The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-07-05 00:00:00

ofleelterr deeding 1n step Oft tOpited with witthegittifi On I
each side of ,the door, a large slate room is talon arrd
g the extremities of the set4Mcircle, ate
trna'bopirg mahoganywith three,
topped sideboards,. The fronts of the
state rooms and the bulkheads forward' are painted in oak,
with the exception of the upper paunel in each door, which
forms a venetian blind olvarnished mahogany. The roof is
neatly but plainly moulded, and painted in light tints. The
.
floor is covered with oilcloth, and the light is admitted by a
large square deck light. The state rooms are handsomely
fitted up, and have small circular side lights, that open to ad-
mit the air, as well as bulls'-eyes, or rather oblong deck panes.
There are three iron pillars, cased in wood, and painted in
variegated marble, ranging fore and aft, in front of the rud-
der case, and also several shorter pillars rising from the circle
of the upper lockers. These are for the more effectual sup-
port of the great gun, or" Long Tom," and its carriage, tra-
versing the deck immediately over them. The movable fur-
niture and table arc of substantial mahogany. Immediately
under the table and lower deck on, which it stands is the pow-
der magazine, so that should a " blow up " unhappily take
place (which is by no means probable from the precautions
taken and the plan of " the premises"), the worthy comman-
der would in all likelihood be the first sent " aloft" by the
explOsion. On the whole this is a fine apartment, devoid of
gaudy decoration, but sufficiently comfortable for all the pur-
poses of the service.
TnE GUN Roost, further forward, is also an equally
handsome and even more shapely apartment—painted and
fitted up in similar style. It is about seventeen feet square,
This is the sanctum of the lieutenants, surgeon, purser, &c.
There are several private cabins for repose and retirement at
each side. These are each six feet six inches square, and as
the beds are constructed so as to be triced up to the sides,
the whole space is available during the day. They and all well
lighted and ventilated by opening circular side windows and
small deck lights. The floors are covered with wax cloth.
The writer of this notice has seen many seventy-fours not
nearly so comfortable

Next to the cabin is the STEWARDS' Room, a large and
well-fitted compartment. On one side of it is the midship-
man's dining-room, and on the other their exclusive pantry,
and the dispensary. The " middies," hitherto accustomed
to the usual lack of accommodation in our sailing ships, will
be agreeably surprised on taking possession of tenements so
much superior; and we hope the example here furnished, of
what may be accomplished for their convenience within
comparatively small space, will conduce, in other ships, to
the increased comfort of these too-much-neglected young-
sters—from whom, after all, have sprung our Howes, our
Nelsons, and our Napiers.

The ENGINE and FIREMEN'S CABIN and sleeping berths
are proportionately roomy and commodious, and so disposed
that they can pursue their duties apart from interruption or
mingling with the crew. Each department, indeed, may be
said to be entirely separated by the iron bulkheads.
The same may be said of the WARRANT OFFICER'S
CABIN, and the COOKING APARTMENT or galley. The
latter is fitted with Brown and Redpath's cabouse, which has
been highly approved throughout our steam navy for its
compactness and the facilities it affords for the preparation
of food in various ways, for a great number of persons—
whether plain-boiled for the "jolly tars," or more delicate
and complicated for the cabin table.
The accommodations for the men, forward, and also on
the lower deck, are exceedingly roomy, and everything has
been done to conduce to cleanliness and comfort. The mess
tables hinge to the sides, and may be thrown up at pleasure,
leaving the whole central space clear. The mess kits are all
made of zinc, hooped, in imitation of cooper-work. They
are very light, though apparently strong, and can be kept
sweet and clean much more easily than wooden vessels.

The other arrangements throughout the ship, under the
lower deck, have been carried out with equal attention to the
general service and efficiency of the vessel. In the fore hold
are tanks for water, gunners, boatswains, and carpenters'
store-rooms, stowage set apart for wet provisions, &n. In
the after hold is the spirit-room, bread-room, &c. ; and in
the after peak the shell-room. Under the midshipmen's
berths is the shot locker and hold for berthing troops, or for
space for additional coals if wanted. Under the engineers'
berths are the engineers' store-room, and a similar hold for
troops or for stowing coals.

In; tine, (for furiber details or technicalities would but
weary the general reader,) we need but add, that the
Guadalupe is: a first-rate vessel in build and equipments.
As she is the largest iron steam-ship yet built, she will, in
all probability, be the first of a series of war-steamers of a
class improved by modern science, and destined to carry the
naval glory of our country to a still higher pre-eminence
(great as that is) than it has yet attained; and, at the same
time—suppressing every aggression that may militate against
our national welfare, or that of our allies—be the means of
pioneering commerce and civilization in their onward march
into regions yet barbarous and benighted, and opening out
their rich resources, not only for the advantage of their inha
bitants, but of the whole human family. _ _

She is commanded by Commander Charlewood, R.N., an
officer' of great experience and distinguished merit. This
gentleman was promoted for his gallant conduct on the coast
of Syria, when serving as gunnery lieutenant of " The Ben-
bow," seventy-four. Ile served also with Colonel Chesney,
in the first Euphrates expedition, in the " Euphrates" iron
steamer, also built by Mr. Laird. Mr. Wright, who has long
been in the service of his country, and is a master in the
navy, is first officer. He served on the coast of Spain, in
H.M.St. Comet, and afterwards in the Rhadamanthus, steam-
ship, in the Mediterranean. The crew are all picked men—
most of them regular "men of wars'-men." The greatest order
and mutual respect are maintained on board, every one ap-
pearing to to know his duty, and willing to perform it. The
Guadalupe, in fine, will do honour to the country from
which she hails, whatever be her destination ; and we heartily
wish her and those connected with het every success.

TRIAL TRIP OF THE " GUADALUPE."

On Tuesday last, the Guadalupe made a trip some miles to
sea, with a view to ascertain the capabilities of the vessel,
and the power of her large guns. She weighed anchor from
the Sloyne shortly before twelve o'clock, and having received
on board several nautical gentlemen and others off Birken-
head, proceeded down the river against an upcoming tide—
the engines working so smoothly as scarcely to cause per-
ceptible vibration in any part of the ship. There was a brisk
breeze from the W.S.W., and being put also under her fore-
and-aft sails and topsail, she dashed along in gallant style,
taking the Victoria Channel, and making good when off
Formby about 101 knots, though she could by no means be
considered light, as she had on board several days' coals, a
large quantity of duplicate machinery, provisions, water, and
other stores, preparatory to her final departure from this
country. She passed a number of large vessels inward
bound, under full sail,—each in itself forming a beautiful
and, we may say, sublime object ; and though the day was
somewhat cloudy, delightful glimpses were obtained of the
Lancashire, Cheshire, and Welsh coasts, on the latter of
which the fields and enclosures (in Flintshire) bore the ap-
pearance of a coloured map. The subsequent scenery, both
land and marine, was throughout the trip varied and inte-
resting, there being numerous vessels studding the wide ex-
panse of water, some steering portward with a free wind,
and others beating down the channel ; while the picturesque
shores to the south-west, terminating in bold headlands, and
backed by cloud-capped mountains softened in the haze of
distance, ever presented new and attractive features. After
making a considerable offing to the westward, and the ship
began to feel the effects of the freshening breeze and the
gently rising sea, we were reminded of a passage in a former
nautical sketch by the writer of this, as conveying the general
feeling of those on board, and which we therefore venture to
quote :—" To those who have before been at sea, there is
something peculiarly and almost indescribably delightful in
treading the deck, when the shallows and difficulties of a
harbour egress are overcome, and the stately ship—a floating
home for her gallant crew—impelled by sail or steam, or a
combination of both, first bounds, in the glory of freedom,
over the blue billows of the outward sea, and proudly bathes•
her sides in the foaming surge disputed from the prow.
When—carrying with her the means and materials of her
own propulsion for thousands of miles—she thus impetuous
dashes on her course, as if scorning the saucy waves that
occasionally break in gentle showers of spray over her deck ;
when, snorting like the joyful colt just let loose upon his fa-
vourite sward, she careers in the pride of her strength over
the unfathomed fields of the boundless ocean, and yields
herself to the grateful guidance of the skilful steersman,—
the enthusiast, who beholds her huge and reckless bulk—her
lofty masts--her full distended sails, all trim and staunch—
her engines, propelled by a wondrous power,—confesses that
' she walks the waters like a thing of life,' and enjoys a
blameless gratification in the reflection that, fitted as she is
to visit the remotest shores in the habitable globe—to sup-
ply mutual wealth and mutual wants, and thereby promote
the interests of humanity,—she presents an animated and,
though indeed a perishable, a sublime and renewable monu-
ment of the dominion and triumph of the world of mind over
the world of matter ! "

Thus proudly did the Guadalupe hold her course over the
" multitudinous waves ;" and even in a considerable seaway
her motiqp was most easy and agreeable—albeit, gentle as it
was, it slightly affected a few of those on board, who were
" all unused to the moving mood," with that dire discomfort
to landsmen, " watery sickness"—which, however, was but of
transient duration. She showed sufficient bearing to carry
an ample spread of sail, even when close hauled, and with
both her guns run out to leeward at the same time ; and was
totally devoid of the unpleasant lurch to windward that ge-
nerally accompanies great stability.
After passing the outer light-ship, and making a consi-
derable run to the W.N.W., the guns (68-pounders) were
tried, first with blank cartridge, and afterwards with round
shot. They made a tremendous report, " the shot booming
along the deep," and whistling long and fearfully in the air,
ere they fell, so far from the vessel that from the spot where
they struck the water rose in a white column, resembling a
istant disrupted water-spout. Several of them, fired off
nearly on a level, made two or three distinct skips, tearing
up the water with amazing force, before they finally dropped,
.and astonishing, doubtless, the fish in their fearful track !
The general distance at which they fell appeared to be
about one-and-a-half to two miles. The shock, or vi-
bration, from the firing of these tremendous pieces of
ordnance was acknowledged by all to be less than usual,
and excepting on the lower deck, immediately under
them, was scarcely perceptible.' Some nautical gentlemen
went into the cabin below the after gun, and, giving the sig-
nal, attentively watched the effect, and were fully satisfied on
this point. Three of the ladies on board during the trip
claimed the honour of firing the first three guns, and did
their "duty" with great coolness—the concussion passing
sans derange). leur cheveux. These guns are fired by means
of locks. They are of the same form as those used on board
of her Majesty's steam-frigates, and precisely similar to those
that recently did such execution on the coast of Syria.
There were sixteen men, including a captain, to each gun,
and, notwithstanding their great weight, (65 cwt.,) they were
promptly loaded, and run out on their sliding carriages,
which were found to work most satisfactorily.

The vessel, we should remark, steered beautifully, under
all circumstances,—the wheel scarcely ever requiring more
than the turn of a single spoke to keep her in her direct
course. The compasses were corrected by Messrs. Gray and
Kean, of this town, on Professor Airy's principle, and were
pronounced by the pilot and other nautical men, who observed
the bearings of the several headlands, &c., to be perfectly
correct. This is &most gratifying fact when it is considered
that not only is the vessel's hull and bulwarks entirely of iron,
but that one of the heavy guns is necessarily at a short dis-
tance from the binnacle. This instance alone fully establishes
the accuracy of the principle so happily discovered by the
talented professor, and is of the greatest importance as re-
gards the future progress of steam navigation.
On one occasion the steam was entirely stopped, and the
vessel placed solely under sail upon a wind. Though the
paddle floats operated as strong stopwaters, she made consi-
derable way, and, were the wheels disconnected, which they
are calculated. to be by the construction of the cranks, she
would, no doubt, sail very fast with a brisk breeze.
After proceeding about 30 miles from port, the word was
given " about ship ;" her head was soon put to the S.E.,
and under full steam and sail, including the top-gallant sail,
spankingshe away merrily homeward. Taking the average
of her speed, she made in this trip fully 10 knots under steam
alone ; and under both steam and canvas, from 11 to 12
knots, as the wind lulled or freshened—at one time even
making full 12 by the log. Considering the great size, and the
displacement of the vessel, (about 900 tons,) and her circum-
scribed steam power, her speed considerably surpassed the
most sanguine expectations of her commander, and the other
nautical men on board. The passage homeward was, if pos-
sible, even more agreeable than that outward, and she ran up
the river at a rapid rate, under steam alone, against a strong
down-going tide. When opposite Monk's Ferry, the party
on board transhipped themselves to the Birkenhead steam-
boat, which came alongside to receive them, and were safely
landed—all highly delighted with the excursion, and the
kindness and urbanity of the commander of the gallant
team-frigate " Guadalupe."