The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-12 00:00:00

THE STRIKE OF ENGINE-DRIVERS ON THE
NORTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.

A. reported yesterday the goods and mineral
engine-driven and firemen on the North-Eastern Rail-
way at Newcastle and Darlington have struck work.
I To them must now be added the guards of the several
trains, who have refused to act with new drivers, and '
who also have • grievance of their own requiring that
the shall have fewer hours of labour, and that some
es should have an increase of wages. The appre-
ension that the passenger drivers and firemen would
follow the example set them by the other men has only
been verified in a few oases, though on the 200 miles of
the Stockton and Darlington Railway not only have the
majority of the goods drivers turned out, but a large
number of the passenger drivers also left work yester-
day morning, and much difficulty has been experienced
in working the traffic on the line. The men on the latter
line have no grievance of their own, but have turned
out in support of their fellow-workmen on the North-
Eastern. There have however, notwithstanding the
defection of both drivenand guards, been found
men enough to work the ordinary traffic, and yester-
day morning before ten o'clock about a down goods
and mineral trains went forward from Darlington.
It was found later yesterday that the report that the
engine-drivers and firemen of the Stockton and Darlingtoa
Railway had struck was correct, and the movement has
taken more formidable dimensions en that line than on
the North Eastern proper, as the greater part of the par
senger as well as mineral drivers did not go on yesterday.
About a dozen drivers, who were not in the union, how-
ever, were found to take all out trains from Darlington,
but these trains due at Darlington from the several
branches and different parts of the line failed to make
their appearance, and the passenger traffic on the whole
line, although the defection of the men was partially re-
paired, was seriously interfered with. In one instance a
passenger train left Consett, and on arriving at Sunnyside
near Bishop Auckland, the driver having left, the trait:
with the unfortunate passengers had to remain some
hours before they could be brotight on to Darlington. On
the North Eastern line the passenger trains up to yeeter-
day afternoon had all been kept rousing, though on
many of the engines new drivers were observed. The men
have called a general meeting of their members for Sun-
day next. The President of the United Engine and Fire-
men's Union arrived in Darlington yesterday from Lc. tdon,
r and has been consulting with the men. The strike vi the
guards has entirely been sectional, and has in n i in-
stance extended to passenger trains.
The turn-out of t e engmemen, firemen, and guard has
extended to the three branch lines from Hartlepool to
Stockton, Ferryhill, and Sunderland. On all the sections
the superintendents and foremen over the engine depart-
ments have been running the passenger trains, but the line
connecting the two Hartlepools has not been employed
during yesterday. One or two of the mid-day train were
not run, and none of the mineral or merchandise trains.
A cmantity of dab came in with the baste, and there being
• risk in the transit, it was sold in town at lower rates.
Fresh herrings were selling at 3s. per 120.
Last night the North• Eastern Railway Company publialied
as a notice that, owing to a strike of the enginemen, the ser-
vice of trains between Hull, Milford, and Leeds would be
. limited to five trains from Hull and eight from Leeds and
Milford per day. The trains from Hull to Leeds, Re.,
leave at 5.50 a.m., 8.50 a.m., lff 40 a.m., 2.20 p.m., 4.10
p.m., and 8.30 pm. (mail) • and from Leeds, Mil-
ford, to Hull at 2.14 a.m. (Lien), 7.5 a.m., 9.45 am.,
12.55 p.m., 4.45 p.m. (from Brough, Ferriby, and Hessle
only), 5.10 p.m., 7.10 p.m., and 10.5 p.m. (from Milford
only express). The train from Starke' to Hull are
limited to three, and a like number in the opposite direc-
t tion, viz., at 6.40 a.m., 12.30 p.m., and 6.0 p.m. from
Hull, and at 6.20 am., 11.35 am., and 4.40 p.m. from
Scarbro'. The number of trains on the Market Weighton,
Withernses, and Homan branches to Hull is also re-
duced.

The North Eastern board has resolved to summon the
instigators of the strike before the Newcastle magistrate,.
If the proceedings are successful, they will do the same at
other places. Notices have been issued that the time
bills must be considered in abeyance. Trains are to run
as may be found practicable. Goods received conditionally
on tr.iins being run.

INSTITUTION OP NAVAL ARCHITILTA. —The
annual meetings of this institution commenced yesterday
in the hall of the Society of Arts, John-street, Adelphi ;
the Right Hon. Sir J. Pakington, the president, in the
chair. After the reading of the annual report, which gave
an unfavourable account of the financial position of the
institution, the President delivered his annual address.
While expressing his regret that the finances of the insti-
tution were not in a satisfactory state, lie believed he was
warranted in using the language of congratulation with re-
gard to the action that had been taken by the council
during the past year. As the society would shortly be
compelled to leave their offices in Adelphi-terrace he
wished to state that he had communicated with the
Duke of Marlborough, as President of the Council,
with the view of securing accommodation in one of

the government departmenis.. He regretted that the
reply be had received from his grace was of
an unfavourable character, but he believed that
considering the national importance of the institution
there would at some future time be no difficulty in pro-
viding accommodation in Somerset-house. He would
Bunted to the council whether it would not be worth
while to make an application to the Admiralty for an
annual grant, which he thought would be justified by the
national objects of the institution. Referring to • report
based upon the resolution passed by the members at their
last meeting, relating to the safety of iron ships, and
which was introduced in consequence of the wrecks of the
London and Amelia. he said the attention of able and
scientific men could not be given to questions of more im-
portance than those involved, namely, the architectural
skill with which our passenger ships were constructed,
and the state of the law with regard to that portion
of our subjects who are compelled by their vocations to
cross the seas in those ships. The committee, under
the presidency of Sir Edward Belcher, held fourteen
sittings, and entered carefully and elaborately into the
questions which came before them, and their deliberations
ended in the adoption of a series of suggesti,ms which were
embodied in their report. It was the unanimous opinion of
the committee that the state of the laws affecting passers-
, gen should be made the subject of inquiry by a royal com.
mission. Alluding to the School of Naval Architecture at
South Kensington, the success of which he said was mainly
owing to the Institution of Naval Architects, he regretted
that the number of private pupils was not larger than at
present. The success and usefulness of the school were
proved by the fact that the majority of the private pupils
were foreigners, and he sincerely hoped that the benefit
conferred by it would be shared by a larger number than
those who now received instruction within its walls.
As regarded the question of the turret system, which
divided the nautical world, he was glad to Kay
that it was now in a fair way towards solution, inasmuch
as the Admiralty had given Captain Coles a carte blanch, to
construct the Captain according to his own views. In con-
clusion he expressed the hope that the institution would
be recognised as conferring greet and important advantages
on the country. The chair was then taken by Mr. Lloyd,
one of the vice-presidents, the president haring stated his
inability to be present any longer in consequence of the
premiere of official duties. The special report of the council
on the safety of ships referred to by the right hon. gentle-
man was then read by Mr. Merrefield, the hon. secretary,
and several papers were also read, including one by Mr. Reed,
Chief Constructor of the Navy, " On certain cases of weak-
ness in iron ships," after which the meeting adjourned. An
evening sitting took place, at the termination of which the
proceedings were adjourned till this morning.
From a late hour on Wednesday up to about
noon yesterday a heavy gale from the N.W. swept over
the port of Liverpool, and the damage done to shipping
is serious.
THE ARREARI4 IN CHANCERY. —ln addition to
the arrears in the Common Law Courts mentioned yester-
day, there are only a few in the Court of Chancery.
A DMIMION OF ATTORNEYS. —The number of
articled clerks applying to be admitted attorneys in the
ensuing Easter term, commencing on Monday, is id.

[TWOPENCE

SUFFERINGS OF A SHIPS CASK

A shocking narrative, by survivors of the crew of
the missing whaler Diana, of Hull—which arrived at Ler-
wick • few days ago—of the sufferinp of the ship's
company during • detention of six months in the ice in
Davis' Straits, is pubhabed in the Scotch papers. When
the Diana entered Lerwick Harbour, only five men were
fit for duty, though the whole crew of fifty, with whom she
set sail in May last, were on board. Ten of them were
corpses, and the rest had been brought almost to death's
door by privation and scurvy. When it became evident
on the 3rd of September that the vessel was to he locked
in the ice, Captain Gravill at once pot the crew on short
allowance, not only was she short al previsions,
but it wee found that her supply of coals was such as
would not last above a month from the date of her
imprisonment in the ice. The crew had therefore to
look forward to passing six months in the ice with
• supply of food and fuel only calculated to last them
for two 1 As the ship was not close to the land they
could not expect to shoot or mare many Wanda
to augment their meaty stock of provisions, and •
gloom settled down upon them. During the whole
winter they only caught sixteen seals, four hawks, three
owls, one raven, ten unicorns, and one bear, and they
say that these: animals were no sooner caught,
stripped, and skinned, than they disappeared down
the throats of the ravenous crew ! In their despera-
tion, they had to burn ell the wood they could
safely strip from the vessel. There were on board sixty
casks, each calculated to bold 210 gallons, and these
were first commenced upon, being broken up sad used
for firewood. Then they need the boats' davits, after
this the stimuli booms, then the very yards were
I tales down from the masts, and, " eves the boats'
ears, the misen topgallant yards, a spare and •
' spare mainyard—in fact, everything we could get hold of.
and that would burn, was used as fuel." During the depth
of winter they never lost eight of the sun, and at the
shortest day they had the sun from half-past 10 in the
morning fill 2 in the afternoon. Notwithstanding this, the
cold was so intense that the breath of the men congealed
on the roof and sides of their " bunks " to such an extent
that the ice on them was two inches deep. And
not only so, but the very medicine in the bottles
which were put in at the heads of the berths by the doctor,
so as to be within reach of those who were ill, was actually
frozen, and bad to be taken to the fire to be thawed.
Their ship was embedded firmly in the ice, and on every
side there was a vast and inhospitable snowy wilderness,
which seemed ready to enclose ship and crew is one fearful
winding sheet. The snow also fell heavily at intervals.
Towards the latter end of December, Captain Gravill
began perceptibly to droop, and his new, aggravated
by his distress of mind, carried him off on the 26th
of December. Three of the men, who have returned,
have sailed with Captain Gravill for • period of eighteen
years, and gone with him from ship to ship. They state
that his attention to his crew was beyond all praise.
Several of them were at last compelled to remain in their
berths, till, on the 17th March, there were only about four
or five men, out of a crew (all told) of 50, who were able
Ito go aloft ! To all the horrors of scurvy, severe frost-
bite of the limbs, in several cases was added, and by the
latter end of December it became: evident that fully cur-
-1 third of the whole crew could not survive. On Sm&y the
17th March, the breeze having continued, and • heavy
swell having been caused by it, the ioe around the ship
gave way. After getting deer of it, they made • direct
course for Shetland, but progress was exosedingly slow.
No sooner were they clear of the ice, and hope had again
to animate the crew, than, one by one, those
sated with scurvy began to drop off ; and tse who had
hitherto been able to keep up had to keep their berths.
With the water increasing daily in the hold, the supply of
feud all but exhausted, the ship dismantled fax fuel to
lance an extent as seriously to impair her sailing powers,
with a death occurring almost every day, and with a dia-
tom* of some 1,600 miles to traverse ere they could hope
fs: succour, no wonder that the hearts of the poor fellows
I then failed altogether, and that the hope which bad
buoyed them up through all the dreary winter now de-
-1 serted them, so that they gave themselves up for lost. On
the morstog of the 2nd of April, when they descried land
at Rocneas Von, they felt persuaded that from the manner
in which the Water on the resod, she could
not be kept afloat another day. Ranee Voe is a smell
vii-
L(s, consisting only of five families, ma the villagers
did not descry the Diana until after she had rounded
the headland and was close upon them. Immediately
upon seeing her, one of the villagers put off in a boat, and
piloted the ship into a safe mid of the bay. The whole of
the people in the village, about 40 in number came down
to the beach, and landed those of the crew who were able
to go ashore in boats. They sent on board fresh provisions
for the sick, and also relieved the anew by working the
pumps. When the vessel reached Romeo' N'oe, the bodies
of all the men who had died were on board, the carpenter
having made rough coffins for as many corpses as wood
could be spared for the rest being sewn up in canvas.
There were 14 bodies in all. When those of the Hull men
left who were able to do so, the Diana was still in Roe-
noes Voe ; but it was expected that, with the aid of the
villagers, and of extra hands, stores, he., sent from Ler.
wick by Mr. Leask, she would shortly be refitted se as to
be in a condition to steam round to Lerwick.

THE LONDON TAILORS' MOVEMENT.— Lest even-
ing a general committee and delegate meeting of the
London Tailors' Association was held at the Green Dragon,
Ring-street, Soho, for the purpose of receiving the report
of the delegates sent to Manchester on Tuesday laat. The
delegates who were accompanied back from Manchester by
the president and vice-president of the amalgamated
society, reported that it had been decided at the meeting
held in Manchester on Wednesday that the terms of the
masters' letter should be rejected, and that both the
London and Manchester men act as a united body. In
consequence of this resolution • telegram had been sent
op to the committee of the masters' association request-
ing their ultimatum by Monday next. Should this alti-
r.iatum be unfavourable to the claims of the men, • propo-
sition is then to be made for a general strike.
ISIORTII LONDON RAILWAY.—A Whanicliffe meet-
ing of the proprietors of this railway was held yesterday
at the Ruston station, Mr. Bancroft in the chair, to con-
sider • bill now pending in parliament for widening the
line, and granting various additional pewee to the com-
pany. Mr. Payne, the solicitor, having read the heads of the
bill, the chairman moved, and Mr. Lyon seconded, the usual
formal resolution approving it. A shareholder thereupon
asked for an explanation of its object, and whether there
was a good prospect of the outlay meeting with an ade-
quate return. The chairman, in reply, said the share
capital authorised by the bill was 100,0001., of which
40,0001. was required for the construction of • loop line
from Bow to the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway,
to enable the North London to work in direct conjunction
with that line. The rest of the capital would
be applied principally to widening the line front
Camden Town to Dalston Junction, and thence to Brad-
street. Parliamentary powers already existed for laying
down a single line between the two first-named points ;
but considering the large extent of goods traffic their
agreement with the London and North Western Company
had brought and must bring upon the line, it was felt that
it would be impassable to accommodate it without laying
down another line, and continuing it on to Broad-street.
Under present circumstances the company was unable to
accommodate this growing traffic ; and if these additional
lines were not provided, it might leave the question open
for the establishment of a parallel railway. Another pur-
pose for which the new capital was needed was the con-
centration of the workshops, which were now spread apart
and widely separated from each other. Ceder this
bill they would be brought into one locality,
thereby increasing the facilities for working the
traffic, and securing a considerable saving of the ordinary
expenditure. The London and North Western Company,
who would contribute a portion of the capital in the the.
meter of shareholders, were perfectly witisfied with the
measure, and there could be little doubt that the outlay
would yield a fair return ; 15,0001. a year would give 5
per cent. Replying to other questions the chairman added
that the capital authorised by the bill was deemed suffi-
cient for the work. The bill would in no way alter the
relations between this company anal the London and North
Western, who paid tolls upon rummagers and rates upon
goods, Piet the same as any other company using the
North London line. The resolution was then unanimously
agreed to, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded
the proceedings.
BAHIA AND BAN FRANCTseO RAILWAY COMPANY
(Lruirtia.—The 19th ordinary general meeting was held
yesterday at the Landon Tavern, Ilialiopsgate-street ; Mr.
T. M. M eguelin, M.P., in the chair. In moving the adop-
tion of the report, which had been some days in circula-
' tion, the chairman assured the shareholders that the
dividend recommended for the half-year ending the 31st
of December last had been fairly earned within that pe-
riod. Thu traffic bad not been quite su good as that of the
corresponding half of 1865 but the expenses had not in-
creased, and they were still in a position to divide 3 per
teat. The traffic had suffered from the diminished pro-
duce of the districts through which the line passed, and he
was sorry to say the accounts of the present year's crops
were somewhat discouraging, but by dint of economical
working the directors still 601..1 to improve the future
dividends. Moreover, the Ilnailian egwernuient had re-
solved to divert the cattle traffic of rim province to the
line, which would be the means of mating a considerable
addition to its receipts. The repair.. and reueesla ren-
dered necessary by the floods of IFC.I were proceeding
satisfactorily, and, including the restoration of the Naga
fennel, the money set aside for that object at a previous
meeting would amply suffice for all the damage done. Mr. J.
Morgan seconded the adoption of the report, which was
unanimously agreed to. and the dividend for the half-year
declared payable forthwith. This would absorb 54,0teif.,
and leave • balance of 2,694. to be carried forward. The
retiring directors and auditors were re-elected, and the
proceedings closed in the usual manner.