The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-10-23 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

some with numerous passengers on board, have been lost within
the district of the port,.of. Castletriwti.alene;, independent of
those stranded and afterwards„got off. The number of persons
who have thus perished cannot now be ascertained—the lowest
estimate of the property lost appears Trout, these documents to
be upwards of £200,000, some of the vessels having been of
great value. If such'be the dreadful return for only so small a'
district, what must have been the sacrifice of life and property
within that period on the Isle of Win alone?
But we Aould alSe look to the opposite coasts, particularly to
the immediate vicinity of the great port of Liverpool, which,
during those tremendous hurricanes that at times sweep these
seas, witnesses the melancholy less of numerous and valuable
vessels, that, unable to find any 'shelter on those perilous shores,
are miserably wrecked, frequently with great part of their pas-
sengers and crews; when in these, and in almost all the other
cases enumerated, an easy refuge might have been found ih such
a pert as that here proposed to be established in the Isle of
Map. It cannot be doubted that such facts, as lamentable as
they are incontrovertible; will not be thought amongst the least,
in demonstrating the necessity of resorting to such effectual'
and permanent measures as may avert these evils, and give am-!
ple protection to the seamen and vessels which, navigate these
seas. -_

Hitherto, this measure has only been treated as it regardithe
country when in a state of peace, but that state, however to be
desired however likely to continue, may yet again be interrupted'
—it is during peace that we can best prepare for war—it is by
being ever ready fi)r war, that we can hest preserve peace.
In former wars, the enterprisi4 French commander, Thurot,!
and the daring adventurer, Pauljones, caused much alarm in
these seas. During the revolutionary war, in which we lost the
United States of America, their cruisers captured several va-
luable vessels close to the banks off Liverpool,_sotei of which,
had only left that port a few hours—they were not Tess success-'
ful in the Irish Sea and in the Clyde. Should we ever again:
be at war with that power, certainly, in the present state of
their rising navy, we cannot expect less enterprise from them
than they showed during their first struggle for rndependence—
we shall in fact be wanting, in foresight if we do hot anticipate
e
the possibility of such an vent, and provide against the injury
which otherwise. may tie sustained'by our commerce, and the
insult with which,our ports may be menaced, by small squad-.
-rmis of powerful and fast-sailing vessels, or even single ships, ,
availing themselves of the winds which-prevail during the win-
ter mouths, and rapidly passing as they may find the most fa-
vourable, either to the north or south of Ireland, traverse the
Irish sea, carrying off the merchant vessels they may meet, be-
fore any sufficient force could be collected in time to prevent
them—not that it is to be supposed that his Majesty's govern-
ment will leave these seas unprotected, but thesquadrons which
they may station there, however formidable,- would, during the
weather which -most favoured the approach of any enerny, be at
times Compelled to seek for shelter wherever practicable.
Under such circumstances, the projected harbour of Douglas
would afford the Most central and commanding station in all
these Seas;, and whilst our men-of-war there lay sheltered from '
-the storm to which their adversaries would be exposed. they
would receive, by tel,graphs established on the high lauds of
the Isle of Man, fibtri whence at times the coasts of the three
kingdoms and of Wales can be seen, instant intelligence Of
any vessel which could not answer the signal made; and were a
competent force .of stout vessels or of powerful steamlun-bOats,
such as no doubt will be used- in future wars, When unable to
keep the seas during tempestuous weather. to rendezvous in
that harbour, the most prompt measures might he taken, with
a prospect of success against the enemy. and of protection to
our friends, of which scarcely a station besides in the British
dominions can afford the opportunity. By such means the Isle
of Mau would became, as it were, the citadel of the Irish sea,
and the protection of every port on the surrounding shore.:,
which scarcely any enemy wonld'venture to attack, when they
had reason to suppose that a British squadron might be ready
to issue from Douglas Bay at a moment's notice.
Not less important to the commercial interests would he, the
facility with which convoys for foreign stations could assemble
in Douglas harbour, under small escorts sent from thence to
the neighbouring torts, and when collected in sufficient Mini-
' tiers, to be conducted to a more general rendezvous, or direct
to their final destination. _ _

At present, there is not one suitable and safe port for the
meeting of convoys in all the Irish sea between the Clyde and
Cork ; and in former wars, great has been the annoyance from
the increased premiums of insurario and the interruption to
commercial operations, and severe th'eMoss by the capture of our
merchant vessels en their passage from Liverpool and other
ports, to join convoy at Cork or elsewhere—to obviate this one
evil alone, might be worth all the expense attendant on the
measure now proposed.
Placed as the Isle of Man is, in the centre of the three king-
doms, the importance of its relative situation, in a naval and a
military point of view, appears as yet to have been very inade-
quately estimated. During war, or as at present, when the ma-
nufacturing districts of Lancashire and of Scotland, and many
parts of Ireland, are in a very disturbed state,—a military force
stationed in the Isle of Man, might be conveyed by the 'fine
steam vessels which constantly frequent its ports, to wherever
their presence might be required, with a facility no where else
to be obtained; giving to a comparatively small body of men
all the efficiency of a much larger force.
But without a port in which the vessels to receive these
troops could in all seasons be secure, and from the want of
which, during the storms of winter, they might sometimes re-
main for weeks together incapable of being removed, these
Deat advantages would be lost; on the other band, render
ouglas a safe harbour, and all the facilities here proposed
would, undoubtedly, be realized. Should the plan here offered
be carried into effect, it would unquestionably be requisite that
a port so important as Douglas would then have become, should
be protected from any sudden attack -which might be made
from the sea, by any enemy's vessels which might venture into
the Irish channel. •
Perhaps a Myrtella tower, placed on the centre part of St.
Marv's Reck which is only covered at high tides, might, for
this situation; be preferable to all other modes of defence=it
would command not only the anchorage, but the whole bay and
harbour-:-it could not be taken by a landing from boats, or its
fire be silenced by any vessels, however powerful; the founda-
tion is excellent, and the guns would be above the reach of the
waves in a storm. A platform might be raised round the base
of this tower, on which to mount a few heavy guns, a fleur
d'eau; and a..tower itself might also serve the purpose of a light-
house for the harbour. Engineers would best ne able to decide
whether any additional works or towers would be requisite on
Douglas Heads a; to the north of the bay, near Limekiln
Creek, or On the Pollock Rock, to enfilade the fire from the
Mvrtella tower, er defend the bay at the entrance to the harbour.
Prom the circumstances already stated, and from the conclu-
sions adduced therefrom, the projector of this measure, who
neither possesses property in the Isle of Man, nor has any in-
terest or object in its accomplishment, beyond the general good,
is willing to hope that the subject may be deemed worthy the
consideration of his Majesty's ministers. From various circum-
stances arising from the state of the times, and the number of
persons unfortunately without employment, the present period
may perhaps be thought favourable to the commencement of
such a project; and the approaching completion of the measure
now in progress for the re-union of the remaining sovereign
rights of the Isle of Man to the British crown, may not perhaps
be considered the least desirable for conferring on its people
particularly, and on the nation generally, so great a benefit.
Ail that, in the first instance, it is presumed to propose is,
that the proper departments of his Majesty's government will
be pleased to direct competent persons to inquire into the accu-.
racy of the statements herein made, the expediency and the
practicability of constructing such a port on the coasts of.the
Isle of Mau, to survey the immedtate spot, and to give in their
report thereon.
Should that report, as he is sanguine enough to hope, be fa-
vourable, and the objects proposed be accomplished, additional
security will be given to life and property—in peace and in war
—the revenue and the fisheries will be more effectually protect-
ed, 'commerce and general intercourse Brea facilitated, and
another -noble monument be raised to the mar rne greatness
of the British empire.
Isle Of Man, 26th July, 1826.

~
waste of property as well as of life to pause on the policy, and
the humanity-of such an:undertak'ing ?
The funds of the Coinmissioners of Harbours and the united
means of the Isle of Man are utterly unequal to such a project,
nor in common justice can the sole cost be expected from them
for an object so manifestly more of a national than of a local
description. It into be hoped that the great ports of the Irish
Sea will readily consent to a small tonnage duty. Levied as
are those for the support of lighthouses in important situations
—but another resolirse yet remains,—there are funds to the
amount at £13,000 'per annum,' paid into the Exchequer of
Ep•*land, from the surplus revenue of the Isle of Man, after
defraying all the expenses of its internal government, part of
which, perhaps, could not with more justice be granted by his
majesty's treasury for any purpose, than thus to be expended
on the shores of that Island from which they were detivedln
aid of an object so eminently calculated to promote the best in-
;terests of the empire at large—and from which consideration,
perhaps his majesty's ministers might be induced to grant an
annual debenture thereon, bearing a moderate interest—by
Auch means sufficient funds might be obtained, and every pecu-
niary difficulty obviated.
The crisis then is arrived when the most strenuous and cam-
Lined efforts ought t . be made, to call to our aid all the various
interests and authorities of the surrounding kingdoms—to lay
aside all personal or keel considerations, and' to make one
great attempt ,for the attainment of so important au object.
If it be admitted that the construction of such a pert of re-
fuge would in all human probahility; be the means to avert
these Catastrophes—if it be provedincontroverfiblY, that such
'port could best be constructed in the Isle of Mau-,and that
_Douglas, under all circumstances, is unquestionably the most
eligible place in that island, for such a
.purpose, it must then
as clearlyfollow,' that every year of delay in providing certain
means of the rescue from these dreadful calamities, is- attended
ivitb .a responsibility too awful to .be contemplated—without
calling forth the best feelings and the -enegies of those on whom
the accomplishment of so great a work may_depend.
WM. HILLARY.
Isle of Man; Oct. 13, 1833.

RUNAWAY STEAM-ENGINE.—One of the most curious circum-
stances in the history-of locomotive engines nceuered en Sunday
afternoon at the depot of the Leeda and Selby railway; at Leeds.
The firemen had lighted a fire under the boiler of a locomotive
engine which was attaehed: to a train, and then left it. The steam
got up sooner than they anticipated. and the 'engine set off with-
out either guide or train ; and, being unencumbered, it proceed-
ed with fearful rapidity. The astonishment of the firemen may
be easily conceived when the! found the engine out of sight.
The persons who Saw it in its flight acre amazed beyond mea-
sure, as-it seemed literally to fly.•Atlength,- when the.fire abated
and the steam lessened, its dangerous speed gradually slackened,
and it finally stood still in the Milford cutting, a distance of 12
miles from Leeds. It is easy-to conceive of the calamitous events
which might have resulted frouilhis 'tiCt of carelesSnes*,.and it Is
hoped that a similar event wilt nut again occur.

PERUVIAN COMMERCE.—A decree issued the 3d of June pro-
hibits the introduction of the• following articles into Peru
11eaclv-iriade clothing. boots and shoes, saddlery
,and saddles,
gold and. silver jewellery, ,iyunpowder,- saltpetre; tire-arm' an' ri
swords. Thedeeree to take effect in. two months frorn Chiti,
in four from the Brazils and Mexico, in eight from Europe and
the United States. Another decree, bearing date tlie 2d June,
prohibits the importation of all foreign tobacco, except Pavana,
and that is to be a govern Merit 4nt,ndpofr t- there'-is no suited
time •when this: decree goes into effect. To sum up' all,' the
country
.is in a wretched state—trade is entirely put a stop to.
This is literally a fact. Even should the country be undis-
turbed by more Wars-, it will be Tong tiine befure'bu'anesi,Will
be as it was before the revolution.' • • -
THE OMEGA'SHOAL:—.ThiS shoal, although not far distant
from Batavia, has escaped the notice of navigatora, until
covert, on the Ist of -March,.lB3s„by Captain Russel, of the
A Merman ship Omega, -from Canton, bound to New York, of
Whibli'Fie has transmitted the fiillowing inforrnation
ship Omega, under my command struck on a shoal, and remain-
ed 4in it twenty-five hours,.beat off her rudder, and received da-
Mage in her.bottem; got off by throwing overboard cargo of the
value of 'abinit 15;000 dollars to lighten her, and"she Was obliged
to be hove down at Ourust near Batavia, for repairs. This is a
coral shoal, steep to its edge, being sixty or seventy'vards in
breadth, and extending about N.N.,E. and S.S.W. 15'0 ;to 200
yards, having on it from ten to thirteen feet water, and it bears
about E. by S. from the south end of North Watcher, .distant
one mile and'a quarter. There is a channel of twelve fathoms
water between the island and the shoal. As this danger has not
been known hitherto, it may be new noticed publicly under the
name of Omega Shoal."—Athenteum.

*nvorto.