The Press. — London, England, 1854-11-04 00:00:00

NOVEMBER 4, 1854. water. I succeeded in getting him on the top of the paddle box, in company with eleven others. We stood in water at a temperature of forty-five •legrees up to our knees, and frequently the sea broke entirely over us. We soon seemed to separate from our friends on other parts of the wreck, and passed the dreary night, each one of us expecting every hour would be our last. At last the wished-for morning came, dreary and cold, with a dense fog, not a living soul to be seen but our own party, seven now being left. In the course of the morning we saw some water-casks and other things belonging to our ship, but nothing that we could get could afford us any relief. Our raft was steadily settling as it absorbed more and more water. The day continued foggy, except just at noon. We had a clear horizon for about half an hour, and nothing could be seen but water and sky. Night came on thick and dreary, with our minds made up that neither of us would live to see the light of another day, and very soon three more of our suffering party were relieved by death, leaving Mr. Allen, a young German, and myself. Feeling myself getting exhausted, I now sstdown fur the first time, about eight o'clock in the evening, on a trunk, which providentially had been found on the wreck. In this way I slept a little through the night, and became somewhat refreshed. About an hour before daylight, now Friday, we saw a vessel's light near to us, and all three exerted ourselves to the utmost of our strength in hailing, until we became quite exhausted. In about a quarter of an hour the light disappeared. Soon after daylight a barque hove insight, steering appa rently for us, but in a short time she changed her course, and again we were doomed to disappointment. Shortly after we had given up all hopes of being rescued by the barque, a ship was discovered to the east of us, steering directly for us. After relating how the crew of this ship succeeded in rescuing him from his fearful position, Captaiu Luce concludes : Saturday Morning, 14th.—We have safely arrived in Quebec, and I am left without a penny in the world to help myself with, or anything but sincere gratitude to repay those from whom I have received such unbounded kindness since I have been so providentially thrown among them, and with whom I am now about to separate to go to my home of sorrow. Another of the survivors, Peter M'Cabe, who alone escaped out of more than seventy persons who endea voured to save themselves upon the raft, has given a harrowing account of his sufferings. For twenty-six hours he remained clinging, half immersed, to the spars, and saw all his companions washed away one by one, or forced to let go their grasp from utter ex haustion. He describes the collision and subsequent scenes of confusion and agony until the vessel sank. Then he continues : I remained on the vessel till she sank, when I went down with her, and in an instant was engulfed in the surging waters, which closed over our heads. Down, down we sank with our noble vessel into the bosom of the ocean. I retained my consciousness, however, all the time I was under the water, and it was with a feeling of intense joy that I found, after about half a minute, that I was rapidly rising towards the surface, and in a few seconds I was on the top of the water struggling for life. Being a good swimmer, and having, besides, the support of a life-pre server, I succeeded in reaching a door, which was floating a few feet from where I rose. I looked around me, but there was no trace of the vessel except a few loose timbers and the rafts which were floating about, some with and others without passengers. Finding I could not retain my hold of the door with safety, I left it, and swam to a barrel which lay a few feet from me ; from this again I swam to the large raft which had about seventy persons clinging to it. The sea, though not strong, was rough, and the waves, as they dashed over it, washed away a portion of its living freight. I shall never forget the awful scene. There we were, in the midst of the ocean, without the slightest hope of assistance. while every minute one on more of our un fortunate fellow-passengers were dropping into their watery give from sheer exhaustion. Those who had lift•preservers did not sink, but floated with their ghastly faces upwards, reminding thosz who still remained alive of the fate which awaited them. . In the midst of all this, thank Heaven, I never lost hope, but retained my courage to the last. One by one I saw my unfortunate companions drop off; some of them floated off, and were eaten and gnawed by fishes. while others were washed under the raft, and remained with me till I was rescued. I could see their faces in the openings as they were swayed to and fro by the waves, which threatened every moment to wash me off. The raft at one time was so crowded that many had to hold on by one hand. Very few words were spoken by any, and the only sound that we heard was the splash of the waters or the heavy breathing of the poor sufferers as they tried to recover their breath after a wave had passed over them. Nearly all were sub. merged to their armp ts. while a few could with great diffi culty keep their heads above the surface. The women were the first to go; they were unable to stand the exposure more than three or four hours. They all fell off the raft without a word, except one poor girl, who cried out, in in tense agony, " Oh, my poor mother and sisters." When I was about eighteen hours on the raft there were not more than three or four left. One of these gave me what appeared to be a small map. but which I understood him to say was a sort of title-deed to his pro perty. In a few minutes after I took it he, too, unloosed his hold, and was added to the number that floated about the raft. I endeavoured to get the paper into my pocket, but found this impossible, on account of my cramped position, so I placed it between my teeth, and held it, there till I was overwhelmed by a wave, when I lost my hold of it, and it was washed away. Another, who had an oiled silk coat on, called on me, for Heaven's sake, to assist him, as his THE PRESS. strength was rapidly failing, and he mast fall off if be was not relieved. As he was about four or five feet from me it was difficult to reach him, but after considerable exertions I succeeded in doing so, and helped him with one of my knees until I became quite faint, when I was obliged to leave him to his fate. Poor fellow, be promised me if he ever got to New York alive be would reward me well. He clung with terrible tenacity to life, but he, too, dropped off in his turn. I was now left alone on the raft—not a solitary being was alive out of seventy—but still my hope continued strong. The night of the second day was about closing on me, and during the whole time I had been in the water I had not eaten a particle of anything or drunk a drop. My strength 1 found was beginning to give way, and my sight had become so dim that I could not perceive objects a few feet off—even the ghastly faces of the dead, that looked up at me from under the raft, were hardly discernible. I de termined on making one more effort for life. I raised my self on my knees upon the raft, and through the dusk of the evening 1 saw, or thought I saw, a vessel. My strength seemed to revive, and in a few minutes I heard the voices of persons in a boat approaching me. Ten minutes more and. I, too, would have gone ; but Providence had mercy on me, and, after twenty-six hours' exposure, I was by its mercy pres'rved from a watery grave. The boat I after wards learned belonged to the Huron, and was manned by Mr. Doran, the third mate of the Arctic, Captain Grann, one of the passengers, and some sailors. One of the men caught hold of me by the collar and dragged me into the bow of the boat, where 1 lay in the last stage of exhaustion till I was transferred on board the Huron. It is believed that the District Attorney of the United States will cause a large number of the crew of the Arctic to be brought to trial, under an indict ment for mutiny. No instance exists in the history of the marine of the United States, in which so many lives were lost, or so much injury done, in consequence of mutiny in a crew. It is now demon strated that the Arctic carried boats enough to have saved, at least, three hundred persons, even in a gale, if well managed ; while, with the aid of the crew, all working under superior orders, rafts could have been constructed that would almost certainly have saved all on board until they were picked up, for the Arctie was lost in that spot., of all others, in the Atlantic most frequented between the two continents. The statement of the officers, the engineers, and pas sengers saved would be enough to condemn them in a court of justice. CASE OF MR. STONOR. THE Australian papers last received contain accounts of the arrival in that colony of Mr. Stonor, the cancelling of whose appointment as colonial judge had been announced by overland mail before he reached the country. In the Sydney Argus we find a long letter from Mr. Stonor explain►ng and defending his conduct. This letter concludes as follows : When I received my appointment I trusted that the Colonial-office entertained the same views, and I accepted it with gratitude and confidence, but I must add with little pleasure. I immediately left England for this colony at very considerable sacrifices. On my arrival I learnt that, in deference to opinions expressed in the British House of Commons, and by the British press, the Government had directed the cancellation of my appointment. The Lieute nant-Governor, Sir C. Hotham, has since my arrival carried out the instruction which he has received upon the subject in a manner which I shall always remember with gratitude. 1 shall return to England trusting to oonvince the Home Government of the ►njustice done to me. As regards the colony I have no complaint to make. I have met in almost every quarter the most marked sympathy and consideration, and pressing requests to take my place at the bar. No false pride prevents my compliance w►th the latter; private reasons alone have led me to the reso lution which I have taken. On the earliest possible moment I shall leave the colony, grieved and mortified beyond ex pression to have been the cause of so much trouble and turmoil, and truly grateful fur the sympathy and kindness which I have experienced. During the few days, or at most weeks, I may remain, all I desire is privacy, and after my departure perhaps the press may reconsider calmly and dispassionately the cir cumstances of my case, and may come to the conclusion that I did not apply for or accept my late office unwarrantably; that my dismissal has been my misfortune and not my fault ; and that I have been the victim of a grievous, al though-unintentional, act of injustice. HENRY JAMES STONOR. Since writing the above I have been greatly obliged by the loan of a paper, containing a debate, on the house resolving itself into a committee of ways and means, in which Mr. Moore again renewed the subject of my appoint. ment, and insinuated that it was obtained by my trans ferring my influence at Sligo to Mr. Sadleir. That gentle man fully contradicted the assertion ; and I most solemnly state that no relative, friend, connection, or other person whatever in any manner supported my application to the Colonial-office, which was granted solely on account of my brother's position and claims, and my own qualifications and testimonials. MR. WLEI.T.AN, of Mugdock Castle, Stirlingshire, who died on Sunday week, has bequeathed his library and pictures to the town of Glasgow, for the foundation of a free library and gallery of the fine arts. The library is said to be worth :1,0001.; while his collection of pictures, chiefly by the old masters, together with his collection of statues in bronze and marble, is said to be worth 50,0001. THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND CHOLERA. VARIOUS quarterly returns relating to the health of the country, the epidemic, etc., have been published by the Registrar-General during the week. The following are the chief heads respecting which the statistical accounts are presented . MOUTALITY.-113,939 deaths have been registered during the summer quarter, or 21,1.107 more deaths than were registered in the summer quarter of the 'preceding year. The mortality in the last quarter was at the late of 2.425 per cent. annually, or 2.85 more than the average 2.140. The epidemic ie chargeable with this excess in the rate of mortality. When epidemics prevail, as well as in ordinary times, the towns in their present detective sanitary condi tion are the chief sufferers. During the summer quarter, in the same population, to every three deaths iu the country there were four deaths iu the towns. Msnitisots.-40,3811 marriages were celebrated in the quarter ending June 30th. The number only exceeds by 51 the marriages in the corresponding quarter of 165$ ; still, after allowing for increase of population, the rot have exceeded the average of the ten previous yearrilll: marriages decreased in some of the South Midland Counties, and inert -aged in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Wilts, Cornwall, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, in the North Hiding of York, in Durham, and in Northumberland. linsrus.-154,735 births were registered in the quarter ending September 30. This number, which exceeds by 7,154 the number of births iu the summer quarter of 1853, is the largest number ever registered ill the summer quarter ; and allowing for increase of population, the rate of births, 3.'294 per cent. per annum, exceeds the average (3.179). The chief increase of births has been in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Wilts, Somerset, Stafford, Worcester, Lincoln, Durham, Northumberland, Monmouthshire, and South Wales. INCREASE or I'OPULATION.—As 154,735 children were born, and 113,939 persons died iu the summer quarter, the natural increase of population 'in the quarter was 40,796. The increase is below the average. 91,900 emigrants sailed in the quarter from the pelts of the United Kingdom at which there are Government emigration agents Of these a large proportion are from Ireland; others from Germany. THE CHOLERA.—The deaths by choler* in the three months were 15,587, by diarrhma 11,135 ; or 26,722 by the two forms of disease. The epidemic has exhibited less intensity than it did in 1649 ; and although diarthon has been apparently as prevalent, or at least as fatal, the deaths by cholera have been less by 28,234 then the deaths by the same disease in the three summer months of that year. The mortality from cholera and diarthces is less by one-half than it was iu 1849. The districts in what was called the London Cholera Field have suffered most severely; and theta it is known that though seine sanitary improvements have been projected, they have only in a few instances been carried out. Liverpool has been attacked by the epidemic, but the deaths by cholera in that town and its suburbs (the districts of Liverpool and West Derby) have hitherto been 053; whereas the deaths by cholera in the corresponding peri od of 1841) were 4,545. Liverpool has a health officer; and certain sanitary measures have been carried into effect. The authorities of the town deserve credit for their successful efforts in the improve ment of the health of Liverpool. Iteaths by the epidemic cholera have, during the three months, occurred in every county except Herefordshire, Hutlandehire, and Westmore land ; but many districts have escaped hitherto, and a few, such as Merthyr Tydvil, have suffered or are still suffering severely. Ilesut.Te.—The general result of the returns is of a mixed character. The marriages in the spring quarter exceeded the average proportion. The births were also more than usually numerous in the summer quarter ending September 30. And in the slimmer quarter also the mor tidily was high in consequence of the prevalence of the epi demic of cholera, chiefly in deuce, ill-drained towns, sup- plied with impure waters. HEALTH OF Loenoe.—Respecting the mortality in the metropolis for the last week the Registrar re ports: — From the present return it will be seen that the cholera epidemy in London is for this season quickly passing away, and that the total mortality has nearly resumed its former position. In the week that ended on Saturday the num ber of deaths registered from all causes was 1,213. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1844.53 the 'verve number of deaths was 952, and with a correction for in crease of population 1.047. The excess of last week is 181. The deaths from cholera, which were 163 in the preceding week, have fallen to 60. Those from difirahcea are 46. In the western districts 10 deaths from cholera were registered last week ; in the northern 3, in the central 11, in the eastern 12, and in the southern districts 30. Last week the births of 733 boys and 114 girls, in all 1,447 children, were registered in London. In the nine corres ponding weeks of the years 1e45.53 the average number was 1,407. Trim LONDON ONNIBITS PROPRIETORS held a meet ing on Tuesday to consider the depressed state of their business, through the high prices of corn and provender and the pressure of the omnibus duty. It was stated that the traffic at present prices did not pay, and it was useless to raise the fares, as the public would not bear it. The current duty on each omnibus was 101. per month, or 1201. per annum. It was ultimately resolved that a memorial should be presented to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pray ing for some reduction of the duty during the winter, or, at all events, for a pledge from Government that they would propose a general reduction of the duty during the ensuing session of Parliament. F