The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-11-18 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL MARKETS OF YESTERDAY

PROGRESS OF SHIP-BUILDING,

THE NEW SCREW-STEAMER TIBER.
In the great contest which is now going on between us
" Britishers" and Brother Jonathan for the claim of
maritime supremacy, it is pleasing to record any advance.
ment made by either party ; for each successful effort is a
step further in the progress of ship-building. So far the
Americans have, generally speaking, outrivalled us in
sailing vessels, and their transatlantic steamers, in one or
two instances, have, under very favourable circumstances,
outrun our more regular Cunard boats. As regards
screw-steamers, however, we still maintain the lead,
the class of vessels of this description turned out
by our builders having a superiority of finish, not
only of mould and outward appearance, but in the rate of
speed attained, over those hitherto sent over here from
the United States. And superiority in this branch is of
no slight importance, as the question of the adoption of
tho screw as a propeller, in preference to the paddle-wheel
—particularly for transit ships—is unquestionably settled ;
a striking proof of which is to be found in the number of
new screw-boats lately come to this port from different
quarters, the successive arrival of which it has been our
duty to announce, week after week, for some time past,
swelling out our fine fleet of that sort of craft, already the
largest belonging to any port in the kingdom.

Among those of our builders who have made strenuous
exertions to uphold the national honour, none hare been
more successful in their efforts than the eminent firm of
Messrs. John Reid and Co., of Port Glasgow, one of the

of which—Mr. John Wood—is recognised as the
father of steamship building, and deservedly ranks "A 1
t, lat Lloyd's," and every other shipping authority, as a
first-rat-" - • •

_ marine modeller. have addue,
another evidence of their skill in naval architecture in the
shape of a beautiful screw.boat, named the "Tiber," wlich
arrived here from the Clyde on Saturday last, and is intended
for the Mediterranean service, belonging to the same line
as the Frankfort and Arno, also constructed by the z.
builders. As the Tiber is much larger than any of her
predecessors in the trade, (which, though well known for
their symmetry of mould and beauty of appearance, com-
pared to her, are " old fashioned ships "), we subjoin a
few brief particulars of her dimensions, interior fittings,
and what our Yankee brethren would call " other fixings."
The Tiber is a' three-masted Fehooner, rather stoutly
sparred, and rigged " roan.o'- war fashion." Her "sticks"
are made of the very best material, and calculated to "hang
out" an astonishing spread of canvas for a steamer. Her
hull, when seen stem on, presents you at once with the look
of a " clipper craft," and a " broadside" view shows the
stiffness of her upper line to be relieved by a fine
" forward," Although her entrance is remarkably fine,
being " sharp as a wedge," there is no " hollowness"
perceptible ; and her hull, after swelling into fullner•

spring

.
the waist, becomes again contracted astern, leaving her
run as long and clear as could be wished. Though pos-
sessed of this extreme sharpness, she is anything but a
" wall-sided" ship, for her shape is so nicely managed
that she is not devoid of that well-roundnd form
which is looked upon as a desideratum in all hand-
some vessels. The Tiber's bow is surmounted by a
handsome full-length female figure-head, backed with
neat trail-boards, bearing the ship's name engraved in
gold, and surrounded by chaste carved-work, richly gilt.
Her stern has five oval-shaped windows, and over the
lights is thrown an arch of foliated carving, most racy in
design, and sparkling with gilt. In the centre of the arch
is a shield bearing a liver. Her quarter-galleries are simi-
larly decorated, but with more elaborate scroll-work. On
her sides she carries painted ports, and her funnel
is ornamented with a flanged top. On stepping on
deck the Tiber's chief characteristic--her great
length—is at once perceptible, as well as the great
roominess and compact arrangement. Her bulwarks
on the main-deck are upwards of six feet high,
affording excellent protection from the weather. The
main saloon is entered through a commodious companion
way, fitted with seats on the outside, under which light is
givento the ladies' cabin; indeed ,throughout the whole ship
those great requisites, comfort, light, and ventilation,
have been attended to more than glitter and show. There
are three state-rooms ranged on each side of the saloon,
with double berths, ventilated from the ceiling by open
metallic fretwork. There are also additional sleeping
berths, and she has accommodation in all for about two
dozen first-class passengers. The sides of the saloon are
panelled in grained oak, and the state-room, doors highly
polished, the upper part ornamented with a rich design in
fretwork, backed by crimson satin. Her counter is cir-
cular, and upholstered in dark crimson velvet, as is also the
rest of thecabin furniture. Light isadmitted from two lofty
cupola windows, with frosted glass, which will lessen the
glare of the sun's rays when in tropical climates. For-
ward of the saloon are the steward's wintry, captain's
cabin, (who has also a berth on deck), additional state
rooms, and the ladies' apartments. The chief mate and
engineers are accommodated on deck, and otherthe officers
forward. Her stowage capacity is for upwards of one
thousand tons of cargo, and her coal bunkers will hold
sufficient fuel for the voyage out and home, a very
important r.dvantao in a foreign going steamer, Her
machinery is of 150 horse power, manufactured by Messrs.
J. and G. Thomson, of the Clyde Bank Foundry, on the
direct action principle. The boilers are tubular, heated
by six furnaces, and furnished with an extra safety-valve,
in accordance with the requirements of the new Act of
Parliament. The Tiber is constructed with a view to
solidity and strength. There are three tiers of kelsons
running the whole length of her midship compartment,
supporting thebed -plates of the machinery, and her framing
is of thestrongestangleiron. The plating is of I-inch thick-
nessattheguard board streak,'gradually tapering towards the
upper works, and she is double-rivettedthroughout. Take
her altogether, she certainly reflects great credit on her
builders, for producing such a splendid vessel, and on her
spirited owners for ordering a craft of her character. She
is one of the line of the Liverpool and Mediterranean
Screw Steam-ship Co., and her owners are Messrs. John
Bibby, Sons, and Co., Tower Chambers.
The Tiber is commanded by Captain Robert
Ewing, who has had several years' experience both
in screw and paddle-wheel boats, and to his courtesy
and attention we are indebted for the foregoing particulars.
On her passage round, the Tiber accomplished the dis-
tance from Greenock to the Bell Buoy in 161 hours—an
excellent run—and this against a head wind for nearly
the whole distance. which gives prestige of a short voyage
from this port to Italy and Sicily, whither she will be
shortly despatched.

LOCAL CHARITIES.—It will be observed, by advertise-
ment, that collections are to be made in several of the
churches in the town and neighbourhood, on Sunday
next, in behalf cf the Infirmary, Northern, Southern, and
Blue-coat Hospitals, North, South, and Eastern Dis-
pensaries, Lying-in Hospital, and Eye and Ear Infirmary.
We trust that those who have the means to do so, will
contribute liberally, on the occasion, to the support
of these most excellent institutions.