Dover, may be extremely useful in sending support in the shortest (Signed) ROBERT THOMPSON, Lieut.-Col. R. E. R. More O'Ferrall, Esq., M.P., &c., Admiralty. STATISTICAL REPORTS ON THE HEALTH OF THE NAVY. A RETURN of a very voluminous character has been made to the House of Commons upon the health of the navy, which, in a medical point of view, is invaluable, affording a mass of statistical information upon the various diseases which prevail in the navy. This report is extended through 323 pages, of which it would be impossible to give analysis in a Magazine. The report embraces a period of time comprised between the years 1830 and 1836 inclusive. The tables have been deduced from documents deposited in the office of the Physician-general, and transmitted to that office from each ship in the service. The report will, no doubt afford groundwork for the medical profession to draw conclusions, which will enable them to adopt means of preventing those diseases which are most prevalent. It does not appear that this object formed any part of the compiler's duty, but it is to be hoped that the medical staff of the navy will be called upon, with reference to these statistical tables, to take the whole subject into consideration with a view of effecting sanitary precautions for the prevention of disease among so valuable a class of men as the sailors in her Majesty's service. Dr. Wilson, the compiler of these returns, ascribes the improved state of the navy, as regards the health of the seamen, as compared with former times, to the abundant supply of wholesome and nutritious food. He states that previously to the year 1797, the nutriment supplied by public rations to this branch of the service was at least a third less than it is now. It is, upon the credit of this gentleman, at present abundant, but not excessive. Putrid fevers, ulcers, dysenteries, and scurvy, are nearly banished from the navy. This happy result is attributed to the improved mode of victualling introduced into the navy in modern times, and those diseases, particularly the scurvy, which at one time were considered evils inherent in a sea life or intimately connected with it, are now proved to be no more dependent on residence in a ship than a house. The great improvement in the health of seamen has been effected by the more abundant supply and better quality of their food. The substitution of iron tanks instead of water-casks has also contributed in no small degree to this improved state of health in the navy. Water in these tanks suffers no deterioration however long kept, at least none from decomposition, the metal no doubt becomes oxydised to a certain extent, but being indissoluble it is held in mechanical suspension in the fluid, from its greater specific gravity falls to the bottom, and the water is drawn pure and clear, and is not tainted with any thing offensive either to the palate or the smell. So far from this slight chalybeate admixture being injurious to health, it may be in such minute portions beneficial. Tanks have been in general use in the navy since the year 1815. This report is very interesting, and at some future period we may give an abridged analysis of its leading points. "MARACAIBO.-British Consulate, Maracaibo, May 28th, 1840.-Sir,— I beg to transmit to you the following literal translation of an official notice by the government of this republic, which I shall feel obliged by your having the goodness to make public, in order that it may reach the knowledge of the merchants and shipmasters engaged in the trade with this port Republic of Venezuela, Treasury Department, April 9th, 1840.-The frequent instances of vessels, as well national as foreign, engaged in the interior trade with the port of Maracaibo, not being able to pass the bar in consequence of their cargoes causing them to draw a draft of water greater than the depth of the channel! and it sometimes occurring, that even in ballast, they cannot overcome that difficulty on account of their excessive draft; the executive power has resolved that, for the intelligence and guidance of the foreign commerce, through the medium of the ministers and respective consuls to whom it shall be officially communicated, and for the information of national merchants by the publication of the present notice in the Gazette, it shall be made known to all, that the greatest depth of water on the bar at high tide, during almost every season, is ten feet, and that the lowest draft, at ebb tide, is seven and a half feet, but that, in the former case, vessels cannot enter or go out, drawing more than nine feet, and in the latter, more than six and a half, it being absolutely necessary to allow a foot for the pitch. The breadth of the bar is not more than twenty varas (33 inches) distance from point to point. "Therefore, notice is hereby given, that vessels will not be permitted to put into Los Taques for the purpose of transhipping cargo, under the pretext of not being able to pass the bar on account of their excessive draft, and that they can do so only in the ports where importations and exportations are authorized to be made. By order of the executive. (Signed)-SMITH.' But although vessels are prohibited by the foregoing notice, from discharging at Los Taques, a safe and convenient harbour, at the distance of 85 miles to windward of the bar, I have authority for stating, that there exists no hindrance to their repairing to that anchorage for the purpose of taking in such part of their cargoes, conveyed hence in lighters, and regularly cleared at this custom-house, as the shallowness of the bar may not permit of their loading in this port. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, R. MACKAY, British vice-consul. To the principal collector of her Majesty's customs at the port of Liverpool."—Gore's Liverpool Advertiser. SOUTHAMPTON Docks.-These great and important works are rapidly progressing. The exclusion of the tide from the close Dock is effected three railways, and a large number of men are in active work therein removing the soil to form the embankments of the tidal or outer Dock, as well as the land on the north side of both Docks for warehouses, sheds, tram-roads, &c,; the whole number of men now employed being five hundred. One coffer-dam is complete, and the piles receiving their final driving preparatory to the building of the quay wall: within a month the masonry will be commenced. A second coffer-dam is in progress, and a third is forming for the erection of the pier-heads at the entrance of the tidal dock from the Itchen. A vast quantity of mud has been removed in barges, and a dredging engine of the most powerful construction will be almost immediately in use. In short, they are rapidly progressing, and form an object of great attraction both to the Southtonions and to the numerous strangers, that now flock to their town per railroad. These Docks adjoining the terminus of the railway, there being only a road between them, seem to offer the most perfect accommodation to trade that can well be imagined, both from their situation and construction, containing in the two Docks an area of thirty acres of water, with an abundant quantity of land for all dock purposes. The entrance ides to contend with the ocean wave? And "echo answers where !" et her keep to still water, and Mr. Smith's propeller will prove as od in practice as it has in theory. We understand it is being adopted 1 canals. a road between them, seem to offer the most perfect accommodation to trade that can well be imagined, both from their situation and construction, containing in the two Docks an area of thirty acres of water, with an abundant quantity of land for all dock purposes. The entrance at the mouth of the Itchen is perfectly sheltered, having access at all times of tide, and eighteen feet water in the tidal Dock at dead low water spring tides; the close dock will have twenty-six feet depth of water. The success of these Docks, (as of all others,) must depend on their affording to the merchant and ship-owner a safer and less expensive mode (by means of railway,) of carrying on their trade, than by the dangerous and more circuitous route of the narrow seas. In connection with this view, it may be observed that Southampton will in all probability become a large bonding port, there being 300,000 tons that annually pass it for London, to be re-shipped at a greatly increased expense, and conveyed westward for the supply of that part of England and for exportation. PADDLE WHEEL versus SCREW.-Trial of Strength.-A few days ago the following experiment was made in the river to test the power of the Archimidean screw, as compared with the common paddle wheel in presence of Mr. Fawcet, the eminent steam engine builder of Liverpool; Mr. Barnes, and other gentlemen. The Archimides with Mr. Smith's screw propeller, and the William Gunston tug-boat, with common paddles, were lashed together, stern to stern, but with an interval between them of from twenty to thirty feet. The former vessel has two engines of 25-horse power each; the latter two of 20. The Archimides was employed to tow the William Gunston with her engines and paddle wheels in a state of rest, and this she did with ease; the object of making this preliminary trial being to ascertain that the working efficiency of the screw was not impaired by the relative position of the two vessels. The steam was then let on to the engines of the William Gunston, and a fair trial of strength commenced between them. In a little while the Archimides was seen to have lost all power over her rival: a minute or two more and the William Gunston was tugging the Archimides after her in spite of the superior engine power employed on the opposite direction; and in spite also of the aid of her much-lauded screw propeller-at first slowly, and as it were intermittingly, but at a constantly increasing rate of speed, till at last it reached the usual tug-boat speed of from eight to nine knots per hour. M. So complete and convincing an experiment as recorded in the above extract from the Mechanics Magazine, (vol. 32, p. 149, No. 885 for July,) must indeed have been a most interesting sight; the result of which has fully confirmed our opinion of Mr. Smith's invention, as being one of those that are theoretically most ingenious, but in practice deficient. In the midst of the laudatory accounts of the doings of the Archimides, which followed her all round the coast like so many wonderful tails, (that is tales,) we briefly recorded our opinion among our "Shakings," and that too in spite of her beating an old Government steamer at Liverpool. We ask then where is the power of the Archimides to contend with the ocean wave? And "echo answers where!" Let her keep to still water, and Mr. Smith's propeller will prove as good in practice as it has in theory. We understand it is being adopted on canals. |