The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-19 00:00:00

ARMY CONTRACTS.

Commissariat Office, Aldershot, Oct, 9, 1863.
TENDERS will be received at this Office, until
12 o'cicek, noon, on THURSDAY, the sth November,
f 3863, min persons who may be willing to enter into Con-
tract to supply
PAILLASSE S TRAW AND STRAW FOR ROYAL

- -
ENGINEER. SERVICE,
in such quantities as may be required fram the Ist December,
18f3, to 30th November, 1864, for the use of her Majesty's
Forces stationed at Aldershot Camp, and within the com-
mand.
Forms of Tender and Conditions of Contract may be ob-
tained on application at this office, by letter or in person,
between the hours of ten and four o'clock.
The Tenders must be properly filled up and signed, and
delivered at this office (under closed envelope, marked on she
out ide "Tender for Supply of Straw)," and no Tender will
be noticed unless made on forms obtained from this office,
and delivered by the hour appointed.

TT WALKER'S NEW NEEDLES.—" The
.1.1.• Patent Ridged-Eyes extend the Cloth, so that the
thread may pass through it quickly and without the slightest
drag. For ease in threading they surpass all others. '
Samples, post free, at is. per 100, of any Dealer. H. Walker's
Patent Penelope Crochet Needles have the word " Penelope"
TV each handle. A set of four Bone Handles for 10d. ;
withanned, Bd.: Parallel Tartan, Is. : Black, sd. A set of four
the new- Patent Uncotopic Handles, which keep the
hooks
eks at all times in their true position for work, for ls. post
tureroftoanhye dealer. —Ff. WALKER, Patentee and Manufac-
and Eyes, r Majesty of Needles, Firth Hooks, Pins, Hooks
tm, Aloester, and 47, Gresham-street, London.

DR. SCOTi:------s BILIOUS AND LIVER
PILLS.—A, NEVER FAILING REllEDY.—Pre-
pared without any mercurial
of Bromley, ient,
willnedient, from the recipe of Dr.
t4cott,
suffer from billous and liverbe found invaluable to all who
For habitual
spasms, giddiness, dizziness
ocomplaints, indigestion, wind,
costiveness, as a family aperient ineegeeisn'es",d
of the blood, they are truly excellent ; mild in theairpourilier
lion and grateful to the stomach, they create appetite, peril-
mote digestion, and strengthen the whole nervous system.ro-
Sold by W. Lambert, 8, King William-street, Charing-cross.
London, and by most druggists, in boxes,ls. 14d., and three
-times the quantity in one, 2s. 9d. Be sure to ask for Dr.
Scott's Bilious and Liver Pills. The genuine are a square
green package, with " William Lambert," engraved on the
Stamp.

ROPAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOATI
INSTITUTION
(Incorporated by Royal Charter).
PA.TnowEss—Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen.
PIItSIDENT—Vice-Admiral the Duke of Northumberland,
K.G., E.R.S.
CHAIRMAN--Thos. Baring, Esq., M.P., F.R.S., V.F.
DEPUTY-CIIAIRMA.N—Thomas Chapman, Esq., F.R.S., V.P.
APPEAL.
The Committee of Management have to state that, since
the beginning of the year 1861, the Royai National Lifeboat
Institution has expended £28,550 on various Lifeboat Estab-
lishments on the Coasts of England. Scotland, and Ireland.
The number of lives saved by the Life-boats of the
70c!iety. and other means, since its formation, is 13,220;
''.l.7lvhich services 82 Gold Medals, 733 Silver Medals, and.
tioe)° in cash have been paid in rewards. The Institu-
Tr,,4a also expended £75,380 on Life-boats, Life-boat
The9rting-cart iages, and Boat-houses.
the .ersTinittee desire to express their grateful sense of
British Z?_1.1!4 support which they have received from. the
has enaßTl,c during the past few years, a support which
ot 125 Lit'l,_them to establish their present magnificent fleet
Deeply B,i;3':,,_)sts on the shores of the United Kingdom
rests on th,l'"lte, however, ot the great responsibility that
state, and its to maintain their fleet in a thoroughly efficient
boats, whiet,i, the
practised in the management of their
annual income, 4,?!ily be effected by a large and permanent
countrymen T;',y,rarnestly appeal to all classes of their
great and iill'itnem in upholding and perpetuating so
The Committee °nal a work.
tributions gtatefullY acknowledge the following eon-
ITer Majesty the Queen s. d
- .11, the Hon. •• -

campbeli, ••- —ion. jic... G. •• „ , „„ annual 50 0 0
Clerk, Colonel, B.A. — • • ~. annual 50 0
Coats and Co., Messrs Bankers
'l. • • annual 1 1 0
Currie, Win., Esq., •" • .. annual 10 0 0
Erie, Lord Chief Justice • • .„
.. 4th don.lo 0 0
-Admiral per' it• A.. don. 10 10 0 Fanshawe, ce
eboat and Tran-
Fenwick, G• 3-•• Esq., cost a Lif•'•ll. • • 2d don. 25 0 0
sporting Carriage ..
..
:. .... .. 250 0 0
••
Harvey, Rev. G. G. and Mrs..•
Martin, Sir Henry, Bart. don. 30 0
Palmer, Sir Bounden, 31. P., g.m.,8•,, _t. 7th don. 10 0 0
.onci..
tor-General .• • • • • ..
•
Royal Yacht Squadron .
•••• .. annual 10 0 0
•• • annual 2 2 0
Steel, Michael, Esq. •
Thom, s, Lady, Weston-super-Mare.,. couected b her
100 • don. 10
0 0 0
Y
Ladyship . • • • • • • • ••
Lord .. 16
Willoug-hby d'Eresby, • • • • • • annual 516 00
Donations and Annual Sescriptions will be thankfull:rp-
reiyed by the Bankers of the institution, Messrs. with;
Percival, end CO., 76, Lombard-street; Messrs. Coutts and
Co., 59, Strand ; Messrs. Herries, Farquhar, and Co., 16, St.
Jamei's-street, London ; by a 1 the Collectors of Customs
end Bankers in the Unitedliingdont; and by the Secretary,
Richard Lewis. Esq., at the Office Of the Ilatatitittion, Is,
John-street, Adelphi, London, rt -C.

TIDMAN'S SEA SALT has been analysed by
Dr. Hassan, who strongly recommends it as very
superior to the rock and other salts commonly used for
bathing purposes. It is the only efficient substitute for sea
bathing. In bags of 141b5., price 2s. ; 281b5., 4s. ; 561b5., Bs.
1121b5.,

Sole Proprietors, TIDMAN & SON, 10, Wormwood-street,
London, E.C. Sold by all Chemists.

NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE.—The greatest and
most useful invention of the day, AGUA AMAREL LA.
Messrs. JOHN GOSH ELL and CO., 3, King-court, Lombard-
street, London, Perfumers to her Majesty, respectfully offer
to the public this truly marvellous fluid, which gradually
restores the human hair to its pristine hue—no matter at
what age. The Agua Amarelia has none of the properties of
dyes ; it, on the contrary, is beneficial to the system, and
when the hair is once restored one application per month
will keep it in perfect colour. Price one guinea per bottle, or
in half bottles, 10s. 6d. Testimonials from artistes of the
highest order, and from individuals of undoubted respecta-
bility. may be seen on application. Messrs. John Gosnell
and Co. have been appointed Perfumers to her Royal High-
ness the Princess of Wales.

(IRNAMENTS for the Drawing-room, Library,
and Dining-room, consisting of a new and elegant assort-
ment of VASES, Figures, Groups, Candlesticks, Obelisks, Ink-
stands, beautiful inlaid Tables, Paper weights, &0., in Italian,
Alabas er, Parian, Marble, Bronze, Derbyshire Spar, &c.
Imported and manufactured by JAMES TENNANT, Mine-
ralogist to her Miajesty, 149, Stand. W.C., Lonaon.
Mr. Tennant arranges elementary collections of SHELLS,
MINERALS, ROCKS, and FOSSILS, which will greatly
facilitate the interesting study of MINERALOGY, CON-
CHOLOGY. and GEOLOGY, at 2,5, 10, 20, 50, to 100 guineas
each.
PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION in GEOLOGY and MINE-
EULOGY is given by Mr. TENNANT. at 149, Strand, W.C.

CELEBRATION of of the TERCENTENA,Ry ,
the BIRTH of SHAKSPEARE, at Stratford -.upon_
°"
Avon. The Tercentenary Committee (of which 84 i.../i&-°"-
N. C. Hamilton, Bart., K.C.8.. is Chairman) are -40'w °L)ert
'zarni•agton Bank-se
receiv-
ing SUBSCRIPTIONS, and they may also.br, pa., A
account of the Tercentenary Committee, at +,,ne p "-.
...,tourbridge
and Kidderminster or Warwick and L
Stratford-upon-Avon; Messrs. Grer.inwrj.,
J
y Smith, and
Greenway, Warwick ; or their Lrndou agents, Messrs.
Smith, Payne, and Co., Messrs. Ha:avys and Co., or Messrs.
Glyn and Co., bankers, London,

-
The Tercentenary Commi'_,rr..t, in submitting' the subscrip-
tion list to the nation, m
—`...4 earnestly appeal to the admirers
of Shakspeare for thei-..,
rist their claims u etd and assistance. The Committee
PrAl the mum' that Stratford is not only
the birthplace of ',,,ltakspeare. but the centre of attraction to
all admirer:, (it the great Poet's works, and that it was his
home, tte town he loved, and where he lived and died.

') OYAL FREE HOSPITAL, Gray's-inn-road,
kV in the immediate vicinity of the Great Northern Rail-
way Terminus, at King's-cross.
Patron—The QUEEN.
President—The Duke of BUCCLEUCH, K.G.
Treasurer—Edward Masterman, Esq.
This was the first hospital to introduce the principle of free
and instant admission to the destitute sick, without the for-
mality of governors' letters. It is entirely devoted to desti-
tution in its most pitiable form—viz., that which is accom-
panied by sickness and disease, and is now of sufficient
magnitude that, with adequate support, it may be rendered
capable of admitting into its wards a very large proportion of
the casual sick of this great metropolis. It requires but the
funds in order to have 500 beds available for the reception of
these the most wretched of our fellow-creatures. Moreover,
it gratuitously affords medical advice and medicine to more,
on the average, than 3,000 out-patients a week.
The Weekly Board feel it their imperative duty to make an
EARNEST APPEAL to the public for continued support,
to enable them to admit and relieve the distressing cases that
daily present themselves.

Contributions are received by the Treasurer, Edward
alas Lerman, Esq., Nicholas-lane; also by Messrs. Coutts and
Co. ; Drummon and Co. ; Reifies and Co. ; _Ransom and
Co.; Prescott, Grote, and Co.; Smith, Payne, and Co. ; Giyn
and Co. ; Jones Loyd and Co. ; Barclay and Co. ; Denison
and Co. ; IV Mame, Deacon, and Co. ; Overend. Gurney, and
Co. ; Nisbet and Co. ; Messrs. J. Barnett and (20., Liverpool
and at the Hospital. _ _

STANFORD,. S. 9311TH Se‘crotay,

THERE IS NO CHARGE incurred, unless a tenant or pur-
chaser is introduced throne). Messrs. Lumley's Agency,
and then only the usual moderate COMMbsion. _

Auction and Land Offices, 67, Chancery-lane, London.

AMERICA.

QUEENSTOWN, Oct. 17.

The Royal mail steamer China arrived here at an
early hour this morning, bringing New York dates
to the 7th inst. The China called at Cape Race on
the 10th.

New Orleans advises to Sept. 25, published in the
New York Journal of the 4th inst., are as follows;
"On Tuesday morning last considerable excitement was
caused in this city by a report that the steamer Leviathan
bad been captured by a squad of rebels at South-west Pass,
and that she had escaped to sea, A few hours later, and
another report arrived that she had been recaptured by the
United States steamer Da Soto. Yesterday the Leviathan
arrived at the wharf at this city. The Leviathan was lying at
the Telegraph wharf at the mouth of the river, at South-
west Pass, near Pilot Town. .About half-past 3 o'clock on
Tuesday morning a party of rebels, 18 in number, sprung on
board from a small boat, and, firing their revolvers, de-
manded the instant and unconditional surrender of the ves-
sel. No resistance whatever being made by the few un-
armed men on board the Leviathan the enemy put the cap-
tain and crew in irons, and made preparations to proceed
at once to sea. About daylight the steamer left the side of
the wharf. Two of the crew of the vessel were placed on
shore, after promising that they would not mention the fact
of her capture until she had had three hours' start, when
they were at liberty to say all they pleased of the affair. As
soon as these men were placed on shore they made all haste
to the telegraph-office and informed the operator of what
had taken place. In a few moments every person in the
neighbourhood was at the wharf, and the Leviathan was seen
by the dawn's early light' making off to sea. Half a dozen
men ran to a 6. pounder howitzer stationed on the wharf
and fired four shots at her, and as each shot fell short or
passed her harmlessly by the rebels cheered and waved a
rebel flag, which they afterwards hoisted. The Leviathan
had not proceeded far before she saw a bark rigged vessel.
Approaching within hailing distance the rebel chief
shouted, Ship ahoy I send a boat aboard.' Her flag was
still flying ; but at the distance from the bark, in the gray
light, its character was not discerned, and a boat was being
lowered from the bark, when, as the Leviathan steamed
nearer, the rebels were thunderstruck at finding that the
guns were aboard, and that they had almost run into a Union
war vessel. Turning the prow of the steamer seaward the
rebels concluded not to wait the arrival of the boat, which
had already left the side of the bark, but steamed away as
rapidly as possible. The vessel of war proved to be the bark
Anderson. Though every movement of the strange steamer
from the first was suspicious, and no doubt remained as to
her character when she so unceremoniously left, the officers
on board the vessel could do nothing, as the Anderson was
at anchor, and the steamer kept in such a position that not
a gun could be trained upon her. The guardship Pampero
was not more than a quarter of a mile above the Leviathan
when the latter was captured, but she, too, was unable to
prevent her escape. At half-past 5 o'clock the Da Soto, one
of our cruisers, was coming up the pass for coal, and took
pilot on board eight miles from the bar. At half-past 7
p.m. the steamer Crescent arrived at the mouth of the pass,
and, hailing the De Soto, informed her officers that a
steamer had been surprised and captured three or four hours
previous. The De Soto immediately changed her course and
started in pursuit—no vessel in sight at the time. In about
15 minutes the lookout at the masthead cried Sail, ho.'
The chase now continued with increased interest, the De
Soto rapidly gaining on the Leviathan, and at 10 o'clock
fired a shot to bring her to. This was followed by two
others, when a sheet or table cloth was hoisted and
the vessel hove to. Fifteen minutes later and the Le-
viathan was boarded, the Star and Stripes hoisted, and the
rebel captain and crew put in the very irons that they
had placed the former crew of the Leviathan in. A
prize crew was then placed on board, and the vessel taken
to New Orleans. The rebel flee, which she heisted when
she went to sea, was lowered as soon as she saw a vessel in
pursuit. Of the 16 men whom the rebels captured but six
remained on the Leviathan, and they were heavily ironed.
Two were placed on shore, and the other eight were com-
pelled to enter a boat, which was turned adrift, without
sails, oars, or a mouthful of anything to eat. The wind was
blowing a gale at the time. Up to 3 o'clocx this afternoon
no news was received of the boat or crew, and it was sup-
posed that the former was swamped in the heavy sea, and
that the latter were drowned ; but at this hour I learnt that
the boat had been picked up, with all the crew alive and
well, The prisoners were turned over to the proper autho-
rities of the city,"

The banquet at New York to the officers of the
Rassian fleet was expected to take place on the
14th or 15th inst.

The following particulars of the capture of a
British vessel are published in the New nil,: Herald
of the 4th :

" The United States steamer Circassian, IV. B. Eaton
commander, arrived from Sabine Pass and Galveston,
Texas, and the Rio Grande, Mexico, on the 21st inst. We
learn by her the particulars of the capture of the British
steamship Sir William Peel, by the United States steamer
Seminole, at the mouth of the Rio Grande. This steamer
came over 11 weeks before from Liverpool. She kept in
Mexican waters, and discharged part of her cargo, which
was in cases that resembled boxes of arms. She had on
board over 100 men at one time, and, as she was built for a
man-of-war for the Brazilian navy, is eminently fitted for a
first-class vessel of war. She began to take in a cargo of
cotton, and had taken in over 1,000 bales when the Frenoh
authorities, evidently deeming her intended for a rebel pri-
vateer, gave her notice to leave Mexican waters, which she
accordingly did. Captain Rolands, of the Seminole, sent
two offices and a number of men to seize her, as she was
then on the American side of the river. The men and officers
wore transferred to the Seminole, and the ship sent to this
port. During the day Captain Hood, of her Majesty's ship
Pylades, sent to know why this seizure was made. The
following is a copy of Captain Rolands's reply :--
United States' Steamer Seminole, off Rio
Grande, Sept. 15, 1803.
" Sir,- -I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your despatch of the 10th inst., in which you request I will
please acquaint you with the reasons for taking possession
of the British steamer Sir Wm. Peel, and detaining her
crew as prisoners of war on board the vessel under my com-
mand. I have to state that I seized her in American waters
from whence she had landed contraband of war, and at the
time of her seizure had the same on board. She has been
sent to New Orleans, whcire the Prize Courts and authori-
ties will take cognisP.neo of and investigate the justice of the
seizures. In connexion with your request for the reason of
her seizure, I would state that she is in every way fitted and
formed for a rebel privateer, and for ouch I have every rea-
son to think she was intended. My duty to my Government
demanded I should seize her, and prevent in time her ag-
gressions on American commerce—as we have already be-
fore our eyes the examples of the Alabama, the Florida, and
the Georgia*—l have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient
servant,

" H. RotaN3s, Commander, United States' Navy.
" Captain A. W. A. Hood, R.N., commanding her Bri-
tannic Majesty's ship Pylades, off Rio Grande.'
" The Sir William Peel is a spletdid ship, bark-rigged,
2,000 tons, and very fast. A bearer of despatches from
Matamoras, who came up in the Circassian, says that about
a week before her capture she was purchased by the house
of Hale and Co., Brownsville, Texas. He also reports that
there were naval gun carriages being manufactured at Ma-
tamoras, supposed to be for this ship, and that the cotton
put on board was merely a ruse to get away from the Rio
Grande. It is almost known that she has guns under her
cotton, and would have been immediately converted into a
privateer after discharging her cotton. As soon as she was
captured the engineers of the Seminole discovered that
they had attempted to sink her by opening her water cocks
and she has been leaking badly somewhere over since.
This, of course, would not have been done had the officers
of the Peel not felt she was a lawful prize. Forty-
two of her officers and crew were cant to this place in the
Circassian."
The following Southern view of the position of
Gen. Roseneranz is from the Richmond Sentinel of
Sept. 29, published in the New York papers of the
4th inst.:—
, 18GO, contained a population of 5,000.
Iti‘Csshitautattaen:a7an the south bank of the Tennessee River, in
tthhee nicoiudrr:looff athe riververyi n thetouua uaousrezion owing to which
neighbourhood
le
very
sinu.

ous. Lookout Mountain, which is prominently mentioned
just now in the despatches from that quarter, is a range
that comes up from the south-west, and abuts abruptly upon
the Tennessee River at a point about 2i miles below or west
of Chattanooga. It ends in a cliff or pea/x. of remarkable
height, called Point Lookout, about 1,500 feet above thebed
of the river, which washes its northern 1 A 63, The railroad
from Chattanooga to Nashville and a' 0 a coramOu road

pass around the precipitous face of this chit, and between it
and the river, on their way west. Chattanooga is on a great
bend or horse•shoe in the river—not in the horse-shoe, but
at its front or toe; the bend of the river being towards the
south and Chattanooga being on the southern bank. Mis-
sion Ridge, on and behind which Rosencrans was in-
trenched at last accounts, runs nearly parallel to Lookout
Mountain, leaving Chattanooga to the west about a couple
of miles. So far as we understand the situation of the two.
armies, Rosencranz is cut off from all movement this side of
the river in any direction. His railroad communication with
Nashville is lost. Nothing is left him but the road behind
him. This road crosses the Tennessee on a pontoon bridge,
and traversing the horseshoe made by the river, it climbs
Waldron's Ridge, which, at a short distance, flanks the
river there, and then descends into the valley which lies
beyond, and then leads away toward Kingston, on the
north-cast, at the junction of the Tennessee and the Cliath.
We do not know what facilities we have for cutting off
Rosencranz's retreat across the river, and by the road
we have indicated. It would seem to be a des-
perate strait for him to have to move a large army
where he has no depots of supplies,and no communications.
He can now get supplies only by this road across the river;
and if Wheeler's cavalry are indeed over there, he will find
this resource valueless. He cannot possibly have in Nashville
the month's supplies of which the enemy's papers boast. His
movements have been too rapid,and he has held Chattanooga
too short a time to permit this. To us it seems that,Rosen-
cranz's situation is full of peril and difficulty ; and this apart
from all those ill-considered boastings of which some of our
people are not yet cured. The thing that most makes us
doubt this conclusion is, that Rosencranz seems to feel con-
fidence in his pobition.-aprAtttiqt.dia a -good judgment, or
obstinacy, or necessity that holds him to his post on Mission
Ridge is yet to be fully known, We will not venture to
pass an opinion."

Fatal Colliery Explosion in South Wales.

TAIBACH, GLAMORGANSHIRE, Saturday.

On Saturday morning, at 10 30, an explosion took place
at the Morfa Colliery, three miles from the Port Talbot
Statiun, Glamorganshire, by which 35 persons have lost
their lives.

The pit in which this terrific explosion occurred is one of
the largest in South Wales. It is situated in the parish of
Margam,Glamorganshire,and about eight miles from Neath.
It is the property of, or situate on the estate of Mr. C. R. M.
Talbot, M.P., and Lord-Lieutenant of the county, but is
leased to and worked by the Messrs H. A. Vivian, M.P.,
and Co., Mr. Pendarvis Vivian being the resident partner.
Generally there are from 800 to 1,000 men employed in
the pit, or dependent on work connected with it. The un-
derground workings extended for miles, and there are about
600 tons of coal worked per day, which are shipped either
at Port Talbot, Briton Ferry, Neath, or Swansea. The coal
is bituminous, being part of what is known as the south
crop of the Vale of Neath coal basin, the northern crop
being the well known and highly prized steam coal of Aber-
dare. The pit is between 110 and 120 fathoms deep, some
of the levels being as much as 900 yards from the shaft.

We believe we are correct in stating that two fatal acci-
dents, though of minor extent, have occurred in this ph
within the past eight or nine years--one some eight years
ago, when 16 lives were lost, and the second about three
years ago, when four workmen were killed. These acci-
dents naturally led to the most earnest desire on the part of
the proprietors to prevent a recurrence, and Mr. Vivian has
been known on more than one occasion to tell his general
manager to spare no expense in providing against acci-
dents. The colliery is ventilated by means of a furnace.
There are two shafts, the up and the down shaft, and in
order to add still greater security the colliery was worked
entirely with locked safety lamps. At the time when the
accident occurred there were about 400 workmen in the
colliery. The immediate scene of the explosion is the west
side of the nine-foot seam, which is about 500 yards from the
bottom of the shaft. There were 43 men and boys working,
in this heading at the time of the explosion. In a few mo-
ments after it occurred it became painfully known that a
serious accident had happened in the pit. Unfortunately
the inhabitants of the district of South Wales are too much
accustomed to the peculiar noise or shock of explosions to
be easily mistaken. Long before any of the workmen were
able to ascend to the surface a large crowd of anxious rela-
tives and friends had assembled around the mouth of the
pit, and when it became known that a serious accident had,
in reality, happened, the most painful anxiety was mani-
fested, many of the women having husbands and two or
three sons in the pit at the time. Our correspondent was
on the spot in about two hours after the accident, and saw
the bodies brought up at in tervals of ten minutes or a quarter
of an hour. It was not long before the great majority of
those in the pit were able to make their escape. The other
parts of the pit seem to have been but slightly, if at all, in-
jured by the explosion, but the old nine-foot vein has been
much destroyed—doors and airways blown down, while
there aro such extensive falls of roof and rubbish as to ren-
der it exceedingly difficult to reach the bodies of those thus
buried—in fact, the whole of the timber in this heading
had to be reset before the bodies could be got at.
The foul gases or chokedamp having been partially cleared
off a number of workmen volunteered to go down the pit to
render what assistance they could to their comrades. A gang
of colliers from the Cwmavon Colliery deserve especial
mention for their courage. They in one or two instances
risked their lives to rescue the nearly expiring sufferers, and
happily their exertions were crowned with success. One poor
old man named Stephens was in an almost frantic state en
hearing of the explosion. He had a little boy, 12 0r414 years
of age in the heading where the explosion occurred. Three
times did the father descend the pit in the hope of ren-
dering aid to his child, and twice was he driven back by
the firedamp. He descended a third time and reached the
scene, but only to find his son dead. The body was brought
up in a sack, the father helping to carry it. He could not
cry, but his whole frame was visibly working under the
strongest emotions, and as he silently carried the corpse
along it was evident he was suffering the deepest anguish.
Another case was that of a man named Williams, who was
working in the old 9-foot seam in company with his son at
the time of the accident. The son was completely over-
powered and fell, but the father caught up the body in his
arms, and although weak and much exhausted himself car-
ried it a considerable distance, He, however, was soon com-
pelled to drop his boy in the roadway and hurry on to the
bottom of the shaft to save his own life. Happily both were
brought out alive, but we are informed the son has since
expired.
While our reporter was standing at the mouth of the pit
seven men were brought out alive, but in the most ex-
hausted and critical state ; one died within a few moments
of being brought up, and another subsequently. At the time
when our reporter left 12 bodies had been recovered, and
there were then 24 more bodies in the pit. The roof has
so completely blocked up the heading that'only one body can
be dragged through the aperture at a time, and that with
the greatest difficulty, in consequence of the suffocating state
of the atmosphere.
The following bodies had been brought up dead, or known
to have expired, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon : —l, Hum-
phrey Jenkins, of Taibach—he was dreadfully burnt and
much disfigured, and was brought out alive, but expired
shortly after; 2, Michael Crawley, of Taibach, aged about
40, married; 3, Henry 'Wilkins, of Taibach; 4, William
Evans, of Taibach; 5, David Matthews; 6, Thos. Lodwig,
married; 7, Henry Griffiths, married; 8, Rees 'Williams
day fireman; 9, Thomas Williams, son of the above, 10,
H erbert Griffiths, married,
Peter Stephens, door boy ;
cor, 11
12, a pse
with a large family; so disfigured as to be un-
recognised.
With two estop met the above Met with their death from
the chokedamp, and when brought to the mouth of the pit
were stiff and rigid. Mr. William Grey, the manager, was
in the heading when the explosion occurred. He was ren-
dered insensible by the gas, but in a few moments reco-
vered consciousness, and
laboured to bring some of the
workmen to a place of safety, and one or two were unques-
tionably saved through his instrumentality. It was only by
being forcibly carried out of the heading that Mr. Grey
could be compelled to give up his work, and when brought
out of the pit he was scarcely able to walk. The workmen
received every assistance which could be rendered them,
both by Dr. Pritchard, surgeon of the works, and Dr. Rus-
sell, of Cwmavon. The dead were placed on hastily con-
structed biers and conveyed home with all decent speed.
Mr. Thomas Evans, the Government Inspector of South
Wales, was on the spot within a few hours of the explosion,
and instantly descended the pit and rendered valuable aid.
Of course, in the midst of such excitement as that now
prevalent no cause can be possibly assigned for the accident,
but from the most careful inquiries we are sorry to be ob-
liged to say that there is every reason to believe it arose from
the criminal act of one of the workmen in picking his lamp
for the purpose of getting a light.
Although nothing can compensate for the sudden bereave-
ment, it is somewhat consolatory to find that there is a good
money club in connection with the works, but the sympa-
thies of the public will doubtless be appealed to on behalf of
so many widows and destitute children.

[A. DVERTlSEMENT.]—liolloway's Ointment and l'ill.S.
Be advised.—Sufferers from disease would act wisely in
trying these noble remedies before they abandon further
efforts for recovering their lost or fading health. The mo-
mentous question of enjoying health or enduring illness
should determine all invalids to use Holloway's healing
ills before yielding themselves up
ointment and purifying
only
to despair. The ointment not only cures all skin dis-
and superficial inflammations, but
eases, outward sores,
restrains deep-seated ailments of the throat, chest, and
bowels, when it is well rubbed externally over those parts.
From this ointment's known power to quell irritation it was
supposed it would be eminently useful in.
.checking diph.
haia, diarrhoea, and dysentery;
.r.e., reflection have verified. a prediction which time

A notification has been received at Chatham
dockyard that the Admiralty have decided on con-
structing a squadron of iron gunboats, to take the
place of those wooden gunboats which have been
sent round from the Medway to Deptford dock-
yard for the purpose of being broken up,
The new gunboats are to be constructed on an en-
tirely new system, from plans proposed to the Ad-
miralty by Mr. Reed, the chief constructor of the
navy. They will be armour-plated, and will be
driven by double screw propellers, each boat being
adapted to carry two heavy Armstrong guns. The
design of the proposed gunboats is at present being
worked out at the Admiralty, and as soon as the
plans have been finally adopted by their lordships
the construction of the proposed squadron/will be at
once commenced.
The iron-built screw steamship Defence, 16,
Capt. Augustus Pillimore, one of the Channel
squadron, was placed on Thursday in No. 1 dock
in Keyham steam-yard. Her repairs are very un-
important, and will therefore be completed in a few
days. When at Portsmouth she received in April or
e.fay last a coating of Peacock and Buchan's com-
position, which appears to have had the effect of
retarding, if not of preventing, the growth of
seaweed and the presence of shellfish on the ship's
bottom. As in most similar cases, light grass about
title inches long has appeared on the water line, but
it did not extend below the deep load line. All the
other parts are remarkably clean, excepting some
isolated tufts of grass about half an inch in length.
There is no appearance of corrosion anywhere. She
will now receive another coating of the same com-
position. During her recent cruise the Defence has
givenD great satisfaction. Her speed is slower than
that of wooden ships, but above the average rate of
iron-Plated ships. The utmost rolling extends to
15 deg., which is very unusual; the average
ranges being from 15 deg. to 20 deg. The Defence
is supplied with two bilge pieces on each side of the
keel,
which are intended to counteract any pro-
pensity to roll. Her bowsprit (standing) is of
iron,iug
and there is a proposal to replace it by a
d
bowsprit. The Hector, 34, has one of that
description. It seems absurd that a ship like the
sliding
i
Defence, built for a ram, should have ever been
fitted with a standing iron bowsprit, which
way if ever there should be an
effort
made to use her for the purpose of running
mast
t bin the
dwli
besides which it might be convenient to
reduce
the weight forward occasionally which
cannot be done with a fixed bowsprit. The for-
ward weights in the Warrior have been greatly re-
duced dsince she was first fitted. The Defence is sup-
plied with two pairs of davits forward, by which the
anchorsnced can be catted further aft when necessary.
The
comparative lightness of her armament con-
duces to the good qualities of the ship when
a
She has 16 68 and 100 pounders, two 32-
po
nnders, and four small guns. Her engines are of
t ssa. much
6power, and during the late trip, when
de
only, as much as 10.8 knots per hour
uouo.rs horsete am
was made. Under steam and canvas she has, during
a heavy squall, run for a few minutes at the rate of
15
She is peculiarly rigged, having a stand-
ing lower topsail-yard
eay
knots.
paralleled to the cap, above
which is Cunningham's patent topsail. The Resist-
ance is
rly said to be the only other ship in the navy
similarly rigged. The mode is found very advanta-
working the ship, being much lighter for
s
geons in
the On the deck of the Defence there are two
very cr
heeeva. ry
launches, either of which can carry a
These launches, rowed by seamen, with
artillerymeneldPie
forward, and marines aft, have been
frequently exercised during the cruise. The field-
consist of a 25-pounder and 12-pounder Arm-
fieei
a 24-pounder and 6-pounder brass gun.
Counting her 60 marines, she has on board nearly
sptireoenesg. and
200 men capable of using small arms in military
order.
The Defence is a vessel of 3,720 tons, and has
15 er
water-tight compartments. She was built
Palmerb Brothers, of Yarrow.
v
' metsiscrasl.
His Russian Majesty's screw steam frigate Oleg,
51, Capt. Andreef, left Plymouth Sound on Thurs-
day afternoon for Toulon.
The screw steam corvette Scylla, 21, which left
Plymouth on the 6th inst. for China, put back to the
S
very heavy weather. On the Bth,during
on
a heavy swell, she sprung her fore and main topmasts.
At
ounialid eeig:hf triodnay night. She had experienced a con-
tinuance
the 9th it blew so hard from W. and
placed under close-reefed topsails.
sos.nwt.ht she was
the 10th
10th her mizen topmast cross trees were car-
ried away, ; it was found that the j ibboom had sprung,
and it was therefore woolded. On the 12th inst., at
5 b lad fromso long. 8 30 W., it was
ow
t4h6e s 9 N
oath-west, when she shipped
a l
heavy
blowing hard .'
airnwlhalt extended from her port cathead
sea,
to the mizen
rigging, and increased the water in the
hold to a depth of seven inches ; the ship then gave
a lurch, to leeward, which filled her starboard cutter
and jolly boat, and carried them off. In the after-
noon the wind moderated, with a heavy swell from
the westward. On the 13th, during a fresh gale
from the south-west, Charles O'Niele, first-class boy,
fell from the wizen chains, overboard. Lieut. Pringle,
4th, and a boat's crew of eight men rescued him.
On the 14th, at 6 p.m., lat. 47 50 N. ; long. 9 34
W., wind bouth-west, a sail was observed on the star-
board bow right ahead ; at 6 50 a red light was seen
close to the starboard bow. The Scylla, which was
on the port tack, having broken off two points, kept
the ship close to wind. The stranger, which
proved to be the Duke of Wellington, then crossed
the Scylla's bows, and when about two points on
the port bow showed both her lights; the Scylla
put her helm hard sport, and came up in the wind.
The ship, which was on the starboard tack, struck
the Scylla on the port bow and fell off. While tack-
ing the Scylla gathered aternway, the Duke of
IWellingtoa, having headway, struck the Scylla
again, abaft the main rigging, and forged ahead,
carrying away her own bowsprit, foremast, and
mainmast, and knocking holes in her bows, and
grinding along the Scylla's port side, carrying away
her head sails, waist, and forecastle nettings, break-
ing her main chains, and shoving her port sheet
anchor inboard ; one gun was so depressed that it
left the dispart sticking in the upper portion of the
porthole. The ship then separated, and nothing more
was seen of her, but one of her crew was left on board
the Scylla. She was under doublereefed topsails and
courses, jib, foretopmast staysail, and staysail.
Charles Deboo, 20, a native of Ostend, the man saved
from the Duke of Wellington, states that she be-
longed to Liverpool, and registered 721 tons. Com-
manded by Capt. B. Brown, she was laden with
railway iron, oil, and cutlery, and was bound_
etr.
o
teml
se-
Colombo. She left London on the 3d of Sep b
At the time of the collision she was under c o
ieentopsail,
reefed maintopsail, double-reefed m
anker. On
close-reefed foresail, foretopsail, and sp
's
ib-
the first contact Deboo jumped from the ehip
boom to the Scylla's forecastle. He states that on
board the Duke of Wellington they saw that a col-
lision was inevitable, and considered it better to run
run in by the ship,
into the corvette, than to be
Hamoazeto on Saturday,
The Scylla was towed into
the jetty, where she will dis-
and placed alongside ls were unbent, and her
dharge her powder ; her s aiefects will be made good forthwith.
An official report has been made to the Lords of
the Admiralty of the result of the recent expe-
riments made at Chatham by Capt. IVl‘Killop, R.N.,
with his canvas machine for cleansing ship's bot-
toms afloat. The result quite justifies the reconm
mendations. The simplicity and portability of the
machine, as well as the moderate cost, are further
recommendations in its favour.
The following appointments and promotions were
made on Saturday at the Admiralty :—Lieut. J. N.
Croke, to command the Investigator, vice Lieut.
Dolben, drowned; Lieut. H. Pack°, to the Ajax ;
George Williams, master, to the Indus, for the Gla-
diator ; Robert R. Jones, nominated to a naval cadet-
William F. lviiCiinten (surgeon), additional,