The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-04-23 00:00:00

A CANDID CONFESSION

The recent editor of the Mercury, Mr. C. Macqueen,
has addressed a letter to the Chronicle, in which he speaks
in most disparaging terms of his " old love." The fol-
lowing is his commencement :

" SlR,—lt was my intention to trouble you with a few fur-
ther observations on the all-important water question, with
especial reference to Mr. Stephenson's report, and its " most
lame and impotent conclusion"—to the suicidal stupor into
which that report seems to have thrown the town and its mu-
nicipal representatives,—and to the pitiful gyrations of the
Liverpool 111ercury,—including the latter, not on the supposi-
tion that any weight or importance can be :attached to its opi-
nions on this or any other subject; but, simply as illustrating
the trickery and tactics of the great Pike conspiracy."

This is in rather bad taste. The columns of our contem-
porary have certainly not lost much in "weight" since
the secession—or whatever else he may call it—of the
writer of the letter in question. He is no doubt right as
to the " importance of its opinions."

THE FINE NEW SHIP " ALBATROSS."

EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA

It has long ago occurred to us (and our impres-
sions are every day more confirmed and strengthened), that
the increase of our home population progresses in such a
ratio, that nothing short of extensive emigration will
relieve us from successive seasons of distress and suffering;
or enable the well meaning, the skilful, and the industrious,
and especially our young citizens, who have not the means
of pushing their fortunes in their native land, amidst the
competition that exists, -to relieve themselves, and be-
come prosperous and happy in other regions over which floats
the British flag,and many of which are blessed with
climates congenial to the constitutions of Britons.
This idea has latterly been gaining ground in the pub-
lic mind ; and we deem it higly creditable on the part of
one of our enterprising firms, to remove all previous ob-
jections to Australian emigration by providing for the
the public the new A 1 ship Albatross, to be followed in
succession by others equally eligible.
The Albatross, being over 1030 tons register, and nearly
1800 tons burthen, presents. when viewed in the dock,
a truly noble appearance. She is painted in a sombre
green, and, frigate-like, displays " painted ports."
Her stem is headed by a well-carved portraiture of the
" albatross," whose spreading wings gracefully uphold the
trail boards on which her name, in a panelling of gold,
is emblazone4. Encircling the stem is a semi-circular
carving of exquisite workmanship. In the centre is an
ornamented shield, on which is a well-embossed " Liver,"
with, on a riband, the motto " Deus nobis, kc."
It is supported on the right by a reclining figure of Nep-
tune; on the left by the Goddess of Peace, extending the
palm, and beneath all, forming a centre, is the figure as
well as the word Albatross. The Albatross is lightly but
tautly sparred, but her stays are of such strength as will
anable her to carry a heavy press of canvas without too
much head weight. Her main and foremasts are built; her
mizen is a solid spar of immense thickness, but this must
be inferred from the fact that she will carry fore-main and
mizen skysails. In model this beautiful ship is all that
could be desired by British taste. She is rather full
forward, which gives her the advantage of a great breadth
of flat flooring about two-thirds forward ; from this she
rises gradually, and in the run she is as clean as a shark. In
fact, to use a maritime phrase, " when her head is through
it, she is all through it."
The Albatross was built at St. John, N. 8., for her
owners, Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co., of this town, by
Mr. W. Olive ; and if any proof of her sailing qualities
were required, it is evinced in the fact that, even previous
to coppering, she made her passage thence in less than
eighteen days. The fidelity with which British ships are
put together is everywhere acknowledged ; but this, as a
specimen of British American genius, will command eclat.
Her timbers are enormous, composed principally of Hac-
matac and U. S. white oak. The deck beams, which are
well supported by iron-tied stanchions, are monster balks
of yellow pine, while the carlings are equal to the timber-
ing of many a craft. Her planking is Hacmatac and
southern pine. Her lodging knees are strong and well
formed, and as none of the timber has been cut away to
make them ornamental, it is obvious that the natural curl
is in every one. The hanging knees, about 86 in number,
are principally of iron ; but as the lo ver portion of each is
carried diagonally aft or forward, they form not only
knees but trussings.

THE DECKS

The poop quarter deck is of great area, and without
interruption, from erections, beyond the companions.
From the centre and front of the poop, to the after part
of the fore hatchway, the promenade is extended upon
the same level over a deck-house, under which are several
of the cabins. This last noticed portion is protected by
stanchions, and a rope rail, so that a long walk may be
enjoyed, nearly two-thirds of the length of the ship,
without danger to parties of falling off, even in a heavy
seaway. The plan is somewhat similar, but, we think,
(with a full poop quarter deck) superior to that adopted
in the fine British and North American Mail steam-ships.