The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-17 00:00:00

SHREWSBURY NOVEMBER RACES

We are ignorant of the secret that Mr. John Frail pos-
sesses in being able to tempt from their homes and firesides
at this season of the year the concourse of people who have
filled the hotels and lodgings of Shrewsbury, and given such
universal vitality to the quiet old town. Beds are at a pre.
mium, and upwards of 200 horses have already arrived.
This is sufficient comment on the prospects of the Novem-
ber meeting of '63, without further remarks from us.
The Queen's Guineas proved an easy victory to Blithfield,
Bally Edmond bolting soon after the start and losing con-
siderable grounds in consequence, thereby depriving him of
any chance he possessed. The Newport Gold Cup only
brought three to the post, a falling off from last year, which
saw a much larger field for this race. The favourite, Gemma,
won without being extended, scoring an addition to the
many successes that have lately fallen to Lord Stamford.
The Carnival Nursery was an easy performance for the
favourite, Caroline, who waited on her horses to the
straight, and, coming away with a clear lead, won by a
length and a half. Bittern, who was leading at the com-
mencement of the race, swerved at the rails, and fell with
his rider, Loates, without, however, injaringhim. The
Foregate Stakes were another victory for Lord Stamford,
and Mr. Payne's colours were also for a second time borne
in the van by Overture, in the Abbey Handicap. The hurdle
race wound up an excellent day's sport with a good race
between the three placed, the favourite, Serious Case, win-
ning rather easily at the finish.
The snn was almost that of summer, and the air com-
paratively warm. There was a large attendance, and most
of the notabilities of the sporting world were present.
The Sbobdon Court stakes of 10 sovs each, 5 ft, with 50
added; for 3-yr-olds and 4-yr-olds ; winners extra;
maidens allowed 31b. Three-quarters of a mile. .0 subs.
Mr J. B. Angel's Lord Burleigh, 4 yrs Bst 111 b
(H. Fordham) 1
Mr G. Bryant's Welland, 4 yrs, Bst 111 b (Custance) 2
Mr F. Jacob's Lufra, 3 yrs, 7st 131 b.... (H. Grimshaw) 3
Betting-2 to lon Welland, 3to 1 agat Lord Burleigh,
and 5 to 1 agst Lufra.
Lord Burleigh jumped off with the lead, Welland going
on second, Lufra last. They ran in these positions to half
way in the distance, where the latter dropped back, leaving
Welland in attendance to the stand, where Custance made
his effort but failed to got up, and was beaten cleverly by
three quarters of a length.
The Queen's Plate of 100 guineas, for 3 .yr-olds, Bst 61b ;
4-yr-olds, 9st 71b ; s.yr-olds, 6-yr-old and aged, 9ot 131 b
Three miles.
Mr T. Hunt's Blithfield, 3 yrs, Bst 61b (T. French) 1
Mr S. Thcllusson's Bally Edmond, 6 yrs, 9st 131 b
(G. Fordham) 2
Mr Murray's Laertea, 3 yrs, Bst 61b (Mahon) 0
Betting—Even Blithfield, and 5 to 4 agat Bally Edmond.
Blithfield, with Laertes at his side made the running, at-
tended by Bally Edmond to the T.Y.C. post, where the
latter slipped the rails and went some distance on the wrong
side, but he was speedily pulled round and following in the
wake of the leaders, who alternately led to the mile post the
last time, when French took a pull at the favourite, which
allowed Bally Edmond to join Laertes, the pair racing to-
gether into the straight, where the latter was beaten.
Blithfield at the same time came to the front, and half-way
up obtained a clear lead, which he retained to the end, and
won in a canter by ten lengths. Laertes was pulled up, and
did not pass the post.
The Newport Gold Cup, value 170 sovs and upwards, weight
for age, by subscription of 10 sovs each, sft, with 50 added
for 2-yr-olds ; winners extra, with maiden allowances ;
second to save his stake.' About one mile and 200 yards.
30 subs.
Lord Stamford's Gemma, 4 yrs, Bst 121 b (J. Mann) 1
Lord Bateman's Despair, 4 yrs, Bst 91b (Fordham) 2
Mr Jackson's Lady Louisa, 5 yrs, Bst 111 b .. (Doyle) 3
Betting— 9 to 4 on Gemma, and 100 to 30 agat Despair.
The latter jumped away with the running, the favourite
going on second, with Lady Louisa lying up to a few strides
within the distance, where Mann brought Gemma to the
front, and won with great ease by a length ; a bad third.
The Racing Plate of 3 soya, with 20 added; for 2-yr-olds
and upwards, Weight for age, with selling allowances;
the second to save his stake. Ono mile. 11 subs.
Mr Payne's Foreteller, 2 yrs, sst 101 b, car sst 111 b, £4O
Herbert 1
Mr Kempson's Jessie, 2 yrs, sst 121 b, £4O (J. Gr(ittishaw)) 2
Mr Bird's Highland Mary, 2 yrs, sst I2lb, £l.) (Carroll) 3
The following also ran :—Disdain, Rowena, Zingari,
Antidote, Bosh, Miss Emma, Avongrove, and Douche.
Betting-5 to 2 agst Jessie, 4to 1 agat asdain, 6to 1
each agst Bosh and Douche, and 10 to 1 agst Foreteller.
In consequence of Avongrove, Disdain, and Jessie break-
ing away several times the start was delayed some time.
When they were despatched Rowena took a decided lead,
followed by Disdain, Jessie, Miss Emma, and Foreteller,
Antidote acting as whipper in. The race in these positions
was retained for a quarter of a mile, when the favourite
took the second place, and upon Rowena running out of the
course at the commencement of the rails she came on with
the command, closely followed by Douche, Disdain, Fore-
teller, and Highland Mary to the enclosure, when Disdain
dropped back, and the two young ones took second and
third places, and ran in close company to the stand, where
Highland Mary attempted to get through, but failed, she
then finishing a fine race home, Foreteller winning on the
post by a head, a similar distance separating the second and
third ; Disdain was fourth, Zingari fifth, and Douche next.
The winner was sold to Mr T. Mason for 65 guineas. Mr
Payne claimed Miss Emma.
The Carnival Nursery Handicap of 10 sovs each, 5 ft, with
150 added. The second to save his stake. Winners extra.
One mile.
Mr Longfield's Caroline, 7st 61b (T. French) 1
Count Batthyany's Nucleus, Est 31b
Lord Stamford's Diviner, Est 91b (Mercian) 3
Lord Uxbridge's Mary opp colt, Est 51b
The following also ran :—Whitethorn, Claxton, Belle of
the Vale, Mystery, Macbeth, Hedworth, and Bittern.
Betting-7 to 4 agst Caroline, 100 to 30 agat Mary Copp,
5 to 1 agst Diviner, 6 to 1 agst Bittern, and 10 to 1 agst
Claxton.
Claxton jumped away with a clear lead when the flag
wos lowered, which she hit heavily and fell, which mis-
chance left Caroline in front, French making use of his ad-
vantage as he entered the straight, and won in a canter by
athe lenegntchloasunrde,a defeated Diviner inaDeilveuse who ran past her horses at
r by a length for second, the
Mary Copp was fourth, beaten a head, Hedworth fifth,
Claxton sixth, and Mystery next.
The Foregate Stakes of 10 soya each, 5 ft; 2-yr-olds, 7st
101 b; 3-yr-olds, 9st; winners with maiden allowances
extra. About 3t furlongs, straight run in. 10 subs.
Lord Stamford's Cassidia, 3 yrs, Bst 111 b (a-. Mann) 1
Mr R. Ten Broeck's Summerside, 3 yrs, Bst 111 b
Mr S. Thellusson's Cuckoo, 2 yrs, 7st 121 b (Fordham) 2
....(Doyle) 3
Mr. Low's Letcombe Lass colt, 2 yrs, 7st 101 b (D. Searle) 4
Betting-7 to 4on Cassidia, and 3to 1 agst ary other.
The favourite next the rails slipped her horses after a
tedious delay at the post, and came on with a clear lead,
having Summerside on her right, to the stand, where
Fordham came in earnest, but failed to get up, and was
beaten cleverly by three- quarters of a length. Cuckoo, who
bolted in taking his preliminary canter, and ran the course
round, finished a bad third ; the Letcombe Lass trotted in
last.

The Abbey Handicap of 3 scvs each, with 20 added, for 3-
yr-olds and upwards, second to save his stake; winners
extra. About three-quarters of a mile. 11 subs.
Mr Payne's Overture, 3 yrs, Est 81b (J. Grims haw)
Mr Jackson's Redpole, 5 yrs, Bst 21b (Doyle) 1
2
Mr Hervey's Bohemia, 3 yrs, Est 121 b
Vigil, Canzonette, and Diana also ran. (Church) 3
Betting—Even on Overture, 4to 1 agst Vigil, and 6to 1
each Canzonette and Redpole.
Overture was the first off, but after running a few strides
she was headed by Vigil, who came on with a clear lead,
Mr. Payne's filly ing second, Redpole third, close up with
whom came Bohemia, Canzonette, and Diana bringing up
the rear. At the distance Vigil was in difficulties, and :an
so to half way up, when she dropped back, leaving Redpole
in possession of the lead, which he held toicentre of the
stand, when the favourite came out and won easily by a
length and a half, a bad third; Vigil was fourth; some
half a dozen lengths in the rear of Bohemia.
A Hurdle Race of 7 says each, 5 ft, with 60 added ; second
to save his stake.. Winners extra. About two miles and
a quarter, over eight flights of hurdles. 10 subs.
Mr T. S. Dawson's Serious Case, late Syringe, 6 yrs, 9st
131 b
(Waddington) 1
Mr T, Wadlow's Fot Pourrie, 4 yrs, flat 61b (in. 101 b ex.)
(W White 2
Mr Antrobus's Shan Von Vocht, 4 yrs, 9st 81b (T.. Turner)) 3
The following also ran ;—Remunerator, Romeo, Sooth-
sayer, and Over the Sea.
Case,llB.7sttaan2yaogtshtePr.olt Pourri,
with
Soothsayer, Serious Case, Romeo, and
Remunerator,
intoP ourth rei
straight,
re
aa
idgi
hn
tg
the rear division some lengths,
5 tolag
in their rear, fora mile and
a half, when the favourite took second place, and Pot
Pourri next. In these P
Betting—EvenstSo Soothsayer, aoyne r, Serious
and 6 tol
rannot
Shan Von Vocht, made the running,
and won easily by
d
ot pass the post.
three lengths, a bad third, the others di n
where Remunerator was. obseiatitoenns, theyleaving
Serious Case with
a clear lead, which he held to the end,

fie following official report has been presented to the
Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council
for Trade :—" My Lords, I have the honour to report that
I have, in conjunction with Captains Harris and Baker, the
nautical assessors of your lordships' board, held an inquiry
into the casualty which occurred to the steamship Africa,
off Cape Race, on the 12th of October last. The Africa is a
paddlewheel steamer, built of wood, at Greenock, in 1850,
of 2,226 gross and 1,216 registered tonnage, and was under
the command of Mr, James Stone, who held a certificate of
competency as master, dated January 7, 1851. She had a
crew of 130 hands, all told, and was in every respoct
thoroughly equipped, The Africa left Liverpool Oct. 3,
carrying the mails, 120 cabin passengers, and a general
cargo, bound for Halifax and New York. After touching
at Queenstown on the following day, she sailed again at
3 38 p.m. ; made the Fastnet at 10 20 p.m., and thence
took her departure on her voyage to America. Observa-
tions for latitude and longitude were obtained daily from
the sth to the 11th inclusive, and up to that date nothing
occurred which calls for comment. At noon on the 12th a
good observation was obtained for latitude, which placed
them in 47 11 N. ; but as no sights had been obtained for
the chronometers, the longitude was calculated to be 50 21
W., and Cape Race was estimated to bear S. 73 26 W. true,
distant 112 miles. The weather at noon is represented in
the log-book to have been strong from S.S. W. At 6 p.m.
increasing winds and stormy weather, sea rising, and sail
was shortened. At 73) pan. wind shifted to W., and all
sail was taken in. At S p.m. moderating breezes and thick
foggy weather, with rain. From Dion to 6 p.m. the course
steered was W. by N. N., and the speed of the vessel was
121 knots an hour. At 6 p.m. the course was altered to
W. i N., and so continued at a speed of 11 knots an hom,
until she struck about 9 50 p.m., somewhere, probably, in
the vicinity of the extreme point of Cape Race ; but the
exact position was never ascertained. Immediately
before striking, the master, who was on deck,
states that he saw a whitish line on the edge of the water
on the starboard bow which ho knew could not at that
season be ice, and instantly gave orders to put his helm
hard a-starboard. Almost simultaneously the first mate gave
a similar order, having seen the same object, which was
also at the same time reported by the look-out men. The
vessel played off under her starboard helm two or three
points, when she took the ground. The engines were then
stopped, and it would appear from the evidence that she re-
mained there for about 20 minutes, during which time her
head payed off to port. Shortly after striking the water was
discovered to have filled the fore peak, and also to have
found its way into the engine-room. The engines were
moved slowly a-head, which had the effect of casting her
head more to seaward, and the captain having discovered
that the channel ahead appeared free from danger, gave
orders to go on at full speed, which was done, and the ves-
sel went off apparently into deep water ; but neither previ-
ously nor subsequently to the accident was the load used.
After consultation with the chief engineer, the captain de-
termined to run for St. John's, Newfoundland, the then
nearest port. In proceeding thither the vessel became
almost unmanageable from the injured state of the rudder
and the quantity of water in the forehold ; but the master
succeeded, notwithstanding the stormy state of the weather,
in getting her into St. John's on the 13th, about two p.m.
and beached her in the harbour. After some repairs were
effected by means of divers, and the construction of a tank
in the fore part of the ship, she sailed from St. John's on
the 27th Oct., and, after a very stormy passage across the
Atlantic was brought safely into Liverpool on the 3d of
Nov. inst. I should here mention that the captain, who,
at the request of his legal adviser, was sworn to give evi-
dence, does not agree with the mate's entries in the log-
book as to the state of the woather on the evening of the
accident. The terms he used to describe the weather were
dark and hazy,' not foggy, a little rain occasionally, some-
times clearing up; and the
mate, in his evidence, dis-
claims any intention of implying by the entry in the log that
the weather was what would be called ' dense fog.' But
the united testimony of the witnesses certainly goes to prove
that the night was very dark and thick, with drizzling rain ;
and in confirmation of this fact, several of them give it as
their opinion that a ship's light might have been seen at a
distance of from one to two miles, In my opinion the
strongest indication of the dark and thick state of the
weather is the circumstance that the danger was scarcely
seen before the ship struck. I cannot dismiss the question
of discrepancy between the entries in the log-book and the
evidence of the witnesses without a word of comment on the
statement made by the master, that he was not in the habit
of examining the log-book—a duty
which, I am informed
by the assessors, he ought to consider as incumbent on him,
both for his own protection and for the benefit of his owners,
in case of accident or loss, It is with regret that lam com-
pelled to pronounce the master in default. T 1
—s' a reference to
the chart, and from his own evidence, the courses steered
would have taken him within six or seven miles of Cape
Race, assuming that he had no lateral current, as the
compasses appear to have been perfectly correct, The
i course, in the estimation of my assessors, is too fine in such
noonto
be haduebeen
h as
run. This precaution would have shown the captain that
he was not justified in assuming his p
he too confidently concluded, and that instead of being, as
he supposed, 16 miles to the southward of the Cape, he was
in reality close upon the land. The neglect to use the lead
under such circumstances, and the navigation of his vessel
at full speed off this coast in thick weather, undoubtedly
caused this accident; and after the repeated warnings
which commanders of vessels on the North American sta-
tions have received in reference to both these points, I
am bound to visit him with severe censure. I confess
across
that it is painful to me to do so in this, as in ever 3,
other case, when the commander is a man
of great
experience ; and Captain Stone appears to have
hitherto navigated his ships in safety for 115 voyages
the Atlantic. The result proves that such a man even may
get into difficulties with all his experience, and shows
the necessity which is laid upon all commanders to use
every precaution in their power. And why these pre-
cautions should be invariably used in the Royal Navy,
and the neglect of them visited with most severe penalties,
while in the merchant service they are so frequently
omitted, I am at a loss to understand. In the sentence
which the court has deemed it to be their painful duty
to pass on Captain Stone, every consideration has been
given to his long and hitherto successful career, and the
court has borne in mind his subsequent and laudable ex-
ertions in bainging home safely his disabled ship. This
case differs from others of a recent date, in the fact that
there has been no loss of life or of the ship, and I have
therefore felt justified in passing a lighter sentei.ce. But
I have, with the full concurrence of the nautical asses-