The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-09-27 00:00:00

iID aloe tobir t.

THE LATE EXPLOSION ON BOARD THE

GREAT EASTERN.

THE ADJOURNED INQUEST.

WITNOCTLI, September 18.
Yesiberday morning the adjourned inquir7 into the
cause of this fatal accident was resumed at the Town-
hall, Weymouth. As on previous occasions, the com-
pany were represented by Mr. Leverson, the share-
holders by Mr. Lawson, and Mr. Scott Russell by Mr.
Newman.

-
Mr. Jackson M.P., Mr. L. S. Magnus, Mr. Cutbill,
directors of the Greet Ship Company, with Captain
Harrison, and the principal officers of the Great East-
ern, were again in attendance.
Before opening the proceedings the Foreman of the
Jury said that the inquiry was drifting from an inquest
into a law suit, and therefore he hoped that the Coro.
nor would place no evidence before the Court which did
not entirely and exclusively concern the cause of the
accident. It vu entirely beside the question as to
what was the contract between the directors of the
Greet Ship Company and Mr. Scott Rumen.
The Coroner said that he did not consider the only
question before the jury was what was the cause of the
accident. It was also their duty to discover, if possible,
who 1•1111 the cause of it, and therefore all evidence
which Untied to show who was in charge of the engines
was certainly to the point.
The first witness examined was Mr. William Jackson,
M.P., deputy chairman, and one of the managing direc-
tors of the Great Eastern, who deposed that in conjunc-
tion with Mr. Campbell he arranged as to the time the
vessel should leave the river. Ho always undendood
that the contractors who constructed the engines would
be in charge of them during the trial trip. Mr. Scott
IlumeU intimated that it would be desirable to place on
board certain engineers to manage the paddle engines,
and witness's impression certainly was that that gentle.
man was in charge cf them, from Mr. Itussell Ling on
the bridge and directing the movements of the paddle
engines below, it was never considered that Mr. Scott
Russell took charge of the engines as a favour, hut as •
matter of duty, and as Ling msion,ible for their proper
working. On one or two OCCIXiOIIA Mr. Russell had told
witness the ship was finished. and the contract com-
pleted, to which lie always replied that it was not. On
the Monday before the ship sailed Mr. applied
to the Board for more money. on the grmiid of extra
work and completion of contract. This money was
refused, as the company considered that too much had
been paid to Mr. Russell, and that his contract was lint
complete. Both ship and paddle engines, lie considered,
were at that moment in charge of Mr. Reuel!. The
paddle engines were still incomplete, and under the con-
tract for finishing the vessel he thought that much re-
mained to be done. The Board was waiting for a for-
mal notice from Mr. Rumen that the contract was com-
pleted in order to have the whole ship surveyed. It
required • certificate from the managing director that
the ship was completed and given up before Mr. Rus-
lien's contract and responsibility were at an end. That
certificate had never been given and never applied for.
Mr. Russell applied for the last payment under the
contract, which, however, was refused.
A long discussion ensued as to the admission of this
evidence as to contract; which, on one hand, it was
contended must he tried by a higher court; while, for
the othei side it was stated, that it served to show who
was in charge of the ship, or, at least, of the engines.
Captain Robertson said enough had been shown as to
the cause of the accident; it now only remained to dis-
cover who was to blame.

Mr. John Arnett, chief engineer of the paddle
engines under Mr. M'Lennan deposed that he was for-
merly in Mr. Scott Russell's employ, and was selected
by him to go in charge of the paddle engines On
board the Great Eastern. He was in charge of the
engines when the explosion took place, and Mr.
Patrick was under his orders. He was not in the
boiler room that day. Though in charge of the
engines, he did not consider that it was his duty to
look after the boilers. Other engineers did that.
Mr. Patrick never reported to him that at 12 in the
day he had shut off the feed from the funnel casing
and turned it direct into the boilers. If it had been
reported to him, he would at once, knowing that
there were cocks in the syphon tubes, have ascer-
tained that they were open, and the steam escaping.
lie was never aware that the feed was shut
off from the easing at all. Ile never re-
ceived any instructions as to the working of the
engines either from Mr. Dickson or Mr. M'Lennan.
Mr. Dickson assisted him in starting. If anything
had gone wrong in the engine-room, he would have
reported it to Mr. Wl.ennan, whom he considered
his chief. He could not answer whether or not Mr.
M'Lennan gave him instructions to obey the engineers in
charge or not. Mr. Sl'Lentian called them together and set
the watches, though lie could not recollect whether
or not be said they were to obey the engineer in
charge. He could not answer whom lie would
have considered Mr. M'Lennan meant if lie had given
such instructions about the engineer in charge. He
never gave Patrick any instructions to open the cock
of the second funnel after the explosion. Roth the
cocks were open when the vessel left Deptford. He
went round himself, and saw thew open himself. A
man named Duncan M'Farlane was with him. (The
evident reluctance with which this witness gave his
evidence created some sensation in court.)
All witnesses about to prove facts connected with
the machinery were then ordered to leave the hall.
Examination resumed.--On the Tuesday before they
left witness made that examination with M'Farlane,
shortly after breakfast. The cocks were then open,
and witness did not touch them, though he bad a
spanner with him. That was after the pipe had been
lengthened by five feet. Any one could open the
door which led to the gawk, though no one could
turn the cock without using a ipanner. He was
quite positive they were open.
By Mr. Lawson.—He had been in the employment
of Mr. Russell for several years, except when away
in charge of new ships. He ceased to be in Mr.
Russell's employ the Tuesday before the vessel started,
and went in the service of the company. Mr. Brunel
said he IVIS to go as chief engineer under 11.1,ennaii.
His ordinary employnient was in Mr. Russell's yard.
lie was only to be employi.4 by the company for
three months. When new machinery was put in a
ship witness generally went in charge of the engines
on the trial trip, as in the trial trip of the (rent
Eastern. Witness started one engine and Mr. Dick-
son the other. Nothing whatever was odd between
witness and Mi. Dickson as to the working of the
engines. M'Farlane, who went round with him to
examine the cocks, hail also been for some time in '
Mr. Reim,ll's employment. There were plenty of
spanners on hoard the ship that would have turned
the cocks. Ile never Raw cocks like those fitted to
stand pipes before, but he knew the danger of having
them closed. [Some dineuseion here ensued among
the jury as to the peculiar action of the cocks, and
eventually they requested the Coroner to send off to
the ship for theni, which was accordingly done, and
the cross-counination of the witness was proceeded
with.] After seeing the cocks were right on Tuesday
he never looked to them again, nor sent any one to
look to them. No one could have got to them without
breaking the door of the casing open, supposing the
door to be locked. It was not locked, however, and
any one might have gone there. No one gave him
any directions with regard to managing the engines.
He put on the expansion gear, and did as he thought
right, without instructions. They were working at
201 b., and driving the engines as feet as they could
be driven. Mr. Dickson was not much about except at
starting. Mr. Dickson assisted at starting the engines
on Wednesday, but he could not recollect whether lie
assisted on Thursday. He did assist again on Friday.
Never gave the witness Patrick any instructions to
shut off the "feed" from the easing, nor did Patrick
ever make any report to him at all, except to say that
all was going on well. He never at any time was in-
formed that the feed was shot off from the casing. He
considered himself in charge of the paddle engines
entirely, but he did not consider himself at all bound
to look after the boilers.

By Mr. Leverson.—Mr. Brunel informed him that
Mr. Russell had appointed him (witness) to take charge
of the paddles. Did not expect to return to Mr. Scott
Russet's employment, though his appointment with the !
company was not • permanent one. Had often been
away on trial trips with Mr. Scott Russell's vessels.
lied beeu away sometimes as long as six or I'2 months,
and then always returned to Mr. Russell's employment.
He came on shore on Saturday last without asking leave
either from Captain Harrison or Mr. M'Lennan. Could
not recollect who gave him leave. Never made any re-
port whatever to Mr. SPLennan aim to the state of either
engines or boilers. Could not recollect what hail made
him DO particular in looking to the cocka on the stand
pipe, beyond that it was usual to examine all the cocks
on feed pipes before starting. The jackets had been
need before and those cocks examined before. When
they had examined them M'Farlane and lie parted on
the deck near the funnel casing. He never knew that
the donkey engines would not work, and that was why
they were obliged to give up feeding through the funnel.
He could not recollect saying that the donkey engines
should be thrown overboard, though be would not swear
that lie had not mid so.
By Mr. Newman.- Mr. Patrick he considered was
i,uite competent to take charge in the boiler-room. Mr.
M.Lennan never gave him any instructions to get up
steam beyond saying when the vessel would leave the
Thames. If any thing had gone wrong in the engine.
room he would have reported to Mr. M'Lennan. Did
nut like at all to leave the engine-room to look after the
boilers. Ti, boilers were priming, and there was danger
of water in the cylinders, and therefore he dul not wish
to leave the engine room. There was no steam register
kept. Some one was taking diagrams, but he did not
know who he was.
Duncan M'Farlane, a chief engineer of the auxiliaries,
W!`a oslled, and received the genie caution as the other
witnemes connected with the machinery department.—
that lie was not bound to answer any questions which
might tend to criminate hinuielf.—He said lie accouipa-
med the last witness, Arnett, round the vessel on the
Tuesday before sailing to show him the cocks to the
water heaters, and see that they were all right. The
cocks on the syphon were then open. They closed the
door leading to the cocks after examining them. It
merely shut too with • lakh. There was no luck on it,
and any one could open it. It was his especial duty to
see that all the cocks in the paddle-engines were in work-
ing order, and open When they were required to be open.
p to the day a Arriving at the Nore the cocks were both
open, and steam blowing off. Did not see the cocks
themselves, but when he saw the steam escaping lie knew
they were open. After arriving at the Nom his charge
of them ceased, and he went to look after the auxiliaa
engines.
At the request of the Coroner.
The witness here recapitulated in detail the number
and position of the various cocks which hail to be in-
spected. Mr. Dickson gave witness his directions to
attend the inquiry. Had no conversation with Mr.
Dickson as to the evidence he could give. lie lied
been five years in Um employ of Mr. Russell before
mining the ship. If the cock had not been on the
tube the accident could not have occurred at all, lie
was mit in charge of the cocks by Mr. Russell, under
Mr..Dickwin's orders, lie had always executed that
Particular duty in Mr. Russell's ships. Mr. Arnott
told him to open all the cocks, and therefore he did
so.

[Th. cock on the tube was here brought to the
jury, and at u little distance from the witnew ; he at
own stated, by the marks on the screw, whether it

was opea or shut, and afterwards explained its
action.)
By Mr. Leverson.—Had only been in the employ-
ment of the company since the Tuesday before sailing.
Previous to that time he had always been in Mr.
Russell's employment. Mr. M'Lennan gave him his
orders to take charge of the auxiliaries, and he thought that
Mr. M'Lentian was his chief. Ile communicated with
Hr. Dixon before joining the conipany, as he considered
he was Mr. lixon's servant. He saw both Mr. Dickson
and Mr. WLennan in the engine.room with others
occasionally, but could not say who was in charge.
He, however, considered that Mr. M'Lennan was his
chief, and to him he would have reported anything.
Captain William Harrison MU then examined.—lle
said, I sin in command of the Great Eastern, and
have been 40 from the time she left the Tilll.lllCl. Mr.
Russell was in charge of the paddle engines, and Mr.
Langdon, of Watte and Co.'s, in charge of the screw.
I know that from my own observation. Mr. Russell
sometimes, as directed by the pilot, signalled to the
screw engineers; but he pawed down verbal directions
to those in charge of the paddles. I had no information
flow the directors as to Mr. Russell having charge, but
Mr. Brunel informed Inc that he would not accept the
engines unless they worked faster on the ttial trip than
they had done in the river. My instructions to Mr.
M'Lenilan, the chief engineer, were not to interfere
with the working of the engines at all, but to hand
over his staff of assistants to the contractors. Both
screw and paddle-engines were at that moment the
property of the contractors, and had not been accepted
by the company. If anything had gone wrong with
either engines. I would have reported the matter to
their nispective contractors. Mr. M'Lensian had my
orders to place his assistant engineer,' at the disposal of
Mr. Rumen and Messrs. Watt and Co. I did not bear
him give those orders. I told him to give them, and he
reported to ins that he had done so. The trial trip
took place, of course, under the sanction of both con-
tractor.. I saw Mr. Rumen give his instructions front
the bridge to the paddle engiawers, and from that I
thought lie was in charge, but he might have been
givieg that a...Mance from interi,t in his en-"lnes.
By Mr. Leverem.--Of the four trials, etsrtimn of
the etigines in the river, only one took p!ace in the
presence of the officers and engineers of the company.
1 The first trial was made at 2 o'clock in the Rooming,
I without my knowledge or the knowledge of the cone
pany or their engiwers. All the other trials were
made by Mr. Scott Russell's engineers, and Mr.
can has never taken charge at all. The engines were
never delivered up to the company, and Mr. Scutt
Russell 'continues an charge of them. If Mr. Russell
had not volunteered-that morning to work the indicator
to the engine,room from the bridge, I should have
placed two of my officers there to do it. Mr. Russell
gave his orders to the paddle engines because they were
under his charge, I presume, stet because he was the con-
structor of them. It is not true that the stand pipe
casing was a ventilator for the sleeping cabins. It was
for the boilesruom. If the stand pipe Ind broken, it
could have done no more than let the water down on the
boilers. Some might perhaps have come through the
perforated zinc casing ; but a very little. After the
vessel left the Nore, I, in conjunction with the pilot,
asked Mr. Russell to drive the paddles faster, as the
screw was overrunning them. Mr. Russell, however,
did not do so. At all trial trips I have seen the
engines have been worked at their fell speed to test
them, and prove all they could do before they were
delivered up. When I asked Mr. Russell to go faster he
did not refer me to any one else as being in charge of
the paddles. The engines never were driven at full
speed; in the trim the vessel was in neither screw nor
paddle were sufficiently immersed in the water to do so
with safety. Mr. Russell and Mr. Blake ought not to
have come to any arrangement as to the speed at which
they were to drive the engines without my cognizance.
As captain of the ship, I would not have allowed such
an agreement. I have never heard of any such arrange-
r ment having existed. If I had known that Mr.
Russell was only volunteering his assistance on the
, bridge, I would not have allowed him to take the
position he did, or any one but my own officers. I
have read the chief parts of the contract, and I do not
consider the ship completed, according to that con.
tract, up to the present time. Coining down the river
I from Long Reach, Captain Comstock, at my request,
sometimes worked the steering apparatus to relieve my
officers. He did this at my request. I never requested
, Mr. Rumen to take charge of the engines on the
; bridge. Captain Comstock was my friend, but he
obeyed my onlers like one of my own offices.
At this stage of the proceedings (half-past 3) the
Court adjourned fur an hour and • half.

WETWOUTH, Sept. 20.

The jury, after an adjournment of an hour and a-half
on Monday evening, reassembled in the Townhall. The
following evidence was then taken :
Mr. N illiam Crow, chief engineer of the screw engines,
WAS called, and stated he was appointed by Mr. Blake,
with the sanction of Mr. Brunel. had never been in
the employment of the company before, though he had
been employed by Messrs. Maudslay and Field for the
last 23 years During the trial trip he did not act under
the instructions of any one, though he considered it his
duty, in behalf of the company, and also for the satisfac-
tion of the contractors, that he should take upon him-
self the posit' of chief engineer, subject to the direc-
tions of Mr. Blake, Mr. Langdon, and Mr. Becks ith,
who representer, the contractors, Messrs. Watt and Co.
As a servant of the company he also considered himself
bound to obey Mr. ll'Lennan. He hard his directions
given to linn by Mr. Blake, the contractor, telling him
that according to the indicator, and whether it said fast
or slow, so he was to regulate the revolutions of the en-
gines. The maximum speed attained by the screw was
36 revolutions. When at 34, he was informed that he
was overrunning the paddles. Of what went on in the
paddle wheel department, or as to who was in charge
there, he knew nothing whatever. Had anything gone
wrong lie would have taken all the responaibility 1/11
self and reported the matter to Mr. 3FLennsu, or Mr.
Blake, or Mr. Langdon, whichever he niet first. He
never received any orders whatever from Mr. 311.en-
nan. . _

By Mr. Lawson.--Before sailing there was a muster
of the engineers, which witness attended. Mr. 31.1.eik-
nan cellist that muster, and informed the junior officers
that witness was the senior engineer of the screw en.
gines, and that they were to obey all his orders !ie
thought proper to give. He repeated those urdere to the
firemen, as to obeying the orders of his subordinates who
might he on the watch. At the wish of Mr. Blake, he
subsequently got up steam in the third set of screw
boiler', which were titts_sl with a superheatiiig apparatus,
irk order that wanes,' might see them all at work. One
of the contractors told him when to get up steam and
start from the Nor,. Mr. Russell never was in the
screw engine-room, and never gave any orders there.
Mr. Mark Lay said, he was the chief purser of the
Great Eastern, and was answerable for all the arrange-
ments between sleeks, and the money matters of the
ship. He had not quitted the vessel during the voyage
from London to Portland. He had occasion during the
voyage to speak as to the supplies of water, and he ap-
plied to Mr. lit'Lennan„ who said he had no charge of
the paddle engines which afforded the supply, and that
he must ask Mr. Dickson, who was in charge of them.
In consequence of that he did ask Mr. Dickson, who re-
fused to supply the water,-and referred him again to
Mr. IFLennan. From his own general observation lie
should certainly say that Mr. Russell was in charge of
the paddle engines. Eventually Mr. Dickson did give
him the supply of water, at least so Mr. 311.ennan
afterwards informed him. Up to the present time the
store-rooms for witnesses stores had not been fitted up,
and, with the exception of one or two wine-coolers, any
one on board could still get at them.
Thomas Leatliam, a fitter, formerly in Mr. Russell's
employ, was called to prove the lengthening of the tube
to which the cock was attached. He saw the cock, but
never touched it, and could not say whether it was shut
or open.
Mr. Norman Scott Russell, the son of Mr. J. S. Rus-
sel was next examined.—He said he was asked to count
the revolutions of the paddle-wheels for his father's in-
formation. He did so frequently from time to time dur-
ing the voyage. He had also to communicate other
things to hiss—for instance, I told him when the screw
engines stopped entirely. He had also to ask questions
of Mr. Dickson, and to take back his replies to Mr. Rus-
sell. ( At this point Capt. Robertson, R.N., the Surveyor-
General of the Board of Trade, thought it would be un-
necessary, and perhaps not fair, considering the relation-
ship between Messrs. Bushell, jun., and een., to put any
further questions, in which the Coroner at once con-
curred, and Mr. Russell accordingly sat down.)
Manuel Britten), one of the assistant engineers of the
paddle department, said, that as far as he could judge,
Mr. Dickson appeared to be in full charge of the
I engines. Witness heard him give orders to Mr. Arnott
to give more or less injection, according as the engines
required it. That was when leaving the Nor,. Heard
him also say the steam was getting low. Never heard
Mr. M'Leinian give any orders at all. From 9 to 11 on
that day the donkey engines were very troublesome,
and they had great difficulty in forcing the feed through
the water-casing into the boilers. At last the slide
came off the spindle of the donkey, and the engine
broke down. The donkeys, in fact, were not strong
enough to feed the boilers against the pressure of the
steam. They did it well enough while the pressure was
at lttlb.. but not above that. Witness reported that to
Mr. Dickson, and that he could not keep the water at a
sufficient height in the boilers. Mr. Dickson himself
came down at 12, and adjusted the escape valve of the
donkey-engine. After that they still found they could
not feed the boiler, and Mr. Patrick came down and
turned the feed off from the casing direct into the
boiler. That was not done because the boiler WAS
priming. One of the after boilers was priming slightly,
but not any of the other three. The feed lie was
positive was not turned off became the boilers were pri-
min,t. but sin.ply because the donkeys were not strong
enough to keep the boilers fed. Witness always
thought and considered that Mr. Dickson was In
charge from Deptford to Portland. He made no
report to Mr. Arnott, because he thonght Mr. Dick-
son alone was resionrible. He never saw any steam
or water escaping from the syphon during the whole
voyage.
This being the whole of the evidence,
The Coroner proceeded to sum up. The questions,
he said, which were now to be submitted for the con-
sideration of the jury were, first, as to the cause of
death ; secondly, to what that CAMS WAX attributable ;
and, thirdly, who was to blame! They hail had it in
evidence from Mr. Patrick that both the funnel casings
were alike c:osed against the escape of steam, and it
seemed marvellous bow it was that the second slid not
also explode, when it was more than probable that the
iskunense vessel, with all its passengers, would have been
honed in the sea. The evidence which had been set
before them and on which they had to decide was, un-
fortunately, of the niost contradictory character as to
the person or persons really responsible for the charge
of the paddle engines. It had been positively sworn
by Arnett and kf'Farlane that they had both ex-
amined the cocks on the Tuesday before sailing, and
had found and left them open. If this was sobs could
hardly believe it possible that any human being could be
such a monster auto clime them wilfully, and knowing
the dreadful consequences which would be certain to
ensue from such an act. He must leuve it entirely to
the consideration of the jury to settle the diputed point
whether Mr. Dickson, Mr. Arnott, or Mr. M'Lektnan
WAS responsible for the proper management of the
machinery. It certainly appeared newt astonishing to
him that the company should have started their vessel
MI her trip without coming to more definite terms as to
who was really in charge of the engines. Mr. Scott
Russell had declared must emphatically that his contract
WY completed on the 6th of August, before the vessel
sailed, that he had nothing whatever to do with the
trial trip, and this evidence was borne out by the testi-

mony of those who had formerly been in his employ.
On the other hand, they had the strongest evidence
that Dickson did not interfere with the working of the
engines, and also that Mr. Scott Russell gave directions
for their management from the bridge. The jury, he
was cure, would agree with hitn that the first witness
who was Called, Mr. William Briscoe, had given his
evidence in the inet satisfactory and straightforward
manner, and he certainly thought that every con-
fidence might be placed upon his testimony, which
unquestionably was to the effect that Mr. Dickson was
in charge of the paddle engines. This evidence was as
positively denied by Arnett, but Arnett had not given
his evidence in a creditable manner, or with the manlier
of one who was desirous of stating the whole trill h. The
evidence of Briscoe was corroborated by several impor-
tant witnesses, and more especially by those whose vii-
deuce they lied lA4 heard. The whole cause of the acci-
dent was evidently due to neglect on the part of some
one, and he thought that undoubtedly there wan auflici-
ant evidence before them on this subject to justify their
sending the matter before another tribunal for further
investigation. The law of the Cale wan clear, that if
any person in the discharge of his proper and lawful ;
duties did them in such a manner as would endanger the
lives of others, that, in the eye of the law, would justify
• charge of manalaughter. Mr. Scott Russell had given
it in evidence that lie did not know that the cock was
there at all, and so far, certainly, there was nut enough,
to justify a cliarze of manslaughter against that gentle-
man. But Mr. Dickson did know it, and not only said
so, but sent still further, and admitted that lie left it
there without • thought. There was not sufficient, he
repeated, in the evidence to ground any charge against
Mr. Stott Russell himself, but there was, he
thought, quite sufficient to justify the jury in
coining to the conclusion that Mr. Dickson
had acted carelessly and thoughtlessly in nut
attending to the condition of the cocks when he knew
they were there. Mr. Galloway and all the other wit.
nooses bad proved that there wa. ..o use whatever in
having the stand cocks in such a I,aux, and that they
were, on the contrary, a constant litltlrCO of danger. Mr.
Arnett, it appeared. Ala. knew .4 the cocks, and lie was
. hi,iuud LO examine them from day to day. and he timers,-
fore, the Coroner thought, was almost fully as culpable
as Mr. Dickson. It was really • great source of regret
that they could nut have that distinguished luau's evi- I
dence—the evidence of Mr. Brunel—who could, if Ile
were living, at once have thrown a light upon the ques-
tion of who was in charge of the engines. The jury had
now to solve the difficulty for thennadves, and upon the
most contradictory evidence. The company, be thiaught,
were undoubtedly not free from blame in this matter, in
not using the foresight they should have ii. no. in ascer-
taining beyond all doubt who was to be held responsible
for the proper management of their inachinery. The
question for the jury, however, was, who pot the cock
in the pipe, and who, being in charge of the engines, Wag
answerable for seeing that it was open. The coroner
then proceeded to read over the evidence, commenting
upon the statements of each witness as he proceeded.
He concluded by again placing before them these sepa-
rate questions,—Wlao was in charge of these engines
when the accident happened? Ought the cock in the
syphon to have been left there? Was there any negli-
gence on the part of the individual who knew it was there?
And who left it there? And was it such • case as in
their opinion would render the person whom they might
find to have been guilty of this negligence liable to a
charge of manslaughter. In conclusion, lie thought it
right, before the inquiry ended, to express the high sense
he entertained of the value of the services conferred upon
them, and the assistance which had been given in the
course of the proceedings, by Captain Robertson, R.N.,
the Surveyor-General of the Board of Trade. On
their part and on his own he was sure he might be
permitted to tender to Captain Robertson their best
thanks.

The Foreman.—We quite eon= in those remarks,
Mr. Coroner.

The jury then retired to consider their verdict at 8
o'clock, and, after deliberating upwards of two hours, re-
turned into court with the following special verdict :
" We find the deceased came to their deaths by in-
juries receive from steam, hut air, awl water, in con-
sequence of the bursting of the jacket attached to the
foremost funnel of the Great Eastern steamer, and that
the said bursting was caused by the closing of a tap
connected with the syphon attached to the said jacket,
in conjunction with the shutting off the feed front the
water-casing to the boilers, but there is no evidence
before the jury to allow by what person or persons the
said tap was bliut off, aml the jury further express
their opinion that taps are highly dangerons when
placed in such positions, and that sufficient caution was
not used by the engineers."
•

The juri, however, returned a verdict of "Accidental
death."

The jury then signed the inquisition, and the inquiry
terminated.

During the course of the proceedings after the
adjournment the foreman of the jury suddenly appealed
to the Coroner, and, drawing his attention to the re•
marks which appeared in our report of the inquest on
Saturday an to the conduct of the jury, called upon him
to protect them from the insults of The Timee reporter.
The Coroner in reply said he really had not had time to
read the continents complained of, and declined to inter-
fere in any way. Upon thin several of the jury murmured
something about its being disgraceful, Ice., while the
foreman himeelf made come remarks about " intinerant
reporters" getting accommodation in the room they hail
no right to expect, which were both in bad temper and
in bad taste.

As we have referred to this little (ratio', we mud
again b-g to date mod distinctly that we cannot re•
tract a single word of the remarks we felt called upon to
make on Saturday. The conduct of some of the jury
during that day was ci • ted on in the strongest
terms of censure by all who were present at the proceed-
ings, and that it escaped the notice of the Coroner was
only owing to the earnest and laborious care which lie
bestowed in taking down the evidence. From these
remarks we must in justice except the foreman of the
jury, who was lIIUSt attentive and patient throughout,
and it is perhaps only right to 1.141 that after reading the
comments in this journal country papers were Yeen no
more, and the red of the panel displayed an amount of
care and diligence which would have been edifying if it
had not been shown too late.—The Times.

SIIERBORNIS.- -Our excellent townsman, W. C.
Nlacready, Esq., delivered one of his fatuous" Read.
ings" at Street, on Tuesday week, in aid of the
funds of new schools which have been erected in
that village at a cost of £1,300. We need not say
he was enthtutiastically received.

BOARD or HELLTIL—A meeting of this body was
held on Friday week, when in the absence of the
chairman, Mr. W. Moles, Mr. Fear was appointed
Returning Officer for the purposes of the present
election. A member who was unable to attenil
caned the attention of the Board, through the sur-
veyor, to the state of the scaffolding at thu new
house now building in Market-street, and suggested
that the builder should be required to follow the
London plan of laying down it &able set of planks,
with planks on edge at the sides of the platform, so
that passengers might walk underneath without the
smallest duet or stones falling through. The sur-
veyor was directed to see this done. The election
papers were added up on Monday, and the following
is the "State of the poll "

J. Cr. Avery 11'.3
J. G. Bergman 130
Chas. Calder
Henry Coate 118
E. B. Dingley 115
C. L. 0. Bartlett 110
The first four were declared returned, the result
being the election of two new members and the re-
turn of two old ones to the Board. As a proof of the
apathy of the public we may add that 151 voting
papers were returned filled up, and 152 were either
not returned or returned blank.

Ptozowisc Kurt:H.—The second annual plough-
ing match in connection with the Sherborne Agricul-
tural Society, =lle oil on Tuesday, in a field in the
occupation of Mr. H. Coate, between the Bradford
and 'Yeovil roads. The field was an old clover ley,
and the soil was a atone brash, in a very good con-
dition for showing work. Nineteen ploughs com-
peted, and it was the opinion of the judges—Messrs.
night (Martock), Pring (Nether Congdon), and I'.
Spicer (Bishop's ('aundle)—that the work in some
instances was excellent, and generally good. An
unfortunate misunderstanding as to the number of
furrows to be ploughed, prevented some of the best
ploughmen from gaining a prize, as they hail acted
contrary to the rules of the society, Large numbers
of persons Hocked to the field daring the day, the
weather being tine, and this species of rustic exhibi-
tion being evidently highly attractive. A dinner
was afterwards served up by Mr. Sherwood, at the
Half Moon Inn, and was presided over by Mr. J. Y.
klelmoth, faced by Mr. H. Coate. Amongst those
present were Mums. T. Ffookes, H. Highinore, H.
}:iisor. Jno. Game, Crocker, Jno. Symes, I).
Focklington, E. Woolmington, Hayward, Bight
(Martock), F. Stokes, Hothlinott, &c.

After 'dinner the CHAIRMAN gave the customary
loyal and patriotic toasts, which were, of course, en-
thusiastically received. In proposing that of the
Army and Navy, the Chairman, after eulogising the
past services of our gallant soldiers and sailors, re-
marked that we owed them a debt of gratitude; and
although the little affair of China had been caused
by the incidious conduct of the Chinese, they will
doubtless receive, at the hands of the defenders of
our country, such a battering by the wooden
walls of Old England as will teach them a lesson
they will not easily forget.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of a gen-
tleman who was a warm and kind-hearted supporter
of their society, and indeed every society in the
neighbourhood, and whose purse was always open to
do good to the neighbourhood generally. He alluded
to Mr. Digby, the noble-hearted owner of Sherborne
Castle, and he (the ('hairman) hoped that for many
years he would be spared to them. The toast was
drunk with three times three.

Mr. 11. COATE then proposed the health of the
chairman. observing that he hal been a warm sup.
porter of the Slierbortie Agri • !tura! Society for
many years, and had lent it et any time his best
assistance.

The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks for the com-
pliment, said be had been indirectly connected with
this society from the earliest establishment of its
cattle shows and markets, having succeeded his
lamented father in his duties, it was a source of great
pleasure to him to know that when he (the Chair-
man) relingnished his post, it was taken by one who
had filled it so ably. ((heers.) He would propose
what might be called the toast of the evening, and
in doing so he could not help expreasing his regret
that more of the tradesmen of the town did not join
them in meetings of this descript. ; for nothing
tended so much to keep up that kindly interchange
of good feeling which ought to exist between each
other. He would propo.se "Success to the plough-
ing match," and lie hoped it would be continued for
many years; and that they might not only give
prizes for ploughing, but that the thatcher and
carter, and hedger said ditcher might, on future oc-

casions, be enabled to compete for prizes. It wax a
fact not to lie denied that farms are now larger than
they formerly were, and therefore an increased re-
spiinsibility rested on the master, which *Mould he
shared, to a certain extent, by the trustworthy ser-
vants in their employ. (Cheers.)
Mr Launes then read the following list of
awards:—

CLAMS I.—To the manager of the beat t•longh, ti—
James Day, carter to Mr. H. Cote; 2nd heat, A:2—
Wo.combe, carter to Mr. (tome. Dante ; 3rd
beet, I:1 —.lob Nuake, cart..r to Mr. H. Coate. High!).
commended. Daniel Hunt, carter to Mr. Bost, of
()borne.

CL ‘sa ll.—(For boys under 18 years old.)—To the
manager of the best plough, £2-Bnueon Hunt, servant
to Mr. Drake ; 2nil bat, 43--Northern, servant to
Mr. George Game; 3rd best, 10s.-B.iinuel Chant, ser-
vant to Mr. It. ; connuended—William Collins,
and David Young, servants to Mr. lloddinott.

The healths of " the Umpires" were then given.—
Mr. tinair, in responding, said they had bad loins
difficulty in awarding the prizes; and he was sorry
to say that a good many of the bast ploughmen failed
to conform to the rules that were laid down. Their
ploughing in some instances was excellent, but by
some means or other they made only 14 rounds in-
stead of 11; and as the rules of the society would
not permit of a prize being awarded under these
circumstances, they were obliged to withdraw them.
Mr. H. Esson then proposed the health of the
Secretary, Mr. Thomas Hooks, observing that they
were extremely fortunate in obtaining his assistance,
after so many years of service rendered by Mr. Mel.
moth,

Mr. FFOOKS then thanked Mr. Ensor for the very
kind manlier in which ho had proposed his health.
Thu meeting to-day had passed off in a very satisfac-
tory tuanuer to the subscribers. They had had an
excellent competition among men and boys, and the
umpires had told them, and they had seen themselves
that the work had been done very satisfactorily.
Ile was sorry that their best men had not attended
to the rules.

Mr. dm,. ANK thought they had not been pro-
perly informed what they were to do.
Mr. lloimmorr, Mr. ENSOIt, and others said
that the men and boys sure told the number of
furrows they were to make, and where they were to
pb..l!gh to. . . . .

•
Frooks continued: He had been told that
proper instructions had been given to each candidate
as to the mode in which they were to pursue their
work. The loss to them was something like that of
a young barrister, who had just got his first brief.
In his own chambers, be could read it to himself, and
congratulate himself on the effect of his reading.
Pod when he appeared before the judge, all that he
had taken so much pains to learn was gone, and
everything seemed a blank to him. It was just the
same with ploughmen. They might have been made
aware of what duties would have to be performed by
them ; but when they got into the field, the excite-
ment caused by being gazed at by so many persons,
unnerved them, and they probably forgot at the time
what they would under ordinary circumstances have
remembered. He was sorry, however, that three or
four good ploughmen that day had lost their chances.
There was one other subject which he wished to
touch upon. He had noticed for many years past
that boys of a very young and tender age had been
employed to take charge of one, two, and sometimes
three horses. He should be very glad if the farmers
of this neighbourhood would take care themselves—
and also urge their neighbours—not to employ boys
of such a tender age as were employed now. He
bad often seen boys in charge of horses that were
very dangerous to them. It might be economical to
the master; but sometimes accidents happened, and
it would then cost more in the end. (Hear.)
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health' ''f the Vice-
Chainnan (Mr. H. Coate), to whom they were in-
debted for their field. He would also propose, in
connection with the toast, "Success to the Agruad-
tnml Interest."

• Mr. COTE briefly replied.
Mr. Stine then proposed the health* of the
"Tradesmen of Sherborne." He regretted that
more of the tradesmen did notattend their meetings.
He would allude particularly to their Christniaa
meetings, and it was very extraordinary that more
of the tradesmen did not join them at that period.
He was not aware that the agriculturalists had
offended the tradesmen in any way. (No. no.)
They were always ready and willing to spend their
money amongst them ; but he was pleased to see
some present on this occasion. He would couple
with the toast the name of Mr. F. Stokes.

Mr. STOKGS, in riaponding, explained that the
tradannen were prevented from attending their
Christmas meetings by business, as the dinner always
took place on a market day, and he rather expected
to see more of them present.
"The Press," the health of Mr. Sighmere, "Sue.
cess to Foxhunting," "Mr. Gordon and the absent
Subscribers to the Cattle Show," " The Ladies," and
Mr. H. Ensor's health having been drank, the meet-
ing separated, with "Success to our next merry
meeting."

MARTOCK.—Melantholy and Fatal Accident.—
We are sorry to announce that an accident of a fatal
character occurred here on Saturday. It appears
that a person in the employ of Mr. Paul, of
lhainster, had been to the station for three loads of
Flax, and on his return to Ihninster, almuttelyarils
from the station he watt getting up 00 one of the
wagons, and his foot slipped ; he fell backwards and
the wagon went over the poor fellow's neck, musing
almost inskintancons death. Medical aid was calhnl
in, hut of course of no avail. The body was carried
to the Railway Hotel, where it waits a coroner's
inquest.
On Sunday week the new vicar of Martock. the
Rev. Edwin Arthur Salmon. M.A., of Wailham
College, Oxford, read himself in. In the afternoon
he preached a most eloquent and admirable sermon
from 13th chap. Hebrews, 17th verse, to one of the
largest mingregations ever seen within the walls of
/darted( (lurch.

W.thEIIAM.—A fire broke out on Wednesday
evening last, at the Hatherly Ulay-pits near this
town, by which the engine•house, saw mill; and
carpenter's shops were completely destroyed. It
happened just after the men had left the pits, but
how it originated is a mystery. By this catastrophe
upwards of sixty hands are thrown out of employ-
ment for some weeks to come. It was at these pits
that the accident of the shaft giving way =used two
individuals to be buried al:ve for a period of four
days, as narrated in our columns at the time, and
this additional calamity is a source of deep regret to
Mr. Hatherly's numerous friends, who deeply
sympathize with hint in so serious a loss as the
suspension of the works and damage incurred will
cattail.