Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-11-04 00:00:00

THE INQUEST

The general inquiry into the cause of the wreck,
and of the consequent death of her crew and
passengers, was commenced in the school-room of
Lianallgo parish, at one o'clock to-day, before
Mr. William Jones, coroner for Anglesea. Four
of the bodies found last night and this morning
have been identified by one of the crew as those
of Lambert and Russell, seamen; and Reece and
Davis, third-class passengers. Mr. Davis was a
member of the Jewish persuasion. The Rev. Mr.
Williams, of Tyddyn, and H. Richard, Esq., of
Trascawan, magistrate, attended to see that a
full investigation was gone into. Mr. Mellor, of
Warrington, solicitor, attended for Messrs. Giblyz,

Bright, & Co., the owners of the Royal Charter.
The Coroner apologised for the delay in com-
mencing the inquiry by saying that he had been
obliged to go to the church of Penrhoscligny to
view two bodies. He regretted to say that those
bodies had not yet been identified.

The jury, in the present case, is composed of
very humble - looking men—small farmers and
seafaring persons
The Coroner
any witnesses ?

asked Mr. Bright if he had got

Mr. Bright replied that he had collected all
the witnesses who, he thought, could throw any
light on the matter, and several first-class pas-
sengers were in attendance. Mr. Gapper, a
seconthelass passenger; William Foster, the car-
penter of the ship ; George Sweicar, the boat-
swain's mate ; John O'Brien, sailor Henry Evans,
sailor; and Thomas Cormack, one Of the stewards,
were also in attendance.

The Coroner—ls there any one else present
who wishes to give evidence on this inquiry ?

Several voices—" Mr. Russell."
Mr. Russell then answered to his name
inquiry was proceeded with.

(FRO➢i OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

W. H. Morse—l was one of the saloon passengers
of the Royal Charter, which was wrecked on this
coast on the morning of Wednesday last—The
Royal Charter sailed from Melbourne on the 26th
of August,. bound for Liverpool. There were 61
saloon passengers, and about 300 of the other
passengers. The vessel did not call at any place.
Had a full supply of coal on board, and a full
complement of crew. There were about 110
of the crew altogether. There never was any
difficulty in her sailing up to the day of the
wreck. First saw land on Monday morning,
at daybreak. It was the Irish coast. Landed
some passengers near Cork, on the pilot-boat.
Passed Holyhead about four or five o'clock on the
afternoon of Tuesday. Two passengers landed
at Holyhead, the wind blowing at that time
rather fresh, and against us. The storm con-
tinued to increase, until it came to a perfect
hurricane. About twelve o'clock, when in sight
of Point Lynas, the anchors were let down. Had
seen the captain during the progress of the storm,
but did not speak to him. No one made any
remonstrance to him in my presenCe. Saw him
giving directions and orders to the crew up to
five o'clock on Tuesday evening. At the time
the anchors were put down, did not , notice
anything the matter with the machinery, the
helm, or the screw. Anchors were put down
at from ten o'clock in the evening. At two
o'clocku in the morning, one of the cables got loose,
and another parted about an hour,, afterwards.
Struck on the rocks about three o'clock. It was
but a very slight shock at first. Went up on
deck once after that. She broke in two about
seven o'clock. Heard of the hawser being sent
ashere, but saw nothing of it. Saved my life by
swimming. Had no conversation with the cap-
tain after she struck, but he had some conversation
With the ladies, to whom he said there was no
danger, and that they might shortly walk ashore.
He vas perfectly,sober at the time. Did not see
him or any of the officers once intoxicated thiring
the passage ; everything went on favourably until
the, storm came on. Capt. Withers told the ladies
that `,-they were on a sand beach, but had no con-
versation with Capt. Taylor at all after three o'clock.
By Mr. Bright—There was a testimonial given
to Captain Taylor by the passengers, in which all
the saloon passengers joined except two. Heard
Captain Taylor speak cheerfully to the passengers.
He was coim and collected in speaking with the
ladies. He was down several tithes in the same
temper. The captain's object in coming down
was to order some coffee, of
He was not dining With

occasior

°solicitor,
Oldham-street, • said hc
- - -

several families that had lost friends
Ind relatives by that vessel, and hoped, if he
'`:came a little excitedi they would
Tl, as he himself had lost a brother and a

represehted

sometimes

cousin by the same unfortunate steamer. He
then went on to examine the last witness, who
said that a testimonial had been given to the cap-
tain on the Saturday afternoon, or Monday, pre-
vious to the wreck. Took some riggers on board
after passing Queenstown. Had no such. rough
weather during the passage as they had on Tues-
day last. I only know by hearing that the
riggers were shipped. Captain Taylor was in the
saloon when the anchors got loose from the ship,
and I heard the captain being informed of it.
By Mr. Bright—When the captain heard that
the anchor parted he went up on deck imme-
diately.

The Coroner asked if there were more solicitors
representing families, he wished, for the con-
venience of the public they would entrust one
gentleman to act, so as to facilitate business
which seemed acceptable to all. ,

H. Carew Taylor—l heard some of the evidence
of the last witness, with all of which up to Cork,
I agree. There a portion of the passengers landed.
About half-past 4or near 5 o'clock on Tuesday I went
on deck to see the Great Eastern. It was blowing
very fresh, and it was very foggy. Never saw Capt.
Taylor the whole day ; at least I have no recol-
lection of having seen him. Saw him when I
jumped overboard. Saw him in the saloon when
the ship struck; but have no recollection of hav-
ing seen him on deck. I saw him before daylight
in the saloon, assuring us that all might be landed
in safety shortly, and that the ship was firmly
embedded in the sand ; Captain Withers also
said cheerfully to the ladies, "Why, you will be
able all soon to walk on shore." I was so per-
fectly satisfied that there was no danger, that I
went to bed at eleven o'clock, and afterwards
heard Captain Withers, addressing somebody, say,
" Come directly, I shall take your child." He said
she had struck, or something to that effect ; that
was about half-past two o'clock in the morning.
I jumped out of bed, and looked at the saloon;
when, seeing nobody there, I went up. I then
heard the ship giving_ tremendous jerks or con-

men an
T?

she was aground

Gentle-

greatest consternation

.e end of the saloo

to look tor

found them,
ind the t Jiving of the vessel went on in quicker'
9ssi' . and violence than before. ' I saw the
snip divided in half, and saw Captain Taylor on
deck, lying there with a log of wood tied .to
him. I said to him, "Oh ! Captain Taylor,
what a fearful scene this is." He did not
reply. Another wave came over, when I took
off my coat and jumped overboard. I got
on a piece of wood, to which I saw another man
clinging. After that, I got a piece of board, from
which I was washed twice ; and at last somebody
took hold of my fingers, when near the shore.
My little daughter and nurse were lost. As far
as I know, the captain was perfectly sober—in
fact he was averse to drinking, and he invariably
when invited to take a glass refused it. I lost
everything, except ten sovereigns and my gold
watch. If I thought the captain was tipsy, inever
would have gone to bed.

successio'

By Mr. Bright—Saw Captain Taylor knocked
down by a wave. I jumped overboard for fear of
being killed myself.

By- Mr. Mellor—Saw the captain knocked down
two or three times, and so were the women and
children. About seven o'clock rockets were let
off. I never heard a gun fired. Did not see the
masts cut down. Heard there was a difficulty to
steer the ship. Upon Captain Taylor assuring
the passengers there was no danger the ladies
became pacified, and Mrs. Fenwick ordered her
children to put clean shoes and stockings on.
Thomas Grundy, a saloon passenger—the Royal
Charter passed Queenstown at half-past twelve
on Monday, when 13 passengers went ashore,
and. Holyhead at about five o'clock on Tuesday.
It was blowing rather fresh, and the gale in-
creased. Between six. and seven the captain put
some signals out, and the gun was fired about
nine o'clock. We did not apprehend danger
until the anchor was let off, which was shortly
after 11 o'clock. Saw Captain Taylor previous
to that, on deck, but had no conversation with
him. He seemed perfectly sober, and competent
to give orders, and to be doing his duty. Never
saw the least sign of liquor on him.
This witness was subjected to a severe cross-
examination by Mr. Mellor ; after which the
court was adjourned till the following morning.
The following is a list of the saloon passengers
by the Royal Charter, as nearly as can be
made up :