86 APPENDIX. 



f 



Before entering into any particulars of this vessel's service, from the time she was first 



commissioned in February, 1834, until she was dismantled in October, 1837, we think it 

 important to state, that during the three years of this time which were spent in the Medi- 

 terranean, neither the engines nor boilers underwent any other repairs than such slight work as 

 was effected by the engineers of the ship, without any extraneous assistance whatever : and 

 moreover, that on her being paid off, as before referred to, (having been in commission rather 

 a longer time than is usual for ships of war in peace,) the machinery and boilers were found in 

 such excellent condition as to require very little refitting, a circumstance not less creditable 

 to the original constructors than to the engineers on board, and to the able system and 

 management of the commander and officers, who thus maintained the vessel on a distant 

 station for a long space of time always ready, and frequently performing important services, 

 though left entirely to their own resources. 



During the early part and summer of 1834, she was principally employed on various duties 

 on the coast of England, and in performing one voyage to Bilboa and Corunna. On the 5th 

 of October of that year the Medea left Plymouth to join the squadron in the Levant, and 

 accomplished the voyage out to Malta in ten days and five hours, the wind being generally 

 contrary during the passage, and for two days having to contend against a fresh gale ahead, 

 the other eight days being for the most part moderate. On this occasion five hours were 

 lost by a stoppage to effect certain adjustments in the engines and boilers, and two hours from 

 circumstances unconnected with the engines or vessel. The distance of 2100 miles from Ply- 

 mouth to Malta was thus effected at the average rate of 8'82 geographical miles per hour, 

 under circumstances by no means favourable, the ship having coals enough on board at the 

 termination of this run for a voyage of 1000 miles additional ; fully corroborating the state- 

 ment we have before made, of her ability, with a full armament on board, to steam at least 

 3000 miles under ordinary circumstances without any additional supply of fuel. 



After completing the coal at Malta, the Medea proceeded to join the fleet under Sir Josias 

 Rowley, then assembled at Vourla Bay, in the neighbourhood of Smyrna, and at once took 

 her place as a cruizing ship in the squadron, performing under sail all the evolutions usual to 

 ships of war, either when proceeding from place to place, or cruizing, and maintaining a posi- 

 tion as in front of an enemy's port. To effect this object, and yet to enable the vessel to 

 resume her service as a steamer at short notice, it became necessary that the engineers and 

 their assistants should be well exercised in the duty of connecting, and detaching the paddle- 

 shaft, in order that the wheels should be free to revolve when the ship was under the influence 

 of sail alone, and speedily re-attached if necessary. The particular arrangement by which 

 the cranks are united to the machinery in the engines constructed by Messrs. Maudslay and 

 Field, rendered this operation more facile than where a different modification is adapted ; 

 and after some practice on board the Medea, it was found, that the wheels could be detached 

 under favourable circumstances in five minutes, and united again to the engines in a scarcely 

 longer time. 



We should however observe, with reference to this part of our subject, that the wheels 

 with the paddle-boards in place, must tend in a great degree, in light winds particularly, 

 to lessen the speed at which the vessel would attain under canvas, if the boards were displaced, 

 besides effecting the concomitant evil of considerable wear, and consequent deterioration, 



