The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-08-27 00:00:00

August 27, 1844.

THE NEW WOODSIDE-FERRY STEAM-BOATS.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION OF TWO RUDDERS.

We have for some time noticed, and (in common with loosened to act as a rudder, or firmly fixed (when that
all whothe t hifte recently crossed our river) much admired, end becomes the bow) by means of a dropping bolt, so as
built )
Principle
two new iron steam-vessels, on a novel and improved to complete and make good, even to a nicety of joint, the
eof steering for intricate navigation, invented and thin after portion of the cutwater. The great advantage
withroost by Mr. John Laird, of Birkenhead, and now plying over all previous plans of two rudders, and we believe
Passengers between Liverpool and Woodside—our only one or two single boats have been built with two
~ . frequented ferry on the Cheshire shore. Vessels rudders (in which each rudder was left naked and unpro-
ta_vieng two rudders—to be used as occasion required— tected), is that the outer edge of each bow-formed extre-
Zeebefore been occasionally tried, but with indifferent mitt', or cutwater, is of standard iron, sufficiently strong
been 8,,,5' —n° Previous plan of which we are aware, having to avert the consequence to the rudder, of the cable getting
and steadiness
developed, affording sufficient protection athwart hause, of a bump, or running foul of any floating
Wa.,,'"`uniness against even slight collision with a sea- object, a pier or the like—which was generally fatal to
time or a floating object, to the rudder which, for the the rudder in the former plans,—and at the same time
0 Parity ea.,a being, became the cutwater—the other acting in its not so thick as to act to any conceivable extent as
as a helm. Mr. Laird appears to have entirely a stop-water when that end becomes the stern, and it
tpecetome the difficulty that presented itself in this re- stands abaft the rudder like a stancheon or outer stern-
row t, so that the great desideratum in navigating nar- post. In the old plans the rudder, which became the ca-
ttle veir confused channels—the immediate reversion of water, was liable to be carried away on a slight concussion
in_, essel either end foremost, without backing, round- with any object, or even by the sea through which it was
velf....
,er loss of time—is
theca"effelly achieved. The forced. In the present plan the outer-standing part of
~i,'718 to which we allude, Queen" and the the cut-water evidently not only protects it from the first
heana"ne," are each about 110 feet in length, 22 feet in of these casualties, but ploughs a way for it, so that it is
60 he within the paddle-boxes, and have each engines of less liable to be thrust .from side to side, or carried away
pie isrshea-Power, with oscillating cylinders. The princi- in a sea-way, a danger which is, of course, increased by
znode, .owever, applicable to vessels of any size or any the velocity of the ship. Mr. Laird, therefore,. very ap-
;_g of steam propulsion, and even, we Presume, to sail- propriately denominates this. main feature of his invention
hug craft for peculiar purposes. These two vessels are of (for which he has taken out a patent) " a guard." In
e handsome model, sit on the water on an even keel; each order to be better understood, we supply the following
.111_ when they are stationary represents a fine bow with diagrams, shewing the construction and working of the
i.ea:r p projecting cutwater—a portion of which, within two rudders :
' nter edge is a moveable door that may be Instantly
PLAN I.

This 'hews the bolt dropped into the rudder, when it is This shews the bolt drawn up, and the rudder in use
intended to act as the cutwater and bow of the vessel. for steering the vessel.

PLAN IL

Pha
an ;_ . represents the side view of the extremities of
iron steam-boat having two rudders, each protected
y ace:laiir,°ll guard (a b). The two rudders may be hung
ar r--g to any convenient arrangement, and have tillers
v other steering apparatus to give motion thereto,—the
tilleention not depending on the form of rudders used, or
Inanner of hanging or working them ; this part of the
invention being for applying guards (a b) to steam or other 10 vessels which have two rudders, one at each end.
thesethe means vessels may conveniently be propelled,
n guard (a or b) being forward, and, for the time being,
cen dstitntin
g the cutwater of the vessel, the rudder at the
affor(Aa Or b) being then retained fast, and the guard will
l‘t Protection to the rudder. c c are two rudders, one
vesseeatell end of the steam-boat, or. it may be, of other
and th-3. d d are axes to which the rudders are affixed,
rudd—e axes turn in suitable bearings at ef. When the
and ewri (a or b) is for the time being the stem rudder,
Met; a ,tll its guard, acting as the cutwater of the vessel.
to secure (g), or other convenient means, is employed
plan it in its firm position fore and aft.
stein a represents deck views of the forecastle, or
steeriYts it may be, of the vessel, showing the usual
is the"g tackle and steering wheels, one at each end. b
Therudder guard, and c the rudder when hard over.
Praeti,N:eat advantage of this principle of steering is daily
visw.'`.lt,Y evinced by the new Woodside boats under re-
slip on Not having to " back out "—especially from the
'Yery strhe Cheshire side, where the stream is frequently
• e•
.rossfong-78 saving is effected of six or seven minutes,
trot of f: with a strong flood tide to Liverpool. By this
is e two boit"—which is most acceptable to passengers—
quZ"idedats (as soon as better landing accommodation
een.ter of at Liverpool) will start from either side every
eornt,---thnsett hour, in place of every half.hour as at pre-
nau:°4 con:feeumplishing double the work of boats of
hands--' now b ntetzon at the same expense; for the steam
be coe kept up all day, and the same number of
with which
tiolstantly
on board. In proof of the facility
one
end
fn
"e vessels may be reversed in motion (with
one of th, reraost), we may state that inexperiment, while
aj was .
going up the river, against a strong tide,

the engine was stopped, and the bow-bolt drawn up, and
the vessel, without turning, put in rapid motion down the
river in fifty seconds. On another occasion, when going
down with a strong stream, the same reversing operation
being resorted to, she was making good way in the other
direction against the opposing tide—which it of course re-
quired great power in the first instance to stem—in one
minute and a quarter. Ordinary vessels would have had
to make a long sweep round in either case, and would
probably have required eight or ten minutes to accomplish
the same object.
The employment of these rudders would, doubtless be
of very great advantage in steam-ships of war, or explor-
ing vessels, particularly gun-boats and tug vessels, as by
means of them they might run up narrow creeks or in-
lets, in which they had not room to turn or wear round,
for purposes either offensive to an enemy or promotive of
commerce. In accidentally taking the ground, too, they
might the more readily steam off, as well as more safely
thread their way in shallow and narrow waters.
The new Woodside boats are, we may add, very fast,
(ten knots zin hour) and little or no difference is percep-
tible in their speed, whichever end goes foremost. They
are extremely roomy and convenient on deck, and have a
large commodious cabin at each end. There is nothing
aristocratic about them, for there is a quarter-deck at
both termini, and no distinction of passengers except
what they themselves choose to make. The engines, by
George Forrester and Co., are beautiful pieces of me-
chanism, the sight of which is itself a treat ; and their
whole equipment is highly creditable to the constructors
and to the commissioners of Birkenhead, who have sup-
plied them for the improved accommodation of the public.
In the event of war, vessels fitted in this manner as
gun-boats, would be invaluable in protecting our coast,
all up the English channel, and in annoying our oppo-
nents; for vessels similar to the Woodside boats de-
scribed, could be constructed to carry two long sixty-
eight pounders, and would therefore be most powerful
engines of destruction. We shall probably hereafter give
a more full description of the plan as applicable to ships
of war.

________ •- -
°IITI CULTURAL EXHIBITION AT THE

eh o ld e
occasionallyr s a if t someo ucbe nd ect rhoe m
ma nucFsyircewaniacsbb
instru-
l‘plrirs.iiSigtuthhhe'bs
at
bells
o withk.
great effect, and also played a pleasing
ment, little, if at all, known in this country.
The following is a
on of
(To avoid the useless repetition "Second Best,'
we put 1 and 2 immediately
ANDer
FLOW LES.
LIST OF THE
aftthePRIZES.
taande of
the
party.)
PLANTS
Me ssrs. Davies, of Wavertree Nur-
sery,
1 'varieties --Messrs. Whalley,ursery, ;
FuseinAs, eight Oakvale Nursery, 2.
Messrs. Cunningham,secies —Airs. T. Foster, 1, gardener, John
Atr. Skirvtng, W alton Nursery, 2.
Fairfield N
,
LOBELIAS, Ste. nine
Ep
Reid ; C. Horsfall,
st2ii.egaorfdOenrecrh'itTla.cLiwee.—s. Messrs Davies and
Mr.•
Cunningham and C0.,0. ;Skirving, 3.
Glt '" PLANTS, four.—C. Horsfall, Esq., 1 ; Mrs. T. Fos-
nosr!
STcOoVEIP.LmANeTsSs,,,ss:s, e
s
William Blain, Esq., 3-
SING'LE' ORNAMENTAL SPECIMEN.—Mr. Skirving, 1 ; Air. Skir-
ving, J. Armstrong, gardener.
EZOI TIC ORCUIDACI/E, SiX
Boii•rsifeayll,,EEssqq.,lll; Ditto
three specimens, C. Horsfall, Esq , I ;H.
T. Foster,
22: Ditto'
rnEzgEgl
Tea
rsedpFeencpieLmr:Npn,i,.
rHro.rrßsyfill.h, EEs qs
q. , ;
ane eS-
1, P. iMa'nh,y., 1311
DAIILIAS, twelve varieties.—lf. Moss, Esq.,
gar-
dener ; R. W. Preston, Esq., 2, John Morris, gardener.
FRUIT.
G. RA Es, varieties. —A. Sinclair, E sq., Wavertree, I , John Robinson,
gardener; John Moss, Esq., 2, Noah James, gardener.
PINES.—J. S. Leigh, Esq., 1; James Fraser, gardener, (for the
Blood Pine); the Earl of Derby, 2, J. Jennings, gardener.
Me LON S.—Mrs. T. Foster, 1 ; H. Winch, Esq., 2, J. Young, gar-
dener.
PEACRES.—Sir W. M. Stanley, Bart., Hooton, 1, J. Drewett, gar-
dener; H. H. Birley, Esq., 2.
NECTARINES.—H. H. Birley, Esq., 1; Rev. J. Mainwaiing,Brom-
bro' Hall, 2, J. Stanton, gardener.
BASKETS OF FRUIT.—The Earl of Derby, 1; E. D. Falkner, Esq.,
2, J. Smith, gardener; A. Sinclair, Esq., 3. All these were very
fine.
COLLECTION OF FRUIT.—A. Sinclair, Esq., 1.
EXTRA PRIZES.
FIJSCHIAS—Mr. Skirving. ORCIIIDACLE—John Moss, Esq. BAS-
KET OF PLANTS—C. Horsfall, Esq., 1 ; I. Hadwen, Esq., 2;
Rev. J. Mainwaring, 3. DAHLIAs, eighteen—Mr. E. Davies,
Wavertree. GRAPES—H. Winch, Esq. MELONS—T. Keightley,
Esq., J. Thompson, gardener. PINE—Rev. J. Mainwaring.
Mr. •
BENAISE MELON—Sir W. M. Stanley. FIGS—Sir W. M. Stan-
ley. CUT FLUWERS—R. M. Beckwith, Esq., 1 , P. Harri-
son, 2.

BOTANIC GARDEN.

t,. ne third and last exhibition of plants, flowers and
raits, took place at the Botanic-garden, on Friday last,
and was the finest we have yet had the pleasure to record.
The
t coow mpany was very numerous, comprising the elite of
the n and neighbourhood, and the tents, the conserva-
tory, and the delightful promenades in the grounds, were
thronged, throughout the afternoon, by continued streams
of fashionitble parties,. including a large proportion of ele-
gantly arrayed ladies, who looked most bewitching,—011
taking a lively interest in the now undoubted progress of
the institution.
The fruits exhibited, though the period of the year was
favorable for their plentiful production, exceeded expec-
tation, both as to quantity and quality. The grapes,
white and black, and particularly those shown by the
Earl of Derby and Mr. Sinclair, werned.verrlhearge andh
luscious, some of them three inches
ero
observedu some figs,
and apricots were also fine ; and
.w
sent by Sir W. M. Stanley, three inches and a half longs,'
and two inches and a half in „ diameter. Amongst some
excellent pines was a well grown blood". pifnen,itsewnhtilonhy
Esq., a variety of this delicious r . .
l'!;,:ilas-St:trraLyree.ilgyb, 'if sampleben brought t.o perfec.tion in this
This fine p, from which ma!, be dated an
. achievement" in the horticultural world, measured ten
length, and about five inches and a half in
-Meter----of longish form and most tempting blood-red
aGreat praise is due to Mr. Fraser, gardener
tiiii 2:T1:a:. a hnle e.
Leigh, for this production. Lord Derby's mis-
Au "eons collection of fruits, and, also those of Mr.
eon,„1; °f Otterspool, and Sir W. M. Stanley, were all
tlie-TnnaY fine. hi this department of the show, indeed,
cidel",,ge,s must have been somewhat puzzled how to de-
The"' close Was the competition.
A. Stan°,reideousplants were on the whole very superioiers.
°f iii."l7s,a Occurta, a beautiful aromatilcsalnanddrsa,raensdpescent
by Mr lielY introduced from the Japan
,-,3ljutu s °Wall, excited much admiration, 11 s did the
'-unnin irciesum, also conspicuously beautiful.
jne
et Lon gaal exhibited a beautiful Achem
It Za, 14:2 -Iv?r.. HAonr s°fanl lc i dwi ua
sna sGraMndeiflssorrsa.
het
cfienaensut mw:haasvi
en gyleet.psleaennt ~
few 1.- °1 very large ''z finely grown, and bearing no
bade°
than
elev
n size,
f flowers, while some other
enhivtlatt one. TIL sampeeegsenntleman, who is a praiseworthya
taluablenre. liberal encourager of horticulture, and
fine
at_ _end to this institution, sent a number of other
---ineiZZP Plants, 84c. which we have not room to specify
Skirvimnulag an admirable Pancratium Speciosum. Mr.
eareptaireitioca.B Ta gh ae i rIE very
r successful in various beautiful
the size and casi, cr heath plants, were altogether
limit vs.ren,4a variety of bloom. We observed one,
aficfih I;itooßbtri..(a ta magnificent heath about four feet and a
en by Mr. I Hadwin,) with abundance of
or ri...tophojrhe Rev. J. Mainwaring, of Brombro' sent
for 'Klo to urtut Sidendens, like a prickly flowering pinnt
Peared a greaPte.a.r.allee. to the cactus. The Fuschias
ad pre.eizii sitraction, and Mr. Whalley again. ap..-
new red Planta entills a cultivator of this tribe of justly
successful
sielect s'ortin.• Cunningham also shewed some
r i p th• 'Wen la Dahlias Mr. H. Moss was mosth
°---s''' Mev soy a finer display of these super
eiziara_:ibareties
The ba k r.
Davie
8 baskets of ps obtained an extra prize.
°titer Wed by MrPlants were excellent, particularly
nthastt
-, tiain, in which there were, amo g
14114, 11104_,..pa,r threes distinct varieties of the Cattleya
Nirsatd curio "'tee, or rather epathites—brought into
and • ratite us flower for the first time in England.
skilit r, of Woolton-hill, again exhibited great taste
it he de.; by a miscellaneous collection of plants. Amongst
sZAll:.eekBi,:.l-e a fiower-garden with hot-houses, &c.,
tte°°cle, and 'l° k• foreman to Messrs. Whalley ; a band-
iari with, Well arranged stand of cut flowers, by Mr.
‘..se. c., but we have not room further to particu.
wir•s
deli i; tabbta H
Plays g ted the Harmonic Band was on the ground,. and
terltd with crnear with a variety of favorite airs and pieces,
eye nee the r uch taste and precision—keeping in coun-
._ , the
~ ountain, which also " played,' to please the
See,
"titre jet keeping in "play" a light ball, re-
kaint • g en aPPIe h'
41led , % w ich rose and fe l in mid-air, and
"8 equilibrium by the hydraulic action, sur-

AN EXECUTION IN SAVOY.—An execution took place
recently at Thonon, a small town of Savoy, situate on
the banks of the River Rhone. No public execution had
ever been witnessed in this little town within the memory
of man, and consequently it would be difficult to describe
the horror which the preparations for punishment excited
amongst the inhabitants at large. Nobody would supply
the executioner with the necessary articles. The various
marcliands positively refused to furnish this unfortunate
Jack Ketch with the wood, the iron, and the cords which
he wanted, in order to erect the gibbet. They only yielded
at length to the stern demands of the law ; and even then
they refused to take the price of the things, by making
the authorities a present of the necessary instruments and
apparatus. A woman, who kept a grocer's shop, being
required to supply a certain length of rope, shut her eyes,
and cried out—" Take what you want, but do not bring
anything back, or pay any money." All the journeymen
carpenters had refused to labour in the erection of the
gibbet, and when compelled to lend their tools by the
legal authorities, they gave up all their hatchets and saws,
in order that they might not in future be able to distin-
guish those which had been in the hand of the executioner.
The ladder and the gibbet were constructed by the execu-
tioner himself and his assistant. The condemned crimi-
nal luckily desired to walk to the scene of his punishment,
as the owner of the cart, which would have otherwise
been enlisted in the service, would assuredly have killed
his horse and burnt the vehicle after the execution had
taken place. The culprit was condemned to death for
the murder of a child nine years of age, after having mu-
tilated it in a grievous manner. A renort even went
abroad, that, being a professor of the "black art," he
i was n want of a child's heart for his magical purposes,
and that he had consequently committed the murder in
order to tear the heart out of the infant's body. The
details of the execution are not given. The criminal was
put to death by suspension.—Times.

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