The Press.
London, England, 1854-09-02 00:00:00

REPORTED LOSS OF EIGHT HUNDRED

LIVES.
THE overland mail has brought intelligence leading
to a general apprehension that two very appalling
shipwrecks have taken place in the Indian seas, both
of which it is feared were attended by dreadful sa-
crifice of life. One of the unfortunate vessels is
known to have been a large-sized brig called the
Hygeia, of above 450 tons, which had bet n bought
up by some speculators for the purpose of using her
as a Chinese passenger or emigrant ship to Califor-
nia. On her purchase she was sent to Hong-Kong
to be fitted as a passenger-ship, and surveyed, but
was rejected by the emigration agent, and then left,
as was understood, for Macao. Whether she went
there has not been clearly ascertained ; but on the
31st of May she received on board 508 souls, some-
where near the Green island, and proceeded on her
voyage to San Francisco, her crew consisting of
eleven hands, under the command of Mr. Dribble,
the captain. Nothing more was heard of the move-
ments of the brig until a scbooner happened to be
sent to the Prates sandbank, midway between For-
mosa and Hong-Kong, in order to bring off the pas-
sengers of another ship which had been lost there.
This schooner, on returning to Hong-Kong, reported
that a second vessel bad been seen on the rocks, and
that no fewer than 390 had been left to perish on the
wreck. This was found to be the Hygeia, which,
after beating about the coast for some days, encoun-
tered a heavy gale from the eastward, and on the
night of Saturday, the 13th of June, struck upon a
reef and became a wreck. Captain Dribble, with
some of the crew and passengers, left the brig, and
reached the island. Some others succeeded after
great difficulty in gaining the land, but twenty-nine
poor creatures who had taken to a raft were carried
out to sea, and no doubt perished. On the schooner
reaching the island she took on board all she could-
-147 persons. She had only half a-dozen casks of
water to supply such a large number of famished
creatures: her provisions were almost as scanty.
However, she did the best under the circumstances
to save the greatest amount of life; but the melan-
choly fact is to be told, that when she left 390 of the
emigrants were to be seen on the broadside of the
hull of the wreck under a burning sun, without a
particle of food or a drop of water to sustain life. On
the authorities at Hong-Hong being informed of the
catastrophe application was made to the agent of one
of the large steam navigation companies for the
despatching of a steamer to the island, but although
several were in the harbour none were forwarded.
It is said that 1,0001. was demanded before a vessel
would be allowed to leave. By the last accounts the
poor creatures were still left on the wreck; but little
bad been done to save them, and it is feared that the
next mail will bring tidings of their having been
starved to death.
The second melancholy loss is supposed to be that
of the British ship Lady Nugent, Captain Banner-
man, chartered by the Governcr of Madras, for the
conveyance of the staff and head-quarters of the
25th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry for Ran-
goon. The ship sailed from Madras on the 10th of
May, having on board the following officers and
men :—Lientenant-Colonel Johnson, Lieutenant and
Adjutant Daley, Lieutenant and Quartermaster King,
Lieutenant Bumford, Assistant-Surgeon Simpson,
1 warrant officer, 0 native commanding staff officers,
247 rank and file, 33 public officers, and 50 fol-
lowers. The brigadier-general, Sir S. W. Steel,
K.C.8., was to have accompanied the troops out, but
sailed in the Oriental steamer, and has since arrived
at Rangoon. The Lady Nugent has been overdue
for a considerable time, and it is known that she
must have encountered a terrific monsoon three
weeks after her departure. Other ships which have
since sailed from Madras with troops for Rangoon
have reached that port., and it is feared that the
Lady Nugent has foundered with all on board. Late
dates from Rangoon mention that the authorities had
despatched steamers from that port, as also from
Calcutta, in quest of the missing ship, but nothing
had been seen or heard of her.
r. ,

A GANG OF SHARPERS, four in number, have lately
adopted the plan of procuring situations as barmen
and waitresses for a number of their confederates,
who, as soon as they are installed, commence their
plundering operations. The leaders of the gang
make a daily round, calling in at the houses where
their confederate's are placed, and ordering a glass 9f
ale or spirits, for which they tender a small coin in
payment, but receive change as for half-a-crown.
The system is said to be extended to grocers' and
other tradesman's shops.

-4

SEPTEMBER 2, 1854

~.

An IRON-UIRDER BRIDGE fell down last week on
the Birmingham and Dudley Railway, which, being
in course of construction, was so near completion
that the final official visit of the Government inspec-
tor was to have taken place in a few days. The bridge
was thrown over the road leading from Winsen-green
to Handsworth. An engine with a train of ballast-
ww.ks was crossing the bridge, and the engine and two
laden trucks had passed safely over, when the left-
hand iron girder gave way, doubling up as it were in
its centre, falling into the highway below, and carrying
with it trucks, rails, sleepers, andiron supporters. In
fact, the destruction of the whole bridge was complete.
Nearly one-half of the cross iron supporters (rafters)
are smashed in two; and of the twelve trucks, three
only escaped destruction. Fortunately, no one was
injured, but the accident must delay the opening of

the line.
INFORMATION of an extensive robbery committed at
the house of Albert Smith, the popular author, No.
12, Great Percy street, Tottenham-court road, was
sent to the police on Monday. The property stolen
comprised a quantity of silver plate, also a brace of
pistols in a case inlaid with silver, a small clock,
wearing apparel, ctc. A reward has been offered for
the apprehension of the thieves.
A BOILER EXPLOSION, which occasioned the death
of one man and was likely to have seriously injured
other's, occurred at a mine in the parish of Mogan,
Cornwall, yesterday week. The man who met with
his death was named John Spargo, and had charge
of the pumping engine, which he had worked for many
years. He had, however, allowed the feed to be
exhausted, and then suddenly turning on a fresh
supply of water, when the boiler was hot, an explo-
sion was the consequence. A portion of the boiler,
weighing about two tons, was blown a distance of
upwards of 300 feet.
THE Baptist chapel in Mare-street, Hackney, re-
cently belonging to the late Rev. Dr. Cox, was nearly
destroyed by fire on Saturday night. The edifice
was of considerable size, containing seats for be-
tween 1,200 and 1,500 persons, and cost nearly
8,000/. The flames were first discovered by the
organist, while tuning the instrument, and spread so
fay,. that he had to throw himself down the steps from
the gallery in order to escape.
THREE INQUESTS have been held, in addition to the
investigation before the Croydon magistrates, to in-
vestigate the circumstances attending the late unfor-
tunate railway catastrophe at Croydon. A third suf
ferer is now added to the victims of the accident, the
woman Harrison having expired in the hospital after
undergoing amputation of the leg, and receiving all
the aid which medical science could afford for her
recovery. At the various inquests the evidence given
at great length has of course involved the same de-
tails. It exhibits a singular mixture of complication,
perplexity, and negligence in the management of the
signal system at the Croydon station. Where the
chief blame rests, except it be in the general orga-
nisation of the staff engaged at that point, and of
the rules by which they are guided, it is difficult to
say. The whole code of regulations, especially with
regard to the transmission and interpretation of
danger signals, appears to be clumsy and deficient
to a degree which actually invites accident rather
than averts it. A special act of negligence was,
however, established against Simpson, the driver of
the excursion, who confessed to having ran past a
signal without stopping. The juries have accord
ingly found verdicts of " Manslaughter" against
him, and he awaits his trial in custody.—The inquest
on the body of John Blincoe, who expired at the
German Hospital on Sunday of injuries received in
the late accident on the North London Railway on
the 14th ult., was concluded on Wednesday. \Ter
diet, "Accidental death."
A FIRE broke out early on Wednesdey morning
upon the extensive premises of Messrs. Baiss
Brothers and Co., No. 125 and 126, Lower Thames-
street, wholesale druggists. Property to a very large
amount was destroyed ; and the most remarkable
circumstance connected with the outbreak is, that a
former conflagration commenced near the same spot,
on the same premises, six years ago. The two houses
in question were near]) burned out, and no fewer
than eight tenements in Lower Thames-street and
Fish-street-hill suffered. considerable damage by fire
and water before theflames could be mastered.
As Exmostow OF GAB occurred on Wednesday, about
midday, on the premises of Mr. Amadio, an optician,
at No. 7, Throgmorton-street. Several persons were
passing at the time, and one or two sustained some in-
juries. A gentleman named Hamilton was blown with
violence against the wall on the opposite side of the
way, his hands being turn ; whille another gentleman
was struck down by the shock. Mr. Am adio's shop front
was blown out, and his stock in trade was scattered
in all directions. After the explosion the back of the
house took fire, but the enginemen, who were quickly
on the spot, speedily subdued it.
Tne STEAMER ill inert. a, trading between Liverpool
and Cork, was lost on Tuesday night off the Sherries.
'1 he vessel struck on the rocks in a fog and soon
went down. The crew and passengers escaped in
five boats, three of which were picked upby the Mail-

THE PRESS.

steamer, and the others arrived safely on the Welsh
ooast. No lives were consequently lust, though
much property.

THE CHOLERA.

THE Registrar-General, in his official report,
states :

In the week that ended last Saturday the number of deaths
arising from all causes was 2,039. lu the ten corresponding
weeks of the years 1844.53 the average number was 1,114.
which, if raised in proportion to increase of population, be-
comes 1,225. The prevailing epidemic has produced an
excess amounting to 814 above the corrected average. In
the thirty-fourth week of 1849, which ended August 25th,
the total number of deaths registered was 2,456. In
that week the mean temperature was 62.9 degrees, last
week it was 61'2 degrees, which is 1.1 degree above the
average.
From cholera the deaths last week were 847, while those
from diarrhoea were 214. In the corresponding week of
1849 cholera carried off 1,272 persons. In the present
summer its weekly progress is traced in the following
numbers:-5, 26, 133, 399, 644, 729, and 847. In the
first seven weeks of the epidemic of 1849 the deaths
were 9, 22, 42, 49, 124, 152, 339. In that-year it com-
menced about the end of May, the healthiest part of the
year; it began six weeks earlier than the present epidemic,
and its progress was slower; hut in the fourth week of
August, as has been shown, it had reached a higher rate
of mortality than the disease which now prevails has yet
attained.
2,783 persons have already died of cholera ; and 1,700 of
the number have fallen on the low grounds of London, out of
595,119 people whose dwellings are not ten feet above the
Thames ; 700 have died out of 648,619 en the higher ground,
extending from 10 to 40 feet above the same level ; and only
345 out of the 1,070,373 who live on the ground that has an
elevation extending from 40 to 350 feet. The mortality
from cholera to 100,000 living at the three elevations is
2R7 at the lowest, 109 at the middle, and 32 at the highest
region.

- -
The following report appears in the Northern
Whig on Wednesday :—" Within the last few days
there have been some serious additions to the list
of cholera cases. From Saturday to Sunday the
number of cases of cholera was 9, and of diarrhas 4 ;
from Sunday to Monday the number was 14 of
cholera, and 5 of diarrhcea. The proportion of
deaths to attacks is stated to be not loss than 43 per
cent."
The number of deaths from cholera in Liverpool
last week was 30, as compared with 20 in the previous
week. In other respects the town is reported as
being in a healthy state.

From Naples, of the 22nd ult., we learn that the
intensity of the epidemic was ceasing. The last
week the deaths had gradually declined. The Italian
doctors, who behaved so well at the last visitation of
the fearful malady (1837), have lost all courage this
time. Dre. Roskelly and Whyte have set a noble
example, as also Dr. Chepmell, at the island of
Ischia. They have saved many a poor wretch who
had no one to doctor him. Princess Cimitale chose
a native doctor to assist at her acconchement, and,
as he was afraid to enter Naples, she was obliged to
leave her beautiful palace near Compo es Monto,
and go to him at Portici, where she was safely de-
livered of a boy ; but the Prince, her husband, died
of cholera four days afterwards.
The King and Royal Family were at Ischia, but
would come to Naples for the grand ffte of the
Madonna Piedigrotto on the Bth inst., which will be
a thanksgiving for deliverance from the pestilence.
Accounts from Palermo were frightful : with one-
third of the population of Naples, the daily deaths
had increased to 300.
A letter from a private soldier in the Duke of
Cambridge's division says:—
" But in justice I must say that our officers in command
here are doing their utmost to ameliorate our condition,
and our commander. the Duke of Cambridge, especially,
is never at rest, visiting the hospitals, and cheering the
drooping spirits of the soldiers. He has surprised the
whole of us, for when he was in Chobham, in command
of the cavalry, he was rather supposed to be overbearing ;
but since he came out here he has gained the heartfelt
devotion of every soldier in his division, and if ever he
has an opportunity of leading us to battle moat nobly will
we stand by him, for he has proved himself our friend,
and from his high rank has got us many comforts that no
other commander would have dared to ask for."

THE DETECTIVE POLICE 01.* BERLIN made an extraordi-
nary capture some few days ago. Having obtained infor-
mation that the produce of several daring burglaries com-
mitted in the vicinity of Berlin, especially in the abodes of
village pastors, was concealed on board a river-barge on
the Sproe, a large detachment of constables, under M.
Steiber, proceeded to Charlottenberg for the purpose of
a general &dine. Having taken possession of the issues
and approaches to and from the stream, they at Nat disco-
vered a barge moored doge to the royal gardens, which
upon examination proved to be fitted up as a regular ma-
gazine for stolen goods, as well as a habitation fur thieves.
'The latter, subsequently arrested in the town, were not on
board. but the magazine was filled with enormous quanti-
ties of plunder of every possible kind and denomination,
the greater part being the property of the plundered cler-
gymen. It is hoped that this skilfully-conducted operation
has broken up the band of malefactors, who were the terror
of the neighbouring villages.

isalima.

827

DußlNti the just closed session of the American assembly
Congress witnessed some curious scenes. Among others
there was a speech on the Post-office appropriations by a
Mr. Wright, of Mississippi, which is described as being
the grossest faufaronade of nonsense ever delivered upon
that floor. The house formed a ring to witness the exhi-
bition. The orator ffilminated and, not gesticulated, but
writhed. His hearers, within and without the bar, roared
in response. The orator shouted, and the members cried
" Louder!" He raised his voice to a higher pitch, and
they still cried " Louder!" At length, while bellowing at
the utmost stretch of his voice, in rebuke of Harry Hibbard,
who had unfortunately interrupted him, he exclaimed :
" 1 find, sir, that they who are the most stupid always make
the greatest noise ! " and this was vociferated so loud as to
be exceeded by nothing but the laughter it provoked !
THE Rvssiass have left thirty-five millions Turkish
piastres in buns at Bucharest, as a memorial of their inva-
sion. These papers are scarcely worth a pars teach. The
bear of lB3ot have not yet been paid.
THROUGH THE ACTIVITY OF THE PRUSSIAN POLICE a
gang of Hebrew swindlers have been detected iu that
country, whose object was to defraud Engfishlife insurance
companies. This gang sent emissaries into the provinces,
who, by means of bribes and false certificates, were enabled
to pass off aged and infirm individuals for young and able-
bodied. Two instances were discovered, where a horse-
dealer, aged eighty-two years, was insured for 20,000
thalers, as being only fifty years old; and another where
an aged woman was insured as a healthy middle-aged per-
, son for 31,000 theists. Several persons have been arrested
in different parts, and among them individuals belonging
to rural municipalities, who had aided in providing false
certificates. Two master printers of Berlin are also among
the delinquents.
Two IMPORTANT AND HIGHLY-INTERESTINO DISCOVEr
HIEN have been lately made in the lower old sandstone beds
of Wick and Thurso by Mr. Peach, well known as a natu-
ralist and zoologist in Invernesahire. Fossil wood and
shells, the existence of which in 4'attbness was hitherto
unknown, have been abundantly found is situ, the former
at Thurso, and both wood and shells at Wick and in the
vicinity; the shells having undergone considerable abrasion.
These facts. extremely interesting to geologists, will
doubtless give new life to the explorers of the old red
sandstone formation, bestowing, as they do, positive evi-
dence of what has formerly been considered at best but
doubtful—the existence of vegetable °ramie'ss of the land
at the old red period.
Tue. 'll'imax Clior or. l'eri:ll CANADA will far :exceed
that of any other year in its amount. According to the
Oncepfr Times, it is estimated that a third more was sown
last year than the year before, and it all looks flourishing.
The surplus last year is estimated at 7,000,000 bushels;
this year it is calculated the surplus will reach 12,000,000
bushels. Extimating the price at only 1 dol. Kb. per
bushel, it gives the farmers 19,000,000 dots. ibr wheat
alone for a foreign market. The Canadian farmers best
year enjoyed great prosperity, and this year bids fairly to
add largely to the contents of their coffers.
Some. statistical (Wails, relative to the state of episco-
pacy in different continental countries, have been collected
by a commission recently issued in France to inquire into
the subject. From their report it appears that—
Prance has a bishop or archbishop fur every 400,000 souls.
Bavaria .. 375,000
Austria .. • . 668,000
Sweden .. 239.000
Spain 203,000
Portugal .. 11),009
Sardinian States .. :10,000
Sieiliee 106,000
Greece .. 41,600
A SOMEWHAT NOVEL APPEAL (Pals the Bucks Adver-
tiser) was last week made to the inhabitants of Stony
Stratford, iu consequence of the combinatiou of the bakers
to keep up the price of bread. The crier was sent round
the town to call upon the inhabitants, now that potatoes
were so plentiful and cheap, to abandon as much as pos-
sible the use of bread, and thereby force the bakers to re-
duce their prices, which are at present Id. snd lid. higher
than most towns and villages around ; and the bread,
moreover, of very inferior quality. It was stated by the
crier that the inhabitants of Leighton had adopted and
carried out. a similar resolution, and that consequently the
bakers had had twelve hundred loaves thrown upon their
hands.
A FLIGHT OF ANTS of two hours' duration was seen on
the 11th ult., between four and six p.m., passing over the
little town of Buren (Berne) in successive squads, resem-
bling small clouds. The oldest people of the place do not
remember having ever witnessed the like. A communica-
tion from their clergyman states that the same phenome-
non was observed in the Jura in 1810, near Breslau in
1697, and Preaburg in 1079. Many people are construing
its appearance into a promise of plenty.
'THE quantity of silk produced this year in the provinces
of Piedmont has attained a considerable extent. The
cocoons sold amount to 9,109,860 kilogrammes, fur a sum
of 13,635,709 f. That quantity does not comprise more than
one-third of the whole produce, which represents a value u
f
from 42,01.0,000 f. to 45,1100,0t5if.
Mn. WILLIAM STORY, of the Abdy Farm, near Wath,
made a bet of five guineas with a cultivator in the neigh-
bourhood of Rotherham that be could produce an ear of
wheat containing 110 marketable grains, to be produced
on a given day at Rotherham. Accordingly, at the appointed
time the ear was produced before a large company. Each
party selected a gentleman to count the grains, and an
umpire was appointed to decide as to the quality. To the
astonishment of every one, 114 corns were rubbed out of
the ear, but the umpire, after a careful examination, de-
cided that three grains were not marketable, but declared
that there were 111 perfect grains. Consequemtly lir.
Story won.

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