The Express.
London, England, 1852-08-17 00:00:00

WRECK OF THE CENTAUR.

A brief notice of this casualty appeared in pester-
dip'. Express. The following ia Caotain Salmon's
narrative of the accident, and of the circumstances by which
it was attended:—

May 13, 1852. At 5 p.m. (civil time),
sighted the la: .d of Arabia below Ras Rouse, distant from
20 to 26 miles, bearing from W by 8 to W by N. Steering
from that time NI N, which course would have taken the
vessel to the eastward of Req.'s, and llaeelhad, about
seven to eight miles. Wind fell light at cosset. A dee
north mune would have taken me clear of my of these
Xiby seven miles, but I allowed a little eIR to he en the
aide, as the weather was buy. Brea* beeasisi et
8 p.m. from B.S. W., weather bay. 10 pan. I mat sied
laid dew, leaving orders to be milled komedistely the Mad
was sem Nam 11 p.m. sent ter the thief steer, who re-
ported meting la sight. Midnight. walled by shier diem
who marled nethieg to be seem eel In sheet is Ideate;
afterwards. I want en deck, but seeM see esthlng.
"May 14.—Ahast 00.30 a.m. (civil time) gunner re-
ported huh= water ahead, and on larbehd how. I ran
ea desk. and entered the helm to be put had `pest. The
meld paid elf, but set quickly esseik, end slew la No
MA In be sees, but the braes me, wee dine in Water
under the stem 3 fathoms, wader men &elm 111. !award
▪ Werra. Faded a 9 osdas kneseed the
V ma eut • stream seam havreserga, wmeaf
MOW& bet net may Mgt The MN= I Mend was seed.
New tee en the bewiwt, bet bilk* MO Me vessel ad
wet I emmetneed to lam she eembesed hem Men
held le inn the vessel Ilmemed, she be Nee Ask
About 3 se heldpet, I saw the Math Mellen AM els sage
M the mid her then that we were sheet two alb,
es esetkward of Ikeel-kebbs, 110 Male ton Monet; sad'
tie the des halm saw a sandy Mesh ahead, hes whisk we
were intern sheet 300 yank After dayffabk elleseved
the merest M set steasg to LW which, totting the vessel
es the starboard bow, Aseld her to the west of her
menace. Saw some large beeteasmieg dawn to we beet sowth•
weed, end shortly thawed, they east skimping, mad all
kinds iesp en deck. in number &sin TO. They depend
vary Ibiondly and offered to melet'es la Irking eat oar
hem @mho; if I paid them. I meat sewed ler,
sea Meg in price. At last preshies that I wee king
three. I declined their =hisses mil begs le pet the
seeks IMO our own beet, bet this they would mit
and with their drawn daggers drew the crew teem their
week. Their numbers were now hat intrude& as they
were swimming off from the Mors en inland gems' skins,
every one &need with • MOW sad seem talit mania
They new
riper drew 'hole
we. papindlies, the
beele Mi gokm ewe 117 we. NM they Vied to
peewee& m they were walla' to ameba eel, they slid
that the theueoiree which were cm board weldnet epee
sheet Sell of the money, but When& they wield
pt the meld afloat. By degree, they threw of the
0111111 of friendship, and told oe est the ship was
theirs, having come ashore on their bed, end was a
gift from the Almighty to them. I begged of them
to allow us to work, but their answer was Wait"
and "The ship is ours." Some now went into the
galley, where my breakfast was cooking, and seiz-
ing the saucepans, to the dismay of the slid who bid him-
self, emptied the curry, stew, he., open the ate them,
and jumped overboard with the @al ewein to
their beats, returning again for an she they mould
get. I in my life saw suck a set perfeelly wad sa-
vages. Every time the ill-fated ship @Musk they capered
about the dock, and yelled like deems% end Wan menaced
from the shore by the women (of when sheet • lambed
bad collected)) and by them of the mew who meld net reach
the vessel. They now held keg end Mad mmeraltstioes,
after one of which theent we hawser, and I knew their
diabolical intentions. They lies told us that they were de-
termined to have both the meld end sego, but that we
should be allowed le bars ler eel Mks our private pro-
perty, at the same trew:ziag U.S es my
them 1,000 Mims they get the Teasel
sod impel ell . I emend the. that
I no iltosay on beau, which they would not believe.
Ose ham wow matte • tined at me with his
dagger, en my Midst to prevent him how breaking
the made dew emu,- but by my stopping beek,_seil the
Mhos hiding Me heed, I avoided the blow. They also
drew • &ripe was the third mate's throat, and asked the
eldef main Maw be should like his throat cut. The vessel
sip le this doe Omit 9 a m.) made no water, but they now
tea the seendleg rod horn the carpenter, and out the Nee
I. view a They now set to work planderiag is
ea beim essimencing, one whom they sailed
stood ape the rail, and called oat Allah Aebar ; the rest
all respooded. The cry was taken up on the beach, and
after Wing told by Ituchid to begin, they went he week
heartily. All the cheats belonging to the lasears mad pe-
weepers were broken open, and tin contents throw* Ist*
the boats, and any one who secured a better prise then
others, was set epos sad is his turn plundered. Denim

were drawn and several were wounded, and the deck MI
many places woe dyed with blood. The deck plunder being
disposed off, they now held another consultation, the pur-
pint of which was whether to kV! us at once, or wait till
night. Our better star prevailed, and we were left till
evening, and in the meantime they would commence upon
the cabin, which they had hitherto ref., t i ... •il front en•erlng.
I stood at the lash Lad door fur a minute or two, trying to
persuade them not to rub r, as there was a woman (the wife
of a Mahomeelan priest, one of the passenger.) and her
children in one of the cabins, hut it wio of no ay..d. Down
went dome and venetian., and in !VII, than live minutes
every side cabin was broken open. The poor woman had
to run out half naked, the brutes having taken some of her
elothea off, and more than one I hear struck or pushed her.
My cabin being locked, they knocked out a panel and
cot std. The chronometers were saved by being passed
up through the quarter galley window by some of the
teacarts, and also the barometer. My drawer. were nearly
smashed to atoms, and all the cites a broken open.
After the drat rush was over I went down to try
and save • ICW clothes ; but 1 was too late, they had
not left a rag to be seen. My book,. were untouched,
under which I found my watch. My papers, letters,
&c., were lying strewed about the leek. Money, eex•ant,
quadrant, pistols, &c., all gone. 'lwo small drawers had
escaped their notice, its one of which I found a ring, one
rup e, one or two little mementos of happy days, and the
ship's papery. In the other were stoic pyjamas, towels,
and pillow cases. My servant had massaged to save one
shirt, three pairs of trousers, and two silk coats, which, with
what I had on, constituted my all. My chi. f and third
mate only Bw/id the clothes they had on. A few small
articles were strewed about the deck, from which I picked
the most useful, and put into an old blanket, but a fresh
gang came down and took even this from me. One of the
sectinies came in and told me that they were looking fur
me to make me fast and to force me to tell where the
money woo. I went out of the cabin to go on the poop,
but they were so busy plundering that no notice was
taken of me, and the only show of violence 1 met
was the point of nay own spear being thrust within
an inch of my face. They had now broken open the fore
and after hatchways, and were handing up the indigo
chests and throwing them down into their boats. 'the ap-
pearance of the ship was totally changed. Drams rails gone,
the front of the poop beaten in, the cabin deck covered
with the stuffing of our beds and couches, which they
had unripped to look for money. There were, I sup-
pose, about 2.50 on board, perhaps more, yelling and
shouting like mailmen. Affairs were getting desperate, and
three more large boats were bearing down for us full of men,
but I hoped that these might make &diversion in our favour
as we could hardly he worse off, and they could only do
a. they had promised—kill us. I therefore bad a con•
sultation with the chief mate, and we canto to the
conclusion that it was useless our staying on board
to be killed, as by getting to Muscat we could perhaps ob
Min assistance, and in all probability save the chip and
great part of the cargo. I therefore went to the head
Sheik and begged him to allow us to leave with our long
boat and cutter (the gig they stole early in the day), and to
order Ida people not to molest US while we were at work.
After a long palaver he consented, and we prepared to get
our boat out, when • boat came alone;side front the three
boats bef re mentioned, and I offered the Nacoda 100 doll.
to take us to Muscat, when be was bound. The woman
and children and some of the crew were put into the cutter
and sent off to the buggalows, and returned and took
mime more men and some provisions. Chief and third
mate went in the jolly bat into which I managed to
throw several books front the stern windows. At 1.30,
having seen all out of the ship, 1 left in the cutter with the
stKera:l4,ocarwusb,
While I servant,
waiting wone t on bo
board trrltzrreof
turn of the cutter, the fellows were very civil to me, end
allowed me in one or two instances to take articles which I
enured them were my own. Though I had act much
time for redaction in such a time of excitement, yet 1 re-
marked that the Nacoda of our bungalow, Syedbin Nor-
een, appeared to be on capital terms with all the pirates.
This seemed strange, and still more so that they should have
allowed him to take us away without any opposition. I
found afterwards that he was sheik of one of the tribes
(Jenaber) which were plundering us. The name of the
other tribe was Beni.boo-ali. In the early part of the day
they quarrelled, and ranging themselves on each side of the
poop were going to fight, but they thought better of it, and
made friends.
On Saturday, May 15, anchored at floor, and were visited
by Syed bin Abdullah, Sheikh of floor, and Hamood bin
Ali, the Resident• sent here from the Court of the Inman.
They condoled with me on my midortunes, and requested
me to tell them in what way they could assist me. With
many thanks for their kindness, I begged of them to go
down to the wreck and endeavour to stop the plundering,
which they promised to do, and then took leave, immuring
me that they wined leave Poor immediately after the after-
noon prayers. Left Soot in the evening, end anchored at
Kalhat next day, as we were in want of water. On Wed-
nesday, May 19, we all arrived safely at Muscat, and
were received with great kindness and hospitality. I shall
ever remember with feelings of deepest gratitude the great
kindness and attention shown to me by his Highness Syed
Syed, the Insaum, and slot by Major Hiunerton, the
British Consul. This gentleman insisted on myself and
officers making his house our home, and did all in his power
to make as forget our troubles. His Highness, immediately
on hearing of our arrival, cent his Visier not once, but
many, times, in the course of the afternoon to inquire after
our health, and to know what assistaace we required. With
many thanks to his Highness for his condescension and
generosity, I asked for one of his men of war to proceed
down to the wreck. Orders were sent to: prepare
the Artimise for sea. Our crew were all sent on board
her, and our passengers on board the lealse Allum
with provisions and money. The next morning I
called on his Highness to thank him for his goodness. He
received me in a meet fatherly manner, and said that he
hoped I bowed with resignation to the will of the Almiaty,
who was Alining me fin his own good purposes. lielold
me that he had placed the sloop-of-war Artimise entirely at
my disposal, every one an board being under my orders,
and that he Ind written to the Sheik of Boor to supply me
with any number of boats that I required. He also sent a
guard of twenty-eve sepoys to protect us when at the
wreck. After again thanking him, I took leave, and re-
turned to the consulate, and found his Highness had
snit • bolt of black broad cloth end twelve piece, of fine
shirting, to make clothes for my officers and myself. The
Animism was lying with topmasts down at 4 in the morn.
log, and by 8 p.m. that night was all a taunt°, sails bent,
water, &c., on board, and at 9 was unmeored, hauled out-
side, and reported ready."—Bengallforkona, June 22.

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING. AUGUST 17, 1852.

Vio court.

(Irani Um Court Newman.]

AuOttet 14.
Yesterday the Queen, accompanied by the King of
the Belgians, the Prince Albert, and the junior members of
the British and Belgian ltoyul Families, proceeded in the
carriages of his Majesty Irom Luken to the Palace at
Brussels, where the royal party partook of lunches.
During luncheon the chorus singers of the Societe Royale
de la Grande Harmonic performed, the following Serenade
Concert, by the s ction of the chorus .in. en of the Societe
Royale de la Grande harmonic under tho direction of IL
J. Fischer.
llywoes,r.treide Limmuidee
La &Amite Mouse
Li Slouch!,
Rettoabill 'Uterine=
Vale ryrrhlyue
At hall past 3 o'clock, her Majesty, with the King, the
Prince Albert, and the members of the Royal Familiar
proceeded to visit the Hotel de Ville, the Music, and the
Church of St. Gudule.
The royal dinner party in the evening consisted of the
following distinguished personages —ller Majes the
Queen, his Majesty the King of the Belgians, Prince Albert,
the Due de Brabant, the Comte de Flanders, the Countess of
Ciainshorough, Lady in Waiting to her Majesty ; the Hon.
Beatrice Byng, Maid of Honour to her Nlaj t ty ; the Duke
of Northumberland, Lord !Inward de W;,lden, Lord Col-
ville, Equerry in Waiting to her Majesty ; La Condemn de
Merode Westerloo, Dame d'llonneur ; M. Rogier, Minivan
do l'lnterieur ; M de lloffsclimidt, Minister do Affable
Etranceres; M. Van Hoorebeke, Ministre des Teamed
Publiques; le Lieutenant-General Aaoul, Minister:. de ht
Guerra le Lieuterant.G I Baron et Madame la Ber
ronne Hooghvorst, 111 Charles de Brouokerc, Bourgarnseess
de Bruxelles ; Col. the lion. C. Phipps, Col. Bouveris.
Equerry in Waiting to Prince Albert ; Sir James Cis*.
Bart., M. Quetelet, Diiecteur de l'Olr.ervatoire ; M. le
Comte de Manila, le Maresehal de la Cour ; M. Van Peed.
Ministre de la Maison du Roi; le Comte de Briey, Gem
verneur ; Is Comte dc Lannoy, A.D.C. de Service • b
Lieut.. Colonel de Moerkerke, le Major Comte de Fiq:d.
moot, OMcier d'Ordonnance do Service ; le CommaMlaal
de la Garde.
AUOVAT 16.
The Queen, the King of the Belgiaas, Prince Albert, the
Prince of Wales, the Due de Benham, the Comte de Flan
dies, the Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, and the Prince
Alfred proceeded from the Palace at Laeken to the neigh-
bouring station, where a special train was in waiting, and
at 10 o'clock precisely started for Antwerp. Upon their
arrival at this city their Majesties were received by dto
civil and military authorities. The royal cortege pro-
evaded, escorted by the let regiment of Lancers, to the
palace of the King of the Belgians. After a Mort intend
their Majesties, with Prince Albert and the junior members
of the Royal Families, proceeded to visit the Exposidelk,
the Moire, and the Cathedral. Their Majesties were
everywhere received by the acclamations of the people.
Upon the return of the Royal Party to the Palace luncheon
was served, and at a quarter past two o'clock precisely.
The Queen, the King of the Belgians, the Prince Albert,
the Prince of Wales, the Due de Brabant, the Princess
Royal, the Princess Alice, the Princess Charlotte, the
Comte de Flandrea, and Prince Alfred embarked on baud
the Victoria and Albert, attended by the Duke of Northum-
berland and the ladies and gentlemen of the suites of *sir
Majesties, the Prince, and the Royal Families. The royal
standards of Great Britain and of Belgium were hodme4
the ships of the squadron manned yards and saluted, sad
the vessels proceeded on their coupe, amid,t the en**.
elastic cheers of the crowds of spectators.
The King of the Belgians and the Due de Brabant sad
Comte de Flanders took leave of he r Majesty, Priam
Albert, and their Royal relatives upon reaching the frontier
of the Belgian territory, and proceeded in the Belgian
steamer le Chemin deter, apes their return to Antwerp.
The royal squadron anchored he the night in the roads of
Flushing.

DOVER, Auo. 16.
The royal yachts have paw.' down the Channel, hugging
the French coast. They were about seven mile southward
of Dover at 3.15 p.m.
No salute was tired, the squadron being too far from the
Dover shore.
The weather thick, wind moderate, but freshening.

ILICTRIC TRLIORAPH
(runt OUR OWN CORRN/PONDINT.)
PORTSMOUTH TURSDAY 11.30 ♦.x.

The Queen has just come is sight from Belgium.

The Cambridge University Commission had a meeting
Tyesterday at the official residence of the First Lord of the
reasury in Downing street. Present, the Bishop of
Chester, the Dean of Ely, Sir John Hers-hel, Professor
Sedgwick, and the Rev. W. H. Bateson, secretary.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office
from the Governors of Hong Kong and Ceylon, the Lord
High Commissioner et the lonian Islands, and the Governor
of Malta. Despatches were also received from the Governor
of Labium.