The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-23 00:00:00

THE BARQUE GRASMERE,

The following official report has been presented
to the Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade :

My Lords,—We, the undersigned, Mr. Jusepb. Alexander
Wright and Mr. William West Watson, two of her Ma -
jesty's justices of the peace for the county of Lanark,
have held an official investigation into the stranding and
subsequent less of the barque Grasmere, of the port of
Liverpool, which occurred in the evening of the 17th De-
cember last, near Ballyferris Point, in the county of Down ,
on the east coast of Ireland. In this inquiry we have been
assisted by Captain Harris and Captain Campbell, R.N.,
as nautical assessors, and we have now the honour to re-
port that the Grasmere was a barque built of wood at
Chepstow, in the year 1847, and registered at Liverpool,
of the burthen of 432 tons, and was owned by Messrs.
Lampert and Holt, merchants of Liverpool, and Messrs.
Patrick Henderson and Co., of Glasgow. The Grasmere
was chartered by her Majesty's Emigration Commis-
sioners to carry emigrants from this port to Bluff
Island, in New Zealand. Every requirement of the
Passenger Act appertaining to her outfit had been
complied with under the inspection of the medical
officer, and she ,was in all respects fully and efficiently
equipped. She had on board a crew of 22 hands, a general
cargo, and 114 passengers. Thus manned and equipped,
she sailed from Greenock on the 14th December last; but,
the wind being adverse, the vessel put into Lamlash Bay.
Here she remained, wind bound, until the morning of
the 17th of December, when she departed on her voyage
about 8.30 a.m., with a moderate and favourable wind,
which continued so throughout the day, and a little
after seven o'clock the same evening she was a wreck on the
coast of Ireland. No lives were fortunately lost. The vessel
passed Ailsa Craig about noon, and the coarse deposed to
have been steered, namely, S.W. by S., would, if properly
kept, no doubt have cleared all the dangers of the 1 rich
Channel. That this course could not have been made good is
obvious, for, either from the influence of the ebb tide acting
upon the port bow, or from bad steerage—probably the
former, as the wind was fair and the weather moderate—
the ship was found at 6 p m., when the chief mate came on
deck, nearer to the Irish coast than was expected or was
deemed prudent—in fact, heading directly on the land.
Under these circumstances, the mate himself altered the
course two points further to seaward. At this critical
time it would appear that the master was below and asleep
in the cabin, but, upon being called at seven p.m., he not
only confirmed the prudence of his mate in hauling
the ship off the land, but directed that the course
should be steered still more to seaward, or S. by E., and
while upon this course the vessel struck. In reviewing this
case, it appears to us that great negligence was evinced by
the master in navigating the ship. The weather appears to
have been fine and clear, the wind fair, and the sea smooth,
nothing whatever to perplex or disarrange the reckoning of
a seaman, In fact, the land and lights on both sides of the
Channel were in sight, and the only precaution necessary
was a good look-out, to see that the vessel did not from any
cause approach too near the land. This salutary precaution
does not seem to have been exercised, for we have it in.
evidence that the master was on deck till five p.m., or
about dark. That at this time he gave no directions for
altering the course, but went below to his cabin, although
it would seem that the smallest amount of observation
would have told him that his ship was not in the posi-
tion that the course steered ought to have placed her.
In fact the Grasmere was carelessly and negligently
navigated, and for this we hold the master:responsible.
Under these circumstances, we have no alternative but
to pronounce the master in default, and that the barque
Grasmere was lost by the want of duo care and attention
on the part of her master. We are more inclined to attri-
bute the loss to carelessness than recklessness, and giving
due weight to the proved excellent character of the master,
are disposed to pass a less severe sentence upon him
than we otherwise should have done. Nevertheless, our
duty to the public, as well as what is due to those persona
who have no means of protecting themselves, constrains us
to mark our sense of the negligence of the toaster in such
manner as will show that the interests of emigrants and the
public are not lost sight of by this court. We have thcro-
fore, with the full concurrence of the nautical assessors,
and under the provisions of the. Mereh3nt Shipping Amend-
ment Act, 1862, suspended the certificate of Mr. Charles
Turner, as master of the Gramert, for the periol otz-
x
calendar month s from thi dat e —We liavc the honour, •t
Was. W. WATSON,
JI
We concur in ti,e precediiingy;l.°rHosir)Ao'R;
rAs: iii:NnsaTeu:stji;sli
T. C. CAatrsnr.L,
Glasgow,

BRITISH TRADE has greatly 'increased during the
last 40 years, as a proof of which in 1825 the total amount
of our imports and exports was £96,403,427, while in 1562
they amounted to £393,782,118. In o'her words, they have
more than quadrupled•

BONNET'S SILKS a L YON.—Every Article of
commerce takes its titld either from the inventor or
manufacturer, and the more perfect the production the
grater is the credit which attar :hes to the originator.
BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica-
-
tion in England; bat the tallf,t of such an assertion is ex
pos dby the very trade mark o f the firm, as exhibited by
Messrs. JAY, c t Regent-street.
The following interwoven 'mark may be seen at the end
of each piece :—" Manufacture ,de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., h Lyon
Injurieux." Wear guars arteed.
•

rpE MO the
A) IMTS—Th
Taman and the BriN cklaye. US
&c., in F UNe This Week
—One Penny.

HER MAJES'I!Y'S THEATRE.
FA UST.
(In E nglish.)
THIS EVENING, SAT TRDAY, JANUARY 23.
Lemmens-Sherrinv,ton, T s.ccant, and Florence Lancia.
San.tley, Marchesi, D russek, and Sims Reeves.
Conductor --Signor Arditi.
Commence a t Ei7;ht o'Clock.

ROYAL EN GLISH OPERA,
COVEN T-GARDEN.
Under the ManaEreme nt of Miss Louisa Pyne and
Mr. Al r. Harrison.
THIS EVP:NING, to cc .ramence with (18th time) an en-
tirely new Operetta, entitle d FANCLIETTE. Miss Louisa
Fyne and Mr. W. Harrison .
After which, a Grand Ch ristmas Pantomime, on a scale of
unprecedented magnificence, entitled
ILA.RLEQUIN ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON.
Doors opi mat half-pa st Six—Commence at Seven.

THEATRE ROYAL DRUR Y-L AN E.
ManpuTers, Messy:)- Edmond Falconer and
F. B. Chatterton.
THIS EVENING, the l'erformances will commence with
the New Serio- Comic Drama, by Edmund Falconer, entitled
Zi [GILT AND MORN. Pr incipal characters by Mr. Phelps,
supported by mesors. Ryder, Raynor, Fit zjames, and Misses
R. Leclercq. At Kini.• on, and. Heath.
To conclude with. the new Grand Christmas Comic Panto-
mime of St BAD THE :3AILOR ; or, The Seven Wonders
of the Wor:ld. Clowns, Messrs. H. Boleno and C. Lauri ;
harlequins, Nlessrs. J. Cormack and S. Saville; Pantaloons,
Messrs. A_ Barnes and J. Morris ; Columbines, Madame
Bolen., and atlases Gunnies.
prices as usual. Box Office open from 10 till 5 daily.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter.
BEL DE MONIO (a Triumphant Success) will be repeated
Every Evening during the Week.
THIS ll' V ENDTG, the performance will commence with:a
New and Original Farce, entitled THE LOST CHILD
life4s"s. H. lWiddicombe, Shore, Garden, F. Charles Collett,
Moreland ; ',Misses Percy, Pauline Lezlercq, Wood, Mrs. Lee,
and Miss E. Lavenu.
fi Ater whiah, at Eight o'clock, BEL DEMONIO, a Love
Story, in Tv, •elve Tableaux, taken from Stendhal's "Italian
Chronicle 4," by Mr. John Brougham. Principal charac;
ter by Mr. la, echter, supported by Messrs. Jordan, Charles,
Brougham, E mery, Raymond, Moreland, Smith, Clifford,
Collett, Sims Miss M. lienrade,pliss E. Lavenu,.Mrs. Lee,
and Miss Elra rorthy.
The Public a re entreated to take notice that No Charge is
made to the oo lupants of Boxes, Box-places, or Stalls, either
for play bills or for the safe keeping of hats and cloaks, and
that the attend ants in all parts of the house are forbidden to
receive any gra.,tuities whatever.
Box-of:flee cpen daily from 11 to 5. Commence at 7.

THE AT:RE ROYAL HAYMARKET.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN : Messrs.
Sothern, 13iickstone, Chippendale, Braid, Gordon, Rogers,
Clark, Cul h ntord, &C. ; Mesdames Angel, Snowden, Terry,
Lindley, II ill, &c.
After wb,Sch, KING ARTHUR ; or The Days and Knights
of the Round Table. Messrs. Chipoundalo, Compton, Braid,
Clark, Rog•crs, Tilbury, ; Mesdames L. Keeley, Brough,
Wright, Terry, Lindley, Rogers, &c.
Commence at 7.

110 YA, L PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
S.) le Lesee and Manager, Mr. Gco. Vining.
THIS EV E:NING, DONNA DIANA.
After will cl 1, HARLEQUIN LITTLE TOM TUCKER;
or The }lrv?: Lady of Banbury Cross, and the Old Woman
who Lived in a Shoe and Had so Many Children she didn't
Xnow what to, do,

EW '.THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.--•
Sole I Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVY..:NING, THE .MOTHER AND CHILD
ARE DOING WELL : Mr. J. L. Toole,
kt to Eight, the New Drama of LEAH : Miss Bate-
man, support, :d by Messrs. Arthur Stirling, R. Phillips, Bil-
tngton, Stua rt, Stephenson, Eburne ; Miss H. Simms, and
Mrs. Billiv,c,rton.
To conch de with LADY BELLE BELLE; or, Fortnnio
and his Suv en Illagi3 Men. Messrs. J. Clarke, _Missi
Stephenson ; Miss Woolgar, Miss K. Kelly, Patti
Josephs, !Use L. Laidlaw, Miss Seaman.
Commence at 7.

LEA H.-EVERY NIGHT.
MISS BATEMAN.

MISS BATEMAN._LEAH.-THIS EVENING,
the 97th appearance of the great Tia,gic Actress, Miss
BA.TEMAN, in the character of LEAH. In consequence of
the unbounded success with which Miss Bateman's imperso-
nation of the principal character in the new Five Act Drama
of LEAH has been attended. Mr Webster begs to announce
that it will be performed EVERY EVENING until further
notice.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. under the
Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER.
GW:AT A.TTRACri'lnN.—First Week of Mr. and Mrs.
CHARLES MA T-FIEWS.—Mr. J. L. Thole as !qrs. Brown,
Mr. Phel,:s, Mr. reenter, and Lady Au lley every evening.
1813; or, the Senfuttion4 of the Past Season. until further
notice. Among the artistes who will appear here are Mr.
Benjamin Welvder, Mr. J. L. To: le, Mr. Paul Bedford. and
Mr. Charles Mathews ; Mrs. Stirling., Mrs. Frank Mat-
thews, Miss Cottrell, Miss Wentworth, Miss Fanny Josephs,
and Mrs. Charles Mathews.
THIS EVNINING, and during the Week, at 7, THE
ADVENTUE ES OF A LOVE LETTER; COOL AS A
CUCUMBE R ; and 1883; or, THE SENSATIONS OF
THE PAST SEASON.
In rehearsal, a new Comedy, by Leicester Buckingham,
Esq.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. W. H. Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, ORANGE BLOSSOMS.
After which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEUS
AND EURYDICE : Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton,
Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilton, Hughes, &C.
Followed by MARGATE SANDS.
To conclude with TURN HIM OUT.
Commence at 7.

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Containiri the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
on be had Every Evening of
G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tars; DAY.—Morning, lh. 59m.—Afternoon, 2h. 20m.
ro-trouuww.-Morning, 2h. 36m.—Afternoon, 2h. 56m.

The Weather—Sun Office, Jan. 23, 1864,

THERMOMETER.
This day at Two o'clock 52

Barometer-30.00.
Wind—S.W. ; moderate, and cloudy.

,dt, a''k
Zkg,

LONDON, SATURDAY, JAN. 23, 1864.

The American news is of little importance.
Affairs, both civil and military, continued in that
same hopeless, helpless, undecided state, which this
disastrous war has for so long a period occasioned.
A war of defence, a war inspired by some high
principle, gives nerve to the arm and vigour to the
heart, and electrifies a whole nation with one irre-
sistible impulse. On the other hand, the
sword of the oppressor, as the Great Dra-
matic Poet has it, "is glued with orphans'
tears," and his arm rendered powerless by
a consciousness of injustice. If the American war
were, in truth, es Mr. GIBSOX would fain believe, a
war for the extermination of Slavery, how very
different would be the conduct of the belligerents
and the issue of the battle. As it is, however, the
nation rather resembles a set of operatives suffering
under that greivous mistake—a strike. Activity is
suspended, and a general paralysis prevails. In
such a painful state of things, when the strength of
both opponents is nearly equal, when the determi-
nation inspired by a good cause is counterbalanced
by the obstinacy which not unusually accompanies
a bad one, it is difficult for lookers-on to wait
patienCy for the issue, protracted as that issue is
likely to be,. and fraught it. every case with most
direful results. It is possible that, before long,
some decisive battle may affect the current of
events, and it is even within the limits of probabi-
lity that the voice of prudent friends from without,
or a last remnant of reason from within, may make

itself heard, and arrest at last the fatal work o
destruction. But we must confess that ardor.

Innately, as yet, we see no indication of such a
hippy though tardy result. Among other rumours
in the intel'igenee of to-day, it is said that Mr.
LINCOLN has been already nominated by some
of the States as the new President at
the next election—a choice which does not evidence

an y very great development of the reasoning powers
tif the electors. The hopeful anticipations which
once surrounded the name of ABAAHAN LINCOLN;