In July, 1882, the Steel Company of Scotland (Limited), who are the manufacturers in Scotland of Messrs Cooke & Mylchreest’s patent form of rudders and stern-frames, successfully cast a stern-frame—the first of large size, it is believed, made for actual use in the construction of a steamer. In April of the same year, however, Messrs William Jessop & Sons (Limited), of Sheffield, had exhibited a crucible cast steel stern-frame and rudder of their manufacture, at the Naval and Sub-Marine Exhibition, held in London. These large castings, along with others, were subjected to a series of tests in the presence of Lloyd’s inspectors and other authorities, such as the forged frames and rudders ordinarily fitted would not have come through without severe damage, yet all of which the steel castings withstood most thoroughly. Testimony to the efficiency of these new features in ship construction has already been furnished from the arena of actual experience, by the recent grounding of two steamers in which these features had been introduced. The screw-steamer _Euripides_, a Liverpool-owned vessel of about 1780 tons gross, completed in May, 1883, by Messrs Caird & Purdie, of Barrow, some time ago ran upon a reef of boulders, and remained thumping heavily for several hours. At the time she was laden with a full cargo of grain, which was afterwards delivered in perfect condition. The cast steel stem and stern-frame, which were manufactured by the Steel Company of Scotland, were practically without damage, notwithstanding that serious indentations were made in them. The stem, although receiving the full force of resistance, was not perceptibly altered in shape, and competent judges who inspected the damage in dock were of opinion that the stem, with its superior attachments, in all probability saved the vessel from total loss. The rudder on the _Euripides_ is of solid cast steel, in one piece, and hung without pintles, and in a manner involving little or no riveting. In this, as in the other features, the immunity from serious damage testifies to the efficiency and durability of the steel castings. The second case of grounding referred to is that of the screw-steamer _Strathnairn_, of 400 tons, belonging to Messrs James Hay & Sons, of Glasgow; one of two vessels built by Messrs Burrell & Son, of Dumbarton, in which cast steel stern-frames and rudders were adopted. This vessel got aground while off Harrington, on the north-west coast of England, about the latter end of March of the present year. Her stern-frame sustained very considerable shock: such, indeed, as no ordinary forged work could possibly have undergone with like result. Subsequent docking showed that it would only be necessary to straighten the frame at the deflected portions in order to make it again structurally efficient. This was done, and the vessel is again actively engaged in service.