
sanguine anticipations of the proprietors. Previous to the
arrival of the vessel off Gravesend the company were enter-
tained with a very elegant and recherche dejeune, and,
upon her return to Blackwall, a splendid dinner was served
up at Lovegrove's, which was partaken of at least by 150
persons, Mr. G. Brown, the chairman of the company pre-
siding. Nothing, indeed, could surpass the exceedingly hos-
pitality displayed by the directors of the company upon this
occasion, and every arrangement which could by possibility
promote and ensure the pleasure and comfort of their guests
was carried out to the fullest extent. It is but bare justice
to the directors of the company to say that the proceedings of
the day imparted the most lively satisfaction to all. After
dinner, the usual routine toasts having been given, the toast
of " Success and Prosperity to the Pacific Steam Company "
was ziven and drank amid enthusiastic cheering. The com-
pany did not separate till a late hour. Among the company
wa observed the Earl of Wiltshire, Lord Abinger, Viscount
Ingestrie, Lord Sondes, Lady Stratheden, the Hon. Mr. and
Mrs. Scarlett and Miss Scarlett, Hon. Col. and Mrs. York
Scarlett, Sir T. Cochrane, and Lieut. Col. Drummond.—
iforning Herald of yesterday.

direct(

tire of

'the well-known sporting writer, has undertaken
the editorship of the sporting department of the London
paper called The Era.

We are exceedingly happy to be able to announce that Sir
James Hamilton has been successful in his canvas for this
city, beyond his most sanguine expectations.—Londonderry
Sentinel.

A letter from Cairo of the 13th ult. states, that the fires
hich were devastating that city had ceased since the arrival
-se Mehemet Alt. Misery and discontent were, how-

ver, at their acme

NEW MAGISTRATES.—The Rev. C. E. Kendal, Rector of
bindle, took the oaths and qualified as a county
Friday,
y magistrate,
Lt the sessions held on Wednesday last; and o
the
ley. John Shepherd Birley, A.M., of Bolton-le-moors
)f William Birley, Esq., Kirkham, also qualified as a ma ' sonps-
rate for this county.—Blackburn Standard.
New COPPER MINE.—A fine copper mine has been doilsd-
Lovered on Snowdon, of an excellent quality, bythose
tnd experienced miners, William Morton and Thomas Hey-
,vood, of Bangor, who have commenced working the same,
laving obtained a long lease of the ground from Sir Robert
Williams Vaughan, Bart

very melancholy accident has occurred at Noyedd, near
anfair, by which means a highly respectable family were
prived of their son, Thomas Jones, about two years old,
ho, during the temporary absence of the housemaid, acci-
:litan y fell into a tub of hot water, which so severely scalded
im that he only survived the accident a few hours.—Verdict
.ccordingly.
Lord Arde-

s deatt

His lordship was
_ is announced.
ill on Monday week, and died at
half-past seven
.day Evening at his mansion, in St. Janie
Jrs Holland and Jackson have been in attend-
lordship, and after Thursday last gave no hopes
,very. The deceased, Charles George Perceval,
second Earl of Egmont, Baron Arden, of Lohort
castic, county of Cork, in the peerage of Ireland, and Baron
Arden, of Arden, county of Warwickshire, in the peerage
of the United Kingdom, was born on the first of October,
175 G, and had consequently nearly attained the great age of
8-1 years.' His lordship was brother of the late Lady Redes-
dale and the Right lion. Spencer Perceval. In 1804 the
deceased lord was Lord of the Bedchamber to King George
111. having previously, in 1801, been master of the Mint.
He was lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum of the county
of Surry, Registrar of the Court of Admiralty, which ap-
pointment, through his lordship's death, becomes in the gift
of her Majesty's ministers. He was a privy councillor, a
trustee of the Hunterian Museum, a M. A. and Fellow of
the Society and Society of Arts. His lordship's demise will
place upwards of 20 families in mourning.

Dui of ti

on Sun