Star. — London, England, 1825-09-15 00:00:00

_ : • 1 1 ' - ' t7r ~ D"T ADFUL CATASTROPHE ATTENDIAT HF: LAUNCH or rarPRI7VCESS CHARLOTTE. i k i Dock gates entrance. Harbour. ... intendin g to cotta 1 e Utto bosom , ~ ... The crowd ... D . • 4 ...,, ... goiog on ... As the Bridge ... --.—.........11. 11—...........—. gl A ... ... 1 l i .. ....... m•••=limi• •E A ii. r ...----- ..... . Bum or comber fuU of water Princess Charlotte's I ...... with Flood-gates open to re- : : Dry Dock.* • • ... ceive the launch. i i Dry dock. I • 6 L••••''''''"•••••"•' ..... J ..... • • Fatal Dock. .- • ••• •• . '""' 000 • • ••• .... • • • . between twenty and thirty feet of water blew up the rest; and from its dreadful rush, forced the bridge round under the water with all the people upon it. Only a plank of it remained, which was „some way dis connected, and on this four or five persons were saved. You can conceive the rest. The greatest part were either killed by the fall,or drowned. Of twelve taken out, five were dead, and seven saved. I saw two of the latter carried off—the one a young woman, whose countenance was of a blackish paleness. The terror this event has occasioned in Portsmouth and Portsea may easily be imagined. When I got ashore I enquired for some of my friends, and found they were safe; having fortunately passed the bridge only ten minutes before the fatal accident took place. " A female told me that one of her feet gave way on the bridge, but she sprung forward, and was saved by a person catching hold of her gown. A young woman was bewailing the loss of her father, nor was she alone in her sorrow or the cause of it. A respectable Jew was in a state of distraction for the loss of his son, and I think, his brother, who were missing.—A medical man was passing the bridge with his wife and sister ; he saved the former, but the latter perished.— A mothers with a little babe in long clothes, were saved; but the poor child's arm was broken. The extent of the loss will not be known for two hours, at low water. Some say a hundred persons perished, and by no one is the number calculated at less than forty. I hope, however, the calamity is not so extensive. Every aid that the medical men could give, has been given. Oae Gentleman made an incision in the windpipe of a 'stout man, but whether he was saved or not remains to be ascertained.' •l There was to haveleen a grand ball to-night here, but I trust that, for decency's sake, it will be put off." PORTSMOUTH, WXONESDAY A PrilUfOON• This day has witnessed the launch of the largest vessel ever built at the Portsmouth Dock, and one of the most destructive accidents attending such an event it has ever been the painful duty of an English Journal to record. Fur the additional accommodation of the numerous spectators assembled to behold this truly grand and imposing spectacle, a temporary bridge or platform had been erected across one of the docks, which, at the moment the launch took place, gave way with a tre mendous crash, when seventy persons were instantane ously precipitated into the water. The strong current occasioned by the velocity of the course of the ►essel, rendered the endeavours of the boatmen nearly inef fectual, and, lamentable to relate, seven only have escaped a watery grave. . The consternation pervading the assembled multi tude surpasses all description, for no one knew whe ther he had not to lament the untimely death of his nearest relation. The number of persons present exceeded all calcula tion. In a boat under the Royal Standard, his Royal Highness Prince CosnaG, and his Excellency Prince EIITERHARY, honoured this exhibition with their pre sence, attended by the Port Admiral, Sir GEORGE MAR. TIN, Bart. and Commissioner Gary. A salute from his Majesty's ship the GANGES, announced the arrival of their Highnesses. A splendid Ball was announced to be given this evening, at the Royal Clarence Rooms, Southsea Beach, under the special patronage of Lady Mmtvist, and it was expected to be numerously and fashionably attended. An appeal was heard in the Sessions Court, Cork, on the 711), on the part of Dr. Wood, who was sued for keeping a sporting dog. The penalty had not been en forced, for want of evidence; and some irregularity ap pearing on the face of the recognizance, the defendant received the benefit of it. It was argued fur the prose cution, that a person keeping a sporting dog was bound to prove that it was not kept for sporting purposes. An Inquest was held yesterday at the Unicorn,Holy well-street, Shoreditch, on the body of Mr. Bell, the oilman, who was burnt the conflagration of his house on Tuesday morning, as stated in the STAR of that day. Skinner, the shopman, deposed, that Mr. and Mrs. Bell slept together on the second floor, and he on the "third ; that betwten twelve and one, Mrs. Bell alarmed him, and they both escaped by the roof; Mr. Bell, he supposed, went down stairs by mistake; and he imagiced the fire to have been occasioned by the boy going into the cellar, about nine o'clock, and by holding his candle too high, setting - fire to some birch brooms against the ceiling. The errand-boy said, he left his master going for the slipper beer a little after nine; he had been in tie ctllar four times that night: the fire did not commence in the cellar, nor were the , brooms burnt. A Juryman thought the file might arise from Mr. Bell himself going through Lhe shop with light, after he had got the beer ; and a verdict of Accidental Death was at length ag•eed to. . . V ~...1^ ••• THE ARMY. The nth Regiment has received of to march frill. Temple more, and the out-stations to Fermin. The four Depot Companies of the 95th Regiment, are ordered to march for Manchester on the 19th inst. A Detachment of the 14th Dragoons has been ordered to march from Mallow to Cork, the head-quarters of the Regiment. The Southworth transport, Lieutenant &NMI'S, arrived the 9th instant, at Chatham, with invalids from the different corps in the Leeward Islands, and sailed the I Ith instant, for Deptford. The first division of the 53d Regiment marched on Monday morn ing from Chatham, for Portsmouth: the remaintbr have followed. FASHIONABLE 11111.ELLI(iEN('C. ,_— The Lord Chancellor of Ireland bas arrived at Warren's Hotel, Regent.atreet, front Belvoir Castle. Lord Riven left town yesterday, for his seat, Rushmore Lodge, Dorsetshire. The Hon. Colonel and Mrs. Fitzgibbon have arrived in Saville met, from Eastbourne. Countess Spencer left town yesterday, for the Earl of Essex's at, Caahlobury.park. Mr. and Mrs. Nunis and family left town yesterday, for their at in Hants. Mr. and Mrs. Hale and family arrived yesterday at Gould's Hotel, Jermyn-street, from their seat in Bedfordshire. The Hon. Henry Leeson has arrived at the St. James's Hotel, Jermyn-street, from Berks. The Rev. T. F. Ford Bowes has left ditto, for Paris. _ ___ Departures from Miller's Hotel, Jermyn.street : —Count Cha bot, for Cheltenham; Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, for Ramsgate; and J. Hamilton, Esq. for the North. Departures from the Pulteney Hotel, A' and Mrs. Johnson, for their residence at Weymouh ; Captain Pike, for Windsor ; and Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald, for Scotland. Sir Robert and Lady Wilmot and family have arrived at the Burlington Hotel, Old Burlington-street, from their seat in Derby.. shire. Departures from ditto:—Captain and Mrs. Pearson and family, on a tour; and Mrs. Craufurd and family, for their seat in Devonshire. Departures from the British Hotel :—Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland, for Leamington, Warwickshire; Capt. Noble, R.N. for Chatham; and William Pereeval. Esq. for Oxford. Wm. Stewart, Esq. left towsyssterday, for his sett in Berks. :-Mr. PORTSMOUTH, SEPTEMBER 14. At about one o'clock, or a quarter of an hour before the Princess Charlotte was let off the slip on which she was built, a most dreadful accident happened, as the Public were crowding over the bridge across the Dock, wherein it was intended to bring the launch. There ale three Docks, all of which were dry,.and every pre• paration to receive the Launch was made. Under eJC:I bridge there are flood-gates to let the water in or keep it back ; the Comber now filling t►►o feet above the usual height, the weight of this water carried away the flood gates on which the middle of the bridge rested, and the whole of the crowd passing thereon fell into the Dock, and were hurled over and over, the water falling three or four and twenty feet before it came to alevel—the whole mass of people burled away to death in a moment. As the bridge is upwards of eighty, or nearly ninety feet, as it appears to me across, and about four feet six inches wide, you may judge how many persons it would hold, closely wedged together, and all pressing to be over first, to get a good standing-place. I judge there , might be nearly 150 on, at the time it gave way ; the' number lost it is as yet impossible to ascertain. Eeven are now dragged up, but as there happens to be two ships in the basin or comber, and they cannot work the engine to pump out the water, until these ships are pro. perly shored up, all the labourers are ordered into the Dock-yard all night, to proceed as fast as possible to forward the work, and get the water out. I have given you an outline of the Docks, and you will thereby see the thing more cleArly than I am able to describe it. There were 100,000 persons there alto gether, and never was such a scene of woeful counte nances; everybody dull; all in dread that their- nearest friends had perished ; mothers crying, and in hysterical fits; children frightened, and, in fact, all looked like ghosts. " POILTSSIOUTK, Sin.. 14, Fivx, r.u. " DEAR a dreadful accident has just hap pened, and my object in wilting is to prevent any uneasiness respecting me, for you will see by this, I am not among the sufferers. I had procured an admirable place on board the Queen Chatlotte for witnessing the launch. There was I, amidst a crowd of beautiful women and Naval Officers, to the number, perhaps, of a thousand, for she is a 110 gunship, and we occupied nearly the width and length of the upper deck. Every thing boded well; the day, which at first lowered, became quite fine; the water was covered with gay boats, yachts, &c. and the Ganges, an 84, opposite to us, on the other side the launch, had her yards manned, which had a very fine effect. The time of the launch was fixed at half-past twelve o'clock. Every counte nance looked lively, and every pretty eye appeared prfttier and more interesting as the time when the vessel should be let off approached, when I was alarmed with a cry of horror, and, looking to the Dock-yard, saw the persons assembled there, together with many of the marines, running as fast as they could to the South. " At a door in the canvass, raised to screen us from the weather, the accident could be seen by persons nearest, but as I could not get close without disturbing some Ladies, I was obliged to listen to the reports of others. These were various. The first was true, a bridge was broken down. Some said a person had been drowned ; and others, perhaps, in order to quiet the Ladies, said it was only a convict had escaped. " The launch instantly took place, under a royal sa lute from the Ganges, the Admiral's ship Victory, and the ships at Spithead, and nothing could exceed the grandeur of the sight. The noble appearance of the vessel, the delightful way in which, though so immense a body, she took the water, making scarcely any un dulation, the glorious appearance of the hest of boats and yachts, and the fine British cheer, all made it a most an;mating spectacle. Milton would have called it truly sublime. But when the exultation was over, a sad reverse followed, and we learnt the general fact, that a fatal accident had happened, from seeing the wreck of a broken bridge, and a number of boats ac lively employed in rescuing the victims. " The accident happened in this way. The water had been let into what is called the basin, into which the new vessel was to be immediately towed to be com pleted, and to give the company a fine additional view. Adjoining, and connected with the basin, is a dock which was thy, in which the men were working in the morning, to lay down the keel of a new frigate. The gates of this dock were old, and apparently rotten at the bottom ; new ones had been making these two years. The rotten part gave stay before this immense mass; NAVAL INIELLIGENGE. The Nancy, MgComm, from Antigua to Liverpool, foundered on the 13th of August. One man drowned. The Gainsbro', from Cape Breton and Newfoundland, to Liver pool, was abandoned on the 31st August, in a sinking state. Crew saved, and arrived at Liverpool. Arrived oir Holyhead, the Alexander, NEWLAND, and Agnes, Fasagt.t., from Jamaica. FAlMoirm, Sam 13.—Wind &R.—Arrived the Stammer packet, from Usbon—sailed 4th inst. and Amelia, Slow, from Quebec. Sailed the Marquis of Anglesea, STIWAUD. for Buenos Ayres. Pura:ours, Sam. 13.—Wind E. to S.E. with heavy rain.—Ar rived the Herald, Sorwrrne, from Quebec. Sailed the Fortitude, BAOSEN. for Batavia ; Flying Fish, Jonrisou, for Cadiz ; Sappho, SMITH, for St. John's, New Brunswick; Dispatch, Rrrcnix, for Mogadore. PORTSMOUTH. San. 14.—Wind variable.—Arrived his Majesty's Colonial brig Panics Raman, with dispatches from Sierra Leone— sailed 23d July; Nautilus, Taira, from London for the Cape ; and Samuel, "%Timex, from New York for Hull. Dear., Sarr. 14.—Wind N.E.—Arrived and sailed for the River, the British Monarch, PaaasOrt, from Montserrat. Passed through from the River, the Desire, VALEMIROCC, for Havre; London Packet, Coax, for Faro; and the Thalia, SHAND, for Halifax. Lantaroot., Sm. 13.—Wind E.—Arrived the Caroline, Caw- Wats. from Maranham—sailed the Ist of August; Morro Castle, Wit.soN, and Sophia, Bar, from Campeachy-.-sailed the 4th July; Eliza, Mosiusow, and ilantonia, Thom.; from New Orleans; Anson, Lnicoug, from New York; Margaret Wright, CHAatiza tarn, from Virginia; Eliza, Gaunt.; from Miramichi; Samuel Wright, GAGS, from Savannah; Elizabeth, Tomm, from Deme rara ; and Albion, Miaow, from St. John's (N. 8.) CUSTOM-HOUSE, SEPTEMBER 14. Suzrs Einzazo Iswaaos—The Atalanta, from Hamburgh ; Brunswick and Star, from Quebec; Benjamin, from- Dantzic; Tallyho, from Virginia ; Cyrene, from Tobago ; Almon*, from Rio ; Justitia, from Christiana ; Marshal Blucher, from Rotter dam; Llandovery, from Jamaica; Charming Molly, from Calais; Flora, from Stettin; Concordia and Anna Maria, from Rostock ; Amity, from Jamaica; and Britannia, from St. Kitts. Earritatto Oirrwatoo--The Preston, for Leghorn ; Charles, for Rouen; Alen, foe St. Meiners; Hope, for Hanaburgb ; Mar shall, for Newfoundland; .Active, for Dunkirk; Enterprize, fur Lima , and New Harmony, for Waterford. SPORTI‘G INTELLIGENCE. ST. SA DIES'S, Weasasaar Eveunto, Easier o'Clwea. Sinse Monday there has been a great deal of heavy betting on the St. Leger, the dation of which is so near. Memnon and Alderman maintain their places as first and second favourites, but Redgakntlet seems to be going. Yesterday they betted 10 to 1 against Mat, and Homer had the tall for a short time. A fresh colt has been brought op, bat the odds against him are heavy. The latest betting is thus : 14 to 6 apt Memnon 6 to 1 apt Alderman 9& to i apt Redgauntlet 10 to 1 apt Homer 14 to 1 apt Cleveland 19 to 1 apt Dauntless 22 to 1 apt Addy 24 to 1 agst Trinculo 30 to 1 apt Pastime 35 to 1 apt Brownlock 50 to 1 apt TArza 50 to 1 apt bunley's Blizzard Since the death of the Earl of CA ausLl, the D ace of Gomm and Earl FITSWILLIAM are the only Noblemen living who were in possession of their titles and estates in the reign of Ozomus the Second. _ S r CHARLES SAXTON, who has been Under. Secr etary in Dublin, as one of the Parliamentary Commissioners of In quiry, has resigned his seat at the Board in consequence of his health compelling him to reside in Bath. Lady COCHRANE, we understand, is at present at Springkell, in Dumfries-shire, where his Lordship himself is ex pected to arrive in the coarse of a very few days. The Duke and Duchess of CLARRNCF., who arrived at Frankfort the ath inst. set out on the Bth to proceed to Antwerp, where the Royal Sovereign Yacht le ready to take them en board. A large vessel, with four masts, was spoken with off Dieppe, the evening of the 10th instant, supposed to be the great timber ship from Quebec. This day is the anniversary of the first balloon ascent in this country, which was made by LUNARDI in 1784, when he rose at the Artillery Ground, and descended at Ware, in HETlfOldshile. ENGLISH OPERA House.—The Shepherd Boy was again played last night at this Theatre. Miss PArcne re-appeared in the part of Emma, in Broken Promises, and gave her airs in her usual style of execution and taste. The whole performance gave the highest satis faction to a numerous audience. HAYMARKET THEATRE. —The new comedy of Paul Pry was repeated last night to a crowded house, with inct eased applause. Considerable improvements have been made in some of the scenes, which render the plot less complicated, and the wh,le effect less hear y.— The curtailed farce of Animal Magndisne concluded the night's entertainment, which afforded an incessant fund of merriment from the commencement to the end. The London Sessions commenced yesterday before the LORD MAYOR, RR:CORDER, Sheriffs, and a Bends of Aldermen. The ltecoarme charged the Grand Jury, lamenting that the Calendar was unprecedentedly heavy, and embraced one of unlawful combination or conspiracy, to which he called their particular attention, as summary justice must follow upon conviction. On or two appeal cases were heard, and the Court adjourned. The Journeymen Joiners of Dumfries struck work last week for an advance of wages. Some of the masters demurred at first, but others thought it quite as prudent to give in; and hence the dispute was amicably adjusted in the course of a very few hours. Sixteen shillings per week was the suss formerly paid to Joiners, and the men, to do them justice, were so far modest that they only asked an additional two shillings. In Edinburgh the rate of payment Is considerably higher, but if we make allow ance fur the difference of living, honing or room -rent, &c. Ste eighteen shillings will go as far in Dumfries, ..s U. :a. in a large city. PPIPOOPIRP 'YORKSHIRE MUSICAL - PEirriVAlL.' 9EpTI4IIIIIIII. 13. The Assembly-room, List night was crowded to ex cess. Though the Festival did not strictly columence till to-day, company poured into the city , last night in great profusion , and the rooms,. in consequence, became so full, that dancing for a time was quite out of the question. As the evening advanced, space was found for a few quadrilles, and some fine spirited wal zing. Nothing could be more gay than the company; and the recent improvements n the Egypiian-hall, by the removal of the side seats, and by leaving the colonnades open, have added greatly to the beauty and accom modation of the room. This morning we tad our first, grand selection of sacred music performed in the Cathedral. The com pany began to assemble about half past eight o'clock, though the doors were not opened till half-p tot ten. The ample framework in front of the principal entrance soon became crowded with anxious visitors, numbers of them in full dress ; the weather was fortunately quite brilliant. When the doors were thrown open, the rush was for some time a little alarming, but fortunately no serious accident happened, and a very short time served to spread the numbers which so recently beset the ap proaches over the great aisle and the side galleries, as well as to fill the west gallery. The performance did not commence till twelve o'.lock, and in the mean time the principal parts of the Minster set apart for this festival were filled with such an audience as no other county in England, Middlesex alune excepted, could produce. The interval gave time to examine the interior ar rangements, which are the same as in the year 1823, except that a handsome antique gallery, passing oneach side of the nave of the Cathedral, and terminated by the great west gallery, is added. The new gallery takes something from the vastness of the building ; but it greatly enlarges the accommodation, and does in no degree diminish the power or theieffect of the music. The number of persons present was 4,000. His U ace the Archbishop of York, owing to the recent death of his noble relative, the Eat' of Carlisle, did not at t end this day ; his place was supplied by the Duke of Devon shire. The performers began to assemble a little time before the opening of the morning performance, and exhibited the f Bowing brilliant list Madame Caradori, Miss Travis, Miss Gnodall, Miss Ste phens, Miss Wilkinson, and Miss Farrar; Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Sapbio, Mr. W. Knyvett, Mr. Terrail, Mr. Utahans Mr. Bel lamy, and Mr. Phillips; and the grand chorus consisted of ninety cantos, seventy atom, ninety tenors, and one hundred basses. Mr. Greatorex conducted the instrumental part of the performance. assisted by Mr. Camidge and Dr. Camidge, and Mr. White and Mr. Philip Knapton. Dr. Camidge presided at the organ, and Mr. Greaturex at the piano-forte. Mr. Cramer led the band, and Mori played the first violin. The total number of performers was fifteen principal vocals, 230 instrumentels, and 330 chorus singers. After Handel's grand chorus, from the Jubilate com position for the Peace of Utrecht, in 1713, of Glory be to the Father, &c. the Oratorio was opened by Mr. Vaughan and Mr. Phillips, with Here:AA soft charity repair. At ode time it was intended that Mr. Brahaaa should open the performance; but the arrangement afterwards made was in compliance with certain pre judices in a high quaver against that eminent per former. Atlas Doi , qui Collis peccata mandi. miserere echos, was sung inimitably by Miss Travis. Miss Farrar, a native performer, after she hal overcome the nervousness occasioned by her youth and inexperience, sang— " Oh! had I Juba'', lyre, " Or ltliriam'a tuneful yoke!" in a manner that did honour not only to herself, hut also to her tutor, Mr. White, and to her country. Miss Stephens' Pious Orgies, as well as the air of Let the bright Seraphim, and the two last lines of If guiltless blood be your intent, enraptured the audience. Miss Wilkinson, in the air from Handel's Oratorio of Sampson, beginning—Return, 0 qOD of Hosts I proved that she had overrated her talents in re quiring 200 guineas for ter services, when Miss Goodall was satisfied with 70. Madame Caradori's Chi per pieta ad dice was beard with vest de light : this Lady is more distinguished by sweet ness than by power or execution. Haydn's National Hymn, performed for the first time in this country from the original score, the words written for the Yorkshire Festival by John Crosse, Esq. charmed as well by its novelty ls by its merit, and it is likely to become a popular national anthem. The air," 0 Liberty ! thou choicest treasury, " sung by Mr. Sapio with exquisite taste and powerful executio n, called, fusth a whisper of general applause, which the sacred edifice itself could scarcely pievent from bursting forth. The melancholy strain of 4 " Total eclipse ; no sun, no moon !" was chanted by Braham in his asual fuse style. Miss Goodall manages her voice well; bet in tote air," lie shall be born who the world shall redeem," there was more te admire in the rapidity of the execution than in the beauty of the sounds. From the instrumental department of this day's performance, we cannot withhold our unqualified 'praise; and of the stupendous choruses, they were all excellent, and some of them perfectly sublime. The new concert-room, said to be one of the most elegant and best adapted music-halls in Europe, u well as one of the most spa cious, is to be opened this evening. 1' • SANDGATE.—Those of our Readers who are ac quainted with this delightful watering-place, from having sojourned there, will feel gratified to learn that the season has hitherto been equally favourable in regard to the number and rank of the visit ants, as the weather has proved delightful tor the enjoyment of the sea breezes, and the beautiful walks and romantic views with which this part of the coast abounds. The bathing cannot be surpassed between Margate and Pensance ; and, while Sandgate is f ee from the bustle and noise of larger watering-places, the musical and other entertainments at the Library are sufficient to prevent the Intrusion of ennui. RAMSOATE.—The vast accumulation of company senders this delightful watering-place able to vie with any of ha contemporaries, and in title and fashion can surpass many. Its buildings, as ell as its visitants, begin to acquire stateliness and elegance. Its harbour needs so ettlogium.• Among the latest ar rivals are, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and her lovely daughter, Mrs. Courts, dm Etc. The new Church is ra pidly proceeding. The zenith of the season, at Ramseur, is au tumn, nor does it close with the year, but as a town of winter re sort ft is rapidly rising into estimation. Its air, situation, and healthy atmosphere, will ensure its increasing popularity. The town of Etamps, .in France, was in a queer 'condition on Sunday las . ; it lost its Corporation.— . Twenty-one Members tesigned in consequence of a quarrel with the Mayor. Moser BLANC.—On the 2601 of August, Captain MARKHAM SPlEL:wag:ascended Mont Blanc,and gamut d the summit) after three days of excessive difficulty and danger. He was accompanied by Dr. EDMUND CLARE and seven guides. These Gentlemen slept do nights on Mont Blanc, in hourly and imminent danger of their live,. REMOVAL Olr CONVlCTS.—Yesterday morning. a number of felons, who were convicted at the late yo k Assizes,were removed from the Giltspur-s:teet Compt nn their way to Chatham, preparatory to their ation to Neer South Wales for life. One of t. inners is upwatjs 0170 years of age, and has lung cnnr.ectcJ wi:h a notorious gang of horse-stealers to Nor.h of England. ' • '774 •••••••1v MI6 emote', embui k• the pro- long eit ers in du,