The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-08-19 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE.

The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held yes-
terday, when the following members were present :—Messrs.
Sands, (chairman.) Horsfall,. Barclay, Holt, Molyneux,
Chilton, Sandbach, Bulley, Evans, Tobin, Bold, Aikin,
Middleton, Smith, and Ripley.

SPECIAL MEETING.-THE NEW SHEDS.
It appeared that a special meeting of the committee was
held on Tuesday last to consider the regulations received
from the Customs for the management of the sheds recently
erected on the west quay of Prince's Dock. After some
consideration, the committee resolved that they would use
every effort to cause the regulations to be strictly observed,
although, in some respects, they were inconsistent with the
provisions of the new dock act.

CLAREI.'CE GRAVING DOCKS.
The Sub-committee of Works presented a report, in which
they recommended the General Committee to reconsider
their resolution ofthe 30th December last, authorising the Cla-
rence Graving Docks to be lengthened, so far as related to
the South Graving Dock. The estimated cost of lengthening
the South Graving Dock was £8,300.
Mr. EVANS inquired whether Mr. Hartley, the surveyor,
was present to give some explanation?
The SECRETARY replied that Mr. Hartley was too ill to
be able to be present, but his son was in attendance.
The CHAIRMAN stated that Mr. Hartley was of opinion
that the lengthening of the South Graving Dock was not
necessary.
Mr. EVANS added that the lengthening would be attended
with great inconvenience, and that it would furnish no ad-
vantage commensurate with the expense of it.
Mr. TOBIN asked what would be the disadvantage of
lengthening it ?
The CHAIRMAN, in reply, said the advantage was thought
not to be equal to the great cost of it.
Mr. TOBIN was not thinking of the cost, but only of the
very great inconvenience which was caused by the want of
graving dock room. The lengthening of these two graving
docks was ordered with the express object in view of giving
more accommodation, and he could imagine no good ground
for that order not being proceeded with. One graving dock
had been taken away to make room for the new dock, and, in
return, these two graving docks were ordered tobe lengthened,
yet now it was proposed tdat the south one should remain
as it is. He wished the committee would keep to the reso-
lution which they had previously adopted in order that
graving dock accommodation might be given. There was
not so much need of it just now. but not very long ago he
had himself six vessels entered for the graving docks, and he
could only get four of them in after having waited six weeks.
He repeated that there was a very great want of graving
dock accommodation, and he did not understand how the
committee could consistently rescind their resolution for
lengthening either of the Clarence Graving Docks, seeing
that it bad been ordered in consideration of the graving
dock which had been taken away.
Mr. HORSVALL said the question was simply one of ex-
pense. Looking at the cost, at the confined space on
which they had to work, and at the inconvenience which
would attend the working of the dock when lengthened, it
had been suggested by Mr. Hartley that the dock should re-
main as it was. There would be great inconvenience in
working the dock, after it had been lengthened, the space
being so exceedingly narrow at one of the ends.
Mr. TOBIN remarked that the space was no narrower now
than when the lengthening was determined upon. There
was nothing, therefore, in that point. The fact was, the
committee never knew when they were right or when they
were wrong. Graving dock room was wanted, and in the
hope of giving it, these docks were ordered to be lengthened,
but now one of them was to be ordered to remain as it was.
He could not understand the reason/of such inconsistency.
Could the Sub-committee of Works recommend any other
place for additional graving docks ?
Mr. EVANS dared say they would; but time must be
given them to look round.
Mr. TOBIN.-But we may wait twelve months for you to
look round, and be where we were at last.
Mr. AIKEN said the committee were giving an excellent
substitute for graving docks in the Clarence Graving Basin.
Vessels frequently went into the graving docks for no other
purpose hnt to have their bottoms examined, and now grid-
irons had been furnished which answered that purpose ; but
in the Clarence Graving Basin they might also be coppered.
That basin would now be kept dry, so that vessels might be
coppered in it quite as well as in any graving dock.
Mr. TOBIN said the shipowners had been more in want of
graving-dock accommodation, for some time, than they ever
were for dock room.

Mr. EVANS obseryed, that as this south graving dock
would not hold more than two vessels after it had been
lengthened, and would cost nearly £9OOO, he would rather
keep the £9OOO for something better.
Mr. RIPLEY said that graving dock room was wanted, and
he should be glad distinctly to understand that the Sub-
committee of Works were upon the look-out for land.
Mr. EVANS said that in a year hence the deposit of exca-
vations on the north shore would be completed, and then every
thing would present a different appearance; and in all like-
lihood facilities would be given then which could not be given
now.

Mr. RIPLEY did not see why that should be deferred for
a year which could be done now. Why could not space be
found now which could be found twelve months hence?
Mr. AlKEN.—Where can you find it?
Mr. RIPLEY.—To the north. I believe you may get any
quantity of land for graving dock accommodation there.
Mr. AIKEN.—You could not have them at a more incon-
venient spot.

Mr. RiPLEY said that was another question. If it would
not suit the convenience of the carpenters, the committee
could not help that. _ _ _

Mr. AIKIN observed that the most convenient place for
the carpenters was also the most convenient for the ship-
owners. A suggestion had been made that the space near
Prince's Basin should be appropriated; and, he believed,
accommodation might be provided there at a moderate ex-
pense.
Mr. HORSFALL was understood to say that the committee
had not power to expend one sixpenceupon anew graving-dock
without an act of parliament, therefore a new one at present
was not of the question. What might be done at another
time was another matter.

Mr: RIPLEY inquired whether a new graving-dock could
not he made now without an act of parliament?
Mr. HORSFALL was understood to say than an act would
be necessary.

Mr. EvANs did not want to delay discussion, but he would
mention that the land at the north end of Prince's-deck
might be tequired for more important objects than graving-
docks. It might be wanted for a new dock, therefore the
committee ought not to be in a hurry. .
The CHAIRMAN inquired whether he might not consider
the recommendation of the Sub-committee of Works de-
ferred for further consideration, the sub-committee, in the
mean time, to consider whether they could not suggest a
place for graving-dock accommodation.
Mr. TOBIN protested against any such decision. The
lengthening of the Clarence south graving-dock ought not to
be postponed unless the Sub-committee of Works, which
was all powerful, were able to find a better place for a new
one.
Mr. AIKIN asked Mr. Tobin whether he meant to take
the sense of the committee whether this graving-dock should
be lengthened ? He should understand, however, that it
was not a question of the desirableness of graving-dock ac-
commodation, but whether it was desirable to lengthen this
particular graving-dock.
Mr. HonsFAr.f, thought that Mr. Tobin had himself used
the strongest arguments for delay. The committee should
not go and adopt a plan of this sort upon the consideration
of a few minutes. He was sure that if this gracing-dock
were
made longer, the working would be attended with consider-
able inconvenience; therefore, it was a matter which required
consideration, and he hoped the committee would allow it to
stand over.'
ally Mr. EVANS said, the fact was, the lengthening was actu-
postponed.
Mr. TonfN said, that if they-
:‘,vaited twelve months now
' for consideration, they might wait twelve months after that;
and he would therefore move, that
the lengthening of the
graving-dock be proceeded with according to the order here-
tofore given.
No one rising to second the motion,
The CHAIRMAN enquired whether Mr. Tobin had any
seconder ?
Mr. TOBIN.—_j regret very much that I have not my old
friend Yates here. (Laughter.)
The CH At um AH.—I am very sorry to see you in a minority
of one, Mr. Tobin. (Renewed laughter.)
Mr. Tobin's motion having dropped for want of a seconder,
the recommendation of the Sub-committee was carried.
DUPLICATE IRON BELL BEACON.
The Sub-committee for the Department
Surveyor recommended that a dulicate imn obfelthe Marine
he beaco be
built e same as the one just comppleted. The entire cosn tof
the new one now at its station had been under £550.

I
*

Mr. HOLT asked how much the old wooden beacon costj?
The SECRETARY replied that it was built in 1836, that it
had cost £l,OOO, and that out of the period of six years it
had only been afloat eleven months and twenty-six days.
Mr. TOBIN said, the old beacon had one good quality—
namely, that she was just as good when she was full of water
as she was when empty. She was just the same in both cases.
Mr. HOLT moved, and Mr. BARCLAY seconded, a resolu-
tion, that a duplicate iron bell beacon be ordered forthwith.
Mr. AIRIN said, he was past the place where the beacon
was moored, the other day, and he certainly heard the sound
of the bell; but the captain of the vessel told him that when
there was no wind there was no sound. It was in dense fogs
that the bell was most required, and there was then no sound
unless there was a wind; so that, precisely at the time when
the bell was most required to ring, there was the very least
of it.

Mr. HOLT asked whether there had yet been any fog to try '
its operation?

Mr. AixiN said It did not require a fog to try it. The
fact was, that on a calm day, when there was no wind, there
was no sound.

Mr. RIPLEY begged the committee to recollect that the
beacon was just as useful in clear as in foggy weather. In
making the new one, some alterations might perhaps be made
to render its performance more effective.
Mr. ATKIN said his object was to procure a postponement
of this subject, in order to revive discussion upon it, with
the view of getting some clever mechanic to frame machinery
to sound the bell by the action:of the tide.
Mi. TOBIN mentioned that din the time of Captain Den-
ham, five or six plans of the sort had been tried ; and he was
sure that any machinery, which might be put in the water.
would not answer. It would get filled with egg crates and
mats, and all kinds of rubbish, so that it would be of no
use.

Mr. HORSFALL was satisfied that no machine would
answer the purpose. Captain Denham had tried it, and it
had been tried subsequently to a great extent, but had always
failed. He thought the committee ought to have a little ex-
perience of the present new iron buoy, before they ordered
another ; and he thought too, it would not be wise to order
just a duplicate.

Mr. RIPLEY said then the old buoy must be repaired, and
it would cost as much to repair it, as it would to build a
new one. Winter was fast coming on, and it was for the
interest of one of the principal channels that a duplicate
should be immediately be prepared.

- -
Mr. BULLEY said the captain of her Majesty's steamer
Urgent had told him, that the new buoy behaved very hand-
somely ; and, that when the weather was thick, the bell was
beard at a considerable distance.

Mr. AIKIN said that when there was any motion the bell
would sound, but not otherwise.

The SECRETARY in reply to a question, read a report from
Mr. Hartley, which stated, that the old buoy was built on a
little flat, that she was greatly out of order, and that it would
cost as much to restore her as to build a new one ; but, that
it would not cost much to convert the flat back to her original
purpose of a flat.

Mr. RIPLEY repeated that there must either be a new one,
or the old buoy must be repaired, for it was absolutely ne-
cessary to have a duplicate.

The CHAIRMAN expressed his opinion that the old one
would never do.

Mr. TOBIN asked whether it was intended that the one
now proposed should be upon the same plan as that just com-
pleted ?

Mr. RIPLEY, in reply, said that Mr. Grantham, the
builder, had told him there would be some little alteration in
the machinery to improve its working.
Mr. BARCLAY said he passed the Bell Beacon the other
day, and, although there was little wind he heard the bell
sound.

Mr. EVANS had no notion of machinery working by the
action of the tide.

Mr. AMIN said the objection as to crates and rubbish ob-
structing the machinery might be easily removed. If a pre-
mium were offered for the best plan, all the difficulties would
cease; but unless the committee made some attempt to
overcome them, they would of course remain.

Mr. RIPLEY observed that the Marine Surveyor was of
opinion that the bell might be worked by machinery.
Mr. TOBIN suggested that a large globe like a balloon
should be constructed, for he was sure it would answer the
purpose of the bell beam.
. ..

After some conversation the motion was adopted, with an
addition, to the effect that such improvements be made in
the intended duxlicate as the sub-committee of works might
suggest.

WATCH ACCOUNTS.
The account of the Watch Committee for the year ending
the 24th June was presented : it amounted to £1421 16s. lid.,
and was ordered to be paid.
WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE.
The CHAIRMAN said, a sub-committee would have to be
appointed, under the name of the Warehouse Management
Sub-committee; and he trusted they would conform to the
resolution which the committee, at their late Liverpool
meeting, had agreed to. (See the substanca of this resolu-
tion above.)
Mr. Tosirt.—ls there to be a sub-committee for that
purpose ?
The CHAIRMAN.—Yes ; for the working of the sheds.
Mr. ToßlN.—Then I hope they will be quite indepen-
dent of the sub-committee of works.

The CHAIRMAN.—Oh, yes ; the sub-committee of works
want to have nothing to do with them.
The following gentlemen were then appointed the sub-
committee for the management of the warehouses—Messrs.
Ripley, Holt, Molyneux, Nicol, Bold, and ex officio the
chairman and deputy-chairman.
Mr. HORSFALL requested the sub-committee just ap-
pointed would direct immediate attention to the subject con-
fided to them, as it would be necessary to appoint officers.
The signature of the chairman was affixed to the plans for
the observatory, after which the committee proceeded to
financial business, and then separated.

ESCAPE OF THE PENINSULAR STEAM NAVIGA-
TION COMPANY'S MAIL PACKET ORIENTAL
FROM DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

The fire which happened on board of the Oriental steam-
ship on her last outward voyage to Malta, some particulars
relative to which appeared in the London papers a few days
since, was of a far more serious character than has been re-
presented, as will be observed by the following statement
furnished us by a correspondent :—" On the evening of the
15th of last month, when the Oriental was in let. about
4 N., long. 20.50 W., the nearest land upwards of 500
miles distant, we were alarmed by an unusual noise on
deck. It was about a quarter
past 8 o'clock, and the
weather remarkably fine. The master and I ran imme-
diately up on deck, where we met the cabin boy, who in-
formed us that the vessel was on fire forwards. I told him
not to alarm the ladies. However, they soon knew the whole,
and their fears caused us much uneasiness. Meanwhile we
found smoke issuing freely from the forecastle, with a strong
smell of spirit of tar and turpentine. The carpenter
and some of the crew were ordered below to find out where
the fire existed, and where relieved every three or four
minutes, the smoke and strong effluvium preventing them
from remaining longer. The bulk-head was soon knocked
away, and the hatches of the fore-hold being removed, a
thick smoke rushed up with so strong a smell that those
near the hatchway could scarcely breathe. On clearing away
the cargo to get to the fire, some goods which were jammed
under the hatchway were cut in two, and a portion of glass
thrown overboard to prevent the men's feet being cut,
who, when relieved, came up retching violently from the
effects of the stench. Torrents of water were now directed
down the hold, and in the course of a few minutes we
had the satisfaction to find that the smoke had entirely
abated, and, upon searching, no appearanca of fire in the
forecastle, after-hold, or cabin, was found ; but a large
cask was subsequently discovered forward enveloped in
smoke; the iron hoops had burst, and it was held together
only by the wooden hoops, while it was so intensely hot that
the men could scarcely touch it. It was immediately got
out by slings and thrown overboard. Some smoke still
rising from the hold, more water was thrown down ; in fact,
the men could not have worked before but for the drowning
of the smoke and smell, and we were apprehensive that there
might be other cases of a similar nature smouldering below.
However, our fears were groundless, for the smoke gradually
subsided, and at about half-past eleven it entirely disap-
peared. The captain, mate, second made, and carpenter be-
haved on this occasion with great coolness and decision, and
were well seconded by the crew. To this activity and
promptitude may be attributed, under Divine Providence,
the preservation of our lives, the vessel, and cargo. Had the
cask burst, and the fire been communicated to the cargo, I
do not think we should have been living to tell the tale ; and
from its condition when hoisted out of the ship's hold, it
could not have held together much longer. It is also the
decided opinion of all on board, that if the cask had been
stowed under the forecastle-deck, or in the main hold, it
would have occasioned immense damage, if not the loss of
the ship and every soul on board. From the position of the
cask in the forehold, its condition when first observed on
fire, and afterwards in the slings, where, notwithstanding all
the water wi.ich had been thrown upon it, it was still smoking
and burning-hot, we are of opinion that it must have ignited
spontaneously ; and although we do not know what its con-
tents were, the strong effluvium which came from it con-
vinced us that it was some very powerful combustible—pro-
bably sulphuric acid." Such dangerous commodities ought
not to be stowed promiscuously with other goods, but placed
in safety, in some place easy of access in case of accident.
There is no doubt but many vessels have been lost under
similar circumstances. The Oriental is insured to a very
large amount.

Who is wise ? He that learns from every one. 'Who is
powerful ? He that governs his own passions. Who is rich ?
He that is content.

" Yonng men taken in and done for," as the shark said to
the ship's crew. " I'm particularly uneasy on this point,"
as the fly said when the young gentleman stuck him on the
end of a needle. You can't come too often," as the hack-
ney-coachman said to the thunder-storm. " Come, get up,
it's time to rise," as Baron Rothschild said to the Spanish
funds.—Punch.
A Rice BIT.—" The Wizard of the South," now ex-
hibiting his legerdemain at Southport, announces, at the tail
of his bill—" Red or grey hair changed to fair, light brown,
auburn, or jet black, at a trifling expense, by a late and nvees;
discovery of the performer, by the most perfect
dye
Imperfect
known. Horses changed to any colour, and
or discoloured spots, through accident or any
other
r in
made to resemble the original colour. Toothe-ache
curedd
from
ly cure
one minute ! Also, the rheumatics effectual
ten to twelve days."
this morning
A WALK IN NEWFOUNDLAND.—I setout
at- Briaus, to visit
ha
-Luse,
in the boat, accompanied by Mr. Green, of Bay. After
the Cat's Cove Hills, at the head of C°l
a by a narrow path.
o'clock, and struck off into
the
theodolite and hammer-bag,
We took three men to carry the th one, and accor-
exploring the coast, we arrived at the head of the bay at 12
to any
but I did not entrust the barometer
bout a quarter of a mile we
dingly carried it myself.
In about
that was intended to run
bay towards St. John's.
of the
from Brigus round the head
or
came upon a newly-cut road
about half a mile, but found
We travelled along
greatest part of the way. we
another the re obliged to jump from one root
tl e hills and in a short
oi it aa mere morass,
marsh for I
then struck off across a
d Here we found the bed of a little
time entered a
enabledweo us to proceed some distance with
torrent, which when that ended we were obliged to force
intoorass, and
dthwies
but when
dense thicket, sometimes climbing over
1 beneath masses of fallen rotten wood,
sometimes crarysli
tooul
re rwa
ab
yl e
over slippery moss-coloured boulders, slipping oil
stumbling ("of trees, sliding down steep banks of rock, or
the wet rootsclothes off our backs by dragging ourselves
tearing theehroeu,ghing
stood at seventy-tive degrees, an(
, ,),„, matted twigs and branches of the trees. All this
throng"
1
while the
thermometer hair could find '
t a breath of its way to us. The smell of
not a and the turpentine exuding from the trees was as
etiose and stilling as an oven, and the mosquitoes began ,to
attack attack us by hundreds. They din not, indeed, annoy me so
much, but Mr. Green's face and neck were soon running down
with blood. When, after toiling in this way to the topef oUe
ridge, we still found a ravine separating us from the hill, ive
wergrace,e half
"inclined to give it up. However, taking "_heart
of we plunged again into the woods, and after
another stiff climb we a length found ourselves on the
sumit. It cost us altogether more than four hours' labour
although the distance was not much more than three miles
from the sea side.