The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-28 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 28, 1852.

(hem liat eiglits G4zefte.)_

DOWNTNG-STREET, JAN. 20.—The Queen has been
pleased to appoint Charles Henry Darling, Esq., to be
lacutenant-Dovernor of the Settlement of the Cape of
Good Hope and its dependencies.
ComattnatoS SIGNED IIY THE LORD-LIEUTENANT
nr DENlllolC—Fretleriek Myddletan West, Hart., to be
Captain, vice Hugh Jones, Eat., resigned, in the Denbigh-
shire Yeomanry Cavalry. Dated 2lth January, IS)2.
CoMMtastoN SIGNED DT TIIF. LOILD•LIEUTENANT
or Sr rrotat.—Lieutanant John M'Oregor, Adjutant of the
West Suffolk Militia, to sent with the rank of Captain.
Dated 20th January, 1842.

COLLIERY EXPLOSION NEAR MAN-
CHESTER.

Another shocking colliery explosion occurred on
Monday morning, at Wrigley, near Manchester, resulting
in the immediate death of three colliers, besides 14 others
more or less burnt, of whom two are at the point of death,
and three others in a dangerous state. In all, 17 persons
have suffered from this sad occurrence. The pit where the
accident occurred belongs to Meier,. Knowles and Stott,
and is known by the Immo of the Cannel Mine. The shaft
is from 130 to 110 yards sleep, and the workings extend
about 240 yards from the shaft. It was originally venti-
lated by au old shaft, about 200 yards distant, with a fur-
nace to assist ventilation, but has been rather noted for bad
air; and for some years it was not unfrequently that the men
had to use their jackets to brush the inflammable gas out of
their workings. At times, as we were informed by a collier,
they would experience the foulness of the gas when descend-
ing ; and only half way down the shaft, • few months ago, a
road was driven through into Kersley-hall mine, 600 yards
distant, and this to some extent improved the draft. The
colliers usually went down with safety-lamps, and tried the
state of gas in their es speetive workings, although a fire-
man was employed specially for this work. On Monday
morning the workmen, 30 to 40 in number, descended soon
alter 6 o'cluck, and had stripped, but scarcely got to their
workings when an explosion of a fearful nature occurred,
• vivid flame rushing through all the workings from the
direction of the shaft, accompanied with • rush ut air and •
noise like low thunder which lasted several minutes. It
knocked down many of the colliers, and threw about the
tubs and waggons with such force that they were broken
pieces. It is believed that • collier named henry
Page had fired the gas. lie had last been even
with • naked candle, going to look in an old
working only eight or nine yards from the bottom
of the shaft, and where there was likely to be • quantity
of gas collected, for • piece of clay with which he
might make a socket fur his candle. After the explosion,
all the colliers made directly for the shaft, some of them
wrapping their flannel jackets round them for p.otection,
and running on hands and feet to escape as much so possible
the suffocating effects of the sulphur. Page was found
within a fe•w yards of the shaft quite dead, and Thomas
Lindley aad George Grundy, two other men, wen•
taken out quite dead. Page and Grundy have each
left widows and fire or sin children. The other
sufferers are, Thomas Lindley (no relation to the Thomas
Lindley before mentioned), single man, very badly burnt.
Frederick Barrett, single man, badly burnt. Isaac Barrett,
badly burnt and at the point of death. James Morris,
badly burnt and at the point of death (the latter being a
married man with three children, but Isaac Barrett being
single.) And Squire Lindley, Joseph Warburton, William
Seddon, James Lord, Samuel Seddon, Jeremiah Leech,
Joseph Platt, and another man, besides two boys, all more
or leas burnt, some of them rather severely.
An inquest was opened yesterday on the bodies of the
dead, but was postponed till the Secretary of State's notice
had expired.

AUGMENTATION OP TILE ARMT.—It is DOW cer-
tain that an augmentation of the army will take place. We
understand that within the last few days orders have been
issued to raise recruits in anticipation of this augmentation.
This increase, it is now settled, will be in the infantry, and
will, we hear, be effected by raising all regiments at hors
from 710 to 1,000 rank and file each. Some other changes
are to be made, but we understand that the entire aug-
mentation will be about 10,000 men—no °Steen are, it is
said, to be added. The measure in detail will be shortly
published.
CALLS TO THE BAR.—LINCOLN'S-INN.—The under-
mentioned gentlemen were yesterday called to the degree
of barrister-at-law by the Honourable Society of Lincoln's-
inn, via.:—A. F. W. K. Stephenson, W. F. Smith, E. R.
Turner, and J. J. Macaulay, Eosin.
THE COUP D'ETAT INF RANCE.—Lasteveningameet-
iag took place at the Large Hall, Cowper.street, City-road,
" ionise an expression of public feeling upon the subject of the
coup gritat in France, and the threatening aspect assumed
by the despotic powers of Europeagainst the independence
of this country, and to 'peen the rights of European nations
to freedom and nationality." Mr. W. H. Howe was called
to the chair. Mr. Sheen moved the first resolution, pro-
testing against the iniquitous system of lawless military
despotism which now reigned supreme in Europe, and de-
claring that it was the duty of Englishmen to main-
tain a firm attitude towards all despotic powers,
and to assert the right of every nation to
the liberties which had been filched from them.
Mr. Boggis seconded the resolution, stating that the object
of the meeting was to claim !motherhood with other nations,
and not to provoke strife. They had no desire to war
against men but against systems--such systems as were now
pursued under the authority of tyranny and despotism in
continental states. The resolution was multi= y agreed
to—Mr. Durham moved the second resolution, to the effect
that it was the duty of all lovers of liberty to associate them-
selves together to impress upon the legislature the well-
founded and determined sympathies of Englishmen for the
cause of liberty abroad, SAL that the Society of the Friends
of Italy, the only society at present organised with any
such views—was entithd to special support in its advocacy
of the rights of a people oppressed by the combined forces
of European despotism, and allied in interests with all other
oppressed nations of Europe.—Mr. J. Stansfeld having
seconded the resolution, General Haug, who was introduced
as a distinguished person who had struggled in the cause of
liberty at Vienna and Home, supported it and it was
adopted. The meeting then separated.
SUDDEN DEATH AND HASTY INTERMENT OF A
TOUNO LADY is A C . . —During the last few days
considerable anxiety has been felt among the inhabitants of
Isleworth, in consequence of the prevalence of rumours in-
vesting with much mystery the recent death of a young
1 idy, an inmate of Darnley-house Convent The young
lady in question, by name I. anny Emily Weasel, and 21
years of age, is said to have lived at the convent for a con-
siderable period, having been originally placed there by her
aunt. It is further alleged that strenuous attempts have
been made at various times to induce her to become
professed nun, but 'without effect, until very recently
when • well-known ecclesiastic with • high-sounding
title paid a visit to the convent, and succeeded in subduing
her opposition to the wishes of the superior. Shortly
after this event, and when the young lady had
assigned her recently-acquired property fur the benefit
of the convent she was taken ill, and two or three days
afterwards died, the only persons present until a quarter of
an hour before her death being Mr. Warring, the priest of
the VW/ern, and the superiors-se, until at the last moment a
medical gentleman, residing not fifty yards distant, was
sent for, and witnessed her death. On the second morning
after her demise her remains were interred within the walls
of the establishment, without a single relative being pre-
sent, or any inquiry instituted into the cause of the death.
The death was also not registered until the 16th instant,
when it was entered by the registrar for the district as fol-
lows:—" Mary Bercliam Wrasall,* aged 21, died 6th Jan.,
1/432; cause of death stated in the medical certificate—
bronchia, pneumonia, typhoidia, accompanying low con-
gestive inflammation of the sublingueal glands." The
variation in the name, the speedy interment, and the
negbet of medical advice, are felt to need explanation. In
the present excited state of the general feeling, it would be
unwise to attach too much importance to these rumours
above mentioned, especially as it is understood that the
subject has engaged the attention of Mr. Wakley, M.l'.,
the coroner for Middles,x, and the circumstances will
doubtlessly he subjected to whatever investigation they may
seem to require.

THE LOSS OF THE AMAZON. .

THE INQUIRY BY THE BOARD OF TRADE.
The investigation instituted by the Board of Teak
was resumed at II o'clock yesterday morning. Mr. Lebow
,here and Lord do Manley were present dunng a portion a(
the sitting.
Tho first witness examined was Charles Laing. Ile had
nothing material to add to the evidence he had given pm' li
viously.
John Danford, quartermaster, alter repeating his former
evidence, was questioned as to what efforts he made to en-
force obedient., to the captain's orders that the boats should
' not be lowered. In his replies, he said he was endeavouring
to enforce them when some one sung out, " Every man for
himself," after which his efforts became useless. The boat
iu which he escaped was • very line one, and would have
carried 40 men ; they did not, however, pick any one up.
They tried to save one man, but could not. They knew
that one or two bouts had been capsized, and that those
who had been in them must be to windward. The wind
did not lull till the morning. He had no time to go to the
psiesesigers to try and save them; he was at the tire till the
last minute. Ile last saw the captain standing by the
companion, and heard him say to the chief officer,
"Roberts, it's no good, it's all over."
John Shearing. fireman was on the watch when the fire
broke out. When he heard the alarm, lie saw the lire on
the larboard part of the boiler; he could not then see the
sture-room. Ile went to the pump, but there had not been
more than twelve revolutions when those working at it
were obliged to fly. lie had to lie flat on deck, in order
to get breath. At first he thought the engines could have
been stopped. The heat in the fore store room, previous to
the tire, was not unusually great. Did nut smell any lire
before it broke out, and could form no idea as to its
William Steors,ahle animan,in the middle watch, deposed
that from the time when the aarm was given, until when
he went on deck could not have been more than 8 minutes,
and that there was then no one at the helm. Heard the
captain give the order not to lower the boots, and thought
he must have had good reasons for doing co. Saw pas-
sengers cooling out of the saloon, but did not lend them a
hand to get into the hosts. Did not think more lives would
have been saved if the boats had not been lowered till the
vras.l slackened her speed. Those in then, were in such •
fright that it would have been impassible to get them out.
Saw • barque when he was in the boat and thought it was
an Englishman. They all shouted two or three times, but
'in vain. It was impossible to save more because the 1141111 es
followed you everywhere. His boat was thal,in which Mr.
Vincent was saved. There was grumbling about the oars ;
in consequence of which he suggested that as there was
an officer on board he should take charge till morn-
ing; and that suggestion was acted upon. Did not see
any ropes near the Jibboom, but believed that if there had
been order among the people in his boat more lives might
have beau saved. Could not account for the fact that
out of seven or eight officers none should have been
saved.

George Deal, quartermaster, said the dingey was not
lowered till after the captain had given orders to clear away
the boats. if the gig had been properly handled she
might have been saved, and the captain and other officers
might have reached the barque in her. Captain Symons
was very particular about lights, ordering some one to go
round and look at them every half hour. The ship's com-
pany was a good one. Many of the men hail been mates,
and could have taken the helm it necessary. Did not
think a raft could have been made after ho left the ship.
There were nu materials for it.

Captain Ileeehey--If the setters, or seats, on the quarter
deck had been lashed together, might not half a dozen per-
sons have got upon them, and remained there until they
were picked up by the barque ?
Witness—l cannot say.
Captain Beechey—Are you aware that a ran of those
aette. a has been picked up?
Witness—No, I am not aware of it.
Before retiring the witness observed that it had been his
misfortune to be cast away in the Tweed, and that he
afterward* remained with Captain Symons up to the time
of the fire.

Alexander Ling, quartermaster, on being asked whether
he thought more lives would have been saved if the cap-
tain's orders had been obeyed, replied in the negative.
There was, he said, no time ; the fire was so rapid. At
about four o'clock the boat in which he was saved passed
ahead of the ship, to see if any one could be found. There
was no one to he seen on holm]. Did not think it possible
fur persons to have been saved on the settees; they would
have been washed off by the sea.
Thomas Attwood was examined with regard to the state
and position of the sacks near the boiler. lie said that
there was nut enough pitch on them to soil any one's hand,
and that they were jammed between the steam-chest and
the store-room. lie should have put them there himself
without fearing that they might take fire.
lease Roberts, boiler-maker, was examined with regard
to his going to the store-room for oil for his lamp, but no
new fact was elicited.

Angus Macimies, storekeeper, was also re-examined on
the same point, and with • similar result.
Mr. Vincent, the surviving midshipman of the Amason,
deposed that he had been in the company's service three
years. On hearing the alarm of fire, being an officer on
deck, he went down to the captain and called him. The
captain immediately came on deck and gave orders that the
boats should not be lowered. The witness was sent by him
on various memages. It was not till about twenty minutes
after the fire commenced that he went into the dingey ; the
second officer having previously told him the vessel was
given up. Between the time when he first saw the fire and
the time when the captain said it was useless to attempt to
subdue the flames was not more than ten minutes. The
men had been driven from the pumps.
Captain Ikechey then put • series of questions to the
witness :—Seeing the captain and the chief officer attending
to their duty at the fire, what did you do to prevent the
people from rushing into the boats ?
I did nothing at the boats till the vessel was given over.
Did you try to prevent confusion at the boats ?
Yee, I tried to get the people out, but they took no notice
of me ; they said the boats were the only chance.
Mow long do you say it was before the dingey was
lowered ?—lt was from 20 to 2.5 minutes.
Do you think it was more than 81—I am certain it was.
Ought you not, as an °Meer of the ship, to have said
to any passengers who might be near the dingey, " Here is
an opportunity of escaping?"—There were none standing
near me at the time.

Wh tt was the captain doing ?—He was walking aft with
his hands placed at the hack of his head.
I suppose the diagey would have held 12 people I—l
should not have liked to have been in her with that
namber.

What alarm was given to the pawners below ?—Some
one called out an alarm. The pamengers had, I think, all
turned in ; there were none on deck.
Did you use your best efforts to restore order ?—1 think
I so._

How many people were in the life-boat that picked you
up ?—We had quite enough for that night.
How many would she have held T—Thirty, perhaps ;
forty, in moderate weather.
11.ul she the full complement of oars T—Yee.
tithe was a powerful boat I—Yes.
Did you try to pick any one up 5--Yes ; we put her head
to the wind, but the sea ran very high, and after shipping a
sea we webobliged to put her head before the wind.
Did you try ber with her bead to the wind again ?—No.
Did you see any other boat t—Yes ; one which we sup-
posed to be the starboard life-boat, but we could not fol-
low her.

Well, now, you know that there might be half the crew
hanging about the bowsprit, what efforts did you make to
save them ?—When the wind lulled there was no one hang-
ing about the ship.
When you got on board the Marsden did you ask the cap-
tain of that vessel to put about and look for your com-
panions P—No.
Did you not think it your duty to do so?—No answer.
If you had been on a raft, what would you here thought
of your eompanior going away in • brig without trying
to save you ?—I aught have supposed in this ease that they
were all gone.
Capt. Beechey—And not worth looking after.
In reply to a question from Capt. Walker, the witness
said he saw the mail boat swamped and go astern.
Capt. Beechey—On arriving at Plymouth did you not
think it possible that there were some of your shipmates
still floating about in boats t—l thought they had been
stove.

Capt.Walker—You saw another life-boat, and why
should not that hats had as good • chain* as yours ?
There is no reason.

When you returned t theshores of youreountry, thank-
ful for having been rescued, was it not natural that you
should lint think of your companions left behind ?—Yes.
It would have bean a very natural thought, would it not?
—Yes.

Then did the possibility of rescuing them never come
into your head ?—Wo did not suppose that there were any
of them living.
Well, but if you had been one of them, would you have
liked your fate to depend on a supposition T—Perhaps not.
Was it not your duty). an officer to go and look after
them in a steamer would have more chance of
being picked up in vessels near than by a steamer.
•

The witness then mentioned his leaving Plymouth for
London, and on his arrival reporting himself to Capt. Chap-
pell. Ile also said that ho could give no account of the
origin of the Bre, but there had been a presentiment
among the officers that something would happen before the
voyage was over, though, S 4 far as ho could judge, every-
thing had been done previously to provide for the safety of
the ship.
In reply to questions from Captain Walker, the witness
expressed his conviction that if Captain Syntons's orders
with regard to the boats hail been obeyed. every one would
have been saved. Ile could not account fur his being the
only officer saved.
tleorge Tapecot, an engineer in the company's service,
deposed to having examined the engine when she lay at
Southampton, and placed everything in proper order. Ile
removed everything that he thought dangerods, and, ascer-
tained that the vessel was, so far, ready fur sea. Ile per-
ceived no unusual heat.

The inquiry was then adjourned until 11 o'clock this
day.

SPECIE FROM AUSTRALTA.—The vessel Anna Mary,
arrived from Sydney, New South Wale., hail brought 42
packages of specie, 3 hour of dollars, and also 410 packages
of copper ore ; the Deucalion, from Sydney, 421 packages
of copper ore; and the vessel Ralph Thompson, from the
same Australian port, 14 boxes of gold dart, consigned to
eminent firms and to order.

. _ .
' .• THE STRIKE.

DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF TILE
LABOURERS.
Yesterday further remittances, to the amount of
1111,4 Were received at the;general office of the Amalgamated
fieslety of Engineers, and made up of contributiens of a day's
pay out of last week's wages by the men in work towards the
support of those who have been thrown out of employment
by the closing of the shops. The society men were paid the
additional allowance of 6s. per man, and the non-society
men that of 3s. per man, to make up respectively 13s. and
10s. for the past week, as voted by the executive council on
Monday night. The executive council, as has been before
stated, hail intimated to the labourere that they could ex-
tend them no further pecuniary nil; hut it being (eland
yesterday that a sum not much exceeding 40!. was all that
hail heen received from public subscription, the sole source
from which it had been proposed to support the labourers.
of whom, in London, about 1,000 ore thrown out of work,
and which would yield an allowance of only about nine-
pence per man for the week, the executive council
added a donation from its own funds, so as to raise
the allowance to Is. &I. per labourer. The depu-
tation, to whom this sum was paid, expressed grati•
tulle fur the donation, while bewailing the unfortunate
position in which they found themselves placed, owing to a
dispute between the skilled workmen and their employers,
in which the laliourers hail taken no part. The desUtute
condition of these unfortunate 11101 may he judged of from
the fact that this allowance of le. bd. per man, with the
allow race of 3a. made last week, making a total Of 4a. tid.,
hoe been the sole means of Pumped upon which the great
majority have had to rely; and an, unlike the skilled arti-
eans, their earnings while in work were too low to enable
them to provide in any degree against the occurrence of
such a contingency u has now come upon them, it is to be
feared that, should the dispute continue for any length of
time, a vast amount of suffering will be experienced by
them, unless public subscriptions Mow in more rapidly then
has hitherto been the case. 't he number of society men in
London who received 1&s. for the week was about 1100, end
of non-society men, who received Ma., about 170 ; from
which it appears that a large majority of the skilled
workmen in the metropolis are connected with the
Amalgamated Society. The council also gave IV. towards
the support of the boiler-makers who have been discharged.