The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-10-31 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE.-THURSDAY

south, provided they placed warehouses on the margins of I

NEW AND INGENIOUS MODE OF REEFING TOPSAILS.
—We have been much gratified by an inspection of the
apparatus, or large working model, for reefing topsails,
invented and patented by our townsman Mr. Winspear,
erected in the yard of his premises, No. 52, Sperling-
street, and representing the foremast, fore-topmast, &c.
of a schooner of considerable burthen. The plan, though
by no means complicated, is somewhat difficult to describe
without the aid of diagrams, and we would therefore ad-
vise those of our nautical friends who feel an interest in
inventions having for their object the facilitating and im-
proving the usual and long-adopted mode of working the
topsails of vessels, to visit the yard, and, taking into ac-
count the differences that may arise between the working
of such an apparatus when fixed on terra firma, and when
rolling about in a sea-way, with occasional adverse winds
—to judge for themselves of its practicability. Many
years ago the writer of this conceived the notion that it
might be possible to abridge the labours of the seaman in
reefing topsails, by means of a roller working in the centre
of the topsail yard ; the latter being made of a tubular
form,
with a narrow groove or opening below to admit
the sail as it was rolled up, in the manner of an encased
window blind. On suggesting such a plan, however, to
some nautical friends, he found that he had been fore-
stalled in the idea by several innovators who bad thought
of some similar contrivance, which, if ever fairly tested,
(which is questionable,) was abandoned, from the neces-
sity found of making a hollow yard to contain a large roll
of the sail (when double or close reefed,) so thick and
clumsy as to give it the requisite strength, that its weight
and the displacement it would require, would more than
counterbalance any advantages that might arise from the
comparatively easy and rapid manner in which reefs might
be taken in by mechanical agency without going aloft.
This was on the supposition that the yard was to be of
wood ; hut in these ingenious days of working in metals—
when even iron ships are built lighter and more buoyant
than those of oak, it may perhaps be not too much to as-
sume that hollow yards of iron or copper might be made
by which the principle might be carried out. Be this as
it may, the plan proposed by Mr. Winspear, though to a
certain extent similar—inasmuch as the sail is reefed on a
roller—appears to us to be more immediately available,
being more simple in itself, and so much less of an inno-
vation on the accustomed plan, that the prejudices of
" the old school" will not be so strongly arrayed against it,
and masters of vessels may more readily give it a trial. In
announcing his plan, Mr. Winspear states that, by means of
it, " topsails may be reefed in the short space of one minute,
without leaving the deck, and at a considerable saving of
expense ;" and adds that " all reef-tackle, reef ear-rings,
reef bands, reef points, and cringies are dispensed with—
rendering the sail much lighter and more manageable,"
The yard is the same as that at present used, but in front,
of, and parallel to it, at the distance of a few inches, and
in a downward diagonal position from it, is a roller of wood,
through the middle of which runs a strong iron rod.
This rod or spindle is secured in iron work, or eye bolts
at a short distance from either end of the yard, so as
to allow of its being turned. The roller is also supported
at different points (the number to be determined by the
length) by what are called in iron-work S's, or more
properly by pieces of iron resembling in shape the inter-
rogation in printing (?), but longer in the shank or
straight part, which part or portion of which last is driven
through the yard and secured to it by rivetting, while the
outer part, projected clear from the yard, and forming
rather more than a semicircle, serves as a hook to sup-
port the roller at each requisite point. The brass hooks
used for supporting a telescope horizontally against a
wall, are somewhat similar, and the rounded part or
hook is flattened 'and covered with leather to prevent
the sail when rolled up from being chafed or worn
by the friction in rolling up or loosening out a
reef. There were four of these for the sail we saw. There
are also other securities in bent iron rod-work near each
end, which tend to the tight and even and compact rolling
up of the sail. At each end of the long roller there is a small
iron roiler or reel on the same spindle, round which there
is a coil of chain leading to the middle of the yard, and
hence down to the deck. If a reef is wanted the yard is
lowered, and by clapping on to a tackle attached to the
lower ends of each of the two chains, the whole spindle
along side the yard is easily turned by a few hands, and
the sail taken up or reefed to any required extent,—half
a reef, three-fourths, a whole reef, or two or three reefs.
The sail we saw was readily reefed by only one man, who
pulled down a chain with each hand with the simple pur-
chase of a single block and fall ; and we should think a
very large topsail might be reefed by four men, two to
each tackle. The iron rollers, at the extremities, on which
the chains work are proposed to be 8 to 9 inches long, and
about 3 inches diameter in a vessel of about 400 tons bur-
then. From the gradual widening of the sail towards the
lower yard, the bolt ropes do not ride over each other in
reefing, and the whole apparatus is so snug, that though
additional to the usual topsail-yard, it presents no eye-
sore, the roller being scarcely observable at a moderate
distance. One considerable advantage appears to be, that
as there is a space between the main roller and the yard,
the sail spills itself to a considerable extent through this
opening at the top when the yard is lowered for reefing,
and thus facilitates the operation of reefing. But though
much reefing gear is saved by the plan, it does not so
clearly appear to us that reef-tackles can be altogether
dispensed with, as we think that by lifting the sail to-
wards the yard they would relieve considerably the power
otherwise required in rolling up the sail, and would be at-
tended with very little additional trouble. This, however,
may be better decided by practice. Meantime we think
the invention worthy of the consideration of ship-masters,
and are glad to learn that it has already been applied to a
ship's wizen top-mast that recently left this port for New
Orleans, so that we may hereafter be enabled to report
progress. Several naval officers have, we learn, given
their testimony in its behalf, and amongst others the gal-
lant Admiral Napier, whose only demur was, that it would r
render the men so lazy that they might lie in their berths
and order the ship-lads, when a reef was wanted, to hand r
ern down the ropes, that they might reef the sail

At the weekly meeting of the Dock Committee on
Thursday, a letter from Mr. Hartley was read. It stated
that out of fourteen docks at present in existence, not
one could be let dry for the purpose of making those re-
pairs which time and corrosion ever produce, as a proof
that more docks were wanted. The letter proceeded to
state that he was of opinion that it would be desirable
that large steam-ships should be wholly provided for at
the north of the present dock estate, and, as the timber
trade was so thoroughly located at the south end of the
town, and as it appeared to be in contemplation to pur-
chase the Harrington Dock Estate, that property, to-
gether with a portion of the ground situated between it
and the Brunswick Dock, might be constructed so as to
produce accommodation nearly equal to that now given by
the Brunswick Dock, although the natural surface of that
property was not exactly what he would desire for that
purpose. Should this increased accommodation for the
general trade of the south dock be approved of, he would
then propose that steps should be taken for the accommo-
dation of the coasting trade, which might be best effected
by forming a connexion throughout the docks between the
river and the Leeds and Liverpool canal by means of a
passage opening from the basin immediately north of the
dock estate into a dock of about four acres area, extend-
ing from Regent-road eastward as far as Victoria-road, a
continuation of Great Howard-street, ascending thence
by four basins into the canal on the south side of the
new gas works. in the neighbourhood of Beacon's Gut-
ter he should propose to construct a tidal basin, with a
double entrance for the admission of large steamers, pas-
sing thence extending south, to the north end of the pre-
sent dock estate, and connecting with the before. mention-
ed passage at the Clarence Dock. Opening from out of
the tidal basin to Beacon's Gutter, be should recommend
that a graving dock, for large steamers, should be con- I
structed, as well as such other graving dock accommoda-
tion as might be required for the general wants of the
port.

_
The CHAIRMAN said that the land at the north end
could not be got for 255. a square yard. It was a mis-
take to suppose it could be got cheaper.
The report of the Chairman, as to the result of his ne-
gociations, was then read. It stated that the quantity of
land which had been offered for sale by the Harrington
Dock Company was 127,700 square yards, and that the
price they required per square yard was £1 Ils. 6d. The
greater part of the purchase-money would be taken in
dock bonds, at a rate of interest to be hereafter agreed
upon. The Finance Committee had also agreed to sell as
much of their estate as would be made available by the
docks, at a price to be agreed upon hereafter by the two
estates, with the view of opening a communication from
the now proposed north docks with the Leeds and Liver-
pool canal—Mr. John Shaw Leigh bad named a certain
price.

Mr. Nrcor. would merely propose that the price named
in the negotiation with the Harrington Dock Company be
accepted ; that the negociation with the Corporation for
their land be completed as early as possible; that the
price named by Mr. John Shaw Leigh be accepted; that
all be purchased, subject to the approval of the trustees of
the docks, and provided power be obtained for such pur-
pose by an act of parliament.
Mr. EVANS spoke at great length in opposition to the
motion.

Mr. NicoL saw no use for warehouses at a timber dock
and a steam dock.

LIVERPOOL DISTRICT COURT OF

BANKRUPTCY

TUESDAY.
(Before Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS.)
RE PHILLIPS.

Mr. PAYNE complained to the Court of the report of
this case, which appeared in the Journal and Chronicle,
and was copied into the Albion. He said he believed it
was furnished by the messenger's (Mr. Gaskell's) clerk.
He did not find fault with its accuracy, but he thought,
as the insolvent had been sent out of Court during the
statement of the opposing solicitor, such statement, being
ex parte, should not have been published.
His HONOUR expressed his disapprobation in very
strong terms of any officer sending reports to the news-
papers, and said the application to him was a waste of the
time of the Courts as he had no power to prevent any one
(except his own officers) from reporting.

RE WILSON, INSOLVENT.

This was the day appointed for granting the final order.
The examination took place on the 2nd instant, when,
after an opposition which was over-ruled, and no material
objection made by the official assignee to the schedule,
this day was fixed for the final order.

Mr. GREEN appeared for the insolvent, and said he un-
derstood his friend Mr. Payne intended to oppose.
Mr. PAYNE disclaimed any such intention. No other
creditor opposed.

Mr. Turner, the official assignee, was absent on account
of indisposition, and Mr. BIR.D officiated for him. The
papers were furnished to Mr. Turner, on the 4th of Sep-
tember.

His HoNooß took a course not very usual in this stage
of the proceedings. He subjected the insolvent to a rigid
examination, from which it appeared that he had been
partner in several concerns, all of which had been wound
up, and were unprofitable. From one he was to receive
£350, but he had drawn £lOO only, the other portion
having bee❑ retained to meet the losses of the concern,
and monies advanced to the insolvent on his private ac-
count. He was now disconnected from any firm, and de-
pendent on his own exertions, and had no certain income.
There was an agreement given up to the official assignee,
by virtue of which the insolvent, in consideration of un-
dertaking the management of some chemical works, was
entitled to a third of the profit on the save of borax, ashes,
tincal, boracic acid, and soda, the amount of which was
unknown to the insolvent. The insolvent had, also, been
a lecturer on chemistry, from which he had derived some
small gains.

His-HoNouß inquired of the official assignee whether
he had investigated the insolvent's claim under the agree •
merit, and Mr. Bird having answered that he had not, his
Honour said he should adjourn the case for three months
that the official assignee might see whether any proposal
could be made for the creditors, and he should send the
case back to Mr. Commissioner Skirrow's court.
Mr. GREEN urged that the insolvent had given the best
account he could, that he had no income, and that the re-
sidue of the £250 had been taken to make up the losses of
the concern; that the insolvent could get no employment
until he had passed the court, and pressed for a shorter
adjournment, and that the hearing might take place in
that court.

His HONOUR appointed the 17th November, and or-
dered the case to be heard before Mr. Commissioner
Skirrow.

Mr. ROYDEN thought the docks at the north end could
not be made one farthing cheaper than those at the south.
Mr. TOBIN said everything was in favour of the south

aste. He was in fay-our of docks being built north and

they lay in bed

WA RD MEETINGS

ST. ANNE'S-STREET WARD

The votes were then taken, when there appeared for the
motion, Messrs. Sands, Middleton, Chilton, Bold, Tobin, A very numerous and respectable meeting of the con-
Sandbach, Smith, Royden, Moore, Nicol, Molyneux ; servative burgesses of this ward, was held on Friday
against it, Messrs. Ripley, Holt, Bulley, Evans, and night at (late) Holden's, Richmond-row.
Barclay.
On the motion of Mr. Parker, Mr. Holden was called
Mr. CHILTON then nroposed a resolution to the effect
that, in the opinion of the committee, it was desirable to to the chair, and after briefly referring to the circum-
proceed to parliament to obtain an act to carry out their stances under which the ward had been placed, intimated
plans for new docks now agreed on. that the committee of the ward had succeeded in securing
Mr. RIPLEY, seconded by Mr. EVANS, moved as an the service of Mr. 11. G. Harbord as a candidate for the
suffrages of the constituency. A more staunch or more
amendment, that the words " and warehouses" should be
added after the word docks. talented and fitting Conservative was not to be found in
The votes were taken, when there appeared, in favour Liverpool than this gentleman. His address was the most
of the amendment, Messrs. Ripley, Holt, Evans, and spirited which had, as yet, been issued by any candidate;
Barclay. Against it. Messrs. Bold, Tobin, Smith, Sand- and, although there was but a short time allowed for ex-
bach, Nicol, Royden, Molyneux, and Sands. ertion he had no doubt of success, if that exertion was
Mr. BOLD, seconded by Mr. SANDBACH, proposed a promptly made. (Cheers.)
resolution, requesting that a special meeting of the Coun- A note was read from James Aspinall, Esq., apologising
cil should be called as soon after the 9th of November as for not being able to accept the invitation to attend, on
possible, for the purpose of taking into consideration the account of his having to be present at a meeting of the
plans and the necessity for going to parliament. This re- county magistrates at Preston, the uncertainty of his re-
solution was carried without opposition. turning house in time, and having a prior engagement at
A personal altercation here took place between Mr. Scotland Ward ; but expressing his best wishes for Mr.
Evans and Mr. Nicol, respecting an article on the subject Harbord's success.
of dock extension, which appeared in the Albion of Mon- Mr. PARKER (councillor for the ward) expressed his
day last. Eventually, Mr. Evans, not directly disavow. heartfelt pleasure in being enabled to propose Mr. Har-
ing the authorship, but fully adopting the writer's views, bord as a candidate for the ward. He had been in the
declared that he had no intention to impute pecuniary habit of hearing within the last ten days, from some con-
motives to Mr. Nicol, whereupon the matter dropped, servatives, the opinion expressed that the radical candi-
and the committee adjourned. date, Mr. Hornby, was "a highly respectable merchant,"
and that it was no use entering into a contest with him.
But he was distinctly of opinion that your highly respect-
able men, who hold opposite opinions, were the most dan-
gerous men that could be sent into the council ; and a
conservative constituency ought to use more strenuous
exertions to defeat such men, wherever they presented
themselves, than your mere dull dunces whose opinions
influenced nobody. The question had been asked of him
" Had not Mr. Harbord said too much in his address ?"
His opinion was that he had not. These were not times
for half and half measures, opinions, or expressions.
Popery was making rapid strides in the country, by means
of municipal councils as well as in other modes, however
some people might try to conceal it. The object of the
reveal agitation was the downfall of the Established
Church. Unfortunately there were too many who pro-
fessed.liberal conservatism. They were worse than radi-
cals. The old name of tory was far better than the com-
paratively new one of conservative. He eulogised the
character of Mr. Harbord, and dwelt strongly on the at-
tention which he paid to the poor, and the fact that in a
series of letters published in the LIVERPOOL STANDARD
he drew the attention of the public to the sanatory defects
of Liverpool, long before Dr. Duncan's pamphlet was
published ; and would, therefore, be useful in carrying
out the provisions of the new act which the town so much
required. (Cheers.) After a stirring appeal to the elec-
tors present, in which he drew attention to the fact that
they had only three days to complete their canvass, whilst
their opponents had already finished their work, he pro-
prsed the 101 l iwing resolution, viz.:—
" That it is the opinion of this meeting that Mr. H. G.
Harbord is a fit and proper man to represent this ward in
the Town Council."
Dr. GOUTHWAITE seconded the motion, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr. HARBORD was then irtroduced, and received with
tremendous cheering and the Kentish fire. After some
radical interruption, which was quickly disposed of by
the summary ejection of the intruder, Mr. Harbord pro-
ceeded to state the motives by which he had been induced
to offer himself as a candidate. When he first signified
his assent to the deputation which had waited upon him,
he felt that he came forward with a certainty of defeat
before him ; and yet, as a true conservative, he had not
flinched, and would not flinch from any step by which the
great cause of conservatism in the borough could be
benefitted. Since he came amongst them, however, he
had been agreeably deceived, and he felt now assured of
triumphant success. Mr. Harbord then proceeded to
comment, clause by clause, upon the address which he
had put forward, and a portion of which he justified by
referring to the state of Ireland, to the fact that parties
were going thither from Liverpool to aid the traitorous
project of repeal, and that O'Connell was boasting of his
receipts from this town, and that the education question
was merely used to advance the Romish superstition. He
expatiated upon this topic at some length, and expressed
his regret at finding some of the Wesleyan Methodist
body deceived by the professions of liberalism. If elected,
he should endeavour to represent, not a section of the
ward, hut the ward itself, and the interests of the town
generally. Mr. Harbord also entered into many par-
ticulars regarding the sanatory regulations of the town,
and the nature of the new law. He concluded amidst
loud cheering and the Kentish fire.
Mr. Councillor JONES moved the next resolution,
pledging the meeting to the support of Mr. Harbord.
Mr. THOMAS PARKER seconded the resolution, which
was carried with acclamation.
Mr. SHEPPARD being called for, after an eloquent
eulogum upon the activity and tried principles of Mr. Har-
bord, as shewn in many contests in Toxteth-park, alluded
to the subject of the dock accommodation, and said, if it
could be fairly proved to the satisfaction of the Council,
after mature and deliberate consideration, that the further
contemplated dock accommodation could be more ad-
vantageously procured at the south end of the town, he
was sure that the north end would not grudge this boon
to the south. He further alluded to the widening of Park-
lane, from Liver-street towards the Custom-house, as
most desirable for a thoroughfare to the south end. He
then drew attention to the usefulness of Mr. Harbord if
elected as a professional gentleman upon the health of
the town committee, and also from his local knowledge
would be a useful member on many other committees,
and concluded by remarking that if elected he was sure
he would prove a most efficient member of the Town

Council. _ _
Mr. PEACOCK being called for, "presented himself
amidst loud cheering, and expressed the regret with
which he had viewed the recent apathy which had existed
in the ward on the subject of this contest. The conser-
vatives of St. Anne's in former elections had set a noble
example to the rest of the town, and successfully vindi-
cated their conservative character ; and if the same spirit
had
ds
hsheeonwnurngoewd ,as an
theseamxceusse forucce isstshwoaupldathhey
oth n theere partsult. oflt
the conservatives that Mr. Hornby was a moderate man.
He would test that moderation. Mr. Hornby was one of
the town-council in days when whig-radicalism was in the
ascendant there; and upon every ques.ion he went the
whole hog with his party. In no one instance did he
stand aloof; and could such a man be called " a moder-
ate man ?" He defied any supporter of his, if be had
any in that room, to point to one instance in which he
had acted in the council as any other than a thick and
thin partisan of wbig.radicalism. The speaker concluded
by saying, that in Mr. Harbord they had a thoroughgoing
conservative, who would on every occasion stand by the
cause of conservatism, which he had really at heart.
After a vote of thanks to the chairman, a number of the
most active conservatives of the ward came forward and
took canuassing books, and the meeting then separated.

-~--

SCOTLAND WARD

A meeting of the conservative electors of Scotland Ward
took place on Friday evening last, at Mrs. Barton's, In
Burlington-street. The attendance was very numerous
and respectable, comprising many gentlemen of standing
in the town ; and the whole of the proceedings were cha-
racterised by a degree of enthusiasm and feeling amply
demonstrative of the unabated attachment of the electors
to the good cause.

Mr. Thomas Wilson, our celebrated shipbuilder, was,
on the motion of Mr. Redfert, unanimously called to the
chair ; and this selection was followed by three times
three cheers for that gentleman and Mr. Vernon.
The CHAIRMAN thanked the meeting for the high com-
pliment paid by those present to Mr. Vernon and himself,
and said that he much regretted that, in consequence of
illness, Mr. Vernon was unable to attend that evening.
His son, however, had come amongst them, and, he
doubted not, would be welcomed by them for his father's
sake. (Cheers.) He (the chairman) bad also to explain
that several of their conservative friends who had intended
to be present, had been prevented by various causes—
amongst others, Mr. James Aspinall and Mr. A. Lace.
The former had to attend at Preston that day, on the
appointment of a governor to Kirkdale Gaol; and the
latter, in a note in which he expressed his best wishes for
their success, stated that but for an unavoidable engage-
ment he would have had the pleasure of meeting them.
He (the chairman) trusted, however, that the electors
would use their utmost endeavours triumphantly to secure
the election of Mr. Vernon.

Mr. J. KERFOOT then briefly proposed the first resolu-
tion, to the effect that Thomas Vernon, Esq., being inti.
mately acquainted with, and interested in, the commerce
and manufactures of the town, and the ward in particular,
and being of sound conservative principles, was the can-
didate suited to their views.

Dr. M'lsimoL, in seconding the resolution, said that,
Mr. Vernon was yet unable to leave the house, but he was
happily recovering, and he hoped would be enabled to be
with them on Wednesday next. He trusted the electors
would use every exertion to secure his return, as he felt
assured he (Mr. V.) would, if elected, do all in his power
to give them entire satisfaction. (Cheers.)
The resolution was put, and carried unanimously.
Mr. THOMAS ELLIOT said there was no doubt, from
the canvass that bad already taken place, but that the
election of Mr. Vernon was secure, and he moved a re-
solution pledging those present to use every exertion to
attain that object.

This was seconded by Mr. R. EDWARDS, and also una-
nimously carried.

Mr. VERNON, jun., then presented himself, and was
received with the loudest applause. He stated that he
had just received a letter from his father, in which he
stated that he was fast recovering, and enjoining him
(Mr. J. Vernon) to help them forward, for his heart was
with them, and he felt proud in being supported by so
zealous and noble-hearted a body of conservatives. He
could confidently state for his father, that he would do all
in his power for the interests of the whole constituency.
His principles were thoroughly conservative; his religion
scriptural; he was a firm supporter of the Established
hCHehe
wasu(rtchh
ea;
fs
rhp:
ees
an
kdme motto
jf
felt
bst
tai
hdc
gebhvol eyt rh
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ne
the poor
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given to his father by so numerous a body, for which he
sincerely thanked them, and concluded by expressing a
hope that they would not relax in their endeavours, but
that his father's absence would stimulate them to zealous
and increasing support, so that they might nobly win the
victory. (Loud applause.)

After some further conversation, the business of the
fleeting was declared to be concluded; thanks were voted
to the chairman ; and the assembly, which had been pn
thusiastic throc-

huu t, dispersed