The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-09 00:00:00

WRECK OF THE ROTTERDAM STEAMER

" APOLLO."

DOTER, MONDAT.—lntelligence has reached this
port of the disastrous loss of the Apollo (not, as cur-
awed yesterday, the Fycnoord) screw steam-ship on
the Kentish Knock Shoal, and considering the state of the
weather, and the peculiar character of the cargo of the un-
happy vessel, the escape of every soul on board may be
deemed most surprising. The Apollo was an iron built
vessel, and in consequence of the rapidity and success of her
trips was deemed one of the finest " screws " that entered
the Thames. She was between SOO and 600 tons burthen,
with engines of nearly 300 horse power, and it is stated was
the joint property of the two companies who own the large
fleet of steamers engaged in the cattle trade between Rot-
terdam mid London. Since the period of her construction
lat Glasgow, about two years and a half ago, she has been
looked upon as the finest vessel of the squadron. On Saturday
forenoon, about 11 o'clock, she left Itotterdainfor thc Thames
with a cargo of cattle and provisions. She had on board
seventeen passeugers, amongst whom were three ladies.
There were also on board the drovers, who had charge of
the cattle ; and her crew, including Mr. Smith, the master,
the chief and second officers, engineers, etc., amounted to
about 2.i. There were thus altogether on board some 47
persons. Iler live cargo consisted of about 160 head of
cattle, and perhaps 800 or 000 sheep, and in the lower part
of her hold was stowed a vied amount of provisions, butter,
cheese, Ate., the whole forming, as may be imagined, a very
valuable freight. In her ordinary course the Apollo would
have reached Brewer's Quay, just above the Custom-house,
on Sunday, in time to land her live stock for Sunithliad
market. On the night setting in the wind, as we are in-
formed, got up rather strong from the north-cast. It was,
however, favourable for the vessel's course, and she there-
fore had the advantage of both sails and screw. At mid-
night the watch was changed; but we have not bad the
means of ascertaining who was in command at the time of
her striking, or the particular bearing she was steering. The
force of the wind had increased, and juat before 2 o'clock iu the
moruiug, whilst proce.aling at the rate of about 12 miles an
hour,the Apollo struck 01.1 taut formidable shoal to the Channel
navigator, known as the Kentish Kumar, 30or 40milcs from
the entrance of the Thames. The shock consequent on her
touching the sand may be judged from the fact that she was
under sail and steam at the time. An immediate turn out
of passengers and thou: of the crew who were below fol-
lowed, and the excitement amongst them at the moment
may possibly be conceived. Mr. Smith, the master, con-
sidering his trying position, is described to have displayed
much coolness and self-possession. Nothing daunted by the
formidable waves which made almost a complete breach
over the Apollo now that she had struck, and was sweeping
the cattle on her deck overboard, he adopted the most
prompt efforts to back her off. lie resorted to every other
possible stratagem to free her from the shoal, but all failed,
the violence of the surf bumping her with much force,
and eventually embedding her in the sand. However, one
more chance presented itself of saying her from destruction ;
the tide was flowing, and a hope was entertained, not-
withstanding the desperate character of the weather, that
she might he floated as the water gained iu depth over the
sand. The violent sea that swept over her speedily light-
ened her of her deck loads, and it was thought that this
relief might succeed In getting her off ; but unfortunately,
as the cattle were carried overboard, the bow compartment
was rapidly tilling with the water which carried away her
.ergo. During this critical period the captain and part of
the crew kept to the wreck, and indeed till past high water,
and when she was sinking rapidly into the sand. Some
time previously the boats had been launched, and the usual
precautions taken to preserve the lives of the passengers and
those on board. About daybreak a sloop connected with
this port observed the position of the Apollo and bore down
upon her. The passengers having been placed on board of
her, with such portions of their baggage as could be got at,
the sloop cruised about the spot in order to rescue Mr.
Smith and those who continued on board the
wreck. The change of the tide altered the situa-
tion of the steamer, and her front compartment
being filled, it was quickly discerned that she was founder-
ing down the edge of the sand. A rush was then made to
the boat, and as the master and those who bad continued
with them were making fur the sloop thr:A polio went down.
This was between seven and eight. The sloop then made
for this place, which she reached in the course of the even-
ing, when the whole of those rescued from the Apollo were
safely latided.
At present it is difficult to state the real cause of the un-
fortunate disaster. Mr. Smith and his officers are repre-
sented to be very steady, careful navigators. The Dutch
pilot was on board, but his duties are only confined to the
' difficulties of the Dutch coast, and it would seem that on
nearing or reaching the Thames an English one is gene-
rally employed until Gravesend is reached. The night is
stated to bare been exceedingly boisterous, and at times it
is known that compasses on board iron vessels are not so
accurate as could be desired. . .

The loss of the Apollo must prove considerable, but it is
stated that she was the subject of several insurance..

eminent though blind lecturer on natural philosophy. Dr.
)[oyes, at his death. bequeathed his apparatus to Mr. Nicol,
who then lectured on the same subject as his predecessor.
Mr. Nicole contributions to the Edinburgh l'hilosophical _
EARL DL GREY, it is stated, has given notice to his
JOlllll6l wore various and valuable ; the more important
view to
being his description of his successful repetition of Dube-
numerous tenants at Harrold, Carlton, &c., with a
mimes celebrated experiment of igniting spongy plains the entire re-adjustment of rent, adapted to present circum-
by &dream of cold hydrogen gas ; also his method of pre- stances. i
paring fossil woods for microscopic investigation, which THE MOORS.—The Right Hon. the Speaker of the
led to his discovery of the structural difference between the
House of Commons passed through Forms en route to Caw-
arucarian and coniferous woods, by far the most important
dor Castle and Inverness, accompanied by Sir Henry Mild.
in fossil botany. But the most valuable contribution to
ma!, after a week's visit to Major C. L. Cumming-Bruce,
physical science, and with which his name will ever be
M. '., at Dunphail. The Speaker and Sir Henry, notuith-
associatod, was his invention of the single image prism of
standing the boisterous winds, bagged, on the 27th ult., 51
calcareous spar, known to the scientific world as Nicol's , brace grouse,
2 snipes, 1 mallard, 7 hares, and 5 brace of
prism.—Scolamass. I black game, on the Dunphail moors.—Ediuburgh Courant.
A CROWDED EXCURSION TRADI.—The second cheap , ATI•E TO THE ST • LATE LORD 111ELVILLE.—We
excursion train for the season, from Southampton to Lon- , „„Aers
tend that it has been determined to place the pro-
don, ran yesterday. The train was to start at half-past 6 ---
I posed statue to the late Lord Viscount Melville in the centre
in the morning and return last night. At 6 o'clock up- of the large open space in front of the County Buildings.
wards of 3,000 persons were assembled before the Southamp- I
1 The statue will be in bronze, and has been intrusted to our
ton Railway station. The carriages for the train had not
townsman, Mr. John Stroll. The subscription list, which
arch ni, however, from London at the time for starting, and l
the crowd was consequently kept outside the station until appears in our advertising columns, is headed by his Grace
the Duke of Buccleuch, who gives the munificent sum of
the carriages did arrive, which was not until 7 o'clock.
"and rho Bank of Scotland, of which the late Viscount
When the station doors were opened the crowd was so' 34/21
was so long a director, subscribes& like amount.—Ediribaryls
great, and so eager to get in, that the windows of the station
were broken, several persons were injured, and a great Courant.
number of hats, shawls, bonnets, caps, and shoes, THE FORTHCOMING REGISTRATION.—A new law i
were lost. Numbers of women fainted or were for the registration of voters, passed in the late session, will
taken ill, and children were nearly crushed to death. come into practical operation in the forthcoming revision of
A large number of Southampton tradesmen and others the lists of voters commencing from Monday next. The
allowed their servants to travel by the cheap excursion new law is entitled "An Act to amend the law for the re-
train yesterday, generously paying their fare and expenses gistration of certain persons commonly known as ' corn-
up and down. A large poem of '' maids of all work," as pound householders, and to facilitate the exercise by
they may be truly termed, dressed respectably, each with a persons of their right to vote in the election of bornuah
little basket of provisions far the day, were, with the crowd, members to serve in Parliament." By the Reform Act it was
congregated early before the station. Owing to the in- lawful for the occupier of a house of the required amount
=ens* pressure of the mob many of these poor 'ornate hag in a city or borough, to claim to be rated to the relief of the
their clothes torn, and many of them were so frightened, poor in respect of premises whether the landlord was or was
that it was feared their day's enjoyment would be oath not liable to be rated, enS such occupier paying or tender-
abridged. The last batch of excuroonuds did not got away ing the rate payable was to be put upon the list. " And
from Southampton before half-pot 9. The railway Mesa whereas it is ohm incanvardsnt or impeactimbie fee suck
and servants acted in a most praiseworthy manner, sad did persons to make ormianal deo in ropes& of each arm, lust
all in their power to keep order and prevent a •dimO, bed many persons ane ennoegusatly dancieed s the franc=
they could not amerced. The first-class carriages wars MO it is therefore anarmi that no porno so darning to be
with thina-class passengers, and many got into the 11111rdwee and paying or tendering on on blame the 2"li Jni:rd
without paying at all. About 3,000 persons storied by ths rates due MIAs Mb January prooding. shall be reb
train, numbers were sent away fur want of moss. MY or to make ray "maw claim "•= i° walar ingetel...7 man
' them poor persons who had come a distance of Moir iq Irma the possiss la ee,
go and see the Exhibition. It was considered prods* tr 1614411111 dal alik use Itttiebnitslessurmcle. aelbe.tba
keep the doors closed until the carriages arrived Orr Jr , rad to be regbiliel ea • cotes l'esored, By aesesellary
.." theses. ems rum
passengers to get into them, became, if the szoodonsir premise ow .---sesiv mbk,.. zposee )time
had been admitted, the platform mould have hem hisalmi to this sal ea
stles
ingssab. ramenhe imam,
up; no arrangements could haw brm armada 11l W. mill Im. rimewaii dam,
soon very miens widest win Jabs* love hipposed wi I
. .. . • •

THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

The tide of visitors, which for some weeks past hos
rolled somewhat slowly towards the Crystal Palace, showed
symptoms yesterday of-an intention to resume its wonted
strong current. The crowd appeared to consist mainly of
agricultural labourers, and operatives from the factory die-
tncts, the farmer Indicated by great numbers of smock-
frocks, while their more intelligent fellow countrymen
figured in moleskin and velveteen. A second detachment
of Sardinian workmen, to the number of 45, were also pre-
sent, all decent looking respectable men, but presenting in
their moustached lipe and heavily bearded chins, a striking
contrast to our English artisans. Their first visit was to
the Italian section, where they all clustered round the
Turin table as if anxious to make their compliments
to an old friend. Another foreign visitor of Nome
consequence was Signor Angelo Lusnergh, an assis-
tant at the Roman observatory, who has been sent
over on a special mission by his Holiness to inspect
the machinery at the Exhibition, and make extensive per.
chases of mathematical instruments. 'rho ultimate *boot
of his mission is, of course, guarded with all the Weiler
that distinguishes the councils of the Vatican, but it as
shrewdly suspected that the Supreme Pontiff, having had
his attention called to the subject by the press of Europe,
has at length become dissatisfied with Dr. Cullen's mate
suremeat of the Sun's diameter, and has determined to
clear up the knotty point by a new survey, aided by all the
appliances of British mechanical skill in the construction
of astronomical iustruments. In corroboration of this con-
lecture, it may be mentioned that the Signor spent some
nights in the Greenwich Observatory previous to his visit
to the Crystal Palace. The Swedish section, which since
the opening has been as barren as the Carpathean Moun-
tains, now, at the eleventh hour, begins to show symptoms
of very forward incubation. A red curtain shuts out the
! curious, while within the sounds of hammers arc heard in•
eessantly. The nave in front is strewed with packing
eases, and some lofty poles indicate the approaching instal-
lation of the great vase, which our cotemporaries call
granite, but which the Swedish Consul insists is true por-
phyry. The other articles to be exhibited arc mainly spe•
ennuis of Swedish progress in the useful arts. In the Ame-
rican section, Mr. Hobbs, the Leviathan of lock-
smiths, and patron saint of picklocks, was yesterday
the great centre of attraction, and his colloquial passers
were severely tested by the thousand and one explanations
he was obliged to give of the mode in which his late
achievements were effected. Like all truly great men, he
wears his honours most meekly, contenting himself with
calmly meeting the vulnerability of all British locks and
the impregnability of his own. Ile looks upon the Chubb
victory as the smallest of his feats, roundly alleging that the
locks bearing that name, once the household word for secu-
rity, had been picked even by amateurs long before his
attack. Making the usual discount fur transatlantic
ideality, the broad fact still remains that the American has
found a "sesame" for both Bramah and Chubb; and it
appears, further, that the directors of the Bank of England,
no bad judges in such matter,., have given in their adhesion
to the new faith by ordering several of his patent locks.
His pattern lock challenges the world, and it is rumoured
that several gentlemen who take an interest in such matters
have solicited leave of absence from l'entonville and Tot-
hill-fields to see what British genius can do in solving this
new difficulty. In the Russian section the note of
departure has already been sounded. The Emperor
has scat over for his costly ebony casket and his
pictra dun table, and the executive committee have
given permission for their egress, subject to the usual
Customs' regulations. The other articles, the property of
private adventurers, will probably find resting-places in this
country. The malachite doors, although still unsold, hale
many. admirers, among whom Mr. lloltord, the great
dmencan merchant, is mentioned; and the diamonds have
had several eligible offers. 'fhe promised horses are not to
conic, the artists conceiving that the remaining hours of the
Exhibition would not allow the public sufficient time to
appreciate their beauties. Canada continues to exhibit un-
abated interest in the success of the Palace of Industry.
Some loyal individual in the Cobourg district has sent over
a workbox in black walnut as a present to her Majesty,
which, although not a wo der in workmanship, is valuable
as exhibiting the capabilities of this wood, which it is hoped
the Exhibition will be the means of introducing exten-
sively to European commerce. Another recent contribution
would seem to indicate that the Canadians arc the greatest
politicians in the world. It is a portfolio containing speci-
mens of the 98! newspapers which daily, weekly, and semi-
weekly, enlighten the Acadian lieges on all mutters of
mundane interest. There journals read in total freedom
from stamp, advertisement, or paper duty, take no heed of
superficial inch measurement, and are consequently sold
in immense numbers at prices fluctuating between
a penny and twopence each. On each transmission
by the poet a penny postage is demanded, but it
seems that this forms no bar to their circulation. A
special jury has been sitting fur some days in this depart-
ment, to award the 1001. which Lord Elgin had given to be
divided proportionably among the most distinguished Cana-
dian exhibitors. Their laboun were completed yesterday,
and the report sent off. To Mr. Perry's fire-engine was
awarded 201., a success which probably foreshadows the ex-
hibitor's success before a more important tribunal. 101.
each is given to the blanket manufacturers ; 51. to the
wheat exhibitors, and so on. All the exhibitors in this
section are sanguine in hoping that the results of the Exhi-
bition will be most favourable as regards their important
colony. The suddenly increased attendance yesterday at
the Crystal Palace, exceeding 56,000 before four o'clock,
was taken by the police as a symptom that the few remain-
ing days of exhibition will rally large crowds from all parts
of the country. It is known that the anxiety to see its
wondrous contents is leading to great sacrifices among the
labouring classes all over the kingdom. Amongst other
proofs of this, it is mentioned, in as letter from Leeds, that
on the afternoon previous to the last excursion train leaving
that town for London one pawnbroker received a bushel
and a half of watches in pawn from parties about to start.
The police numbers yesterday were :
Cash account, Sept. 8.
Season tickets
At the doors

Total receipts £2.767 17 0

The following shows the temperature during the day, as
recorded by Mr. Bennett's thermometers, being the mean
result of ldd readings:-10 n'e.oek. 55; 12 o'clock, ;
2 o'clock, 62; 4 o'clock, 63; 6 o'clock, 61 ; mean tempera-
ture, GO.