The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-18 00:00:00

THE WRECK OF THE QUEEN VICTORIA.

CORONER'S INQUEST.
DUBLIN, FEB. 17.
Very few particulars, in addition to those already
published respecting the sad catastrophe of the Queen
Victoria, have yet been ascertained. Up to yesterday, only
four of the bodies of the persons drowned had been dis-
covered, and an inquest was commenced on these yesterday
at Kingstown. It is conjectured that the bodies of a great
number of those who perished still remain with the hull of
the ill-fated vessel, and that they may not appear before she
breaks up, or is raised from her present position. It is to
he feared that there has not been much exaggeration, as to
the loss of life; some persons statiag that there were so
many as 140 on board at the time the ship lett Liverpool.
the exact nueeber will, however, be known when accounts
are received from Liverpool today; but, in the mean time,
the agents of the company here have no means of ascertain-
leg the number of passengers. The first mate was not lost,
as stated in some of the accounts published yes-
terday morning, having been one of He se whose
lives were saved by the boats of the Roscommon.
The following ate the names of some of those who
were rescued, and btooght into Kingstown:—Thomas Davis,
first mate; Anne Mulligan, ltathdrum, county Wicklow,
on her way to her muteer's fa..eral ; Mary Anise Spencer,
64, Wellington-street; Mary Ann Gough, housekeeper to
William Horan, Esq., of Ballinakill, Queen's County;
Thomas Pierson. Curry, county Sligo; J. Heffermen,
Punch's Grove, comity Kildare ; William Carroll, Stain-
rone, King's County; Julia M'Docough, Sirekest,mn,
county Roscommon; John Reardon and James Reardon,
Nottingham; Roger al'Manus, county Wicklow.
The deepest interest was felt by the public in the pro-
ceedings at the inquest, Yesterday; and, indeed, the sub-
ject is still almost the only one which occupies the minds
of the citizens. The bodies viewed by the coroner's jury
were those of two women and two children, one of the
! latter being the only one that had been identified.
Mr. Curran, with Mr. C. Fitecerald, sen., as agent, ap-
peared on behalf of the company ; and Mr. Howell, the
secretary, was also present.
' The Coroner stated, before entering on the inquest, that
the course which he intended to pursue was to have a fell
inquiry on the present use into all the matters connected
with the loss of the vessel, so that it would be unnecessary
to continue holding inquests on any other bodies that may
come to land; and the verd et taken in this case would be
considered conclusive for all, and there will be nothing to
do except to bury them as they come on shore.
The first witness examined was John Reardon, of Notting-
ham, who deposed that. he was a dealer. He had viewed
the bodies, and knew one of them to be that of his child,
John Reardon, aged about one year and nine months.
Last saw it alive at two o'clock on Tuesday morning.
Witness left Liverpool at half-past two o'clock on Monday
last, on board of the Queen Victoria, for Dublin. There
were on board with him his wife, deceased child, and his
brother. Could not say what number of passengers were
en board at the time. Was aroused about half-past two
a.m. by two very violent shocks. Witness and some others
got out of their berths, and having put on some clothes,
weft on deck, and saw a very large and high rock, upon the
lower portion of which the fore part of the vessel was resting.
Witness's wife eves in a separate cabin, and his brother was
On deck. Heard the captain give orders to " back the vessel."
and she was accordingly backed off the rock into deep water.
As soon as they got the fore part of the vessel began to
sink. From the time witness ascended to the quarter-deck
from the cable, until the vessel was backed off the rock, did
not occupy five minutes. As soon as she began to sink, the
captain ordered the vessel to be steered for the rock, and
commanded all hands to come upon deck. At the time that
order was given the vessel was in deep water, and more than
twice the length of hentlf from the rock. lie then ordered
the boats to be lowered ; they were at that time uncovered,
but were not in a proper position for lowering. As soon as they
were lowered the people jumped into them, and there was
a great scramble for that purpose. Did not see any boat
i omnm
hisin t
kneea u
when
hl
eooa
thenkchkim savedD
oet; e
hwthimeedwevlhfeialsdheyl.wasie attempted two or
three times to get back to his wife and child, but could not
yut
the dwts at e Witness
t. 0
do so, owing to the aster dashing in his face. The sea was
very calm at the time, but there was a swell produced by
the roll of the vessel. If the sea had not been calm lie
would
was a little snow falling at the time, but not mach. Wit-
ness believed his wife to have been teat also. Did
ale see anything previous to the vessel striking. In
his opinion the lives of all on board would have
been saved if the captain had allowed them to walk on
to the rock at the time the vessel first struck, as could
easily have been done when she was lying on the roek. He
was sure that the property in the vessel, and probably the
vessel itself, weuld have been saved if she had been per-
mitted to remain where she first struck.
Mr. Curran—That is only your opinion ?
Witness—l am sure the passengers could all have been
saved in that case.
To a Juror—Believed the captain was on deck. Heard
I some person say, " Let us get on to the rock;" hut did not
know whether the captain was present at the time or not.
Cauld not say whether the passengers were prevented from
doing so.
Cruse-examined—The night was not foggy at the time be
came up, but there was a fail of snow. Ihe water, as Jar
ns he could see, was not washing over the rock on which
the vessel was lying, and which was very high and steep.
It was not there he got up, but under the lighthouse, one
hundred yards flanker on.
To a Juror—Heard the order riven to back the vessel,
but could not say whether it was the captain who gave that
order or not.
Crossexamined—Was not sufficient of a sailor to describe
the position in which the ship's boats were fastened, but the
ropes were all tangled and had to be rut in order to let
them down into the water; seven letters besidi • himself
succeeded in reaching the lighthouse rock. These were
three or four sailors upon deck, but none of them were in-
toxicated. About five minutes elapsed from the time the
vessel struck uotil he reached the neck. When the vessel
backed those on board could see the Bailey Lighthouse as
plain as could be.
Mathew Maguire, of Liverpool, and late superintendent of
police at Howdeo, near Hull, deposed that he was a de vie vas-
soiree on board the Queen Victoria steamer on the night in
question. lie was en deck the whole time and passed tee
greater portion of the night in the cookhouse. At the time the
occurrence took place, about halt-1 ast two o'clock, he eas
.tailfilba' at the bow of the teased, and read conde out of
gulley a few minutes Lefore the ship struck, for the purpose
of walking about the deck; it was snowing a little attlie time ;
at that time he did not see any other person baweeu the
forepart of the paddle-box and the bow of the reamer ;
when he passed the paddle-box about saves or ten minutia
before she struck, on looking user the how, he observed
II It E S S

L., 7
;1:?,*!•,•- .
I.'s.'
.*:4.*\-;".: • 'I

-adVds.k*

+-:J

Rowe hung black before h:m, which he imagined to be a I
hi. hot some•bitit erne lc h.. shirt it wee rht:•,r
{re low fur a cloud, sad he tags. to think it might be land,
anti w as Ice Ling over closely at it to we if such was the
woo, when he he .rd a man en the bridge between the two
pa 101,:erzee, whom from his size he took to be the mate,
sty tut " qop her, stop her," and the engines were in I
Sellittitlfllft imme newly stopped; at that time the vessel
was going to the hest of his opinion at the rate of about tea
knot. an hour ; they had been about eleven hours and •
half making that petite from Liverpool ; he then looked
more dimly et the land and saw it covered with snow,
and immediately knew that from the speed at whisk the
ship had hewn going, a seure concussion was meritshle
she struck with great forum the. rock, and drew beck and
struck agate, and seemed to settle on something beneath the
weer; when he knew it was too late to prevent a colli-
sion, and afraid that the vessel would be smashed to pieces,
he .all boll of V e topgallant f atcutle to save himself •
tram being hurt by the consequences of the concussion,
and ou looking over the side of the vessel. saw at once
that it was the bottom of the boat and not the upper part
of the boas which lied been injured. Also saw that the
rock on which they struck was Inch and perpendicular, and
Was covered with snow. Ile could Unmet have touched it
with his band. He could sot say that there WU any standing
room upon it—it there had bee-u It, could have jumped on
to it. 'flare wes stn per.on on the look out at the bow of the
vessel, hut the mate was on the bridge as before descrilitd.
The coactosion would have been terrific, and they would
doubtless have all been dashed to pieces but for the vessel
hissing been stopped previous to the shock. During the entire
tint* he was or. the deck he did not see the Bailey light,
nor dud he perceive it until alter the vessel was backed out
when he saw it *Liaise very brilliantly. lie saw the Kish
Light plainly nu looking backwards. It was beginuing to
clear ott; and tile snow was getting lighter at the time he
came out of the galley. Did not see any sailors think,
'ither did he ace the lead liae heaved.
A Jurpr here remarked that the course was so well known
that theta was no no...tufty for heaving the lead.
Mr. Curran—There is something strange about that light.
The Witness said there was something black before the
vessel, but did not see any light before she struck. ..
The Coroner said there was little use in a light without a
bell being attached to it.
Elanianation ca:itinued—Did not see the captain on deck.
Could not see him, as he (witness) was in the fore part of
tie ship. Heard the word given, "back her." The word
was not " reverse," but " back her." Witness was of
opinion that both vessel and cargo might have been saved
had she beer allowed to remain where she first touched the
shore. When she struck all was confusion.'
To the Coroner —The two boats on the quarter deck were
resting on the deck, and the boats on the paddle boxes
were IS swings, and the davits were turned in.
To Mr. Curran—The boats on the quarter deck, although
resting on the deck, were likewise swung in the davit,.
Elimination continued—The vessel was ordered to be
backed, but he could not say.by whom, and after several re-
volutions they succeeded in getting into deep water; be,
however, considered that they got too far out, as she began
to sink in the bow ; they, however, went on till they came
opposite to the Bailey light, when her head was put round
and they came to the rock bow on. In his opinion, from
the way the vessel was going, it was the captain's inten-
tion, if he could have rounded the light, to have no her
upon the Bandy heath at the other lido of the
lighthouse, where, to the best of lie recollection,
for he knew the coast well, there wee an algae@
ladder. If they could have succeeded in getting rowed the
lock and gaining the beach, he considered that all the per-
sons in the vessel would have been saved ; failing in that,
they endeavoured to lower the boats. At that time the sea
was very calm, bat there was a long swell. Too many par
Benson crowded about the boats, and the sailors could not
work. The pm eagen Jumped into them before they were
lowered. They succeeded in getting but the bow of one
boat, but could not free the stern of it, so that the persons
who were in it at the time the vessel west loan ked 14 get
out again. Witness had a carpet beg in one lend and a
hat case in the other at the time the waves washed him
off the paddle box, but after some time he was ebliged
to relinquish his hold of them, and to make he the
onset again, which he reached after ems treibla.
After resent for a few minutes be again mode he the
net, which he reached in a very exhausted
eundi-
ties. He was curled by the waves from we reek to
another, and was helped up the rock by some of the
crew. He was quite benumbed. He crawled op the Lock,
and, es reaching the summit, saw the liglitkome-kestper,
who mitered him and the others who swensall in reach-
ing the reek every service, and treated awn with the
greatest Made/tar
To Mr. Camas—When she struck, he tweed wend end
maw the liish light. The tide wee Irwin M the time.
To a laser—lf he bad shim as anis whim he ant sow
whet be took to be a Meek dead. Owe weal ant haw been
time to step the mad to avert the mliramee. lie knew,
however, he would set have Wes Mewed-M
mid did not
amnion Weave with theinew of the moss/ The way in
*ilia he seesemeed be the wasemase wee then the vessel
alga MOD hoes 146 of ea alb asks la her mass% sad
she Wowed the woman. whisk hid lbw light
from them till they beakedentlenniesp water ate us inking
behind him be saw the Klub Ilia pedistly Oblast At the
Yee he ease ea deck it wee wet snowing so 'biddy as to
absents the Bailey light. They basked est of
diethe lima
where shehitam.twathe rock, in the make rees
they had been when she week. sad her beat was
then towards ; was rest esaviesei that what he
trek te be a bask deed was had lowa after be bard the
weed give* to Meg tbe wad. If say of the crew had
been where ho was standing, they would have ens the
dark etieet whisk he took to be • dead. At the time the
wad was given to stop the weed she was not more than
Owes ewes bee is. length from the lead. He only saw
one ewe op= the bridge. Cola net hem say idea as to
the dewily of the wow whisk lei Nis Imihre he same
ea desk. 'There weld be waist name awe M emit the
dormer Om wee dew hem the time the emmiwas_idepped.
The esplein ordered a *sal light to beamed, whki wee
s.o~ awe. am the time the vessel ast mask till
she mulatto was abent

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

The half-yearly meeting of proprietors wits bid
ye,terd..y at the Padding•on To-aons; Mr. C. Itosszt.r.
in the chair. After the usual preliminaries,
lie CHAIRMAN .aid—Gentlemen, the accounts which we
dste,liutccl amongst you on SaturJoy are quite as satiate°.
tory as the directors expected they would be. We were
always aware, and we hue often stated to you, that the
years 1952 and 1843, when we should be opening our north-
ern line., and when the troffic upon those lines and upon
our South Wales line could not be fully developed, matt
of necessity be years of pressure upon us. It was foe this
express re assn that we reserved a larger balance than we
are in the habit of reteiaing; and I think we have reason
to hy satiefied that we are enabled to pass over the first of
these periods by drawing to so small an extent upon that
reserve. (Hear, hear.) Tl:e most important event of
the last half-sear has been the opening of our line to Bir-
mingham. We were very mach pressed by OUT Shrewsbury
friends to batten the completion of that portion of line,
with the sincere object, I am satisfied, of accelerating the
bringing into action of the traffic arrangement which was
entered into between the three companies ; but that ohject,
I em sorry to say, has been defeated by the delays and ob-
structions which were interposed to the opening of the
Stour Valley line. There were other coasiderations, how-
ever, which made it important to us not to delay the
opening of that line. By the terms of our purchase of the
Oxford and Birmingham, and the Birmingham, Wolver-
hampton, and Dudley lines, we are compelled to pay to the
proprietors of these lines five per cent. fur a period uf six
mouths atter the opening of any portion of them; and,
while m-ney was easay obtained at the rate of 31 per cent.
in the market, it became, of course, extremely desirable
that we should rtecelerate as much as we could the coon.
pletion of that portion of our contract. The general re-
sults of our half-yearly account, I think, may be briefly
stated thus. We have charged to our revenue account
the interest upon 1,347,0001. on account of the Binning,
hem and Oxford line, from the day that it was'
opened, and we have still maintained our dividend at four',
per cent. by drawing upon our reserve to the extent only of
9,o9ol.—(cheers)—and we are enabled to carry forward
61,0001. as a balance to meet the exigencies of the present
year. (Hear, bear.) This, too, we have been enabled to
do, although we have been obliged, in conformity with the
provisions of the legislature, to reduce surcharges, not only
with reference to the Birmingham and Oxford line, but
upon our entire line from one sail to the ether ; although
we have as yet opened our Birmingham line for passenger
traffic only, with very insufficient accommodation for that
traffic, and during a season peculiarly unfavourable to ter
veiling; although we have as yet scarcely any mineral,
traffic from South Wales; and although we have no mer-
chandise whatever brought to us by our asitims be., I
think, combining all these circumstances, the ribeeneeese
justified in expressing to you the great *aliened= they
feel at the financial position of the company. Oestlenion,
the questions of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wenn-
kempton Company, and of our Shrewsbury sill-
sane, remain very much in the same state in
which they were when we last met ; and, indeed,
it could hardly be otherwise, for we every day feel mem
and more convinced that those questions are of nob a
magnitude and character, that they can only be settled by
the intervention of the leiblature. 'There is no alternative,
therefore, left us but to defend our rights, in the best
manner that we are able ; and I feel perfectly convinced,
that the legislature will give the same verdict upon the
Mid-Western line this year that they di4 last year. The
confidence of the directors in the ultimate success of our
Shrewsbury alliance, is in no degree shaken by the pre-
ceedings which took place at the meeting on the 31st of
last month. It has been our purpose from the be-
ginning, and it is our purpose still, to '
keys
that
effect to that alliance • and I sincerely
that we shall be able to accomplish that Gillen
in the =suing session of parliament. I am rare ile
directors of that company will admit thet we have made
lingo modifications of our original engagements, with tM i
view f propitiating the support of their proprietors. Ina
the sego mew, we consented to waive all technical Obtelike ,
to the preeeediap_of the bill, provided only that the Len-
d= tonal MarthaWeinera Company would enter into the
same engpeememt m semeelves, and provided also that the
agresetent dna' in se way impair our legal rights. We
wont timber. We arried from the principles which we
had Farina tei eantelves, and consented to give
a qualified gementee, till the amalgamation should
take plans, M each of the proprietors as should
support the dime with the Great Western Company.
The Shrewsbuyeopelseseethengla fit to decline the terms
which we this swain Per myself, I avow frankly I am
aft merry that they di se. I have myself individually-1
week of my ems spades' only—the greatest objection to
gpmenatme—dnem"—wiieh eperne often most injuriously
lgei sejlet4te tie eimpamies that grant them, and paro-
ling ie es he the peseset case, in which,
proaria its le be given lip es, tle line was
te Slide in is beds of ether dimities. (Cheers.) The
Illieneriery maw, Ming bawd these terms, we
sem EM beck open our selsteel nommen those
ememats binges traffic annegimie which we made
with is 7ememy 1861, -lei the amalgamation
egeosmet white um made with item be Ila of the same
per lan begpgteammounee SIM n that we
lime this yeas heleedielei very A= Ili into paella-
mon--(ehemol—neil almost all et liemesetelnly all the
Meet impeelent sees -leave rotenone le Sem mothers
Wen, and w desiseed M give Wilt to lie iinewelrery
alliance. We have a Gemini,' lie Welk answer
meat ; we have a bill essaswitai lie emigematioa mow
meat ; we have a bill seeking for mike powers, end to
lay the broad gunge over their line ; amlwe have a Mei
hi to make some trifling deviations near Warwick, ami
that pert of the minatry i—thsee, I repeat, are the men
important bills that we have In the present semis& Gads.
mot, I have rehired as briefly as I could to the quesliene
which I regard es meet importantly affection the interim ell
this company at the present time. I have intimated pretty
clearly the poi" which it is oar intention to panne. We
were always peeeeppuwd, and we are still prepared, to enter
Into any remen arrangemests either to satisfy our
friends or le diem our enemas; but we cannot consent
is esdempre the hams% or le de sage the credit, of the
Greet WeateenDsmomy h mate ememeisms, sod if such
eseesseisse be imesilsi ef us we meet, though we shall
reluctantly pewee ghee mar" stand upon ear rights.
(Cheers.)
TM Becanmar then read the report of tie directors,
Item which we take the following :
"During the last half-year eT for whisk the ac-
Olsen have been recently to the proprietors,
the line of railway between Bodeasy and the town of Bir-
mingham bee hen brought lass partial use, having been
egos= on the Le of October, id endmively forl the 0011*
aEof petesegen. The aseeemniftlien in mitinglea
awl ergesesies to thetraVerstetle, swift kie
an a smeehendies mild ne pee.
aided at that time, mad it was ingt lasleestieshis
to undertake any badmen la ettavnbas pinker mime.
rals, even kr bed penises% ever the ikesbOsse Rath
The income of the emegnety W ism eneeinintly hen
slightly Increased by tie Belledmade Of int Railway ,•
mid whim the general reduction of fares and non en
the Great Western lines, aswall as the lee" modeneese of
wet weather (diminishing everywhere the usual trails of
pamengers,but increasing theexpendßure for maintaining's),
are taken into account, the result of the half-year may be
aseeidend favourable to the future prospects of the con-
may. For it must be remembered that the effect el the
ompubory reduction, consequent upon opening the Bir-
mingham and Oxford Railway, was oscine/ray most disad-
nategeons at the very commencement, before any increase
la the number of travellers, or quantity of goods, ordinarily
anticipated from a lower scale of charges, could be obtained
to countervail the loss. The accounts of revenue and ex-
penditure have been made up in the usual form, for the
information of the proprietors. The peculiar circum-
stances of the last half-year of 1851, when the
receipts had been so greatly increased by the Ex-
hibition, forbid any attempt, by means of the
soul comparison between corresponding perioda,to show the
protean of railway traffic, or to explain the nature and
NS= of any difference which may appear either in the
home or charges upon it. It may be mentioned, however,
that the two principal items of increased expenditure in
the present accounts, consist of maintenance of way and
locomotive power; the former is to be accounted for by an
unexampled season of weather, affecting the works and
drainage of the railway, and the latter arises principally
from the greater number of miles rue, but is augmented by
increased coot of materials and labour, and heavier repairs
occasioned by the effects of the wet weather and partial
floods on the line. After charging interest on an expendi-
ture of 1,347,1151. for the Birmingham and Oxford Rail-
way from the day of its opening, end defraying all
charges on the loans and fixed capital of the company,
there will remain 228,503'. Si. 7d. at the disposal
of the company, which will admit of the usual dividend
being paid at the rate of four per cent. per annum,
leaving a balance of 63,7771. 16e. 3d. to the next account.
The engineer's report explains the principal railway works
in progress, and the present condition of the new station
buildings at Paddington. Since the last vote was taken in
February, 1852, the directors have caused plans and esti-
Metes to be submitted to them of a further portion el the
new buildings and works, consisting principally of mom-
modat ion for the locomotive establishment and the !assessor
arrival shed and platforms, which are, of course,
sable fur for the busies= of the company. Those works have
been arranged in the most economical manner, consistently
with permanence, and adapted to the °seven ism). of the tragic.
A resolution will be proposed to the mating for voting
an additional sum of 75,0001., to be applied generally
ti purposes in connexion with the new Paddington station.
The Great Western Hotel, at the London terminus, is in a
very forward state, and can be finished for occupation as
soon as the passenger business shall be transferred into the
adjoining buildings. As the bills before parliament, to
which the company are parties, will be brought under con-
sideration at a special meeting, in compliance with the
Wharneliffe Standing Order of the House of Lords, the
directors think it unnecessary upon this occasion to de more
than report that powers are sought for extension of lime in
the construction of the Uxbridge and !inky kneMellee
(together about seven miles), nadir arrangements with
privies interested in them."
The accounts, an abstract of which had previously sp►
peered io the Express, were taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report, white
Was seconded, and carried unanimously.
A resolution was agreed to for the payment of a dividend
at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, payable on and after
the Ist of March.
After the re-election of the auditors, Mr. Dickies= and
Mr. At him!), on the motion of the Chairman a vote of thank/
was given to them fur their services ; and on the motion of
Mr ferric their saleriei'vsne raised Mm 60i. to 1001. s-
pear, the UMW to 00011114111011 from July last.
The retiring directors were re-elected without opposi-
new

Sirs iffiairsr, et Snarl, smutty Irielther, • Maw
dap eel be led gese ever to Liverpool he Os
of embstidft *Ma bb while featly for Amerky Mt Mt
Uey eM may Mr that purpose was Mamba to
Me omen is the awns Class Viands, yid' hie wits
eel Ass dabs as he theogbe Si better to same bash
them to separate tree bh Maly. Whams was sittiag la •
bersobez &leap with IS we 17 sem and remained there
ata be busts.sstbiag Mao when he tea oat towards
the hew of the vowel nod saw a very high and Seep bill,
mid* appeared to have • bellow nadsasedi NA a great
prageothe et the top, which mar of the sea Sid his was
the Min of Bowth. Could ma hem es ides se le the
the soaatele. It hod snow aIL Whom our
AwMighted that, thug bad remained thesepes ••111 masks end
sat Wild eat, they would bow ban a saved. His wife
amdlhrae children were all drowsed beige his eyes, sad
might say there won be ITN hid ; he held his
wife is Me emu as keg u he eeeldosd when wombed into
the water be threw lima( bee a ON-• Mat yid& be saw
Isaias about, sad in that mom resebod the users ; since
ens Ile polka hid tosaied hia the Idabel imaser.
Rase ether winsome wens aneabed, sad maw then
Ches. Ralph, whose assenat of the unfortunate esensense
was gins yesterday, bait no additional facts of iampertnnee
were Welted ; sad after saw esavorestien with the per
isenomei same the lavestigatisn was Alearaul to Monday
sent

The Weft= at Mowthgennella with renewed vigour
yettngiet. but swing to the eing unfavourable state of the
weather elk& preemie eimilbe main A diver, however,
whe had goo* down, reputed en nimbi up that he was of
swim that much of timelier, Vest the entire vessel, might
be aeved. The steamer ham in a slight degree shifted ia her
=to a more favourable one; and Mr. Teal, the ship-
, of Rimpend, confidently enema that she can yet be
mied from the plus where she now lies and brought into
bedew. No lame bodies have as yet been discovered, and
It be Si bees ascertained that 50 people were saved by
the iieglunans, instant ef 45, as was at first stated. It is
she nomseriO,upea vuey good authority, that five or sir
mna. in Widen ID them who took refuge in the light-
te teed /birth. It is, therefore, greatly
Msgsiallissefir lus of Us will not prove so heavy as
was hared on the morale( of the wreck. No official re-
turn of the number of persons on board the Queen Vic-
toria at the time she left Liverpool has as yet been re.
Wend. . .

About ten poor persons, who were deck passengers oa
board the ill-fated steamer, are now in Kingstown in •
totally destitute condition, and would doubtless have
perished long era this but for the charitable csertiont of
some influential individuals, who set on foot • subscription
for their relief.

ERSCTION ors NEW TATTERSALL'S IN SOUTll-
wanit.—* eery spacious and commodiems building is now
being erected oat • large plot of around opposite the Ele-
phant and Cattle, in the parish of St. George's, Southwark,
on the site formerly occupied by the old Fishmicomisfers'
Alaskans. It is to be called " Tattersall's Re tory
for the Salo of Hones, and transacting the Racing wines/
sow calfili Ole at Tattersall's, at the West-end." The
eentraeters are Magus. Piper ; and the building and offices
wises completed will have • vets, handsome appearance on
the Surrey aide of the water. On the north and east sides,
'lsiah frost the St. George's-mad and the Newington-
road, shops will shortly be erected, and among them •
large aid commodious hotel. The around-rents are es-
=l yield • large sum annually to the Fishmongers'
to
ay, tinder whose architect the buildings wiU be
erected.
-- • •

EXTRAORDINARY ACClDENT.—Yesterday morning
an accident, which is likely to terminate with fatal copse.
goofier', occurred in the iron factory of Mr. Coder, Great
Queen.street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, under the following cir-
cumstances :—game men were engaged in bolting an im-
mean iron boiler, two of them were in the interior, and a
man aimed Samuel Wills, who resides in Besbury.place,
Vouzhall.road, was employed on the outside driving the
bolts (large rivets), one of which having been found too
large for the orifice, in consequence of not '•goitighombi"
although driven with a hammer of imassee weight, he
diwated it to be knocked out again, in order to bare its sise
»glued. After two or three blows from this sledges of the
men inside, it Sew oat with terrific violence, striking Will.
in the tile, directly beneath the region of the beset. flick
was the impetus with which the bolt flew, that the =fortu-
nate ma. was knocked down and rendered imaessible.
Baviag been removed to King's College fiongdtal, It was
ascertained that be had sustained several bas rise of the
ribs, besides laving been seriously injured ImlnMeillt.
ROYAL ARTILLZRY.—By a geeing star just,
Weed, the standard height for grouse 7 km who
Irish se talkie in this breach of his ignie
hastwee reduced from Ave fees ' iwel=; belie glee
OM is

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 18, 1853.

The CH/atms mosso a resolution authorising the di-
rectors to proceed with the Devia•:a branch of the Wilts,
Somerset, and Weym.esth Rsiloop, and to /spend the fur-
ther sum of ....:o,(nlol.un the new buiidings at the l'ad,lii,gten
terminus.
After a short eonversatian the resolution was agreed to.
A resolution was oleo paved, after a brief .itscuesion,
authorising the advance of 13,0001. tor the hotel near the
terminus, in accordance with the recomniendeti9u in the

report.
The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to th•
chairman.

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.

The report of the directors to the half-yearly
meeting of bhar (holders. to he held at the London Tavern,
on February 25, Contains the following plumes :
" In presenting their half-yearly report, yvtir directors
have the pleasure to notice the continued increase of traffic.
The total receipts for the half-year ending 4th February,
1853, upon the E Counties are 373,6581. 7.. 4d.; and
the Norfolk, 73,2101. 13s. 9d.; carrying out the comparison
lof former years, 5,2121. 16s. 11d. is to be deducted, as the
receipts of the Shepreth and Hitebin line, reducing the
revenue to 413,5561. ss. 2d., as compared with 421,9731
Ils. Bd. for the half-year ending 4th January, 18.52, and
388.6961. 10s. 46. for the came period up to 4th July, ;851.
The working expenses, as per balance sheet, are 178,0741.
6s. 6d., as compared with 1841,6361. ls. Id. for the six months
ending 4th January, 1852, and 177,6454. 13s. 7d. up to the
4th July, 1862. The expenditure during the half-year is
346,6151. 7s. 96., which deducted from 448,7691. Is. 16.
leaves a balance of 102,1631. 13s. 4d., as the net profit from
the half-year's working, which added to the balance from
last half-year amounts to 106,8901.65. 4d., not taking into
account a aim of 2,6191. 5.. Bd. is eounezion with the traffic
on the East Anglian and Shepreth and Hitchin lines,
expended for sheets and sacks in addition to the
ordinary expenditure for them purposes, and the
whole of which has been charged to revenue.
This balance has enabled your directors, after paying in-
terest on guarantees and loans, to declare a dividend of 6s.
per share, amounting to 102,6161. 10. Bd., end to carry
forward 4,3741. 16s. Bd. to the credit of next half-year.
Your directors have adopted the recommendation contained
in their last report by making the interest on tbs guaranteed
stock payable on the Ist of March and let of September,
the warrants for which will be issued on the same sheet as
that for the dividend on the consolidated stock of the com-
pany. The locomotive accounts are very satisfactory, ex-
hibiting a reduction of 1,4831. 14s. lid., although there is
an excess of 213,866 miles run."
The report then sets forth that the directors have adopted
measures for providing additional plant and stition accom-
modation.

YORE AND NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY.—The
report of the directors, to be submitted to the half-
yearly meeting of proprietors, to be held in the De
Grey Rooms, in the city of York, on the 23rd instant, states
that the gross revenue of the company for the half year
amounts to 266,3141. 16e. 10d.;
_and the working expenses
and Unties to 96,0461. Si. lid., leaving a net profit of
160,2691.135. 211. From this must be deducted rent of Hull
and Selby Railway, 33,0001 ; interest on debentures, pre
ference share., Itc., 67,8261.6 e. 6d. ; reserve for renewal of
permanent way, 15,1381. 9s. 6d.; loss by fire at Hull,
1,6391.75. 4d. ; and adding the balance of 6951. 18e. 9d.
brought forward from last half-year, them remains
53,2521. 9s. 7d. applicable to divideLd on the ordinary
stock. The directors recommend that a dividend be de-
clared on this stock at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum,
laving a balance of 4,9211. 12a. Id. to be carried to the
seedit of the current half-year.
NORTHERN AND EASTERN RALLWAY.—Yeeterday
the half-yea meeting of the shareholders in this com-
pmy was heat the Station, Bisbopegats. Mr. Richard
P•111111KS took the chair. The report stated that the dini-
asides the emmetbre shares of this company for the half-
year maw the 31st of December last, will become pay-
able an and after Friday, the 26th instant, and will be as
Mean, viz.—On shares guaraateed 5 per cent. per anaum,
11. des. each; on shares guaranteed 6 per cent. per annum,
11. 10s. each ; less property tax. The adoption of the re-
port was carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned.
MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LINCOLNSHIRE
RAILWAY.—Tbe report of the directors states that, under
the head of capital mount, the expenditure fur the half-
year intonate to 164,9961. Is. 2d., of which 43,1491.45. le
for new India; stock. The only works of importance now
in progress are Grimsby Docks and the Barnsley Branch.
With respect to the former, it must be observed, that
although the dock itself is apse for traffic, there are •
variety of adjunct worka still incomplete, and this item
cannot at preemie be closed. These works will be in excess
of the estimates laid before the shareholders in February,
1850, in consequence of the occurrence of slips and other
eontlageeafee, over whisk the directors could have no
eon ; but the proprieties may rant assured, that no
money has been expended heystil what has boa found ab-
solutely sawasity. The eiminstion of these works, and
the espendienran have ben under the constant surveillance
el direst= iseident ha Liminshire. The Barnsley
Been* b sew pregresdeg my rapidly, ads expected
to be emlided in the autumn of the preens
year, is time is etheemedate the winter coal trade.
Aseeststhis of the theeitm et the present half year with
time el themoveepeoillso wild of 1861, shows a decrease
of
1,771 i. 17a. 9d. la the Mile, and an increase of
9,9911. I2s. 6d en ether a of traffic ; or, an in-
crease of 72191.14 e. 9d. is the traffic receipts of the loll-
year. This comparatively small improvement arises from
the loss of the Great Northern through traffic, formerly
carried over thirteen miles of this company's line between
Retford and Sykes, but ceasing to be so conveyed upon the
opening of their Towns line in July last. The abstraction
of this traffic entailed a lies of about 12,0001. for the half
year, ofwhich upwards of 6,0001. was for passenger traffic,
and being subject to no working charges, except mainte-
nance of way, the actual loss to the company may be taken
at nearly double this amount. When it is remembered
that not only has this serious deficiency been made up
from other resources of the line, but a further increase of
7,2191. obtained, the director think they may justly con-
gratulate the shareholders upon the steady increase in the
boea fide traffic of the line, which they hope still further to
augment in the current year.
Mounts AND Mousz RAlLWAY.—Yesterday, the
half-yearly meeting of this company was held at the
office in lloorpte street, City. W. P. Richards, Esq.,
took the chair on the occasion. The directors' report
has already appeared in the Daily Nom After a few
observations from the chairman, he moved the adop-
tion of the report, which was seconded, and was agreed to
unanimously.—Mr. John Brown asked if the 10 per cent.
preference stock would all be paid off this year ?—The
Chairman observed that it would in August, as the com-
pany had the means of dourg it. (Hear.)—A Proprietor
asked how their large balance was deposited I—The Chair-
man said a small portion was at Messrs. Hankey's, and the
greater portion at the Union Bank, and at the
Bank of Belgium, at in interest of 2 per cent.
Mr. Hall asked when the 7 would complete the whole of the
works I—The Managing Director said it was expected to be
finished by the Ist of May, 1864. The Belgian government
expected the truck finished by the let of January, 1655,
and the branches by January,
1866. Thus they would be
finished nine months earlier than was contemplated. (Hear.)
—Mr. Hall asked if they intended to publish the weekly
traffic I—The Chairman said it was now weekly published.
—The meeting was then made special, for the consideration
of certain alterations proposed in the statutes of the corn-
pan
y.—The Secretary then read a list of certain alterations
rendered neosesary from the increase of capital.—Mr. John
Brown asked how many more of the 23,000 preference
shares they intended to issue, in addition to the 6,000
issued.—The Chairman said they had permission to issue
all, with the consent of the shareholders, hut they intended
only to issue 10,000, for which they had power, and there
was no necessity for inning more at present.—The statutes
having been adopted, a vote of thanks was passed to the
chairman and directors, and the meeting adj d