picked up at seven in the morning by a boat from Beaumaris. The rudder wheel was our support; we held to it, and it saved us. There was one female among those who were saved with me, a Miss Whittaker; instead of her requiring any assistance from us, she assisted us; she was a strong woman; I owe a great deal to her; she gave me a great deal of assistance now and then; certainly a woman possessing a great deal of presence of mind, indeed:" No lights were hoisted; no gun fired. The Captain was a boister ous man, but witness differs from those who say that he was in a state of inebriation. Witness thinks he knew what he was about, and knew the danger very well, but he was led by his impetuosity, rather to go on than turn back and lose a little reputation, perhaps. He seemed to give his orders very collectedly to the last mo ment. Conceives that if he had turned back or dropped an anchor (which it seemed easy to do) the danger might have been avoided. Attributes the disaster to his obstinacy entirely. That he knew the danger, I certainly think he did, because a full hour before the ship struck, he came down and met the steward, and made a motion, throwing up his head and his hands, in fact, a motion that all was lost. The steward turned pale; he went to the table again, where he was making his accounts, and I went round and whispered to him in his ear, and said, "I shall be obliged if you will let me know whether there is any danger; I will not make it public, but I will make use of it," but he said, "No, no!" At an early period of the voyage, witness observed a very tremulous, extraordinary motion in the ship, but thought it might arise from the violence of the sea; the other passengers thought it arose from the bad state of the vessel, and witness is now disposed to agree with them. There was a bell rung after the vessel was ashore ; but it blew such a gale at the time, that no body could have heard it from the shore. The Dutchman's bank (on which she struck) is 4 or 5 miles from Beaumaris. The fact is, that after she was once ashore, witness did not see there was the least hope, even if there had been twenty guns on board. There was only one boat at the side of the vessel, and that must have been swamped at an early part of the occurrence; she was besides so small, that it could not have saved a person in so heavy a sea. It was quite across the middle the vessel broke, just at the boiler.

APPENDIX.

A number of documents produced in the course of the preceding examinations,

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or consequent upon them, are given in an Appendix; we here subjoin some notice of such as we have not already given an account of.

Explanatory Letter from Captain Ba- . sil Hall, dated Sept. 17, 1831.-Captain Hall states, that on reconsidering the proposition to limit the speed of steam vessels when going through the Pool, he has cause to see that such limitation is reasonable enough, and that we have as much right to interfere to restrain the speed of steam vessels in any crowded part of the river as to prevent furious riding or driving through the streets.

Letter from Lieutenant J. H. Stevens, R. M. Artillery, stating, that he has fabricated a peculiar sort of blue light, which will burn five times longer than the ordinary blue light, and with equal brilliancy, and which he thinks would be useful on board steam vessels.

Letter from Messrs. Alfred Canning, and Co., containing a description of a fender to prevent injury from the collision of steam vessels.

A Statement of Damages done from 1825 to 1831, to ballast lighters, &c. belonging to the Trinity-house by steam and by sailing vessels, signed by Wm. Honeyman, principal ruler. The number of accidents from steamers is 31, from sailing vessels 100.

List of Steam Vessels belonging to the Thames, on the 31st December, 1830.In all 57; 42 of them in active service; and 15 either laid up or employed at other ports.

List of Vessels frequenting the Thames, but belonging to other ports. In all 11; including the Batavia, a foreign vessel.

Return-showing the annual increase of steamers belonging to the Port of London since 1814.

Specification of the Dimensions and Scantlings proper for steam vessels of the first class; furnished by Mr. Fearnall.

REPORT.

The Select Committee appointed to take into consideration the frequent calamities by Steam Navigation, and the best means of guarding against their recurrence, and to report their observations thereupon to the house; and to whom several petitions were referred; and who were empowered to report the Minutes of the Evidence taken before them, with an Appendix; have, pursuant to the order of the house, examined the matters to them referred, and agreed to the following Report:

Your Committee, impressed with a deep sense of the importance of the subject referred to them, as well from an earnest desire, on the one hand, not to

check, by legislative interference, the progress of improvement in the applica tion of the vast power of steam to naval purposes, as, on the other hand, to afford protection to the lives and property of His Majesty's subjects, and to insure a due regard to the security and protection of all public and private interests, feel themselves called upon to recommend that all vessels propelled by steam shall be subjected to certain regulations.

Your Committee deem it right to remark, that notwithstanding the recent distressing calamities which have befallen two steam-passage-vessels, by which many lives have been lost, and which your Committee, in common with the rest of the public, deeply deplore; yet, that when the great number of steam-vessels employed in carrying passengers, and the period of time they have been in general use, are considered, the number of fatal accidents appear to have been com paratively few, and less in proportion than the accidents to sailing vessels.

Your Committee having duly weighed the foregoing considerations-having considered the several petitions referred to them, and the evidence of numerous witnesses, whose character and professional experience seemed best calculated to afford the required information, and having referred, in the first instance, to complaints connected with the navigation by steam on the river Thames, REPORT as follows:

Firstly-That numerous persons using, and employed in, small boats, and on board loaded barges (as has heretofore been customary), on the Thames, in the vicinity of London, are now daily exposed to much serious inconvenience and personal risk, from the manner in which steam-vessels are continually passing in that crowded part of the river called the "Pool," causing great undulation of the water to a considerable distance, and within that range, subjecting the small boats and loaded barges to the foregoing evils.

Secondly-That the usually rapid rate at which steam-vessels move, and the undulation of water they occasion, render it highly important that those in charge of them, whilst navigating even the less-frequented parts of the Thames, and other rivers, should adopt every reasonable precaution to avoid injury to small boats, or deeply-laden vessels, by approaching nearer to them than neces

sary.

Thirdly-That it appears that steamvessels employed to convey passengers from one port to another by sea, as well as between different places in the same river, have not always been built with

adequate strength of scantling; by which means their passengers have been exposed to immediate danger, in the event of such vessels experiencing the violent shocks that are occasioned by striking on shoals, encountering heavy seas, or other sea risks.

Fourthly-That there is not, at present, any general fixed signal to distinguish steam-vessels, when moving by night, and that it would be advantageous, on account of their rapid rate, and other circumstances before alluded to, that they should be so distinguished, in order to afford timely notice to boats and other craft to get out of the way.

Fifthly-That considerable inconve nience has been experienced by the praetice of steam-vessels starting from one point at the same moment, and keeping together, whereby the danger arising from the undulation of the water is greatly increased.

To remedy these evils, as far as appears practicable and just, your Committee deem it right to submit to the House the following suggestions, viz.:—

Firstly-That it is expedient to regulate the speed of steam-vessels between London Bridge and the stairs of His Majesty's Victualling Yard at Deptford, and that the basis of the regulations be arranged upon the revolutions of the wheels.

Secondly-That, by legislative enactment, steam-vessels be required, whilst navigating between London Bridge and the stairs of His Majesty's Victualling Yard at Deptford, if going with the tide, or in slack water, to have the number of the revolutions of their wheels reduced one half from their average performance at full power of their engines; and if going against the tide, to have the revolutions reduced one third from their performance at full power. The average performance at full power of the wheels, to be ascer tained and certified to the Commissioners of Customs of the port to which the vessel belongs, and to be notified in some conspicuous part of the vessel; and that there be, in all vessels navigating the Thames, an index on the deck, connected with the machinery, to show the number of revolutions per minute the wheels are making.

Thirdly-That every steam-vessel employed in the conveyance of passengers for hire, shall be duly licenced by the Collector or other chief officer of the Customs of the port to which she belongs; and that such officer, previous to granting a licence, shall require such proof as he shall deem reasonable and proper according to the circumstances of the case, taking into

consideration that the vessel has been sufficiently surveyed and examined, and is deemed to be perfectly seaworthy, of sufficiently strong scantling, and properly fitted in all respects to undertake the service or voyage for which she is intended.

Fourthly-That such licence shall only be valid for one year, it being understood that if any vessel be out of the kingdom at the expiration of the year, her licence shall be valid until her return to Great Britain; and further, that in the event of its being proved to the satisfaction of such officer that any vessel has sustained any accident, it shall be in his power to order an immediate survey; and further, that it shall not be lawful for any such officer to allow any sea-going vessel to be more than three years, or any river-going vessel to be more than five years without undergoing a regular survey.

Fifthly-That no vessel shall be licensed to carry more than two passengers for every ton of her registered burthen, if to proceed to sea, or more than three if her voyage is to be confined to river navigation, after deducting the number of tons of cargo the veseel may have taken on board, and deducting four passengers for every horse or head of horned cattle.

Sixthly-That the commander or other person in charge of any steam-vessel when navigating within rivers or along shore by night, be obliged to show two lights horizontally, at least 8 feet apart, and at least 12 feet above the deck, though higher, if conveniently, on a mast in the fore part of the vessel, and one light under the bowsprit if the vessel carry one, otherwise at the stern under the gunwale.

That every steam-vessel proceeding to sea, shall be required to carry a gun, or swivel, and bell, for the purpose of making signals.

Seventh-That every steam boat carrying passengers destined to proceed to sea, be provided with two boats, at the least of sufficient size, according to her tonnage, and the voyage she has to perform to be judged of by the chief officer of customs of the port from which she sails; and if the vessel be destined for a greater length of voyage than 100 miles at sea, that she must have three such boats at the least; and all vessels for river navigation, one such boat.

Eighth-That in all steam vessels the name of the Captain, the number of engineers and crew on board, the number of passengers she is licensed to carry, and the number of her boats, shall be placed in some conspicuous part of the deck.

Your Committee submit, that legisla ture enactments to the foregoing extent, cannot prove onerous or detrimental to

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the proprietors of steam vessels, in any degree to counterbalance the security and satisfaction they are likely to afford the public; but that on the contrary it is possible they will eventually prove advantageous to the steam boat preprietors themselves, from the increased confidence which will thereby be created on this mode of conveyance.

Your Committee, although not prepared to recommend any present legislative enactments on the following points, deem it nevertheless proper, to draw attention to some parts of the evidence brought before them, from which it would appear,

Firstly-That steam vessels built with timbers, placed and secured according to the plan of the Sir Robert Seppings, and without inside lining planks, at the same time that they possess greater strength, afford a ready means of frequent examination of the timbers, without expence or inconvenience,

Secondly-That steam vessels fitted with paddles upon Mr. Morgan's, Mr. Perkins's, or any other effective principle of feathering, would be considered less likely to do injury to small boats or deeply laden craft, by passing near them.

Thirdly-That it has been suggested as likely to prove advantageous in preventing accidents, that steam vessels should be fitted with a platform and steering wheel, to be placed in the forepart of the vessel, when navigating within rivers, so that the man steering shall be enabled to see over the bow any objects floating or passing near; a plan stated to be now adopted in all the river steam vessels in America.

Fourthly-That it should be generally understood, that whenever two steam vessels find themselves unexpectedly near each other, stem on, both vessels are to put their helms astarboard, unless there be some evident cause to prevent it; and if the vessels be not directly stem on to each other, their helms should be only altered so as to make them steer from each other.

Fifthly-Although not perhaps strictly within the subject of the special inquiry with which they have been charged, your committee deem it right, in closing this report, to add, that wherries appear to be now in use for carrying passengers on the Thames, below as well as above London bridge, built much shallower and slighter than formerly, inasmuch, that some of the smaller ones are scarcely safe, without reference to their meeting with steam boats, or other extra trial. Also, that it appears that the regulations and directions for keeping a proper extent of passage way on the Thames near London, for vessels and boats to pass up and down, are not

duly attended to, or enforced by the harbour masters, from which mischief and inconvenience result. Your committee are therefore of opinion, that it is necessary the authorities in the city, who possess jurisdiction in these matters, should forthwith have their attention called to them, with a view to their applying such early remedies on these two points, as they may be found to require.

Your Committee cannot refrain from drawing particular attention to the evidence of a gentleman, one of the survivors of the Rothsay Castle steam boat, whose collected state of mind throughout the melancholy catastrophe, has enabled him to give such testimony as abundantly to confirm the necessity of some of the above recommendations.

Your committee, in conclusion, would direct the attention of the House to the practical information contained in the evidence which they present with it; and express their satisfaction at the great improvement a few years have made on this most valuable species of navigation, and at the strenuous efforts hourly making, in ali parts of the kingdom, to advance it to a yet greater degree of perfection, enlarge its application, and render it of the utmost utility of which it is capable.

14th October, 1831.

LIST OF NEW PATENTS GRANTED, FROM THE 20TH OF NOVEMBER TO THE 20TH OF DECEMBER, 1831.

Robert William Sievier, of Southampton-row, Bloomsbury, for certain improvements in the manufacturing of cables, ropes, whale-fishing and other lines, lathe, and rigger-bands, bags, and purses, part of which said improvements are applicable to other useful purposes. Six months to specify, from 1st December. 1831.

Cornelius March Payne, of Stratford, Essex, silkprinter, for certain improvements in printing silk, cotton, and other goods or fabrics. Six months, 3rd December.

Claude Marie Savoye, of Oxford-street, Middlesex, merchant, for his having become possessed of the knowledge of a new invention of an improveinent or improvements in mills or machines for grinding or reducing grain and other substances. Six months, 15th December.

Abraham Adolph Moser, of Canterbury-row, Ken. nington-road, Surrey, engineer, for improvements in certain descriptions of fire-arms; communicated by a certain foreigner residing abroad. Six months, 15th December.

ma.

Thomas Alcock, of Claines, Worcestershire, lace. manufacturer, for certain improvements in chinery already in use for the manufacture of bobbin net lace. Six months, 15th December.

. Isaac Strombon, of Old Broad-street, London, merchant, for a medicinal composition, or embro. cation, for the cure, relief, or prevention of external and internal complaints; which composition or embrocation may alone, or with certain alteratious, be beneficially used as an internal medicine. Six months, 17th December.

Daniel Ledsam, manufacturer, and William Jones, screw-manufacturer, both of Birmingham, for certain improvements in machinery for making pins, rivets, wood-screws, and nails. Six months.

Henry Gore, of Manchester, machine-maker, for an improvement in the machines commonly called by spinners, "Throstle Frames and Spinning Frames;" which machines operate by spindles and flyers, and bobbins for spinning or twisting yarn, or threads. Six months; 22nd December.

Pierrepont Greaves, of Chorley, county of Lancaster, gentleman, for a method or methods of making ornamental or fancy cotton yarus and threads, applicable to the making, sowing, or embroidering cotton, and other fabrics. Six months; 22nd December.

John Chistopher Tobias Kreeft, of Old Bondstreet, London, merchant, for an improved apparatus for shaping plates of metal, and for manufacturing various articles therefromn, communicated to him by Stephen Von Keesz and Moritz von Ischoffen, foreigners, residing abroad. Six months; 22nd December.

Samuel Hall, of Basford, county of Nottingham, cotton manufacturer, for an improved piston and valve for steain, gas, and other engines; also, an improved method of lubricating the pistons, pistonrods, and valves, or cocks of such engines, and of condensing the steam, and supplying water to the boilers of such steam engines as are wrought by vacuum produced by condensation. Six months; 22nd December.

Benedict Nott, Esq., of Liverpool, for certain improvements in the construction of a furnace or furnaces for generating heat, and in the apparatus for the application of heat to various useful pur poses, being further improvements upon a patent obtained by the said Benedict Nott, dated the 4th day of November, 1830; communicated to him by a certain foreigner residing abroad. Six months: 22nd December.

Malcolin Muir, of Hutchinson Town, Glasgow, engineer, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for preparing boards for flooring and other purposes. Six months; 22nd December.

Robert Walter Wingfield, of Birmingham, brass founder, for certain improvements in construction of bedsteads, one or more of which said improvements is, or are, likewise applicable to other articles. Six months; 22nd December.

INTERIM NOTICES.

Alderman Wood having before the adjournment of Parliament for the Christmas holidays, received leave to bring in a bill "to regulate the speed of steam vessels," we have thought it well to lose no time in laying before our readers the remainder of the Minutes of Evidence on that subject; as also the Report of the Select Committee, to give effect to the recommendations of which is (we presume) the object of the forthcoming bill. We are thus under the necessity of putting our readers to the expense of another Supplemeut; but we dare say there are few who will not be glad to obtain, at so cheap a rate, so large a body of valuable information on a most important topic. at the time when it is most wantedinformation, too, which would not otherwise be accessible to the generality of readers at any price. "Anonymous" has omitted to send us the name of the inventor of the article he has described.

Communications received from Mr. James Miller, Jun.-K. K. K.- Extrabunctious-A Reader at Holbeach-Mr. Pratt Ellis-Mr. Davy-Marcus"In grief more than anger"-Mr. Westlin.