The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-07-14 00:00:00

)alances

THE COLLISION IN THE RIVER,

TFIE ADJOIIR►\ED INQUEST, ON SATURDAY.

The adjourned inquest upon the bodies of the individuals
killed during the late fatal collision in the river was resumed
on Saturday morning, at nine o'clock, in the Crown Court,
St. George's Hall; In the absence of the coroner, Mr. Curry,
who was prevented by serious illness from attending, the
evidence was taken before Mr. Statham, deputy coroner. The
legal gentlemen were all in attendance as before. A proposi-
tion was made that the proceedings should be adjourned for
some days until the coroner should be enabled to attend, in
order to avoid the inconvenience of having the evidence taken
before two parties. This course was strongly urged by Mr.
Bremner, on behalf of the pilot, but was opposed by some of
the jury, who considered that some portio❑ of the evidence
should be proceeded with that day. Finally the deputy coroner
decided upon proceeding with the evidence.
The first witness called was Martin Garvey, an Irish
labourer, who deposed that he was on board the Mail at the
time of the fatal occurrence. He sated that he was lying
under a shed on the forecastle deck. When he heard the
noise he got up, and got into the Belfast boat (the Excelsior.)
He was turned back again—the people on board told him
whether he was dead or alive he should go hack to his own
vessel. He went back again on board the Mail. Was brought
to Liverpool in another steamer (the tug.) Was not hurt at
all. Did not see any of the parties who had been hurt until he
came into Liverpool.
To Mr. Raffles : I do not know whether the people on
hoard the Mail were attentive to the parties who were hurt.
When we got to Liverpool I saw some of them taken to the
deadhouse.
To Mr. Aspinall : I jumped on board the Belfast boat just
at the time she struck, when all the people were running
forward. I said I was " kilt," and they sold " kilt" or not I
should go back. I went back into the boat I came from
Dublin in.
Thomas Corley, labourer, from the county Mayo, deposed
that he was on board the Mail at the time. Was on the deck
near the centre of the vessel. When the vessel struck, he
went up to where the sailors were. Made a charge to get on
hoard the Belfast boat, but they would not allow him. The
people on board the Belfast boat said if he went there they
would throw him in the water. As soon as he got an oppor-
tunity, however, he did get on board the Belfast boat. He
saw them turning out the other people who had come from the
Mail, and he went and hid himself. Saw another steamer, a
tug, come alongside, and he got on board it. Saw some of the
people who had been hurt when he got to the quay. They
wet e all landed before he saw them.
To Mr. Raffles : Before I got on board the Belfast boat I
saw two men crushed. I got on board as quickly as I could.
I heard some of the people calling out for help. Before the
vessel struck I heard soma men on board the Mail calling out
" stop her, stop her." Heard nothing else except that. Heard
no warning given to the passengers forward. Did not see
anything from on board the Belfast boat tall on the passengers
i❑ the Mail. Most of the passengers in the Mail were in the
part of the ship where she was struck.
To Mr. Aspinall : W s so mud' frightened that he did not
take much notice. Was very much frightened when he
jumped on hoard the Belfast boat. Thought the Mail was
sinking, Did not hear any one say the Belfast boat was
sirking. The people on board the Belfast boat said there was
no danger, and that he had better go back on board the Mail,
or he would be taken to Belfast. Immediately after the
collision rockets were sent up from both steamers, and Caen the
tugs came. There might he eight or ten persons, or more, got on
board the tug boat from the Belfast boat. A gentleman on board
the tug boat helped witness on board. Does not know who the
gentleman was. Thinks he might have been nearly an hour
on board the Belfast boat.
To Mr. Blair : Was hiding behind a shed in the Belfast
boat until the tug came. Had not been sleeping before the
collision. Five minutes before it had been down near the
engine. Had just laid down on the deck when the other vessel
struck. When he heard the noise first he was getting up to
see if they were ashore, but had not time to get up before the
collision took place.
William Redington, labourer, farm the county Galway,
deposed that when the collision took place he was struck in the
leg and hurt. He tried to get on board the Belfast boat, but
was drive❑ back. He beggt dof them to save his life, and he
did finally get on board the Belfast boat, where he remained
until the tug came alongside, when he was taken off. He
went again on board the Mail to see if there were any persons
butt whom lie knew. Saw a number of persons killed.
To Mr. Blair: Heard a warning given, by the captain four
or five times shouting. just before the vessel struck.
Thomas Gurney White,- mate of the Mail steamer, deposed :
I left Dublin on Saturday afternoon. The usual lights were
displayed. We passed the north-west light-ship at 12.30 a.m.
We rounded the Rock lighthouse at 1.30. I was then on the
forecastle deck. The boatswain was at the helm. The captain
was on the saloon deck. All bands were on deck. After we
rounded the Rock lighthouse we kept South or south east,
keeping near tiro Cheshire shore, according to the usual
practice. There were some vessels at anchor there, but not so
many as usual, between the Rock and Egremont. We were
then going about ten knots an hour. I believe we were going
at the full speed of the vessel. It was a cloudy night over head,
but clear for seeing lights. I could see the range of lights
along !the docks very well, When we passed the Rock
lighthouse we were about half a cable's length from the Ripp
Rapp buoy. That would be about forty-five or fifty fathoms.
Immediately after passing the Rock light, I saw the steamer
which turned out to be the Excelsior. I saw her lights,
all ;three of them. Sho was corning towards us. I
knew she was in motion, for a steamer does not exhibit her
lights unless she is in motion. She was coming a little on our
port bow. I should think she was rather better than a mile
from us. The order was given by the captain of our vessel to
port. The order was obeyed. Immediately afterwards I saw
a vessel at anchor close on our starboard. I reported this, and
the captain then came forward, and looked at it himself. He
ordered the helm to be steadied. The Excelsior was then
about a point and a half upon our port bow. The Mail passed
close to the brig on her starboard side. When abreast of the
brig, I saw the Excelsior's lights alter. Her red light had
been open to us up to this time, but it now shut in, and the
green light shelved broader. The green light had been
previously partly shut in, and for a little time shut in altogether.
After we passed the brig at anchor, our helm had been ported
again. As soon as I saw the lights alter, I said to the captain,
" that fellow is starboarding." The captain's order was
immediately, " hard a port —slow her—stop her." The
Excelsior was then four or five ship's length from them. I
hailed-the steamer, and shouted, " port your helm," two or
three times, as loud as I could shout. I received no answer.
She kept her course and came into us, striking us upon the
port bow. There was a very great shock. Our engines had
been stopped, but she had some way on her. It
was very near high water. We were cut down
to the water's edge, nearly into the foremast. The
windlass bit was carded away, and the windlass forced aft
from its position; it was forced upon several of the passengers.
Our bowsprit was carried away. The captain immediately
ordered us to see our boats cleared ; I did so. I sent the
carpenter down to sound the pumps, who reported there was
no water. We sent up some rockets and blue lights. Some
person onboard the Excelsior said, " this is a bad job ;" I said
it is a very sad job—what could you be thinking of, or what
could you be doing ?" The other said, "it was not my fault
the pilot was in charge." I took this person to be the captain
of the Excelsior. We then tried to render all the assistance
we could to the wounded passengers. The bight of the
Excelsior's cable got over the Mail's fall bit. We tried to get
it clear, but could not for some time. Some men from the
Excelsior came on board and tried to unshackle it, but could
not; they then unshackled the other end on board the Excel-
sior, and left it all on board the Mail. At the time the col-
lision took place the greater past of the passengers wore under
the spar deck. Some were killed of tho-e forward on the port
side, and o: hers very badly hurt. The Mail was taken up to
the Clarence pier, and the passengers landed. I went on
shore, and called at the company's office for assistance. I
went up to the top of Regent-street for a doctor, and Mr.
Stewart came down ditectly. The wounded were taken to the
hospital and the dead to the deadhouse. The lights on board
the Mail were in proper trim that night, and they were bright
coming up the channel. I seldom go forward without looking
at the lights, amid if they were not burning brightly then I am
confident I would have observed them. There were no sails
set. The wind was about north- west. Two seamen were on
our look-out. There was a light breeze. To the best of my
belief the Mail was abreast of the magazines at the time the
collision took place, and nearly half a mile from the shore.
The strength of the tide was done.
To a Juror : The collision appeared to me inevitable about
a minute or more before it occurred. There was no warning
given, except my shouting to the other vessel to port her

Mail's bow,

helm.
To Mr. Aspinall : After we rounded the lighthouse, our
course was about south, or south-easterly. Our vessel was
straight up the river when we saw the Excelsior. We had
perhaps half a mile,
or a little better, to run before getting to
the Maria, the brig already spoken of. We might be about a
quarter of a mile from her at the time we steadied the helm,
The helm was ported a little up to that time, and she paid off
perhaps a point and a half. I cannot say whether the helm
was altered at all from the time it was first ported
until it was steadied to pass the Maria. I did not
hear any order given from the time the order
was given to port, until the order to steady. I cannot say
whether the vessel paid off continuously to the westward,
until the order was given to steady. The helm was not put
hard a-port until we were abreast of the Maria. When we
were abreast of the Maria I heard the order given to put the
helm hard a-port. We might be then seven or eight vessels'
lengths how the spot where the collision took place. The
Mail paid off, I should think, about three points before the
collision, from the first order to part. Immediately on passing
the brig the helm was ported a second time, but it was not put
hard a.port until they saw that the other vessel was starboard-
ing. Our helm was a-port when the red light disappeared.
We were at that moment nearly abreast of the Maria. Had
the Excelsior maintained her course, then she would have gone
clear of the Mail. There would have been time to pa•s an
order to reverse. I cannot say whether there would have been
time to reverse or not. Screw vessels do not come astern very
readily. We were not heading direct towards the Cheshire
shore at the time of the collision. 'Thinks they could have

then docked straight in. They were not pressed for time to

To Mr. Raffles : Gave no warning to the passengsits, as ho
supposel they were sate even at the time he saw the collision

was inevitable. Saw they would he struck forward. When
they steadied their helm to pass the Maria heard no order given
to " slow." There did not seem to he occasion for it, vol.
would there have been had the Excelsior pursued the courso
she was then on.

To Mr. Bremner : The lull of the Excelsior's how carri d

away the bits of the hull of the Mai"s bowsprit, and the how.
sprit fell overbo rd. The iron on which the figure-head rested
was not regularly turned away by the blow. Parts of the iron

plates of the port bow were curled oulwards and baelcvmd,,
After the collision the Excelsior was still" jumping" on th, is
bow, end might have given that direction to the iron. Pio
vessels were locked together for about ten minutes. .11;

was the port bow of the Excelsior which was fast with ti

She was locked in the Mail about twenty fe

from her bow.

The Excelsior's bow was projecting

over ti

Mail's deck some six feet. The iron stanchion in front of 11:
light would be about an inch and a quarter in diameter
There were about eight or nine stanchions from that to tat
how of the vessel. The netting is about two and a half fc

above the spar deck. The chain plates of the Mail come nr,
inside the bulwarks, and is sure the dead eyes cannot he in a
line with the light. To the best of his belief the point where tl.e
lights are is the extreme beam of the ship. She begins
taper from ve, y near the lights. Has been in the Mail sine,:
last January. Coil their hawser on the forecastle deck._ Tho

top of the coil would not he a foot from the spar deck
always dock from the Chcsire coast. It is the usual practie
with stf amers. Means to say that keeping close to tl
north buoy they can come as close to the Cheshire shot(
as they like, at any speed. Did keep close to the Cheshire short)
on coming round on this occasion. Had no conversation with
the captain as to how they were to dock. Was spoken by en
pilot boat that night. Was on deck when they passed the
N.W. light-ship. Will swear they were not signalled by a
pilot that night. After passing the N.W. light-ship passed
a small craft with a " flash" light. It is the same light
used by all coasting; vessels. It was the same light also that

Nearl v

pilots signal with—they have also a green light. - The smti'l
craft they passed did not show that. Does not know why
they dirt not then stop—he was not in command of the
vessel. His watch was up at half-past eleven o'clock, and they
passed the light ship at half-past twelve o'clock. Reported
the light , and the Mail ported her helm. Did not hear it

then observed that it was a pilot boat. Merely reported " a
light on the starboard bow" to the captain. Could have docks d
even if they had stopped for a pilot—were not pinched for time.
It is not usual to find a pilot so far inside the Channel. Did
not look for a pilot anywhere.
To Mr. Blair : Saw the Mail pay off to port when the
Excelsior came in sight. She continued so until the order to
" steady" was given. At the time the second order to port
was given, could see the red light of the Excelsior. Had the
Excelsior continued the same course they would have safely
passed each other; there was nothing to prevent her doing so.
The point where the collision took place was half a mile from
high water mark on the Cheshire side, and about three
quarters or a mile from the centre of the river. The Mail
was on the right side according to the act of parliament.
Endeavoured to prevent the cAision by hailing the Excelsior
as loud as possible. Was hailing her from the time the engines
were stopped. The Excelsior has a clipper bow. The last
' deck beam broken by the collision is about three feet before
the foremast. The Mail was cut more than half across the
deck.

It being here shown to the witness that the extreme width
of the river was a mile as the point of collision, the witness
corrected his previous evidence, and said that be considered
they were only a quarter of a mile from the Cheshire shore.
To a Juror (Mr. Rawle) : Had no idea that the collision
would be so serious, nor did he know that the passengers were
lying to the fore of the windlass. The Mail's spar deck is
very extensive.
To another Juror: The captain and crew were peifeetly
sober. If the passengers had been seafaring people they might
hive been awakened in a minute before the collision.
The inquest was then further adjourned to ten o'clock on
Wednesday week (23rd inst.)

ST. PETERSBURG, JULY s.—There have been many acci-
dents between this and Cronstadt among the craft, and many
hive been sunk and stranded, owing to heavy gales and

badness of the weather.

STREET Rows.—On Saturday evening, a man timed
Henry Duncan. was coming along Barmouth Street, when
be was knocked down by some " roughs," and received a
scalp wound and ether injuries.
FATAL ACClEM.lT.—Yesterday Henry Jackson, who was
so severely injured at the Stanley Dock warehouse on the
18th of last month, expired after most acute Eufferiz.g in
the Northern Hospital. An inquest will be hold this
day.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE.—The Lord Bishop of
Manchester has licensed the Rev. Edward Owen, 8.A., to
the stipendiary curacy of the new parish churo,h of St.
George, diulnie ; and the Rev. John Parry Winder to the
stipendiary curacy of the new parish church of St. Stephen,
Salford.

NEW SURROGATE, —The Worshipful the Chancellor of
the diocese of Manchester (Dr. Haggard) has, on the nomi-
nation of the Lord Bishop, appointed the flee. William
Harper Brandreth, rector of Standish, near Wigan, and
honorary canon of the cathedral church of Manchester, to be
one of his surrogates.
FIRE.—On Saturday morning, about eight o'clock,
a fire broke out on the premises of Mr. M'Eachen, cork
manufacturer, Cooper's row. The fire originated in the
cellar, caused by burning cork. The damages are
estimated at ahout ; but we believe the promises are
insured in the Atlas, Manchester, and Globe Insurance
Offices. The West of England engines, and the Fire
Brigade from Temple Court, were quickly on the spot,
and rendered prompt assistance.
Tsi LATE COLLISION ON THE RIVER.—The poor marl,
Killhorn, who was so severely injured on bo ird the Mail
steamer, on Sunday morning week, still remains in a veil
precarious state, and but slight hopes are entertained of his
ultimate recovery. Yesterday, the man Morn was so far
recovered as to be able to leave the hospital, where he has
been an inmate since Saturday week. .

DEATII FROM INTEMPERANCE.— At an early hour
yesterday morning Charles Willcox, of No. 11, Great
Howard-street, was admitted into the Northern Hospital,
he being at the time in a state of intoxication, having beer'
drinking for several days. The stomach pump was applied,
but to no effect, as he died a few hours after he wag
admitted. An inquest will be held this day.
BANKRUPTCY COURT.—We have been requested to
publish the following erratum from the London Gazette of
Friday last :—" The notice of an adjudication of baTikrupte,
against Thomas Hollingsworth, of Liverpool, in the cauntf
of Lancaster, timber merchant, dialer and chapman, in rho
Gazette of the Bth inst., was advertised through rui3take
and inadvertence, the name of Thomas Floilingsworth
having been substituted for that of Messrs. Neale and Co "
LIVERPOOL ROYAL INFIRMARY.--Week ending July 12t
1856—Admitted: In-patients, 31 ; out-patients, 8; casuals
during week, 13. Discharged: In-patients cured, 21;
relieved, and at own request, 7 ; made out patients, 4 ;
irregular, 2; dead, 2. Remain in the house, 159. House
Visitors : J. G. Livingston and Alfred North, Eiqro.
Physician and Surgeon for ensuing week : Dr. Dickinson
and Mr, Stubbs. House Surgeon : Edward Morris. Junior
House Surgeon: Mr. Cecil Webster. Chaplain : Rev. 11.
J. Garrod, B.A. Treasurer : Robert Hutchison.
A FETE-DAY AT B maxi:notion. PooL.—Faturdal
afternoon was a fete day in the neighbourhood or
Brombrough Pool, the proceedings comprising a flower
show, a cricket match, and a bag eliampetre in the ever''
ing, got up by the employes of Price's Patent Candle
Works, for the amusement of themselves and their
families. It is known that this company have a similar
establishment in London, and in connection with both,
a system for improving the social condition of the
artisans employed, has been carried out with the most
wa-ked success. On Saturday, the display was there-
fore more a horticultural than a floral exhibition. The
prizes given were made up of subscriptions among the
exhibitors themselves, and competent judges were ar
pointed from disinterested parties. The show tent via;
pitched in a spacious field, beautifully situated on the
margin of the river, and on which there is a cricket
ground, a bowling green, and other conveniences for the
indulgence of out door ainusetnents. At the rear of the
tent was a quadrangular enclosure, roofed in round the
sides, and at the end opposite the flower tent was °
museum of curiosities, scientific and topographical, coil'
trihuted by Mr. Atcher, the chemist or the establishment'
The heavy rain of Saturday morning threatened t
do
interfere ‘%ith the success of the fete, but as it cleared oti
about one o'clock, a little energy on the part of the
managing committee soon put everything in order. The
gala was enjoyed without the work of the manufacte.J
being interfered with, or the wages of the art;;ans cur
ctaoiulersde,biyn
florussitoafndtivmeeg.et Tbihe
show
•1.11.. there were also s.:lo°
°MP...Sy excelled, of
good flower plants groWll on the "c Bony." softie
monster bouquets were exhibited, and one of wild'
flowers evidenced considerable skill and industry in the,
assortment of the specimens which it contained. Abi,"
four o'clock a cricket match was commenced betty e°
the Brombrough Pool and the Birkenhead Victort°
Clnhs. On account of the state of the ground only ("le,
innings on each side was played, and the victory ti'o
time was with the Brombrough Pool club by a majo,itt
of 22 runs, the scores being—Victoria, 31 ; Brombrou-t"
Pool, 53. The game concluded, the cricketers sat (1,011
to an excellent tea, with 400 others, provided by
workmen themselves. Tea over, the company adjourite
gwere
to the bowling green, and a bill a/ fresco coinmenced to
the strains of " sweet music," well " discoursed ~by the
powerful brass
ro bandb belonging
bto y
severalt e est a
ladiesblis hm
ae 10,
Tice happy ti
gentlemen from Bebbington and Liverpool, and forene)s
i joined
in promoting the enjoyment of the company was the
Rev, Mr- Hamp, the respected minister of this privilege t
community. The joy of all was exuberant, with'°
the slightest trait of coarseness, and quadrille and poll'``'
and the characteristic country dance followed each 00'3
in quick succession, until the shades of evening closet,
upon this scene of innocent enjoyment, and brought t"
fete-day to a fitting termination.