The Express.
London, England, 1852-11-09 00:00:00

THE MELBOURNE AUSTRALIAN SCRE'

STEA)IER.

The following is an extract from a private letter
received at Southampton from a passenger on board the
Australian mail-packet Melbourne. It gives a graphic
account of the mishaps of that unfortunate steamer, and
contains a most serious charge against her crew from
which it would appear that proper care was not taken to
select ati efficient crew to navigate the vessel, and msy,
perhaps, go some way to explain the series of misfor-
tunes which befel the packet:
" Thursday, Oct. 21, 1852. Western Ocean.
" It appears that our unlucky ship is not destined to
reach Australia, everything having gone wrong on board of
her since we first started from London. In the first place,
the day after we started, a serious accident occurred to one
of the engineers on board, he having had his right hand cut
off by the engine. Then a succession of gales and badweather.
causing us to lose our main topgallant mast, &e., and forcing
us to bear up for the Downs and refit ship, and endeavour
to atop the leaks from wh tali the water poured into the vessel
Mauch a rate that there was hardly a dry bed in her, be-
sides causing a delay of at least six days in reaching Ply-
mouth. Upon our arrival there, another delay of a week,
during which we had • fair wind fur starting,the ship being
in such a state that it was found necessary to send a num-
ber of workmen from the dockyard on board to repel r damages.
We then made an attempt to start from Devonport (where
we refitted), and in working her out she ran foul of a
steamer and a hulk, carrying away the steamer's bowsprit
close to her bow, and losing our own anchors, cot-heads,
jitehoom, &c., ripping up her bow, besides other minor
damages. This, of course, caused a further delay, as wo
were obliged to moor her alongside of a hulk to repair.
The repairs being completed in two days, we again started
on our voyage for St. Vincent, one of the Cape de Verd
Islands, for which we carried the mail. We had a first-rate
breeze on starting, and kept it until we had made about 800
miles of our voyage; wind still favourable, and ship
making about eleven miles an hour, when unfortunately
(there being • very heavy swell running, although the
weather continued fine) about ono o'clock on Tuesday
morning, Oet. 19, an hour after midnight, all the passengers
being in their bed., and only the watch on deck,
the noble, but confoundedly disastrous steam-ship
Melbourne, rolled all three of her top-masts with
her jile boom over the side, carrying, of cour.e, sails
and rigging
with it. You can hardly imagine the conster-
nation that prevailed on board of us, the passengers flying
out of their beds just as they were, officers as well as men
being completely thunderstruck, for it occurred in a mo-
ment. The ship was now a perfect wreck, and several of
the skip's company got some severe bruises, as well as some
of the passengers, who, being seamen, lent a hand to secure
the rigging, &c. Happily no lives were lost. But this was
not to be our worst, for about three in the morning, long
before daylight, the screw of the engine suddenly stopped
working, without any apparent cause. The chief engineer
could give no solution of the reason of it. The ship
was now totally unmanageable, as having no headway she
would not answer her helm, and there being a very
heavy sea oa at the time she rolled tremendously. It now
came on to blow and rain, and I assure you the oldest
seaman in the ship gave it up for a bad jab, as she began to
make a good deal of water, and shameful to relate, although
her crew are composed of upwards of forty men, many of
them could nut be found; in fact they hid themselves
just at the time their services were most required. I myself,
actually, after in vain calling for a rope to lash some of the
rigging with, had to go forward on the forecastle to get
one, at the risk of breaking my neck or being relied over-
board. At last daylight came and disclosed the miserable
plight to which the steamer was reduced. The deck was
loaded with coal in bag (for which there was not room
below), water casks, and spars, almost all of which broke
adrift during the night and were flying about the deck in
all directions, rendering it almost a matter of impossibility
to move a foot without tho risk of broken I'mbs. We
now hoisted our flag union down, as a signal
of distress Two vessels having hove in sight they were
signalled to keep by us in case of any further accident oc-
curring. Their names were the Ripon, of Aberdeen, and
the Alexander, of Exeter, the one bound to Berbice, and
the other to Rio Grande. One was a schooner, the other a
brig; the latter stayed by us for thirty-six hours, during tho
boat part of which time the screw remained immoveable.
It was then decided to hoist up the screw to endeavour to
find out the cause of its not working, and on which point
all oar lives, there is no doubt of it, depended. Upon
hoisting it out it was found enveloped in ropes and mils,
being a part of the wreck, which in going overboard had
been drawn in around it. After intense labour
it was cleared away and again shipped, but all
the efforts of the engineers to make it work
proved futile until after about six or eight hours'
continued exertion, when it moved slowly. Three feint
cheers were then given by a small part of the men, and we
commenced steaming slowly away, at about four miles an
hour, leaving the brig astern of us. The propriety of run-
ning into the neatest port, and then and there signing a
protest against going any further in the ship, she being
evidently, to all intents and purposes, uaseaworthy, was
now mooted among the passengers. Meetings of the pas-
sengers and officers were held upon the matter : but nothing
decisive was come to until last evening, the 21st of October,
when it was discovered that the ship had sprung
another leak in the mail room. A meeting of the second
clue passengers was then held, and after much discussion
it was resolved that tho captain should bear up and run the
, vessel into Lisbon, which step was at once taken, and for
which port we are now running with the hope of arriving
there neat to a complete wreck, as we are at the time of
writing this letter. • • • We got into
I.isbou on Sunday morning last, Oct. 24, where we are up
to this date, Oct. 27. All Use passengers are very discon-
• tented, and nothing certain is known u to whether the
, ship will go on or not. Most of the passenger declare that
they will not go in her ; but the vessel, in my opinion,
must go after she is refitted because of being under con-
, tract to carry the mail. We shall have to lay here a week
, or two at least to give her a thorough repair.

OUR ARTISANS AND THEM PRESENT PROSPECTS.
—lt certainly seems to us that the artisans of the United
Kingdom have never had a better prospect before them
than they have now. Nothing is to be done without in-
dustry, right endeavour, and good conduct; but with these
they all may, if they please, maintain themselves respect-
ably, and make satisfactory progress. At the present mo-
ment we are disposed to think there are comparatively few
really good workmen out of employ, and while bread and
other necessaries of life are cheap, wages are high. . . .
"At the present day, a Manchester joiner, who earns
4s. 4d. for ten hours' labour, can purchase a day's
food for one-fourth of that sum, whence it follows
that his disposable wages are 200 per cent. higher for ten
hours' labour, than a man working at the same trade could
have earned in 1725 by working twelve hours." Compare
the prices of things even forty years ago with the prices
now—salt, sugar, tea, butter, soap, flour, clothes ; esamine,
too, the increase in the average length of life (an important
point), and the improvement in material condition is made
evident; while, if you notice the establishment of element-
ary drawing schools, artisans' schools, schools of design, and
free libraries, you will sea a good prospect opening for in-
tellectual advancement. At all events, and we oBer the ad-
vice only to such as are disposed to take it from us, and
will not think it impertinent—Do not fail to give your
children the advantage of the means of improvemeat and
ultimate advancement which offer themselves; send your
sons to the elementary drawing-schools, and encourage in
them a taste for residing,— The Builder.
TUB DRTPOOL reading, Robinson, the
lodging-house keeper who received Snaps and Smith in
the twilight of the morning after the murder, has been sur-
rendered by her bail, It being suspected she was about to
proceed to Australia. She and her husband had given up
housekeeping, had sold their furniture and packed up their
apparel. She gave out that she was going out of town for
three weeks, but dad not state where to ; she entered a cab
and drove towards Beverley, but was captured in quits a
different direction, at Heade, the first station on the rail-
way from Hull for:Liverpool. There she was recaptured
on Tuesday last. On Wednesday her solicitor offered before
the magistrates new bail, or the deposit of 608. Both were
refused.—flub Parket

THE ALLEGED POISONING AT NORTH OCXENDON.
—This case of supposed murder, which has created so much
sensation throughout Emelt, has been brought to a close.
The person alleged to have been poisoned was • hmale,
named Sarah Laster, whose death took place between two
and three yeses sines, and the person against whom suspi-
cion rested WY her husband, an ostler at the White
House Inn, at Ockendon. The man cohabited wigh the
daughter of the woman (by • former husband), wHo ac-
cused him of poisoning her mother. The accusation coming
to the ears of the clergyman of the village, and the woman
persisting in the charge, the body was disinterred and at
the inquest held on the remains by Mr. C. C. Lewis, the
coroner, an order was given for an analysis of the stomach
and its contents, the proceedings being adjourned to enable
the examination being made. Yesterday Professor Taylor,
the Lecturer of Guy's Hospital, communicated the result of
the analysation to the coroner, from which it appeared that
the deceued had not died from the effects of poison. The
man has since been liberated.

Tile DOUBLE MURDER NEAR STAFFORD.—The
two sons, Henry and Thomas Blackburne, continue in
custody on suspicion of having some knowledge of the
barbarous murder of their aged parent., at Ash-pitts, near
Stafford. The police have obtained a chain of evidence
whieb will go far to bring to justice the guilty parties.
FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—On Sunday evening
an accident, resulting in the death of two highly respect-
able persons, took place at the Seaforth station of the Liver-
pool, Crosby, and Southport Railway. Mr. Edward Ham-
nett, of Islington, Liverpool, principal of an eminent firm
in that town, was with his niece, • governess in a school at
Sesforth, waiting for the arrival of the 8 p.m. train from
that station to Liverpool. It was rather stormy at tho
time, and on the arrival of the train a great many passen-
gen rushed to obtain seats. Mr. Ilemnett, who is upwards
of eighty years of age, was also endeavouring to obtain a
seat, and was getting into eaterriage when the train began
to move off when he let go the handle of the carriage door,
and, with his nMce, who had hold of his arm at the time,
was dragged under the carriages, and both were instan-
taneously killed. This accident is similar to the one which
occurred to Mr. Sparks, of Liverpool, about three weeks
limes at the Elnyton station of the London and North
Western Railway, end from the injuries received at the
ORO he died on Friday evening last.
A CiALE OP WIND from'
aimmonowl blowing on Saturdaj
tea, sad lasted about 30 hours.
of vessels entered the harbour

day several guns were heard
Wight, and it wu feared that
but up to elate period on Sy
disaster had re►ched Cowes.

from the south and southwest
iturday afternoon, at Sou -
hours. At Cowes „c
bour during the j.,„*.: • • r
heard at the bee s "
that some ship :al
Sunday night no , Jr; • .81
18 8.
.71

ItEVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE,
(Front the York Lame Impress.)
BRITISH.
Notwithstanding the somewhat dull character of
the *den..., from \)ark.l►ne of Monday last, the wheat
trade ban maintained a firm tone at all the leading previa-
aW held since then ; and at some of the large eon.
awning town., as well an at several of the principal markets
ha the agricultural districts, the tendency of prime has con-
tinued upwards.
The very wet, mild weather which has been esperieneed
daring the last fortnight has certainly tended to cheek
say rue. The extreme humidity of the atmosphere has
(mused most of the samples of new wheat to come to hand
lareurb condition, whis:h has no doubt influenced pur-
chasers, and rendered them cautious in their operations.
There he, co•+rquently been • degree of leaguer about
the trad.• which has prevented operations on an exten-
sive scale. Meanwhile we have been rather' libe-
rally supplied with foreign wheat and flour, sad
Were twine been no disposition to buy beyond what has
been need. d for immediate use, there has been some racer
of supply over demand. There cm, however, be no doubt
that • vier) large eousistoption of bread is going on, and, un-
less the arrivals from abroad shmbl be followed by further
neeiplaof magnitude, the retaken' are likely to be 1000
treed from pressure.
The continued wet has prevented field works being m-
ewled, and the seeing of wheat is likely to be delayed
ae a later period than usual. A late seed time is, how-
ever, not necessarily unfavourable ; and should we now
have an interval of dry weather, the wean might be soon
brought up.
With res.:aril to the probable future range of prime we
see no reason to alter the opinion we have on former occa-
sions esteemed ; the improvement may, perhaps, not come
so soon as many were disposed to capett, but there are
ground. to believing that somewhat higher rates will pre-
vail during the winter than those which have been current
since harvest. With the approach of the period at which
the navigation of the Baltic usually becomes impeded by
lee the shipments from thence must tall ott ; and, though
we may calculate on receiving some further supplies
from thence, as well as from the Black Sea and America,
we do tot think that them will exceed what will be

fOqUiltd.
The waists of 'Mud are evidently much greater than
was esprced earlier in the season. Notwithstanding the
large quantities of Blatt Sea wheat and Indian corn which
she has already taken, striae do not appear to accumulate
materially there, and the probability is that she will coo-
tiese to requite regular supplies of lreadstuils, not only
, daring tie approaching winter, but all through up to neat
k arrest. Potatoes have already risen in the sister isle to a
Ste which the poorer closes cannot afford, and the use of
Tian corn and oatmeal is daily increasing. The last crop
of ats was no doubt abundant, and the quality fine, in
ma, t pans of Ireland ; but even with this advantage, the
"jai sive failure of the potato and the small breadth of
whea. Frown will cause that country to require large and
amnia ued imports of wheat.
Oa L 1s tole of the Channel there is for the moment a
ulutiry of wheat and flour at some of the principal
ports jga nis needed, but holden are is general firm ; many
bare ale sly made up their minds to land, and wait fur a
More dove arable opportunity for realising, and this plea is
likely to b followed by others We have never been very
magaia„. • any material rise in quotations, nor do we ROW
Me Cause to expect that prices will rule high ; but we think
a good maie at somewhat higher rates than we have lately
been aacasjaa led to may be safely calculated on.
Our advice, from Scotland inform us that the weather
had been simile tr to that part of the kingdom to that expe-
rienced here, sa -el that a stop had been put to field labours.
The supplies oft ern from the growers had been moderate,
and the receipts from abroad having been comparatively
small, price had continued to tend upwards at the prin-
cipal markets.
In consequence of the favourable reports from the
northern parts of et, • kingdom respecting the result of the
last h , and deo admitted injury sustained by the
crops in the south, ship) len of corn abroad have naturally
directed t,eir coasignmen to to those ports is Orme Britain
where Vol expected the demand to be the most extensive.
This age-unts for the fen that London has received more
then the usual proportion o f the foreign supplM, and that
our marks t has consequently been Ina ready to follow
the advance which has taken place in most of Ike country
markets.
At Mark-lane, business has hem decidedly quiet through-
out the week.
The arrivals of wheat coastwise into the port of London
have been small, sod the quantity brought forward by land-
carriage tramples from the home counties his bees quite
trifling. The millers have, however, acted so though they
were in no immediate want; and notwithstanding the
moderate character of the supply, some difficulty has been
experienced in obtaining previous rates.
On Wednesday there was an unusually thin attendance,
and the transaction were on quite a retail scale; the de-
mand subsequently slackene. either than improved, but
factors ri maned firm, and we consider that quotations
were precisely the same at the close aa in the commence-
ment of the week. There have been hardly any offers from
Lincolnshire or Cambridgeshire, prices being relatively
higher in that quarter than with us.
The receipts of wheat from abroad have been rather
liberal—principally, however, from distant ports. Of the
47,000 reported, 8,000 qn. are from America and 13,000
qn. from the Black Sea, the arrivals from the continent
having been comparatively moderate.
The inquiry for foreign wheat has net at any period of
the week been active. Our own millers have still some
quantity on hand, and the country demand has not Nis
sufficiently exten.ive to produce Pny influence of impor-
tance. The transactions both on Wednesday and Friday
were en a retail scale, but this did not shake the firmness ef
holders, and good qualities of Baltic wheat were certainly'
not cheaper than before. Considerable business has bees
done in floating cargoes, at fully former terms. The aryl.
vale off the coast have been rather numerous; many of the
cargoes had, however, been previously sold, and there has
not been the least pressure.
For cargoes on passage full terms bare been paid, say 40e.
per qr., cost, freight, and insurance, for red Polish Odessa,
and corresponding rates for other descriptions.
The sale for town-niade flour has not been particularly
active ; still a fair extent of business has been done, and
previous quotations have been very steadily supported.
Country flour bas come forward sparingly, and bas coma
mended former rates. Holders of American have remained
very firm, and a considerable proportion of the recent
arrival use been cleared off the market, ordinary sorts
bringing 20s. to 225., and fine 235. to 24.. per barrel.
Enrli-h barley has corns to hand sparingly, and the do-
med honing continued good, sellers have succeeded in
obtaining fully as high prices u those previously current.
The deliveries of this grain have hitherto been small; still
the brewers and minters have got pretty well into stock,
and any decrease in the supplies would probably eau* a
check in the upward movement. Foreign barley for grind-
ing has met a steady sale, and was quits as dear at the
close as in the beginning of the week.
The inquiry for malt has been good, and prices have
been well maintained.
The arrivals of oats coastwise and per rail have bees
small. From Scotland several kits have come forward,
and having beside, received 13,846 qrs. from Ireland, and
12, 112 qrs. from abroad, the total supply has been more
than enough to satisfy the demand. Os Wednesday the
dealers acted with extreme caution, and it was scarcely
possible to make any progress in sales. Siam then the de-
mand has slightly revived, and quotations were aot lower
en Friday than is the commencement of the week
Beans have moved off is retail at ISM rates. Egyptian
in war, house being scarce, have brought fully as much
BMW y as before.
White boiling peas have given way about 2s. per qr.
within the lan eight days.
ladian corn afloat has sold to a fair extent for Ireland,
at late saes.

FOREIGN.
There it no new feature to notice in the advice' from
abroad. Foreign merchants apply le he mak sere con-
Cleat of a rite in prices than keldes Is" sad • INlNSidler-
&We am runt of speculation has bees wig es at several of
the Leading ports is the Baltic for seas lima past. The
account. received this week state that prices were still lenti-
ls' tipsier* and that the operations bad bees on rather
SS esteem Tit stale.
Danzig letters of Tuesday's date Wrenn us that • large
Ilitesisees had been done there during the mouth of Octo-
ber, at *drawing rates, upwards of 63,000 qrs. having
been shipped. The Nat priers paid had bees 425. for
inedervely cord, and 43.. to 445. per qr. free en beard
for line %calibre. Freights had advanced to be. per qr. for
Leetton.
At Konigsberg, on the let instant, wheat was quoted
about 94 per gr. dearer than on that day week. The wee-
thee having been very watt sod the roads leaving become
bad, delimits from the powers had bees small which,
together with the ism Use of the swat hem Ws side,
had eam.,l *Merl r 611111.1 'Wry edmissd Retie fur
spring corn as well as Ise whit. Of bogey mil oats
scarcely any had GSM I* bend, load the suggliss et beans
sad pas bad heal trills,. Geed wider bellise peas
bad been in lively request, sad had eommeadied equal
to 32.. 81. per qr. Me on board. Chsrtere bed been
closed f..r London at be, for Hall at 4s. 94., Br the
Channel at 6e. 6d., and the west coast (is. per qr. for
wheat.
■At Stettin, on Tuesday last, wheat was in lively request,
Wire being, in addition to • good demand for shipment
to Onset Britain, several speculative purthasere. Most of
the wheel which had been offered had found ready takers
at full beau—for good &OW. Peneentalas, 38e. 3d. ; tad
fee 611 h to G2the , 39. per qr. free on board, had been paid.
Barley bad been much mould after, bat the want of sup-
plies had prevented much beiag done in the article. Of
oats acme had appeared.
&musk letters, of Monday, Mate that the advice. from
hence were ennaidered mere encouraging., and that hoblers
of wh• it had consequently raised their pretensions. The
few bos of fine quality which had appeased had brought
equal In 41s. per qr. free on board fur shipment to Ear
land II rley had met a ready sale at 21s. Gd. per qr. Me
ea board for good 62Ibs. quality. Stocks of old wheat
ere said to have been reduced unto • very narrow com-
ps, at that port, and of spring corn little or nothing is
held : m, anwbib the supplies from the growers had basal
At Hamburg, OD Tuesday, the sales of wheat were BM
eery •ateasive, but the business done was at full tee
41r. 6 l to 422. per qr. free on board having been paid fee
mood Willi. red upland on the spot. The inquiry for barley
• bed Mt need active ; 23.. 3d. to We. 6d. per qr. free es
• led bees paid for 631 b.. quality for immediate shi
and still higher prates hoe been asked for delivery is
..Selo tepee te bad Dela checked by the high pre.
tote:hoiden.
ben Amisetimea, eaday, Mem us OM
saes* 700 brie of tritest badbeta
brought thin he air.

" .

meat to England at very high rates. This operation was
believed to be on account of the same party wham purchases
created so much sensation some time ago.
At It thredate, on blenday, business wee quiet; some
tialbs. to rdlhs. red Rhine wheat had, however, been takt n
for export at prises equal to 435. to 4,:ss. fld. per qr. free on
bond.
The &deices from France are of a left lively character'
than they were last month. Quotations of wheat do not
appear to have undergone much change at any of the prin-
cipal markets in that country, hut flour was decidedly
easier to buy at Paris on Wednesday.
The reports from the Mediterranean are not of much in-
terest ; some further purchases of Indian corn seem to have
been made in that quarter, but in wheat little appear, to
have barn done.
From wine of the black Sea ports we learn that the scar-
cite of vessels bad materially interfered with busiaese in
grain, and that the operations had consequently been on
rather a retail scale. !'vices of wheat had, however, been
well supported.
By the latest amounts from America, we learn that •
good export di mend had been experienced for wheat and
ttinr, and that both articles had rather advanced in value
at the principal shipping ports.

AMERICAN SLAVERY.