The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-05 00:00:00

PARTICULARS OF THE LOSS OP THE

COLOMBO.

By the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Mumlia we have received full particulars of the loss of
the Colombo. Owing to the thickness of the weather, no
observations could be taken after leaving Gallo, and on the
morning of Nov. 19, at 4 o'clock, the weather continuing
very thick, nothing being visible at a ship's length, and
the! rain coming down in torrents, speed was rednoed to
"full slow." Two hours afterwards, breakers ahead were
reported • quarter of • mile off, and before the
engines, which were immediately reversed, could
have any effect on the ewes!, she forged ahead, and the
swell and a strong wind drove her bodily on the coral beach.
She touched so lightly that no one on board felt the shock.
There was • strong current to the northward at the time of
about three mile. an hoar. After striking, she fell over to
windward, exposing her deck to the sea, which poured down
the hatchways and skylights in torrents. As nothing could
be done to save the ship, the brute on the land side
were cleared, and by 8 a.m. all the passengers
and crew were safely landed. A drenching rain con-
tinued all the time, which was the more felt as
most of the ladies and children were very lightly
clad. Awnings and spars were brought on shore,
end by 2 p.m. the passengers were comfortably housed until
better accommodation could be obtained at the villaie

short distance off, where they repaired the next day, and
took up their abode, until the arrival of assiatanee. A
native boat, with an officer, was sent to the nearest land.
210 miles distant, to telegraph the news of the disaster to
Bombay, Gas, and Calcutta. An abundance of provisions
was obtained from the wreck. On the 30th of November
the Ottawa arrived from Bombay, and brought the passengers
to Sues. Eighteen hours after striking, the ship parted in
two pietas midships. The disaster appears to have bees
occasioned by insufficient allowance having been made for
the strength of the current, which, notwithstanding a mile
and a half an hoar had been allowed for it, drove the
vessel some 32 miles out of her course. The passengers
speak in great praise of the presence of mind shown by
Captain Farquhar under the trying circumstances, and his
unwearied exertions for their comfort and convenience. A
short time before the disaster Captain Farquhar had sue-
, cackled in saving a vessel from shipwreck.

THE ATLANTIC TZLIONAPIL —A meeting of
merchants, shipowners, and others interested in the ac-
complishment of this great notional enterprise is ap-
pointed to take place on Wedossday, at 3 o'clock, in
the public-salesroom, in the Liverpool and London
Chambers, for the purpose of aiding the national effort
now being made to connect Europe and America by tele-
graph. A considerable amount of capital has been sub-
scribed by leading houses both in London and our own town,
and there is, we understand, every hope that the sum
required will be forthcoming, the public being strongly ini•
pressed with the necessity for this communication. The
mimes of Fairbsirs, Whitworth, and Wheatstone, which
form the consulting committee of the company, sre, we
think, a guarantee that due care will, on the next occasion,
be taken in the construction andlaying of the cable, which,
it is thought, can very easily be laid and worked through at
a good speed if proper Mildew arrangement. prevail. The
contract with Glass, Elliott, and Co., es described hi the
prospect's., appears to leave nothing to be desired hi this
respect. The directors appeal to all slaws —the shares
being 51. each, with 11. payable on deposit, sad we nodes-
stand the calls will be spread over at least twelve months.—
Liverpool Albion.
Rags are iu active demand, and unassorted sell
at sc. to fic. per pound—an &drums of nearly 100 per cent.
Newspaper has advanced 180. to 20s. rzenepoond, and all
other kinds in preportica.—Cincissati