The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-08-08 00:00:00

THE BRAZILIAN FRIGATE ALFONZO.

This fine war-ship, which, some months ago, was
launched from the building-yard of Mr. Thomas Boyden,
was (as stated at the time) constructed for the Emperor
of the Brazils, and is intended for his majesty's own use,
to navigate the coasts, creeks, and rivers of that country,
as well as for purposes of defence in time of need. She
is built of the choicest timber. and is certainly one of the
strongest vessels ever turned out of this or any other
port. She is about 900 tons burthen, and though calcu-
lated to carry heavy metal and munitions of war upon a
light draught of water, and is, therefore, full below, she
has a fine appearance as she now lies in the Coburg Dock.
She was constructed under the superintendence of Ad-
miral Grenfell, of the Brazilian service, who will, we
presume, take the command.
The vessel has flush decks, of great strength, and on
the upper or gun-deck carries two long 64-pounders, on
carriages working on circles,—one forward and the other
aft; also, four 62-pounders in the waist, working through
side-ports. These are ponderous, yet elegant, pieces of
artil:ery. There are also a number of small arms of
various kinds. There is a large armoury and gun-room
between decks; and the ship is fitted up in every way as
an efficient vessel of war. _

On Saturday, through the kindness of Mr. Bawden, who
has superintended the erection of the engines, we were
favoured with a view of these fine pieces of mechanism.
They were built by Messrs. Benjamin Hicks and Son, of
Bolton, and are, together, of 350-horse power, but will
work more with perfect safety. They are on a new•prin-
ciple, and with direct action. All the beams and all the
frame-work are of wrought iron, and the appearance of
the whole (including the brass, &c.,) is like a huge and
beautiful specimen of the finest polished clock-work.
Cast iron would be double the weight, and not so secure.
The same builders constructed the engines of the Fury ;
but they have here introduced many improvements. A
variety of brass-work is introduced, including motion-
wheels to speed. or to reverse, the engine with great ease
and alacrity. The diameter of each cylinder is sixty-eight
inches, and the stroke of the piston five feet. The im-
mense cranks are also of wrought iron, and weigh each 18
cwt. They were bored, turned, and planed. Agreat deal of
the usual cast-iron work is substituted by copper and
brass, and the whole is exceedingly compact, highly
finished, and beautifully bright. The condensing ap-
paratus is novel in principle. The air-pumps, and the
mode of admitting the injection water are also quite new.
The same may be said of the gearings, especially the
eccentrics, which are curious and beautiful. Compared
with another vessel of 350-horse power, cn the usual
principle, (where cast iron is employed,) the saving will
be at least one-third in weight, and the security will be
one-half more. This, with general compactness, will
more than compensate for the additional cost, which is
considerable.
The boilers are on the flue principle, with fires at both
ends. In the lower after engine-room there is " a
donkey," of one-horse power, for pumping, &c. There
is, also, in another part, a tank for the distilled water
from the tubes or steam pipes.
On the whole, these are the finest and most compact
engines of the size we have yet seen.
We understand the Alfonzo will make a trial trip this
day.

PUNCH IN IRELAND.