The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-01-23 00:00:00

WHITCHIJRCH CANONICORUIL

OAITLI Sraarrno,--John Roberts was obargsd by
Superintendent Mo'fiale, before the county
at Bridport, on Monday, with allowing two eau to
etzay on the highway at Whiteburelt, on 13th December.
—The defendant's wife appeared for hint, and amid that
a boy bed the cows in his ohms, but he was a bad boy
and bad left them and gone to play. They were sent on
the common where defendant bed a right of pasturage,
and art have strayed from there into the road. It ap-
peared the defendaat had been *mamma on a previous
occasion for cattle straying. Ttu Bench said defendant
most prevent his cattle from draying on the highway,
and told the wife that if it wan not Propped it would be
very expensive to the defendant, and recommended her
if she andel not trust this boy to pst some one ales to
look after the cows, which she NU the would do.—
Rued Is. and 7.. owls.

THE WRECK OF THE LONDON IN THE BAY

OF SWAY: TM LnrlM LOST.

Tbe London was probably one of the finest ships for
strength that ever left the river Themes. She was
built at Blackwell by her owners, Mews. Wipers and
San, and was of nearly 3,000 tons hurtles, 1,753 tons
register, fitted wills an auxiliary screw, and anginas of
200 horse power. She was oonstrueted specially for
steaming to Australia round the Southern Cap..; and
site had five water-tight bulkheads. The vessel was a
special favourite with passenger.: for the two voyages
she had previously made to and from Australia were in
every way satiasetory, and more than usually rapid—
she belonged to owners whose firm have never, except
on one occasion, lost a vessel during • century of experi-
ence; and she was commanded by a Captain Martin
who had justly won the highest reputation, and wee
well known as a skilful and experienced periodos'
navigator, specially acquainted with Australian waters.
Everything seemed to combine to give the public the
pledge that the London, if any ship was, waa perfectly
safe.

The London sailed from Gravesend on New Year's
Day. When she reached the Channel •ge sprang UP,
and the vessel was put back to St. Helen's
-reads. The
voyage from St. Helen's-roads to Plymouth was made
in the very teeth of a heavy gale. The vowel arrived at
Plymouth on the 4th Joinery, took up bee pessengers.
and riled for Melbourne on the 6th. At the time of
her departure the weather was "calm, with • light
wmd ahead;" but at. that time a stons was expected
from the south-vest, and although the London left
Plymouth in calm weather, it ought to have been known
that it was only the calm that preceded the terrible
storm which she was going to seek. Wu Captain
Martin awes of the danger with which he was
threatened? It is to be feared that, as an experienced
man, he must have known it, and that he trusted to
Providence and the stoutness of his ship to bring him
through. He had mile two remarkably quick voyage,
in the London. What so natural in a resolute memos
as that he should dare the storm and endeavour to
maks a third? HA left shortly after midnight on the
Bth, and on the morning of the 7th the storm was epee
him. From that time till the moment when the ship
foundered the history of the voyage was onii of con-
tinuous diaatter and slowly approaching destruction.
Boats were carried away or stove Is; masts were blown
out of their sockets; nothing could be dose bet to true
to the engines. It may be asked why the captain did
not order the ship to be put bask during the first two
dap of the gale. No explanation can be offered on this
point. The order was not given till three o'clock on
Wednesday morning; but it was too lets At ten
o'clock that night the main hatchway wss swept away,
and the water poured down upon the Ares of the engine.
From that time the captain had DO control over the
ship; she settled low in the water, and every ma swept
over her. Then the stern-prate were driven in. and with
that disaeter passed away all hope of was the
storm. The passengers and crew all this time behaved
exendingly well, and worked with an orderly energy ,
which showed it was for their line they strove. Al ten
o'clock on the morning of Thursday, the 11th, Captain
Martha had the terrible task of Inkling known to all
those in his 'barge on board the the ship was staking,
and that they must prepare for the wont. She AU
then as low in the water as the main chains. An effort
was now made to lower the boats, and the es:hoard
iron pinnace was got down, with fin men in her. In
the tore& sea As was quickly swamped and went ,
down, bet the five men were got on board the ship
again. This caMstrophe had the effect of intimidating
the crew from attempting to Isaiah the three remaining
boats, and all on board term to realise the dreadful
fate which Impended. The whole of the weenies and
strew gathered as with one consent in the chief 'sloop
and having been calmly told by Captain Martin that
there was no bops left, a remarkable and unanimous
spirit of resignation seemed to come over them at ones
Thum was neither one, or shrieking by women or Eno,
no rushing on deck, or frantic behaviour. All calmly
resorted to the saloon, where the Rev. Mr. Draper,
cost of the posengers, preyed aloud, and exhorted the
unhappy creatures by whom he was surrounded.
Mothers were weeping madly Over the little ones about
with them to be engephed, and the children, Ignorant
of their coming death, were pitifully inquiring the cause
of so much woe. Friends were taking leave of friends,
as if preparing for a long journey; others were crouched
down with Bibles in they hands, endeavouringtosnatth
consolation from pelages long known es perhaps long
neglected. Incredible, says the survivors, was the com-
posure, which under such circumstances reigned around.
Captain Martin stationed himself on the poop, going
occasioually forward or into the saloon, but to none
could be offer • word of (amide. by telling them that their
safety was even probable. He joined now and than for
a few moments in the public &intim'', but his pines to
the lAAt MY on the deck. About two o'clock in the
afternoon, the water gaining fart on the ship, and no
signs being apparent of the storm subsiding, a small
band of men determined to toot themselves to the
mercy of the waves In a boat rather than go down
without a strangle. Leaving the saloon, therefore,
they got out and lowered away the port cutter, into
which sixteen of the crew and three of the pasesugern
soot vied in getting, and they launched her clear of the
ship. These nineteen men shouted to the captain to
come with them, but with that heroic courage which
was his chief characteristic, he declined to go with
them, saying, "No, I will go down with the passengers;
but I wish you God speed and safe to land." The boat
then pulled away, taming about helplessly on the create
of the gigantic waves Scarcely had they gone eighty
yards, or bees five minutes off the deck, when the fine
steamer went down stern foremost with her crowd of
human beings, from whom one confused cry of helpless
terror arose, and all was silent for ever.
The t tal number of passengers on board the ill-fated
vessel WM 153—namely, 54 first, 53 amend, and 46
third-ease peamngers ; the crew numbered 85-339 all
told. Of these, three of the passengers and 18 of the
crew were saved—total drowned, 221 The lass of the
vowel, with cargo, is calculated at £200,000, a large
portion of which is covered by inseams, at Lloyd's,
and among the insomnia° companies.

The nineteen survivors, in their little light boat,
were driven before the gale in the Bey of gieeey II
about 11 a.m. on Friday, the 12th, whim they were
picked op, after twenty hours' *spews to the pitting
winds and waves, by the Marianople, Captain Camas,
en Italian barque, on board which they resolved the
utmost attention and kiadnies, and from which they
were put ashore at Falmouth.