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Leader (1850-1860), 2nd October 1858, Edition 2 of 2, Page 5, LAUNCH OF THE FLOATING DERRICK.

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      Lord Stanley On India. A Grand Entertain...

      Tenches Of the Indian service . To any one who con-Ss what the position of India is it must be obv » ous j £ t ™ Sn us there devolves a labour which is not light . We have an army to reorganise and an empire to pac . fy . r ^ nSs that when I think of the a mount of responsibiHtv which at this time and in this position devolves 5 £ ? « s-although , perhaps fortunately for myse £ I * have not-much leisure to reflect upon it—I am inclined to feel appalled at the weight of the task we haye under , taken This consolation , at least , we have ,-I believe we are surrounded by those who are competent to give advice as good and as honest as was ever afforded to an English Minister . "

      ' Vn : Aja Octobe* 2, 1858.1 The Leader....

      ' Vn : aja Octobe * 2 , 1858 . 1 THE LEADER . 1021

      The Revenue. Thb Accounts Of. The Revenu...

      THE REVENUE . Thb accounts of . the revenue more than justify Mr . Disraeli ' s sanguine anticipations , although , owing to the large reduction of income-tax , they will show an apparent decrease . As far as the quarter ' s revenue is concerned , and its comparison with the quarter of last year , we find that the income-tax revenue is something like two millions and a half less , and even this last falling off is less than might naturally be expected , the collection being in arrear . There is also a reduction in the excise ; but in all- other re-6 t > ects the revenue has improved . So that keeping out oi tne account

      the income-tax reduction , me fieures would show an increase upon the . quarters income . This increase is between 800 , 000 / . and Looking at the yearly accounts , the increase of revenue is all the more remarkable , but here , again , ¦ we first observe how much the reduction of incometax assessment affects the finances of the nation , for within twelve months the loss on this score is nearly ei < rht millions . But in every other branch of the revenue there has been , on the year , a signal improvement , denoting the growing wealth and increasing industry of the country . The actual decrease of revenue during the twelve months is only six , instead of eight millions , as it would have been had the ordinary sources of income remained stationary . The annual revenue now stands at 65 , 000 , 0007 . The Times remarks •— " Thus , in spite of last November ' s panic and this year ' s timidity and retrenchment the revenue is buoyant to a degree which a few years since would have been scarcely conceivable . Free-trade , gold colonies , emigration , and education , are making the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer easier every year . We can only hope that a year or two more of tranquillity will -enable us still further to reduce or abolish our most obnoxious taxes , without impairing the public service or running the danger of a deficit .

      Ireland. Galway And America.— Government...

      IRELAND . Galway and America . — Government are about to send three gentlemen experienced in engineering and maritime matters to Galway , with a view of reporting upon the state of the harbour and roadstead , as to what works may be necessary for rendering the port safe ami commodious . This looks well for the promoters of direct communication between Gulway and America . A deputation from the Harbour Commissioners of Galway has waited upon tho Dublin Ballast Board to present a memorial requiring that the buoy on the Santa Marguarita rock might bo exchanged for a lightrship or a bell-buoy . After having heard with great attention the several arguments used to show its necessity , in reference to the great project of international steam coim munication , tho boaitf undertook to recommend tho suggestion of tho deputation to the Trinity Board in London . The Galway Vindicator says : — "The Indian Empire loft our harbour last evening , carrying three hundred and fifty passengers and a largo and very valueable cargo . Tho manager refused a largo quantity of freight , as the marine superintendent would not allow imu bw d h

      any more ueau woignt or cargo , »»« " w . wwB ^ were the finest description of manufactures from tho manufacturing districts of Lancashire and from tho north of Ireland , From an early hour yesterday morning passengers from all parts of tho United Kingdom were crowding on board from tho docks .

      Naval And Military. Reinforcements For I...

      NAVAL AND MILITARY . Reinforcements for India . — The Horse Guards having decided oh despatching another body of reinforcements to India , orders have been issued from the war departments for upwards of 2000 troops to be held in readiness to embark early in the ensuing month , for Calcutta , Madras , Bombay , and Kurrachee . The above reinforcements will make the Queen ' s troops , now serving in India nearly 100 , 000 men of all ranks . Co vst Defences . — The Government authorities having advertised for tenders for the construction of three forts in connexion with the new line of fortifications now in course of erection between Frater and Gomer , the fender of Messrs . Piper was accepted . Defalcations bv a Pay-Sergeant . —On Wednesday , Sergeant George Hale , pay-sergeant of the 4 th grand division of the Chatham division of Royal Marines , who absconded several days ago from head-quarters , taking with him a considerable sum of public money which had been entrusted to him , returned to barracks and gave himself up . From an examination- of the books which has been instituted , it appears that the defalcations committed by the accused amount to 421 ., which sum had been , issued to him from the pay-office for the purpose of paying the men . The accused has been about seventeen years in the service , and is an old non-commissioned officer . On a previous occasion he

      absconded , taking with him some of the public money , for which offence he was reduced to the rank of a private , but on account of his subsequent good conduct he was again promoted . It is said the defalcations will be made good . The accused now awaits his trial by courtmartial . Deaths . — Colonel John Hamilton , of the Coldstream Guards , died at Broomfield , Somersetshire , on Saturday last , aged nighty-two . Colonel Hamilton greatly distinguished himself in the Peninsula . —Vice-Admiral Thomas F . C . Mainwaring has died at Bath . He was an old officer of Nelson ' s , and served at Trafalgar and Copenhagen . Volunteer Corps . —On the 23 rcl ultimo the Essex Yeomanry Artillery and Cavalry , having been encamped upon Nazing Common for eight days , marched down to Mazing Mead , a distance of about three miles , forming there a new encampment . At two o ' clock , r . » i ., they formed lino in the Mead upon the Honourable Artillery Company , who came from London , together with a detachment of tho Uxbridgo Yeomanry Cavalry , for the purpose of brigading with them . Colonel Parker , of the lot Life Guards , was inspecting field-officer . The riuu ? HHimi t uMv

      W 11 O 1 O 01 tllO pa «* v »« o wv » v , * :. ~~ o—The artillery nnd cavalry having trotted and galloped past in good form , tho lance and sword exercise was performed , when an enemy was shown on'the left rear by a few skirmishers , and was supposed to bo advancing in irreat force across Nazingbury-furm , against which uircciuuuvtiuuutj

      the principal operations were . u "" o is a very small section of tho volunteer force of the country , which , independent of tho militia , in 180 G consisted of near 400 , 000 men , double that number might now bo raised if but slight encouragement and support wore shown to that force . Fi , ooaiNas at Chatham . —On Wednesday the whole of tho troops of Chatham garrison wore marched to tho Spur Battory , for tho purpose of witnessing tho infliction of corporal punishment on two men for highly insubordinate conduct . Tho first man fastened to the halborta waa private Thomas Ward , 23 rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers , who had knocked down ft sergeant who had reported him for misconduct . His character boing very bad , tho colirt adjudged him to rouaivo fifty lashes ami to bo imprisoned for ono year . Private Charles Smith , i ) 2 nd higllt Infantry , was floggod for having " assauUod 'two corporals , anil biiten a comrade ; ho rqcelved fifty laehos , anil was ordered to bo Imprisoned for fifty-six

      dnj's . ' On Thursday the troops again assembled to witness a private Sapper , named Merilese , punished with fifty lashes , for being drunk and assaulting a non-commissioned officer . After punishment , the prisoners were removed to the hospital ; they will undergo their imprisonment at Fort Clarence . RiFi-ED' Cannon in the French Skrvice . —The rifle cannon » which were tried at . the Polygon of Gavre , near 'L'Orierit ,. have , it appears , been adopted by the . Emperor . for the navy . ; and a good number , of a stoijsfr pattern , are being manufactured at ttie imperial forftdry of Rouelle .

      Accidents And Sudden Deaths. Tub Inquiry...

      ACCIDENTS AND SUDDEN DEATHS . Tub inquiry into tho Sheffield accident terminated in a verdict expressing tho fact that tho deceased persons wore suffocated while endeavouring to escapo from tho Surroy Mueic Hall during a panic caused by a cry of " FU'Q ! " but whether such panic arose in consequence of tho firing of a pistol or explosion of gas , or from whatever other cause , no satisfactory evidence has boon adduced to tho jury . A fearful calamity occurred on Thursday at Pago Bank Colliery , six miles west of Durham . At eight o ' clock tho shaft of tho pit was found on fire , and ono of tho overmen was killed by portions of the burning bratt | co . Forty men nnil" boys wore in tho pit , who could not bo got out . Tho 11 ro has consumed all the brattice , and extended to tho coal in roturn drift . At seven ; o ' clock in the evening tho lira was slightly on fho increase . Serious doubts aro entertained as too the

      probability of rescuing those in the pit . Nicholas Wood , and Foster , of Newcastle , the eminent colliery engineers , were immediately telegraphed for . The adjourned inquest on the bodies of the persons killed in the collision on the Oxford , Worcester , and Wolverhamptoil line , was resumed on Thursday . The Government inspector and two or three engineering witnesses gave at the last hearing an account of experiments tried since the collision with the same number of carriages , and the result was an opinion on their part that the break had not been applied when the train ran back , or that , if it had , it had been applied too late , when the train had obtained such an impetus as to overnower it . Evidence was offered on the present occasion breakand

      to prove that the guard had duly applied the , it was endeavoured to show that he had done all in his power to prevent the fatal occurrence . The inquiry was again adjourned to Tuesday next . A most remarkable accident occurred to a young lady this week at Cheltenham . She was riding on horseback with some " friends , when her horse became restive , and she was thrown over his head ; her habit caught the crutch of the saddle , and she was carried along head downwards for a mile before the horse was stopped . She escaped having her . brains dashed out against the road by the strength of her riding-habit , which sustained her weight ; as it was , she only received some rather severe scalp wounds . She is doing well .

      Launch Of The Floating Derrick.

      LAUNCH OF THE FLOATING DERRICK .

      A novel vessel , with a breadth of beam larger even than the Great Eastern , was launched on Saturday at Blackwall . She is the first " Patent Floating Derrick " which has been constructed in this country for the purpose of carrving out Bishop ' s patent for raising wrecks , & c . The hull is of a kind of diamond shape , with a large slice off the side points . She is entirely constructed of iron , as also her mast or booms , and the last two or three months or so , as she approached completion , owing to her colossal proportions , she formed a conspicuous object to the travellers up and down the Thames . She is fiat bottomed , and a bulk-head runs fore and af t through her whole length , so that when she is m operation raising a sunken vessel one-half of her will be so witli water ^

      gradually filled as xo coumeruauw me weight hanging to her boom on the other side . Her hull is braced with iron beams of great strength , and her boom is , supported by iron legs . The tonnage of the vessel is 5000 tons , her length over all is 257 feet , breadth 90 feet ( some eight feet more than the Great Eastern ) , deptli 14 feet . Height from - deck to boom . 80 feet , the radius of boom being 60 feet , and which is capable of depositing its load anywhere within a circle whose diameter is 120 feet . Her hoisting capacityabove the surface of the water is 1000 tons , her hauling power being obtained by 10 sets of crabs worked by two oscillating engines of 30 nominal horse-power each . Instead of the ordinary paddle-wheels she is fitted with smaller wheels and floats , and what is known as an endless chain , worked by two pair of oscillating engines of 100-horse power each pair . She has a rudder at both ends . Like the Great Eastern , she was launched sideways , her pit culiar form , and the somewhat limited channel ( Bow-Creek ) she had to enter before she could reach the Thames , rendering this mode necessary for her safety . On the signal being given to liberate her ,, for some five minutes or so there seemed to be a disinclination on her part to enter her , future element . At lengthy after a slight inward pressure , the mass began to move , and in the most steady and even manner she glided into the water . Three tugs then took her in tow , the river pilot and her future comVnander having charge ^ of her . On two empiujreu iu uui

      Monday powenui tugs were euuc «» - ing to haul away some portion of the ways upon which she was launched , which had got so jammed in her bottom as to cause her nearly to fall into some serious mishap in drifting down the river . On being launched , the tugs which had hold of the huge vessel put on their united power to get the Derrick to the buoys opposite the entrance to the East India Docks . Her progress , however , was considerably retarded by the timber of the ways , which had got fixed in some way to her bottom . j A fourth tug came to her aid , and as it was apparent that they could not bring her up , it was arranged that she should be allowed to pursue her course steadily through Woolwich to a point where she would bo beyond tho strong influence of the ebb . Tho tugs kept in attendance upon her , and in tho lower part of tho Reach near tho Galleons she was brought to . On the return of tho flood tide on Sunday morning the tug again got hold of her , and she was safely brought back to Blackwall and secured to the buoys . ¦ As the vessel was being brought to tho buoys on Saturday afternoon , several men were hurt by the capstan , and one had to bo taken to the Poplar Hospital .

      Criminal Record. Tma Exmoou Forkst Murpe...

      CRIMINAL RECORD . Tma Exmoou Forkst Murpeu . —The search for the body of tho child , Hannah Maria Burgess , is still being continued , but up to tho present time without effect . Tiiai-n ! a ntiii 11 stroiifr nninion entertained that the body

      will ultimately bo found in tho " Wheal Eliza , " but it ¦ will bo a considerable time before this can be ascertained , as tho immense body of water it contains renders a satisfactory search impossible . Tho pumping has already commenced . Tho prisoner still preserves the samo indifference and determination not to divulgo his secret ; he sooms to exult in tho difficulty in which tho authorities aro placod , and tells tho in they may do what they Can . — Tauuton Gazette . Muudick at Manchester . —On Thursday morning early a young woman wont to her sister ' s house in Little Levor-stroet . Sho know that her slalor and her husband hml not boon living comfortably totfothor , and wn » t «« J fi her some broad nnd buitvr . Slio looked through tho klluhuii window bofuro opoujUitf , tho door , and saw her sister lying with her hwul on tho floor and her loot ontho BtiLUwll » itf up to tho bcJivonj , there was a large pool of blood bS . i . 10 Her hoail . » l » o ffavo nu instant t

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 2, 1858, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_02101858/page/5/