The Express. — London, England, 1852-01-08 00:00:00

DESTRUCTION OF THE AM AZON. FRIGHTFUL LOSS (W LIFE. The inters - al of • &Iy has added • few particulars to t h e h:story oftels appalling catastrophe, which hay tamed* sensation more profound and general am any that the experieuce of nautical disasters can farnish since the destruction by fire of the Kent Ir Inman. Great, however, as was the destruction of life and property on that occa.,ion, tho present calamity exhibits many features of surpassing sud denness and horror. On Friday afternoon, the noblest ship that ever flouted on Southampton Water sailed milk' away, a triumph of mechanical and engj neeriag .kill. and full freighted with upwards of still hunch beings, full of life and hope, and feeling almost a+ secure in their " castle on the deep as " if s ojourning in some great hotel on land. co t Seoul ty morning, the gallant vessel, while m ade' a.-citing her super iarity to wind and by . making eight knot+ an hour against a g• ale •of wind, was seized by a destroyer to which, in such n situation, she must fall a helpless prey. Vi.l* twenty titillates the Hamel rushed and roarid over her spatiou+ decks, and then, to use the expres site language of the young sailor who survives to tell the dismal tale. she went " bodily " down wi: h t h e major part of her human freight, and leaving the remainder to struggle in a few frail boats against a r azia.; tempest. So sudden was the alarm, and so a ha t tes,,l the conflagration, that even the few sur vivors who have reached town can say hut little & haat the harrowing scene. The jutowilgers, must ( f ham were in bed. were suddenly aroused be the dr, a‘ltul cry of " Fire;" and immediately a a s imul. laments owls was made for the gangways. The sarong and alert reached the deck. but numbers mast hove been anti:seated below. On dole the whole mid-fart" was, one masts of fire, and all were endea. aurn, g tort aft, where the greatest chance of safety lay from the vicinity of the boats, One lady was seen rushing frantically about with her baby in her arms, seeking ooh a mother's instinct only to pro tect it limn the death that was too surely awaiting both. The captain was soon at his post. ordering the ship to be put about and the proper measure's for , the suppression of the tire, but the roaring of the dames and of the tempest together drowned his voice. The crew thought of walling but lowering the boats, and the engine -room being of neeesaity eleaertt Jolty mighty paddles kept urging on the vessel with ungoverned speed ; mid, by the rate at which they drove her madly through the water. adding every moment to the volume and intensity of the tl.mits. it appears that the .Auutzon was pro vilkal with nine boats, four being lifedsotts, a num ber quite sufficient, if time had been allowed, to take tat all the crew and pasisengers. The mail boat was the tirst lowered, and was immediately crammed with people. It floated but a moment, when the sea broke in and she went loan with all and Loma The pinnace me t with a similar fate, her destruction being preci pitated by an accident to the tackle, which caused her to overturn almost the moment she touched the water. Mr. Vineent, the young utticer whose account appeared in the papers yesterday wonting, then sew caviled in letting g o one end of the dingy which hang from the stern, and here ocearred one of the wat p t ohms episodes in the horrible history. Mr. lament. a pawner, and one or two of the men got into the little bout and clung to the thwarts, while the Not hung in an almost vertical position, or swung sae and fro with the last writhings of the im mense et owl to which she was attached, until at last he succeeded in cutting the ientaining rope, when she plunged into the sea, and cheering oaf at the fa, rev of the waves was in a motaent almost filled • water. At this critical juncture Mr. Vincent, alio i+ a mere youth, showed all the coolness, courage. and presence of mind which are the traditional qualities of the British naval officer. Undismayed by the terrors with which he was surrounded. Le had the little cockle-shell of a boat tailed, and steered her with safety until they fell in with the life-boat, into a hielt he and his corn perilous were promptly taken. Here, again, he took the command. and managed to keep her above water until she was happily discovered and relieved of her human freight by the Marsden. The escape of the pasty was ..tort providential. They had been twelve hours in the boat, without water or food, and many of them without clothing, and must certainly, if not relieved, have very soon perished from cold and hunger. Six bouts remain yet to be accounted fur, at A% hich two are life-boats, au that we are tempted to hope, almost against hope, that a few more may be 3et added to the be linty list of saved. Of the immediate cause of the tire, no probable account has . yet transpired. One fact only is clear, that it originated an the engine-room, and at • point totally apart from the coals. A feasT ble conjecture is that the machinery got so heated by friction as to ignite the woodwork, and this view is strength, ned by the tact that on the vessel's expe rimental trip she had twice to bo stopped for the purpewe of cooling it. We believe it will also be fouad that she had twice to be stopped during her passage from Soathampton to Scilly for the same parpuse, the last time only a few hours before the fire. If this should turn out to be the case, a heavy naponaibility will rest with those who hurried a vessel of that magnitude and power to sea, and with such a vast number of human beings on board, without having subjected the engines to every ima ginable test to establish their perfect security and working order. Ono short experimental trip was hardly sufficient for so vitally important a purpose. There were some tarred coal sacks in the engine room, and of course a considerable quantity of oil cad other inflammable matter ; and, the tire once gem rated, their presence, together with the trusses of hay. would be quite sufficient to account 'for what followed. A court of proprietors was held yesterday, at the i.flicvs, in Aloorgate-street, when Mr. Vincent read the f.l:ouing statement, confirming his hasty account of the previous day, and in which it will be perceived that he mentions the fact of the Towel being stopped to cool the bearings: STATEMENT OF MR. VINCENT. the AMOVICI was at noon of the 3rd January, 1852, in liti!udt 1 4 12 N., and longitude 1:57 W., from which time sl,e steered W. by 8. 14. till 9.30 p.m. same day, when 111 e wo shipped mead the bearings. At 11 p.m. she proceeded .teeing in the name course, steaming about 8! knots per hour, wind and see increasing. At 12.44) a.m. on the 4th smoke was observed coming through the hatchway on foreside of the foremost fennel, and immediately after lifeels the flames burst through. 't he alarm was immediately Oise, and the captain and chief officer came on deck. The ire lure and buckets of water were brought to play on the lit, but that. together with the attempt to stop the engine, were ineffeetoul . The helm was put hard a starboard to pat b-r before the wind, but it was some time before es- payed etr. The mail-brut, when lowered, was imme diately swamped, with about 24 people in hi r, all of whom to re lot. 1 he pinnace, when lowered, sheered across the in befor e the people in her could unhook the fore tackle. Th. y were t.ii retry washed out, and the boat remained Itss ging by the how. While clearing away the second rater, a -sa struck her, and raised off the craves, unhooked the. bow the tore-end immediately fell down, slid the jeo;.l- in her, with the exception of two, who hung doubled over the thwarts, were precipitated into the sea and Unused. Sateen men, including two passengers, sue ceded in clearing away and lowering the life-boat on the thrbisard idle. They used every endeavour to .ave those iS the water, but were swept past so rapidly, that their tuitions wore without avail. At about the same time I, with the chief steward, one passenger, and tern seamen, rot into and lowered the clingy sad were pinked up by the life-boat about half-an-hour at trrsards, when we immediately took the small boat in tow, and 'heel down for the ship, but the wind and sea inerees tee, and the dingy being upset and ourvelvee being nearly ow , ate d, we WI re obliged to let the small boat go, ond a h it p the life•boat with her head to the sea. Whil e lyi ng -t o , astena of us, nod was accordingly hailed, std dui. I heve, answer, hut lid nothing of kind to a... as, but stood down to leeward of the ship, hauled on a wind ,rid went away. There was now nn our Illll3lt, r • "t with , live- mi a in her, supposed to be the gig; but we robd iris from the severity of the weather render abe aoistanee. About half-an hour afterwards we suddenly hot sight of her. About four a.m., rue .1 heavily wind shifted to the northward, decree,. I The. sr confused hut going down. Put the boat about and lept hefore it. At 3 the migorine exploded, and about half an hone afterwards the funnels went over the Son niter which the ship went down Andily. At neon we wtre picked up by the Marsden of London ; stood in for tie cu r t of Femur. sod afterwards, wind shifting tu the weehmust lie Valninnth, and lastly for Plymouth. at I w . : "th place we arrived on Monday, at II p.m.. 48.3 N.L., hem picked up 3 :81 W.L. (Signed) W. VDU FAT. Toth' Riordan. Royal WWI Steam Packet Compisny. 7.13 p.m.win g J., a correct lint of the passengers, t jiving the few who were sattd. It will cost the world of taste and letters a pang to find among the " missing" the name of Eliot Warburton, OM gifted author of "The Crescent and the Cross." LIST OF PASSRNOEItS ON BOAtf) THE AMAZON. Mews. De rasa and Delgado, ', Lient. 0 sylls, Mr. Fellows, Rev. Mr. and Mrs, Winton, Mr. Joel Mr. Won!, Mr. An thony, and Mr. II nuilton. Jamsi'-a; Mr. Best sal ser vial, Mr. Kilkelly, Nloin., 4. Allender and Stirling, and Mr. Alleyne, Barb ohs"; s l r . Johnston Mr. Burnett, and Mr. and Mrs. Ssatland, Trinidad ; Mr. Hick, Mr. and Mr.. MeClinn•w, and Mr. Neilson (saved), De merara; Mr. E. Warburton (the passage round) ; Messrs. Tialry (usveo and Gerand, Mons. and Matra. Lacombe and Chil, Mon. 'KCl‘llllO4`, Mr. Ciao, Mr. Ilarinomise, and Mr. Dellimaie, Chaves; Mr. M. Del Rio, Maigotet Pus- ! geralil, Mon. Fevrier, Mr. Gianni., Messrs. 11 is's. (snail) and Ferrear, Grace Hoare, Mr. St Dos, and Mr. Grimier, Vera l'rus ; Iglu Smyth, Porto Rico; Mr. Ciitnining, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Crevecowst, St. Thomas; Mr. Car denas, Santa Martha; Mr. Le Faye. finsslslouPe• NAMES OF 'IIIE LOST OR MIS4IN t 1 CREW. William Symons, commander; Henry Itoberts, 31, chief officer, Gosport ; Charles Treoweeke, 29. second officer, Saunas ; John Lewis, 25, thin! officer, Kingston, Jamaica ; George D. tioodri.lge, 21, fourth officer, Paisniton; James W. Fullerton. 37, surgeon, county of Donegal; 11. 11. Strutt, 31, purser, Middlesex ; Friallei% Stainforth, 16, irid ..' lonian, Ern Indies; William K. Stuart, 13, mithihrimman, 'falls hier ; Thames Walt.•r Shapeutt, 25, purser's ammistant, Soathanipton ; Ihivid Davis, 40, boatswain, ('ardigan • Jams Nlurehis, 31, carpenti r, Ayr; James Bryant. 26 carpenter's to rte and joiner, Dogmas, Wilts ; Joseph Kay, 41, master-at-arras, Bolton ; ti. orge IKal, 26, quarter awash r, heliport ; Alexander King, 33. quartermaster, Strt11111111111; %Villiam Martin, 33, quartermaster, Filreharn ; Iticiiard l'orter, 20, A. 8., l'oplar ; Peter Kt Ily, 111, A. 8., Aberdeen; Daniel Brown, 27, A. 8., Yarmouth; George Webb, 34, A.ll. Southampton; KIMUCI Perry, 20, A. 8., Harbin; Riehar4 L. TIIIIIIII.ItIire, 31, A. 8., Iliblea ; Henry Wright, 24, A. 8., Gosport; John M. W. Korn, 211, A. 8., Loudon; Joseph Welamaa,2o, A. 8., Ikvonport; William Foy. 21. A. 8., Althorp ; I . hem. Hart, 33, AB., Kent; Squire Glen, 31. AB., Greetekh ; John Clark, 39, A. 11., Burnham; Winton' Stevenson, 2:3, A. 11., Ayr; James Dove, 36, A.ll, Isle of Wight; George Holah, 2i, ship's rook, Mile-eint ; John Furor, 36. officers' servant, Exeter; Richard Ilarris. 16, dispensary boy, Isle of Wight ; William Fox, 17, boy, I almouth ; 1) noel Trimming, IN, boy, Koyel ; F. S. Wall, 13. boy, Southampton; Charles Lehlra, 17, boy, St. Ives; George Angus, 31. chief engineer, Dunbar; William Angus. 31, second engineer, Dunbar; William Bamnin, 40, third engineer, Alphtaton; William Stone, 37 fourth engineer, Ludgram; Andrew Fere.uson, 25, fifth engineer, lirecuosi; Frederick Davey, 26, null engineer, Exeter; Isaac Roberts, 36, boilor-maker, Holyhead ; John Lamont, 22. fireman, Jersey; charley Flemington, 'Z.), fire man, Morton; George &VW., 2!, fireman, Bratling; Charles L,111;, 11, tin man, Alverstoke ; Michael Fox, 36, fireaus, Marti, y 1 John Fowler, 35, Item iu, Oil Fonl ; Gorge Ilaniing, 26, fireman, Crayfort ; Nathan Wigley, 32, fire man, Paul'.-eray ; Thomas Att tad, 30, fireman, at tea; Peter 31•Kinly, 34, fireman, It..thgt • ; John Rich int*, 29, fireman, Milloraiise ; Itlfiert Furl, 3;, fireman. Portsea ; William Paint, 3.4, fireman. Southampton; Julio W. Watts, 2:1, fireman, Southampton; William Scott, 29, fir.- mast, liars-reit ; Williams J. lane, 31, firm in,Souttrampton; Henry Day 22, fireman. Walton; George Tucker, 21. coal triainu r, iValtou ; W. Jarman, $O, coal-triuimer, PorSea ; W. t ;Joanna, 32. coal.trimmer, Lomita , Charles Dentlney, 2,1, coal-tiiittaacr, Hastings; W. Limas, 20, coal-trimmer, Ihsrsetshin• ; Henry Carter, 21,c0a1-trimmer, Southampton ; Abraham Bantle 33, coal-trimmer, Leap ; W. Wall, 2:1, coal-trimmer, Wiekhatu ; John Potter, 23, eal.trimmer, Wylie; Samuel Lees, 33, coil-trimmer, Wolverhampton ; Thomas Foriler, W. coal-tram r, Sutton ; Angus NPEnnis, 27, lamp-trimmer, Fortwilliain ; W. Norris, IS, engineers' .errant, Southampton; Michael Gould, 41, bead-waiter, Kingsland ; W. U. Lambert, 21, waiter, Chatham; W. Adams 21, waiter, Shirley ; John Banco, 20, waiter, Southampton; John Blake, 34, bedroom steward, Horton; Thomas I'h Ilpott, :;1, foreroom steward, Itamsgate ; Robert Daniel, 23, saloon c mak, Bethmiall-green; Ifebray Theophile, 40, Freneli cook, Frnitt e ; t'harles Mills • 23, second cook and scullion, Hurley ; Joseph Kirby, 36. baker, Somitanip ton ; John Watson, 22, boots, Southampton ; James E. Stnnid, 16, hotelier ril stock-keeper, Thatch tin ; Fr:- I:rick Falkner. 31, store-ke per, 31n1 beset ; E. Scott. 41, • stewardess, Banff; George Herrin, 17, boy, II :lin ; James Brown, IS, able s. amen. Hants. • 'the surviving portion of the crew, who had been ' landed at l'lyinoutli, were inimidiately sent on to Southampton by the Shipwrecked Manners Society. 'Die director; have determined on proceeding to the latter port this day, to hold an investigation us to ' the cause of the disaster, when all these men will of course be examined. The following gentlemen will conduct the investigation : -Mr. Thomas Baring, NI.P., deputrehairman of the company ; Captain • Shepherd, chairman E. I. Company ; Capt. Nelson, elder brother of the Trinity-house ; Capt. Mangles, M.l'., manager It. M. S. P. Company; Mr. Master man, M.l'. ; t'olonel Short, a director ; ('apt. Chappell, It. N.. secretary to the company ; and ('apt. Barton, It.N., company s superintendent at Southampton. FURTHER PARTICULARB FROM SOCTII.tNIPTON Our Southampton correspondent writes as follows : The most disastrous intelligence of the destruction of the ma4nificent steamer, Amazon, by fire, reached Southampton early yesterday morning by , electric telegraph from London. Such a shock has scarcely ever before been felt in this town. Only last Friday afternoon she left this port, with every prosiwet of a favourable and successful voyage. It appears to he but a few hours since that nearly the whole of the 159 persons on hoard were standing' ' on her deck as she was steaming down Snuthamp- ' ' ton water, and with waving hats and handkerchiefs were bidding good bye to friends and relatives. The Amazon was the largest mail packet a fl oat; she was the fi rst of the gigantic fleet of steamers building for i the Royal West India Mail Packet Company which ' was got ready. Most of the crew and of fi cers were picked men from the company's service, and it was considered promotion to be transferred from any of the West India packets to the Amazon. Among the pamengers who were lost in the Amazon was the ac complished Eliot Warburton, the author of the" Cres cent and the Cross," " liochelagu," " Darien," &c. Captain Symons, the unfortunate commander of the Amazon, was a most experienced officer. He was formerly in the Peninsular and Oriental Company's service. During all the time he commanded the West India packets ho was enabled to boast that notwithstanding the intricate and difficult navigation of the West Indies, the Gulf of Mexico, and the cen• tral American coast, he never met with the slightest accident. He had not long been married. Had Captain Chapman, the commander of the Tay, ' been in England he would have taken out the Amazon. Lieutenant Brady, the Admi ralty agent, was for many years the Admiralty agent on the Alexandrian line. He was a highly intelligent and most amiable man. He was called on by the Admiralty authorities, almost at the last moment, to tako charge of the mails on board the Amazon, in consequence of the illness of a brother' officer. Mr. Roberts, the chief officer of the Amazon, was first in the company's service for promotion to a command. Mr. Wm. Angus, the second engineer, was wrecked in the Acteon and Forth, two of the West India packets. Most of the officers and crew of the Amazon have left families _ . . or friends; in Southampton. The task of revealing tie terrible calamity which has befallen most of them has been of the most painful and affecting kind. It was a long time before the news of the loss of the li ship was generally credited by the inhabitants of; Southampton. On the receipt of the London morn ing papers, however, the truth of the disastrous intelligence could no longer be doubted. The utmost sympathy is felt for the West "India Company. They have experienced unparalleled disasters, owing principally to the difficult and extensive duties they undertook to perform; such disasters would have broken the spirits and ruined the fortunes of almost any body of men: but by the exercise of great skill, the submission to great sacrifices, and the display of indomitable persever ance, they had recovered from their misfortunes, and were equalling nearly all public companies, and sur passing most, in splendid success. They have again had:their hopes temporarily blighted by the most cruel and heart-rending misfortune. Thecompanydespatched the Amazon in the most perfect andadmirable manner. No attention or expense was spared, to see that in her construction and fittings up, everything was possibly done which could be suggested by the moat proved experience and advanced science to contribute to the comfort and health of the passengers and crew, and the safety of the ship. Up to the last i moment of her departure, the most experienced officers of the company were examining and testing I the Amazon. But the most laborious efforts of man are sometimes frustrated by the mysterious dispensations of Providence, and ! all human contrivances are ofttimes vain in pre ' viding against nr controlling the furious elements of nature. The tire on board the Amazon broke out, it appears, in the galley. The galley, it is stated, was coastructed fore and aft, different from abut it is in most ships. It was situated over the engine -room. When operations were going on in the galley before the Amazon left Southampton, the heat was most in tense there. The property sacrificed by the lass of the Amazon cannot be less than a quarter of a million sterling. By none of the West India pnekets which have been loat has there been such a frightful loss of life as has happened by the burning of the Amazon. In TIT EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 8, 1852. fact, the leas of life in the latter, consisting of 128 persons, is nearly as great as that of all the other wrecks put together. Ihe following are the names of the principal West India packets which have been lost, viz. :—The Tweed, Forth, Solway, lids,and the Medina. The Amazon is the first birlongiog to the company which has been destroyed by fire. A subscription has been entered into at South ampton to assist the numerous widows and father less children who have been rendered so by the loss of the unfortunate Amazon. The Mayor has headed it with a subscription of 10f. 'fwelvo of the ercw of the Amazon that wino NI% ed arched at Southampton last evening. Mr. Vincent, the midshipman who was steed, is the son of Captain Vincent, an old officer of the West India Company, and who is now on the Br.tzil station in command of the Severn. In addition to the heavy mail for the West Indies and Mexico, which was on board the Amazon, she had 1,100 tons of coal, specie to the value of 20,0001., quicksilver to the value of 3,0001., and 100 tons of cargo. There is not much doubt but what Lieut. Brady was bwainpvd in the first boat that was let down from the ship, and which contained Btu mail. SOUTILkMPTON, WEDNESDAY \IOIIT, Jtm. 7. Thu water tender on board the Amazon, who was saved, has just reached Southampton. Ile states th it the chief and fourth engineers went the rounds of the engine-room after midnight on Saturday, and found everything right; within a quarter of un hour after the?• kit the water tender saw bits of something on fire fall into the engine -room; he had only just time to get assistance before ho was driven out of the engine -room, owing to tho intensity of the heat arising from the tire. Ile describes the fire as must rapid and intense. lie is confident that many of those forward never could have got oat of their beds before the fire overtook them ; he only recollected distinguishing Captain Symms and Mr. Roberts, the first officer, amongst those who perished. We take the following particulars from the Weal of England Conserratire respecting the conduct of the officers, and the settle on deck at the time of the calamity. SAFETY OF TWENTY-FIVE MORE OF THE PASSENGERS AND CREW. (BY SUBMARINE PARIS, THURSDAY, 1110 AIL Letters from Bred announce the arrival, on tho sth of January, by a Dutch vessel, of six passengers and nineteen of the crew of tho English packet Aniscou, which was destroyed by the. The hosts of the Amazon were fitted with iron cranes or' crutahe• ow which their keels rev, d ; these fittings ob structed their clearance from the ship, and but for this fatal arrangement the Sl`riolls lose of life would have been lessened. Captain Symonds ordered no one to get into the boots; this order was obeyed until the people saw the Homes overpowering the ship. Ile was last seen with the man at the wheel on:wring the in Ins to be put up so as to keep the ship before the wind: his List words were, "It is all over with her." The officer of the watch, Mr. Treweek (second officer), was walking the bridge when the accident was discovered. Mr. Henry koherts, chief officer, in his shirt ohly, was actively assisting the captain ; he was last seen going through the companion, down to the main deck, and is supposed to have ',embed there. Mr. Lew', third officer, Mr. Goodridge, fourth officer, and the two midshipmen, some of whose berths were forward, on the port side of the main deck, were probably suffocated, as I.:real,. the chief engineer, Mr. George Angus, and Mr. Allen, superintending engineer (under Mr. Seward), as they were even in the engine room ten minutes before the fire broke out, going lorward—there being no possibility of their return.. The second engineer, Mr. William Angus, was on the spar sleek h twcen the funnel and the crank gratings, pulling OATS and throwing them out of the way of the tire, on the deck, near the boats. After the Amazon was put shout the went at the rate of 12 I.a. 13 knots dead before the wind. The two best boats were stowed on the top of the vomits, where the flames prevented approach. Ono boat on the' starboard Fide, the second cutter, was full of people, when the wash of the sea unhooked the foremost teakle, and her stem falling into the sea, all except two were drowned. The pinnace was uMersed on the port side, towing by the fore ti akle, behind the burning ship, and as uo one cot the tow rope, the miserable passengers, who were all huddled together, were, one after the other, washed into the sea. The mail-boat, which was also full, baring shipped a quan tity of water, went down alongside. The scene ea deck is describe- d as dreadful la the extreme ; when the flames had approached the after-companion, two male passengers Caine up from the saloon, all in flames, and running aft, fell on the deck. A tall lady, supposed to be Mrs. Maclaren, entreated Rome one to take care of her child, but she would not enter ci her of the boats. Dine ford, the quartermaster, placed one lady passenger in a boat, hut she, being extremely agitated, got out again ; and, although Henry 'Williams and another used some force, and begged her to go in, she persisted in remaining on board. The stewardess, Mrs. 9entt, with her bonnet and shawl on, and something in her hand, first asked Steer to put her in the dingey, and then left for a larger boat ; at the time of quitting, some of those who yet lived were kneeling on the deck praying to God fur mercy, whilst others, almost in a state of nudity, were running about screaming with horror. ADDITIONAL STATEMENT BY MR. NEILSON. Our Liverpool corresgtiudent writes as follows : " Immediately upon the telegraphic news of the loss of the Amazon, West India mail steamer, reach ing Liverpool this morning, the excitement and anxiety to ascertain full and authentic particulars became painfully apparent among all classes. On the Exchange, in the various commercial markets, and in mercantile circles generally, nothing else was talked of, and the excitement at one time was in tense. It soon became known, however, that our respected townsman, Mr. IL Neilson, of Dale street, who was on board the Amazon, in tending to proceed to Demerara, was one of the few survivors of the melancholy catastrophe, and that he had returned home this morning. Crowds of eager friends immediately assembled at Mr. Neilson's office to congratulate him on his-providential deliverance; but that gentleman had proceeded to his residence at Hale-wood, near this town, and thither many of his more immediate personal Mends repaired to welcome him, after his escape from the terrible disaster in which he had been so perilously involved. Notwithstanding Mr. Neilson's numerous and pressing demands upon his time, thatgentleman obligingly favoured us with the following particulars attending the calamity, in addition to those which ho had already made public : " The fire broke out about ono o'clock on Sunday morning the 4th instant, off the Bay of Biscay ; tt was first discovered by Mr. Vincent, the mate, who was afterwards picked up by the boat in which Mr. Neilson was. Mr. Neilson was the last man but one who got into the last boat, which was the starboard life-boat, and he had to get into this boat by spring ing from the ship's side, and sliding down the tackle fa. Soon after putting off from the burning ship, they saw the second cutter struck by &heavy sea, and the others had fallen astern or already sunk. Keep ing clear of the ship, and at the same time desirous to save as many as possible, they manned the dingle, and picked up Mr. Vincent, Monsieur Sine let, and three others ; they then took their stations in the dingie, Mr. Neilson in the bow, and Mr. Vin cent at the stern, directing the men according to the seas they were likely to ship. After rounding the Amazon, with her head down, they saw ono of the other boats capsize, but could render no assistance. At this time a barque stood between the dingle in which were the survivors, and the burning ship; they hailed the barque, which replied, put her spanker aback for a moment, hove round, but sud denly disappeared, without rendering any assistance. This was about 2 o'clock; by four the wind had in creased to a heavy gale ; the survivors, however, bore away and passed the stern of the burning ship about five o'clock, soon after which her magazines exploded, and every vestige of the noble vessel almost immediately disappeared. They were soon afterwards picked up by Captain Evans, of the brig Marsden, to whom the greatest praise is due, not only for the humane and kind attention to all the survivors of the Amazon, but for having taken upon himself the responsibility of returning to Plymouth with them, by which means the friends and relatives of the unhappy sufferers, as well as the West India Mail Steam-ship Company, have been made ac. quainted with the catastrophe; whereas, had the Marsden proceeded on her outward voyage, a lung period of anxious suspense must have been the result to all interested in the ill-fated vessel." LIST OF THE SURVIVORS. Robert Neilson, Esq. T. Sisley, Esq. W. Vincent, Junior, midshipman Mr. James ►Villiamson, steward Mr. John Dineford, quartermastei W. Foster, A.B. Thomas Carney, A.D. James tifaylin, A.D. James Mowett, A.B. William Steers, All. William Stevenson, A.D. henry Williams, A.D. Henry Passinon William Hummer John N, reek Willoom Koopman, water ter.der Sentra White, fireman John Shearing, fireman O. “nee Kinr, trimmer Charles Thorn, fireman John Hawke, steerage passenger. THE ENQINEERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS. COMMENCEMENT OF THE STRIKE. The dispute became still further complicated yes terday by the closing of the establishment of Mr. Scott, ' machinist, King-street, Commereial.road East, in conse quence of the refusal of the men to submit toe new con dition in connexion with overtime, proposed to be carried out by their employer, one of the masters who on Saturday last gave notice that their establishments would be com pletely closed on the 10th instant. It appears from the statements of the men that some of their number had lost time from the commencement of the week up to Wednesday night to the smoul,t of a qu tr. ter of a day, in consequence of which Mr. liksatt demanded that they should work overtime iu the evening, so u to make up the time they had lest; and, further, Mr. Scott intimated that in the event of their failing to comply with this demand, it was his fixed intention to stop two hours' pay fur every hour of time which they had lost, or might lust•. The men remonstrated against the adoption of what they conceived to be an unreasonable proposition, and, after some further parley, refused to submit to it, upon which Mr. Scott replied that in that ease they had better quit their work at once, u he fully intended to close the shop on Saturday, anti the two days intervening between that time and the present could make little difference to either party. The men acted upon Mr. Scott's suggestion without communicating their intention to the general secre tary of the society, or the executive council, and not return ing to their work after the dinner hour, the establishment was forthwith closed. The establishment thus closed was a small concern, em ploying not more than about sixteen or eighteen members of the Amalgamated Society. The following communica tion was received yesterday by Mr. Allan : " London, Jan. 6,1662. " Central Association of Employers of Operative Engineer., :30, Itucklersbury. " Sir,—Your letter of yesterday, stating that you had been informed this committee were desirous of seeing a deputation of workmen, having been considered, at the or dinery meeting this lay, lam directed to state that whilst the individual members of this association are always ready to receive any communication from their workmen, in their respective establishments, they cannot recognise the exe cutive council of the Amalgamated Society as the proper channel for effecting any arrangements between themselves and those in their employment, this association having been formed fur the express purpose of defending themselves and their well-dispu.ed workmen front the dictation and pernicious interference of the council you represent. " I am, sir, your most obedient servant, "SIDNEY SMITH, Secretary. " Mr. Wm. Allan, Secretary Amalgamated Society of Engineers, ike.• The above letter aill be submitted to the executive council at its sitting to-morrow. A meeting of the London district committee took place last night, when report. were given in by deputations from various establishments unanimously in favour of maintain ing the position assumed by the executive council. It is believed that work at the shops to be closed will cease on the Friday night, the week's wages is many estab lishments being then due, owing to a prevalent practice of keeping a day's pay in hand. TILE FIGHT WITH TILE NEGROES AT LAGOS. We learn that not only was the crow of her Ma jesty's screw-sloop Niger, Commander Heath, engaged with the negroes at Lagos, as stated in yesterday's Express, but the attack on the slave traders won made by the combined crews of a squadron of crui.ers, which included the offivers, seamen, and marines of the Philomel, 8, Commander Forties; Harlequin, 12, commander Wilmot; Volcano steam vessel, Commander Coot.; Niger, 14, screw.sloop, Commander Heath; and Waterwieh, 8, Commander Gard ner—the force consisting of 23 boats, with 200 officers and men, under the command of the senior officer, Commander F. 0. Forbes, of the Philomel. The King of Lagoa, Corijioce by name, had forbidden the men-of-war boats from coming up the river to Lagos; but previously Mr. Beecroft, the consul at Fernando Po, with the commander, of the Harlequin and Waterwiteh, and Lieutenant Pate} the commander of the Bloodhound steam-tender, had boeu received by the King with every demonstration of respect. They, however, failed in their object to engage the King to promise, on the part of him self and subjects, not to favour the slave trade. Mr. Berl croft determined on seeking another interview with the King, and in order to show his sable Majesty the hopele - nt-4 of any successful persigance in carrying on the in human traffic, arranged that the sensed boats of the squadron should accompany him up the river under a flag of truce. _ Accordingly, a course over the bar having been surveyed, the Bloodhound strainer, with a white Hag, and th e follow ing boats of the squadron, Mr. Beecroft in Commander Wilmoes gig, starting 100 yards a-head, proceeded at day light of the 25th of November towards the river : Fhilomel.—Commander Forbes in the whaleboat; Lieu tenant Williams in the pinnace, with a 12-pounder cannon ade, and with cutter and whaleboat. Ilarlequin.—Commander Wilmot iu the gig; Lieutenant Boughey in the pinnace, with cutter and two whaleboats. Volcano.—Commander Cuote in whaleboat; Lieutenant Reeves in paddlebox•boat; Lieutenant Robinson in paddle box• bout, with cutter. Niger.—Commander Heath in the gig • Lieutenant Dunn in the piIIIACC, with three cutters and w haleboat. Waterwiteh.—Commander Gardner in whaleboat, Lieu ten int Graham in pinnace, with cutter and whaleboat. As the force crossed the bur, and ahout four miles distant from the point, a heavy fire of musketry was directed to wards it. No notice, however, was taken of this ineffectual show of opposition to the progress of the boats, and the flags of truce were kept flying. ‘Vhen within shout a mile and a half of the town the Bloodhound grounded; and, as she could not be got off, the boats formed line and proceeded up the river, and kept on, with the flag of truce flying, until they received a heavy tire from some guns and musketry on shore. The fire was harmless on account of the distance ; but nnw the boats opened their fire with shrapnel' shells and round shot, the Niger at the same time throwing a shell or two on the point near the mouth of the river. After exchang ing a continuous fire for nearly an hour with a beach lined for mere than a mile with bodies of men, the boats dashed at the shore and effected a lauding simul taneously at one spot, and then, leaving a sufficient guard at the boats, about 160 officers and men fought their way into the town. They were met, however, with the most de termined resistance en the part of the natives, who disputed every inch of the narrow Ntreets intersecting each other, and when beat out of one street ran round by the backwaye and showed front again at the end of the other streets. After some gallant fighting in this way against an increasing enemy, who amounted to at least 5,000, and having two (idiom killed and six men wounded, Captain Forbes fired Cie houses in the neighbourhood and retreated in owl order, and, having re-embarked, proceeded to the Blood hound, got her afloat the same night, and the next morn ing recrossed tho bar; the force having sustained the fol lowing lose—comparatively small when the number of the enemy is taken into account, and wh e n it i s considered that, in addition to their forte of half•a-dozen large gnus, and as many swivels, which were constantly served, almost every house wss a fortification: Killed. --Mr. I)yer, mato of Niger; Mr. lien, mate of ditto. Wounded.—Charles Hancock, sergeant R.M.Ar., of the Niger, seriously; John Goulding, gunner, R NI A., of the Niger, dangerously; Urbane Collett, bombardier, H.M.A., of the Niger, severely; William Hall, seaman, of the Niger, severely; John Wearthy, seaman, of the Niger, severely; Richard Oomett, seaman, of the Niger, severely; J. Tod hunter, A. 8., of the Niger, severely ; a quartermaster of the Philousel ; two men of the Volcano, severely. In addition to the above, others received hurts from spent balls. The Niger took the wounded to Sierra Leone, and pro ceeded in search of the commodore, and it was understood that Commodore Bruce had proceeded to Lagoa to organise such a force as would compel the King of Lagos to submis sion; tho Ilar:equio, in the meantime, by her presence off the coast, preventing the King of Lagos from forming any new expedition against the missionary establishment at Badagry. Irtie Court. WINDSOR, JAN. 7. The additions to the royal dinner party yesterday were Colonel lion. C. B. and Mrs. Phipps and Colonel Hon. Charles and Mrs. Grey. Her Majesty's private bond attended at the Castle in the evening, and performed the following selection : overture... Ll Part du Disb:c" Quieten°, Allegro. La, ghetto, Minorite% Trio, Tema con Ye; lallonl—Claramet, I vorote, Vl4. sad kvio mmUa. Maws. Williams. lIMMOM Ceales. and Chimp ROOMIZA. Frel•chats " Finale, "PO sax Came" lleruld. The Queen walked in the Home Park and Slopes this moroing. The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and younger members of the royal family took their usual exercise. Prince Albert went out shooting this morning, accom panied by Sir W. Middleton, and attended by the Earl of Morley, Captain Hon. J. Denman, and Colonel *F. Seymour. The Duchess of Orleans visited the Queen today, and partook of luncheon. The Earl of Morley and Captain lion. J. Denman have relieved the Manlius of Ormonde and Colonel lion. N. Hood, in the duties of Lord and Groom-in-Waiting to her Majesty. The Marquis of Lanwlowne, the Duke of Newcastle, the Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster, and Lady Otte via Grosvenor, have receivectinvitations to the Castle, and are expected to arrive this afternoon. The Marquis d'Asenlio, Sardinian Minister, has returned to his residence in Berkeley-square, after a few weeks stay in Paris. _ _ Sir Francis Baring arrayed at his residence in the Admi ralty yesterday, from his scat, Stratton park. lkspatches from the Governor of the Cope of Good Hope were received, yesterday, at the Colonial-office. Des patches were also received yesterday from the Governors of Sierra Leone and Port Philip. RUMOURED CHANGES. (Fres • Comspeedeat ad the LAWN New.) Yesterday evening the rumour was very general that Lord John Russell had decided upon the changes to be made in his ministry. In cases of this kind, it is, of course, impossible for anything short of a ministerial manifesto to convey the exact and au thentic particulars of the contemplated alterations. In such times as these, however, the public look naturally to the newspapers for such indica tions as may bo in existence, tending to show what may be expected. To meet this natural anxiety we give the latest on die; with the full and complete preliminary explanation that only as the meet prevalent rumour can the following be received. With this preface, it may be stated that Sir James Graham had yesterday an interview with Lord John Russell, and it is very generally un derstood that the negotiations in progress have for their object the formation of a Conservative-Whig cabinet—a negotiation which, if successful, would in all probability involve an early dissolution of par liament. It is proposed that Lord Lansdowne, Lord Broughton, Mr. Labouchere, and Sir F. Baring should resign; To be replaced by • Sir James Graham, as First Lord of the Admiralty $ the Duke of Newcastle, as President of the Board of Control ; Sidney Herbert, as Paymaster of the Forces, with a seat in the Cabinet; and Mr. Gladstone. as President of the Board of 'trade. Who would succeed Lord Lansdowne is not stated. Whether all this is entitled to be regarded as any thing more than club talk, the lapse of a short time will in all probability determine. lAN I )0,1 A Nu. No RT It WI:STERN R.AT LW T. Return of traffic for the week ending Jan. 4 :—Pgasengero, puerto, earriageo, heroes, end mad., 21,1401. 00. Id.; mer chanilioe, 15,2631. I 1.. 7.1. ; cattle, !MI. 11.. rel. Total, 40,217/.15..1d. Cemotponding week, 1814, 42,0101. 111.0. J. Aggregate: 1850, 37,0201. 13s. Bd.; 1861-42,011.11. 11.. Od.; 1812 —40,2471. Ic.i. 14. MANCHESTER. At Manchester, the position of the questions at issue between the operative engineers and their employers has undergone hut little change since Monday, except that bath parties have now taken public offices, giving an air of determination and prospect of permanence to the strike, which it was hoped might yet have been avoided. The employers have taken a room is Cross -street, at Messrs. Richardson and Whitworth's offices, and appointed these gentlemen their secretaries. At their meeting on Tuesday, attention was called to a statement made by Mr. Newton, at a meeting in London on Monday evening, to the effect that he had, on Saturday, " attended a meeting at Green wich, which had been called in consequence ul Mr. Penn, the great employer there, having stated that the executive committee of the employers association were desirous tore ceive a deputation from the executive of the Amalgamated society." Mr. Newton added," Thattbe feclinguf the meet , ing was unanimous, that if the employers wished to receive a deputation, a deputation should attend them, but th it the me n ought not to take the initiative." There was a general ex pression, on the part of the members of the committee, that this statement did not deserve any credit; and it was unani mously determined that the Manchester executive should not only repudiate any idea of inviting a deputation, but should a/so insist that even if one sought an interview it should be declined ; and that nothing should be taken into consideration but • communication, in writing, from the leaders or officers of the Amalgamated Society. Besides the employers in Manchester, Oldham, and other towns in that neighbourhood, who joined the Central Association in the heat instance, it is stated on good autho rity that ten firma in Bolton have sent in their adhesion. Among the largest firms in Manchester which yet hold heck is that of Messrs. Galloway, but it is said that the business of this house is more in the foundry line than in the mill-fitting, and is not so much mired up in the question. We have heard of two or three instances in which the feeling of the men with regard to the question of overtime has been manifested with extreme harshness, and with &de gree of inconsiderate recklessness which could scarcely be ex pected from any men who would lay claim to the slightest consideration on the part of their employers. In one case, • Manchester firm was under • heavy bond to deliver • lo comotive to a railway company on a certain day—a Satur day, we believe. At seven o'clock the labour of some four or five men fur two or three hours was required to complete the work ; but although the obligation under which the firm wax placed was well known, every man left the esta blishment, and the bond was forfeited. In another case, at Bolton, a machine was being repaired without which an establishment in that town could not commence work on the next morning ; a couple of hours work on the port of • few men was all that was required to complete the repairs ' • but the men left punctually at se ven o ' c l oc k, an d the esta blishment to which the machine belonged was kept standing. The operatives have Mr. Hewn for their secretory, whose office is in Stanley-street, Dale-street, and here the Mari cheater committee have their meetings, but have taken no public step, so far as we can learn, to make known their in tentions beyond the publication of an adverti semen t, trans mitted f rom London, repudiating the assertion made by their employers, to the effect that they were demanding the dismissal of persons working selt acting machines. The following is • copy : Engiueers' Dispute.—(By Electric Telegraph.)—Lon don, Tuesday night, Jan. 6, 18.52.—The executive council of the Amalgamated Society beg to inform the employers in their trade, that they have never demanded the dismissal of any person at present working self-acting machines, nor is it their intention to do so.—Wm. Brown, Thos. Morgan, John Ives, Wm. Newton, James Potts, Wm. Powell, John Reid, members of the council ; Joseph Must*, president ; Wen. Allan, secretary." The operatives complain very generally that they are misrepresented on this question by the press, and assert that their only objection to labauren is, where masters introduce them to be instructed in the business at machines of a certain description which they think mechanics would be throwing away their business to comply with. From the firm and independent attitude assumed by both parties, there is reason to fear that a false pride may pre ' vent those overtures fur bringing about • reconciliation which is so desirable. We have inquired the names of the firms who have given notice to their hands, and are informed that all firms arc not required by their rules to give notice, but all of 36 firms who need to give notice have given it for the 10th, and on that day from 10,000 to 11,000 hands employed by the Manchester association, consisting of 36 firms, will cease work. There was a meeting of the masters, at Manchester, yesterday, but nothing of any importance was done, DOUBLE-BARRELLED RIFLE CARABINES FOR T7IE Cara.-3.50 double-barrelled rifle carabines have been shipped in the Birkenhead steam troop-ship for convey ance to the Cape of Good Hope. These rifle carabines are for the use of the 12th Lancers ' and are of the same construction as those with which the non commissioned officers and privates of the 12th Lancers from the depot at Maidstone practised at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, a abort time ago, to acquire • knowledge of their use, so as to be able to instruct their brother non commissioned officers and privates on their arrival at the head-quarters of their regiment at the Cape of Good !lope. The non•commimioned officer and pri vates who were at Woolwich for the purpose stated have embarked in the Birkenhead as part of the detach ment of the 12th Lancers ordered to proceed, under the command of Cornet John Holt, to the Cape, to join their regiment. The balls used in the double-barrelled rifle , carabines are of the conical description found so effectual at long ranges by Mr. Lancaster, doing great execution at 600 or $OO, and in many instances at 1,000 yards range. The result of the recent trials of small arms gives reason to expect that a complete change in the arms of the British soldier will shortly take place; and it is contemplated to have rifled cannon made rawly fur experiments during the prc•amt year, some beautiful self-acting machinery having been invented fur grooving the cannon in the most perfect manner. It is expected that, with rifled cannon and conical-shaped shot, the field artillery will attain a /crest range, far exceeding what can be obtained front small.arm rifles. SUICIDE. OP A LIVERPOOL MERCHANT day an inquest was held before the coroner for Liverpool, on the body of Mr. Joseph Edwards, residing in Prince x l'ark, who committed suicide on Christina-day by taking a dose of prussic acid. The deceased was wealthy, and no cause could be maligned for the nub act. Alter a long in quiry the jury returned a verdict of "Temporary Insanity." There were many vague rumours afloat, sonny of which alleged that the deceased had la en poisoned, but the result of the inquest leaves no doubt that the rash act was that of the unfortunate deceased himself. DEAD CHILD FOUND IN THE STREKT.— BetWOCH eight and nine o'clock lust night, as several lads were play ing in Little Bridge-street, Illarkfriars, their Ott ration was attracted by a large canvas bag lying on the steps at the hack of the premises belonging to Messrs. Wilkinson, up holsterers, 14, Ludgate-hill. Not suspecting the contents, they were fur soma time dragging it up and down the street fur their amusement. On opening it, however, a fine newly-born female child was found enveloped in a piece of white linen. Pulice-eunstahle, 30.1, at once conveyed the body to the station-house, where Dr. Ilutchinson's assistant attended, and was of opinion that sielenee had beam used to the child. As in the case reported yesterday, the actors in this fearful drama have escaped. PARLIAMENTARY REFORM MEETING AT OXFORD. One of the largest and moat influential public meetings that hu ever been held in Oxford took place In the Town-hall on Monday eveninn, for the purpose of re ceiving Sir Joshua Wallinley, M.P., and G. Thompson, 1.1'., as a deputation from tho National Reform Association, and to propose a petition t 4 p irliainent in favour of a full, fr. e, and fair representation of the people in the House of Commons. By 7 o'clock, the time appointed forthiscominencement of the business, there were fr . on 800 to 1,000 persons assembled, candidly, of men ~ f all ranks, hut a predominance of working uteri •, Mr. Jo,evit ARNE, a councillor and post master of Oxford, in the ch o i r . Sir .1. WALMSLEY, who was received with mach cheering, thanked them for the kind reception which they had gives' him and which he considered was given rather to the cause than to himself, who was a stranger to them. He remarked that ho had been 'truck with the beauty of their various halls and colleges, awl lauped the time would 11004 coma when they would open their arms wide to receive strangers worthy of them. (Cheers.) lie trusted that whatever might fall from himself or his friend would not be regarded as of a personal nature, because they eschewed everything of the kind, and it was not V, wish of the association which they represented to interter, in an unto money way between members and their constituencies. He trusted that constituents would bear in mind the duties they owed to others, and pause before they allowed their representatives to join au administration which refused to recognise the principles which they advocated. lie felt proud to be in no assembly of men who advocated the rights of their fellow men, and required no eloquence to inducts them to take up the cause of the people. The task was an easy and plc sing one which the society he represented had uudertak n, mid it r.died more on the justice of its object than on the eloquence of its advocates, for it sought to give effect to the principle, that men should enjoy their full and just rights; it weight to promote a hroad extension of the franchise ; to admit persons octunying tenements fur twelve months to the frauchise ; to obtain protection of that franchise by the ballot, without w:'ich it would be worse than useless. (Cheers.) It prayed that the duration of parliaments should not exceed three years, and for such changes in the electoral districts as would give a fair apportionment of members, and that a seat in the House of Commons should not depend on a pecuniary qua lification. (Cheers.) 11 they were asked why they did not advocate the payment of members, it was beeirase that was already the law of the land, and they had the power to do so if they thought tit. Such an extension of the suffrage, without a ratepaying clause, would increase the constituency fourfold ; and if any were not represented then, they wou'.4 have the opportunity of obtaining a 40s. freehold, by which they would acquire a vote, so that the proposed scheme would be as useful as universal suffrage itself. (Loud cheers.) In conclusion, he urged them never to Iwo sight of the subject, either in or out of season, ant con tending, as they were airtinst prejudices, elase legislation, and a powerful oligarchy, all their efforts would te un availing unless they were resolute, untiring, and persever ing. (Loud and continued cheering.) Mr. G. THOMPSON, who 11..111 received most COllll , llly, next addressed the me, ting at length and with great effect, urging the necessity for reform. His remarks were very cordially received. The SECRETARY read the petition, which embodied the recommendations alluded to 1484 J. Walmsley, and it was unanimously adopted. BOILER EXPLOSION.-FOUR LIVES LOST. An explosion, attended with very serious and fatal consequences, occurred at Cold's (fill, near Dudley, yeater day morning. At about 3 o'clock a violent concussion was heard thronghout the neighbourhood, and fur some miles distant around Wednesbury, West Bromwich, and Dudley, the report W 4. most distinctly heard. Upon inquiry, and visiting the spot, it was te•cerWined that an explosion had taken place at tho works occupied by Me•srs. Davies and Bloomer, irnmedian ly a,:joiniag those of Gold's Hill, worked by Nes,es. 11ag0.,1, sad s e w hers. At We time the explosion took place, a Man named John Evans, the furnace man, was at the bo.ler. Ile i, stated to have been a very steady man. Evans had cmplo)ed under him two ',sift-int', one named Allman and the other Osborne. Daniel Bradbury was the engines, and there are some singular circumstances connected with the escape of this man upon the occasion. Bradbury's duties, u en gineer, were iu part to superintend the boilers ; and it ap pears that this morning he had no t l e f t the boiler which exploded half a minute I.efore the accident occurred. While standing at the boiler-side, the bell rang for the engine to be stopped, in order that the rolls might be etar.ged, when Bradbury at 4aice repaired to hi, engine. He did not reach it be fore the boiler exploded, and the mischief wax com pleted. Evans and his two assistants were instantly killed; and a man named James, who was by trade a Phingler, died from some cause which surgeous cannot satisfactorily explain, as there are no outward appearances of injury. The cause of the accident has been inquired into—but is not satisfactorily explained. The boilers, of which there were three, were about five tons in weight. They were firing boilen. The plates were said to be half-inch plates, and to Lear albs. pressure to the square inch. Th. y were high pressure boilers. It is not a little singular that live years ago a similar accident took place at the same works, and that the boiler which exploited this morning is the ono which was manufactured specially to supply the place of the boiler which exploded on that occasion. Special pains were taken in its manufacture. It was constructed on the works, of first-class charcoal iron. Also - titan FATAL COLLIERY At:Ott/ENT IN caned at Barnsley yesterday, at the Ilarborough pit, which is the pro party oflifei•srs. Day and Tumbell,and where a youth named Charles Chambers was killed by a lump actd, weighing about 15 cwt., fulling from what is termed the top bed, upon his bead. PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM. Yesterday, at the usual meeting of the Vestry of St. Pancras, Mr. Churchwarden PIERCE in the chair, the vestry clerk read a resolution passed at the East Pancras Parochial Association on the 2nd instant, calling upon the vestry to convene a public meeting of the parishioners, to consider the question of Parliamentary and Firincial Re forrr, about to be introduced by Lord John Russell. A resolution to the eff•ct that the memorial be ent,reil on the minute+, and that the vestry call a meeting of the rate payers for Monday, the 26th lust, carried by a large ma jority. " PRESERVED" MEATS FOR THE NAVY.—Yes terday the examination of the canisters of preserved meats" was resumed at the Royal Clarence Victualling Establishment, Portsmouth. Out of 300 canisters of 101 b to 1111 b. each, only one was suffered to pass as consumable, the rest were condemned and thrown overboard at /4:11. Tho contents were chiefly loose putrid matter, now and then varied with a few'stones, entrails with the excrement in them, kidneys green with decomposition, lumps of heart, and in many cues whole hearts festering with putridity, coagulated blood in great abundance, tallow, lumps of tendons, garbage, grease, and effxl. After three hours' labour, the officers forming the board were compelled to leave off, the stench was so great, notwithstanding that at intervals a man was employed saturating the floor with Sir William Durnett's disinfecting fluid, while a blanket satu rated with the same was hung up immediately contiguous to the bench whereon the contents of the canisters were emptied. Due notice of the intended examination was given to the contractor's agent and his sureties, requesting their at tendance, but no one has appeared, and the contractor him self is not to be found. At the commencement of this in vestigation, on Tuesday week, there were 6,660 canisters, varying in size from 41b. to 11.1 b.. and Nome of 32,h. each, and about three months ago, when the stench arising from the store in which they were kept made the authorities of the Clarence-yard suspect something was wrong, the agent to the contractor came down and took away 2,000 canisters (containing 17,00016. of stuff) without opening them. This contrast has long since been paid for. The examining of ficers will not resume their disgusting task until Friday. About 2,000 more canisters rem:un to be examined. Com modore Lambert, of the Fox, on the East India station, returnA a lot of this stock, with a report that after par taking of some of it those who had done so had been seized with sickness, die. Other ship. have likewise been sup plied. COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS FROM THE CAPE OF Goou !i01.13 ; received by the Harbinger, are very unsatis factory ; the losses of the colonists by the Kaffir war having almost put a stop to the trade of the interior, and will se riously reduce the quantities of wool and other produce usually exported to this country. The prices of the princi pal articles of export were as follows:—Wool, 101 to lA. 2,d. per lb. ; skins, sheep, 61. to 10d. ; goat, Is. 3d. ; seal, 151. to 17s. each; hides, dry, Id. to 3,1. per lb.; wet, 2d.: horns, IL 11. 10., per 100; ostrich feathers, 3!. to 71. per lb. ; argol, 11. 10A. to 11. 13s. per 100IbA. ; ele phant tusks, 4s. 34. to 4s. 6d. per lb.; gum, 15s. 2.1. to Ilk. per 100Ibs. ; oil, whale 181. per too; and sea elephant, 19!. 10s.; tallow, Ifki. to 11d. per lb.; while fins, rd. fie per pipe. Freights to England; Wine, 'AK per pipe ; 60.. for dry, and 40s. for wet ; wool, id . per lb.; skins, 51. per 1,000 ; an d horns, 2s. per 1,000. The estimates for 1812 had been laid before the council. The estimated revenue for the year is placed at '204,7001., against 210,0011. in 18.31, and the total estimated expenditure at 200,8281., against 231.168/. in 1851. The decrease in the expenditure arises from the sum lof 2,574/. being approprieted to "works and buildings," against 10,11$1r. last year, and "aborigine. " requiring only • 730!. this year, instead of 7,131/. last year. For " emigre ' tion " no sum is required, against 7,9.501. in 18-51; for roads, streets, and bridges, only 27,6001. ia nquirill, instead of 33,4321. in 18.50. The conveyance of mails, on the other hands, absorbs 12,711/. this year, against 9,423/. in 111.50, !.vat year the estimates gave an expediture of 210,1201., but the actual expenditure was 231,568/. ; it may. therefore, be interred that the estimated expenditure for 18.52 will also be much below the actual disbursements. NOR 111 BRITISH R Mu - Av.—A meeting of share holders in this company was held at the Guildhall Coffee house yesterday—.tr. Brock in the chair—when various allegation. basing hen made that tho present di messed state of the company'a affairs arose from a want of efficient superintendents soil management, it committee of nine gentlemen was appointed to take the necessary steps for c inveniug a mineral meeting of the propel tars, with a view of acting whether some course cannot he adopted for the improvement of the management and condition of the property, and .1 subscription was entered into to defray the necessary expenses of getting an authorised list of share holden', and communicating with them, by cit.liar, upon the subject. A late of thank. to the chairman fur con vening the meeting concluded the proceedings. ..1 f' z