The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-07 00:00:00

THE LOSS OF THE BIRKENHEAD.

It certainly cannot be imputed a, a fault to the Admi-
ralty or the Government that a naval officer of good re-
pute for skill and competency should in en unhappy
moment of temerity have navigated his ship in so reck-
less a manner. But the Board would not have bee❑ the
Board it it had altogether omitted such an opportunity
of raising itself in public opinion. We must refer our
readers to our Parliamentary report of this day for a
true account of the zeal and energy displaved by the
Admiralty, and our good old friend Sir John bmtnannoy
upon so momentous an occasion. Will it be believed
that the Duke of Northumberland, the Fret Lord, actu-
ally made this reply to a question addressed to him last
night by Lord Monteagle as to the fate of the Birken-
head? "As soon as the news that it was lost reached
the Admiralty by the newspapers, the Admiralty sent
down a message by electric telegraph to the Admiral at
Devonport, to inquire whether there was any truth in
the report; and, if there was, why he had not sent
hie
in-
telligence of it immediately to the Admiralty, u„
r
agents had sent it to the newspapers in London."
answer had been received. Sir John Onun Y
to turn his attention to such petty reattersh al len
e observed
;lee lcss of
the Birkenhead, and of 454 lives. We av •
with
the connexion
that since his meritorious exertiohnass
'received additional
the Amazon, Sir John Ommanney
The
hßoirnkoeunrhs,eaadndwiblle,ennotodoCuobut,rht
help
briewturtno
additionaltahnanks.
step.-7imes.

--- THE MINIE RIFLES.
7 HE
BIRMINGHAM, C ON A CT
uTESZR . we are happy to state
between the master
fgtahnismatkoewrs
for some weeks have existed
hanavcie at length
the differences which
°R•ed, and tha
thespeedilybeenstockerssatisfactorilythat specifications from
were first. received in this
the Board ofOrdnanceoperative
town the likelgun-finishers immediately
ebdeiarteecloYllecregin-Penl
issued a circular to
thetendersfor the con-
guninakerath that
yhto make
tracts stating a
.t e prices they should require
would be for stocking 33. 91,
making for the two branches 16s. To these
and for finishing
3d.,
ands when the Ordnance orders were reeeivedthe
12s.
desuccessful contractors demurred, and offered the old
prices paid for the last line musket—viz,, for finishing
10i. 5d., and 3s. sd. for stocking, or 13s. 10d. for
both branches. Thus matters have stood since Ja-
nuary, and had it not been that the Board of Ordnance
was ultimately compelled to act with promptitude
and decision, the contracts in all probability would
never have been fulfilled by the Birmingham makers,
but have been transferred to Enfield for execution.
The latter end of last week, however, the contractors
received information that if the work was not ac-
cepted yesterday Mr. Lovell, the inspector of small
arms, was authorised to remove the materials which
had already arrived in Birmingham, and that the
contracts into which they had entered would be con-
sidered null and void. This information was given
to the men ; and it was also intimated, that although
the Board of Ordnance had previously resolved that
the Tower work should in future be done in Bir-
mingham, in all probability the rejection of the pre-
sent contracts would have the effect of entirely and
permanently excluding Government orders from Bir-
mingham. This notification had its effect, and
brought the contending parties to terms. The four
contr.cting firms and a deputation from the Gun-
makers' Society (of which Mr. Smith, chairman,
and Mr. Frost, secretary, were membere)
were appointed to state their respective cases
to two arbitrators, and to be bound _ by
._.
their decision. The arbitrators agreed upon weret oL'lr
Westley Richards and Mr. Joseph Bourneed,
with
the
ex-
perienced gulnakers, in no way co
temperate discus-
Odd Fellows'-ball last night, and a temp
Tone-r bu,int bs. The interview took
1
d. The matters
sion of some hours' continuance ensued.
debated „
in dispute, as we are informed, were with the
place at the

' greatest good humour on both sides, and ultimately
the arbitrators decided that the prices paid by the
contractors to the men should be for finishing, 12s. ;
for stocking, 35. 7d. ; thus, for both branches, 15s.
7d., being Lid. less than the demand made by the men,
and ls. 9d. more than the terms offered by the mas-
ters. The masters are also to he liable Lr all risks
over which the stockers and finishers have no control.
Such, as we are informed, are the terms upon which
this long and unpleasant dispute has, to the satisfac-
tion of all parties, been settled. The operatives eu-
logise the kindly feelings manifested by the contract-
ors, and it is to be hoped, now a public calamity, so
far as Birmingham is concerned, has by timely con-
cession been averted, that no further cause of disa-
greement will arise during the execution of the Ord-
nance contract.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
His Grae-t the Duke of Northumberland held a levee
nt the Admir:iity at Whitehall yesterday, and it was at-
tend,d by the tollotring, offiecrs:—
Ceptatns......Tchn C. D. Bay. Gcorgo Manse', Charles
174mundx, Widi4m Smith, Sir Thomas It. T. Thompson,
anti Thomas Bennett.

Commanders—Johri W. Fisch, Edward A. Inglefield,
Charles Hayslon, Herbert G. Austen, Cheesraan Henry
Binstead, Joseph M. Mottle)', John Clavell,. Henry
B,ker, Sir Willuirn S. Thomas, Lewis do Tessrcr Pre-
vost, Th: moss D. Stewart, James Rawstorne, Thomas
Miller, Henry D. Rogers, and John M. Hayes.
L'euto?nants—Fre.neebon S. Tremlett., Edward A.
ll4tekett, George Wacker, Griffith G. Phillips,
ChNeen Maldfn, Samuel U. Wooldridge, and George
T. C. Smith.

Resr-Aelmiral Phipps Hort,by, C. 8., held a levee
yesterday at the Admiralty at Whitehall, which was at-
tended by tie following officers:—
Csp'ains—George Mansel, Thomas Bennett, and T.
L. P. Langharne.
Commanders—Michael Do Cotircy, Williat Neame,
H. Harvey, John G. Wigley, T. D. Stewart, Thomas
Miller, and Charles H. Bedd.es,
Commanders—George C. Kt rr, Benjamin Sharpe, F.
S. Tremlett, Henry B. Everest, Justus B. Kosystra,
George Wa;ker, John H. Glover, Edward A. Blacken,
Samuel 0. Woodbridge, RN., and L. G. F. Match,
Royal Marines.
Masters—J. B. Tucker, Joseph Chegwyn, William
Parker, end S. Spain.
Paymaster and Purser—F. C. Dusautoy.
PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 6.—The utmost distress was
caused here this afternoon by the telegraphic news of
the lots of the Birkenhead steam frigate, the commander
and many others belonging to this port. The news was
scarcely believed, so astounding and sudden was the an-
nouncement. .We cannot attempt to paint the distress
which this calamity has occasioned, but we trust the
locsl authorities will not be behind their neighbouring
officials of Southampton in the desire to alleviate the
knit rings of the relatives of the survivors by organizing
with the utmost alacrity some means of relieving those
now plunged into misery by this harrowing catastrophe,
The long looked-for Vulcan screw troop frigate, Mas-
ter Commander Penn, arrived at Spithead yesterday,
from the Cape of Good Hope (last from Plymouth),
having been upwards of four months on her voyage.
The Court of Inquiry (Captain Purcell, of the Su-
perb; Captain Robinson, of the Arrogant; and Captain
Warden, of the Retribution) which sat last week on
board the Victory to investigate the causes of the An-
telope steam-vessel, Lieutenant-Commander Young, hav-
ing got ashore on the Isle of Wight, having disposed of
that case without the necessity for a court-martial, the
Antelope has since left, under the command of Lieute-
nant Young, for her destination—Gibraltar, to relieve
the Janus.

The Sprightly steam-vessel, Mr. George Allen, Act-
ing Master commanding, returned from the eastward
yesterday.
The Superb, 80, Captain Purcell, will be paid down
at Spithead to morrow.
The Avon steam-tender, Master Commander Veitch,
arrived to-day from Davenport, and proceeded on to the
eastward, after discharging supernumeraries.
The Drake lighter sailed on Monday evening for the
eastward, with stores for the Arctic squadron.

Wind south; weather fine.
SHEERNESS, APRIL 6.—Her Majesty's paddle-wheel
steam-vessel Sprightly, tender to Victory flag-ship,
Portsmouth, Master Commanding Mr. G. Allen, came
in here on Sunday afternoon, and after disembarking a
few seamen gunners for the ships in port, proceeded to
Woolwich.

Her Majesty's ship Waterloo, 120, flag of Vice-
Admiral the Hon. Josceline Percy, Commander-in-Chief
at the Nore, struck her topgallant masts on Monday.
The brig Moses John, Wilson master, from London
for Sunderland, put in hero yesterday morning wind-
bound and short of provisions. Her master reports there
are upwards of 100 sail of light colliers riding between
the Nore and the Mouse.
TEE FLAG Lim—The present number of flag-
officers, including the "active list" (101), "service pen-
sion list " (10), and the " flag officers on reserved half-
pay " (42), is 153—only two more than were on the list
prior to the plan of naval retirement adopted in June,
1851.

THE COAST GUARD RETIREMENT.—The plan of
coast guard retirement for the lieutenants employed on
that service dues not appear to be very highly appre-
ciated. The first class hat, to consist of ten officers at
301. per annum, is filled up; hut on the second class list,
which is to comprise 20 officers at 201. per annum, there
are only three who have accepted it.
ENGINEERS OF THE ROYAL NATY.—A place in the
official Navy List has at length been assigned to the
engineers ot the royal navy, from which it appears there
are of inspectors or machinery afloat, 2; 'chief engineers,
first class, 13; second class ditto, 16; third class ditto,
50. Two ot the first class and eight only of the third
class are unemployed. All the second class are in active

service.
WOOLWICH, APRIL 6.—The Highflyer steam-sloop,
Captain Henry J. Matson, has been placed under orders
to leave Woolwich on Saturday next for Portsmouth.
The Adder steam-vessel arrived at Woolwich to.day
from Cbatham, and brought round two boats and a
quantity of stores.
The alonaey steam-vessel, Second Master Sallenger,
went up the river to-day to Deptford to tow the Isabel
screw steamer, Captain Beatson, to the Downs, on her
way to Behritig Straits in search of Sir John Franklin
and his companions.
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.—Mr. Hay, lecturer on
chemistry at Portsmouth Dockyard, sarived at Wool-
wich to-day, for the purpose of instructing the four bom-
hardiara of the Royal Marine Artillery attached to the
expedition, under the command of Captain Sir Edward
Belcher, C. 8.. in the mode of adjusting the plates cover-
ing and attaching the copper wires and manipulating
the sulphuric acid used in galvanic batteries, it being
intended to take to tho Arctic Regions a number of
tubes charged with 201 b. of gunpowder each, to be used
in bursting the ice, in order to force a passage up Wel-
lington Channel with the steamers of the expedition.
will
whole give
o f t lectures teuffir ce at a safe
The cases will be discharged by the electric fluid from
a galvanic battery, the parties operating being
distance on board the vessels, as long coils of wires will
sersonef the
bo supplied covered with gutta paella. Mr. Hay, after
it may be
soemncboaredfietrhse,
galvanic battery, and the uses to which
ap-
plied,
expedition previous to their leaving Woolwich
onSa-
turday next, the day at present fixed for
proceeding to
Greenhithe. The chain cable
instructingin t et hpereb
testing-house has been
placed at Mr. Hay's control for the facility of carrying
on his instructions, and a b
Titration to-day. battery was in course of pre-
-

THE
PRINCESS'STEEATRE.—Mr. Charles Kean is
rapidly
recovering from his late severe indisposition, and no
doubt is now entertained that he will be able to re-appear in
Majesty
e
the drama of the Corsican Brothers on Monday next. Her
hisßoyal
have Highness Prince Albert, together with
thei sDuchesstyand
of Kent
,F
grarcoiomustlhyesvanatriotuosinrevoirretsoinf Mr.
C. Bean's state of health.
cir-
culation much anxiety has been evinced by the general
public on his account.
DESTITUTION IN THE ISLE OF SKYE.—In conse-
quence of the distress existing in the Isle of Skye, a sermon
has been preached at St. Matthew's Church, Denmark-hill,
by the Rev. Steven Bridge, A.M., in behalf of the suffering
Highlanders. The sum of 1701. has been contributed by
the congregation ; 1051. of which has been paid into Messrs.
Ransom's for the Skye Emigration Fund—the remainder is
appropriated to the relief of present distress.
On Saturday the churchwardens of the parish of
St. Thomas distrained, under a warrant signed by the city
magistrates, on the goods of the Rev. Ignatius Coiling-
ridge, Roman Catholic priest, in consequence of the non-
payment of two church-rates, amounting to twenty-five
shillings. The articles distrained were sold by public auction,
and were purchased by a gentleman of Mr. Collingridge's
congregation, and by him presented to his reverence.
Winchester Journal.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT SHAW FARM. Yesterday
afternoon an inquest was held before T. W. Marlin, Esq.,
the coroner for the borough, at the Town Hall, Windsor, on
the body of William Laurence, aged 54, a labourer in the
employ of his Royal Highness Prince Albert, on the Shaw
Farm, Windsor Home Park. It appeared from the evidence
of John Exell, a fellow-labourer, that the deceased was en—
gaged in cutting hay from a rick, and that on descending a
ladder from the rick, with a cake of hay on his head, his
foot slipped, and he fell with great violence to the ground.
Before witness could render him any assistance, deceased
cried out, in great agony, "I'm a dead man, John; my
back 'a broken." On medical assistance being procured, it
was found that the legs of deceased were paralysed, and the
spine of his back broken. He lingered until Monday morn-
ing, when he expired.--Verdict, " Accidental death' De-
ceased has left a widow and five young children.
RoYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.--At the gn: sr;
terly meeting of the Comitia Majors, held
;e ne-
April 5, the following gentlemen, having -i,d members
cesiary examinations for diploma, were adouran
Dr.
of the college :—Dr. Henry Folkard, Oldgoyai Hospital.
Liebermann, Clapham-road; Dr. P u
rltit'seell-square. Also
Chelsea; Dr. Salter, Montague-street,
'ttedelectors extra licentiat
, Dr. Osborne, Southampton, was admi
_The ot the
ELECTION MOVEMENTS.
addressed by Hercules Ellis,
u rii3d.etrtropnt
of tn(i),
county of Cavan have been addressed
pledges himself in
Esq., barrister-at-law. M .
'll and of the repeal favour
of the Eccle-
siastical Sharman Crawford's Bi
Usiders that the i. N s
siastical Titles Act.
liesecift form unjust and inexpedient,."llt:ceaand
poor-rate arc in their ptree
h poor and public and
that the expenses for
the public Treasury Works should be
defrayed out of
thequestion of the ; and undertakes, if
elected, to bring removal of these taxes
Parliament. He is also of • •
fully beforeopinion that " articles
Produce . g
ought to b
of foreign P be admitted on such terms
will allow to native producers of only
as i . the same articles a fair
remuneration for diligent and skilful labour."
MONEY AIARNET.—The quotation
is about 2 per mills wan. (accordion' otation of gold at Paris
at the English Mint laic to the new tariff ), which,
standard gold, gives an ° of 31. 17s. 10 d. per ounce for
at Pins on Lo , exchange of 25.22 22; and the ex-
changethat gold is about 11.51 per at short being 25.35, it follows
in Paris. By a , . .51 per cent. dearer in London than
is 430 i per mark,
kvices from Hamburgh the price of gold
31. 17s. 10)-d which, at the English Mint price of
2 • per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange
of 13.7 k ; and the exchange at Hamburgh on London at
. being 13.84, it follows that gold 130.40 per Cut.
dears=liz lochticit thug •
174 }IOW e 4