The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-25 00:00:00

The tonnage of the ships is given as follows

Vessels.
Vesselsillinder 50 tons
••• ••• •.• 323
~ 51 and under 100 ... ... ... 432
17 101 „ 300 ... ... ... 658
~ 301 „ 600 ... ... ... 237
11 It 601 900 ... ... ... 41.
„ 901 „ 1200 ... ... ... 31
77 1201 and upwards ... ... ... 19

1741

The age of the vessel is also given, as before, in
the register. During the six years ending 1864,
757 casualties happened to nearly new ships, i.e.,
ships under three years of age ; 3,252 to ships from
three years to 14 years of age ; 3,894 to ships from
14 to 50 years of age; 300 to ships from 50 to 80
years of age ; 9 to ships between 80 and 90 years
of age ; 5 to ships between 90 and 100 years of age;
and 3 to ships above 100 years.
The greatest number of casualties, as usual, hap-
pened on the east coast ; but the disasters attended
with the greatest loss of life on the coasts during
the six years ending 1864 occurred on the Irish Sea,
between England Ireland. These shipwrecks are
clearly defined on the wreck chart which accom-
panies the wreck register. On it is faintly repre-
sented the fearful scenes which play out their tragedy
on our shores every winter. We observe that at the
entrance of our great trading parts all over the
kingdom the black dots on the wreck chart are very
numerous ; and while they indicate doleful ship-
wrecks they also tell of noble deeds performed by
our lifeboat crews in the face of death snatching
many a life from a watery grave.

The cargoes of the vessels to which casualties
happened in 1864 are given as follows .

Colliers laden
Colliers light
Iron and copper ore, &c.
Stone, &c.
Timber
Fishing smacks
Other laden vessels ... ... 557
Vessels in ballast (not colliers) ... 134
Passengers and general cargo 49

... ... 523

... ... 126

... ... 83

Total ships ... ...

... 1,741

The winds that have been most disastrous to ship-
ping during the six years ending 1864 are here given ;
the westerly winds, it will be observed, being by far
the most fatal :—N, 272 ; NNE, 250 ; NE, 386 ;
ENE, 322 ; E, XO3 ; ESE, 331; SE, 434 ; SE,
SSE, 306 ; S, 346 ; SSW, 586 ; SW, 943 ; WSW,
639 ; W, 556 ; WNW, 648 ; NW, 653 ; NNW, 315.
As regards the force of the wind, out of the whole
number of actual casualties in 1864, 794 happened
when the wind was at force 8 or under, i.e., when
a ship, if properly found, manned, and navigated,
would keep the sea and make the voyage in safety ;
and 514 happened whilst the wind was blowing from
a strong gale to a hurricane ; 9 occurred with a
variable wind ; and 73 with a wind the force and
direction of which is not known.

Happily casualties from collisions are not on the
increase either absolutely or proportionally with
other casualties. The annual average per cent. of all
collisions reported, as compared with the total num-
ber of disasters reported during the four years end-
ing 1860, is 23.98 ; and during the four years end-
ing 1864 is 22.24. But if only collisions properly
so called—i.e., collisions between two ships both of
which are under way—be taken, then the result will
be as stated below, for the four years ending 1860,
17.18 per cent., and for the four years ending 1864,
15.12 per cent. The numbers for the last three
years are as follows :-1862, 247 ; 1863, 197 ; and
1864, 243.

The main causes of tllc collisions during 18G1 are re-

ported as being bad look out, neglect, and misapplication
of the rule of road at sea, negligence, parting cables, and
dragging anchors, Only seven total losses by collision,
and 31 partial losses by collision can, from the facts as
reported, be attributed to inevitable accident. The num-
ber of collisions reported in 1864, as happening in wea-
ther described as dark, very dark, hazy, or thick and
foggy, is 101; whilst the number happening in weather
described as cloudy, dark and clear, or clear and fine, was
90. Cases of collision have been reported in which no
look-out whatever has been kept, or in which the deck of
the ship has been left without any person in charge, and
the helm has been lashed down, although tho ship may
have been sailing at full speed and in a much frequented
part of our narrow seas. In cases of this description the
master of the vessel ought undoubtedly to be prosecuted.
The enactments in the Merchant Shipping Amendment
Act of 1862, on the subject of collisions, and the rules
adopted by her Majesty's government and by the govern-
ment of the Emperor of the French, and accepted by all
maritime nations, have now become better known, and
will, it is hoped, lead to a diminution in the number of
collisions. We have thus attempted to analyse briefly this
important wreck register, and we have seen that death
levies a heavy toll on our journeys on the sea. We pay
dearly and suffer much.

Every one is now familiar with what is done by our noble
fleet of lifeboats, the life-preserving apparatus of the Board
of Trade, and various other means, to break the tyranny of
the stormy waves, and to givo safety to the 4,000 or 5,000
poor creatures who suffer shipwreck every year on our
coasts. It is true that no man can contend with the ele-
ments. It is inevitable that shipwrecks will occur from
various causes in our seas and on our coasts ; but we,
nevertheless, maintain firmly that skill and precaution can
successfully battle with the most fearful storms to a large
extent. Sailors are a careless race, and, indeed, they must
always be so, for a calculating youth would hardly select a
sailor's life for his profession in the absence of the noble
instinct which impels our young men to make that choice.
As we have often said before, those saved by lifeboats
would probably perish in their absence in ninety-nine cases
out of every hundred. The following cases which, amongst
scores of others, occurred last winter will show clearly the
character of these lifeboat services.

On the 20th February last the Blakeney lifeboat went
out and rescued a crew of 13 men from the barque Amana,
of Sunderland, which was totally wrecked during thick
weather, about three miles east of Blakeney harbour. The
lifeboat also brought ashore five men who had previously
boarded the vessel in their own boat, and were unable to
reach the land again in her.
About 9.30 p.m. on the ith December the St. Nicholas
light ship was observed throwing up rockets, and a light
was seen as if from a vessel in distress on the Scroby Sands.
The Yarmouth large lifeboat was immediately launched,
and proceeded in the direction of the signals of distress,
which were found to proceed from the Austrian brig
Zoruiza, of Lucnie, which had stranded on the Scroby
Sands. Every exertion was made by the lifeboat's crew
to save the vessel, and they ultimately succeeded in getting
her off the sand, but having previously lost her rudder.
she was quite unmanageable, and again got on to the sand.
The crew, consisting of twelve men and a pilot, were then
taken on board the lifeboat with great difficulty, and after-
wards brought safely ashore. The sea was very heavy, and
one of the beachmen's yawls, the Bravo, was damaged to
such an extent in endeavouring to assist the vessel, that
her crow of seven men left hor and gladly got into the life-
boat, fearing their own boat would sink.
About three a.m. on the 25th November the Mary
Hartley lifeboat was launched, and proceeded, in tow of a
steam tug, down the river to Buddoness, near Dundee, to
the rescue of the crow of a vessel reported to be in distress.
At daylight the schooner David and John, of Montrose,
was seen amongst the broken water, near No. 2 Gaa Buoy,
in a dangerous position. The lifeboat immediately
pulled to her, and with considerable difficulty got along-
side and took off the crow of four men, and afterwards
landed them in safety. The weather was very stormy.
The schooner was left at anchor, but sunk soon after the
crew had been taken off.

On the 7th December signals of 'distress were observed
on a vessel near the Little Orme's Head. The Sister's Me-
morial lifeboat was launched and found the vessel at
anchor, with her mast carried away. She proved to be the
flat, Morning Star, of Carnarvon. With the assistance of
the lifeboat, the vessel and her crew of three men were
brought safely into Llandudno. It blew very hard from
S.S.W. at the time.

There are at present 150 lifeboats on the coasts of the
United Kingdom belonging to the Royal National Lifeboat
Institution and 35 to local boards. The mortar and rocket
apparatus stations now number 243, and are under the
management of the Coast Guard and Board of Trade.

During the year 1864 and the first eight months of 1865,
627 lives (besides 28 vessels) were saved by the lifeboats
of the National Institution alone, and 395 by shore boats
and other means, for which it granted rewards. A sum of
£2,297 was expended by the institution in the same period
in reward; and £34,128 on its various establishments
round the coasts of the British Isles.

In the presence of facts like these, the Lifeboat Insti-
tution need have no misgiving in respect to pecuniary sup-
port, whilst it pursues vigorously and successfully the
great and national objects for the promotion of which it
was established more than forty years ago. It is gratifying
and encouraging to find that iu proportion as the sphere
of the operations of the institution increases, its com-
mittee of management and officers become deeply sensible
of their great and responsible duties, and of the high trust
which the British public has reposed in them. Its local
branches and the lifeboats fully participate in this feeling
of responsibility, and so long as this mutual feeling is
maintained and strengthened, the cause of suffering huma-
nity must be the gainer.

In conclusion, we may ask who can read the account of
the lifeboat services without endorsing the eloquent words
of Miss Florence Nightingale, when she recently said, in
sending her £2O to the Lifeboat Institution, " I can never
see the accounts of the heroic deeds constantly performed
in this cause without feeling that the age of heroes has not
passed away ; and may God bless, as he has so manifestly
blessed, the valiant National Lifeboat Institution."

THE STRIKE OF THE PATTERN-3IAKERS. —There
seems no disposition on the part of the master en-
gineers to concede the advance of wages asked by the pat-
tern-makers in their employ unless compelled to do so.
The advance claimed by the men is Bd. per day, but they
are willing to meet the masters and accept 6d. per day. A
few of the masters have given the Bd., and a few more the
6d., but the advance is generally refused, and in conse-
quence the men in the employ of Messrs. Simpson, Hay-
ward, and Tylers, Grissell and Co., to the number of about
50, were last week "drawn out" by the committee of the
trade and placed upon the strike allowance of £1 per week,
and a resolution adopted that no pattern-maker shall accept
work at any shop under 6s. 6d. per day. Should these
measures be found ineffectual to gain the advance, it is in
contemplatio4 by the men to have a general strike through-
out the trade. The pattern-makers form a most important
body.

AN ELOPEMENT NIPPED IN THE BcD.—The pas-
sengers on the Scarborough Railway had much
amusement provided on Tuesday by an old lady who was
in search of her fugitive daughter, whom she captured at
the Mallon Railway Station. The fair truant was a young
girl of much personal attraction, and is, if some reports are
to be trusted, already married. Be this as it may, it
appears she had formed an intrigue with a gentleman
whose appearance was not at all prepossessing, who
at the early hour of three in the morning had helped
her out of the window of her home at Scarborough,
the lady taking with her a stock of wearing apparel.
It was ascertained that the fugitives bad taken the high
road to Mallon, where they proceeded to the Globe
Hotel until a train was ready for York. By this train
(which starts from Scarborough) the mother and sister of
the truant fair one arrived, of course to the dismay of the
fugitives, whose amative journey was suddenly cut short.
Tho old lady showered "torrents of abuse" on the guilty
swain, and taking forcible possession of her daughter, re-
paired with her to the Globe Hotel for the second time.
The disappointed lover made the best of his way out of a
place that had grown far too lively to bo comfortable, and
in due time the lady—the observed of all observers—was
not very willingly, taken back to Scarborough.—Eastern
Hominy News.

THE RUSSIAN NAVY.—Mr. Charles Mitchell, of
the firm of Messrs. Charles Mitchell and Co., iron
shipbuilders of Low Walker-on-Tyne, and his partner Mr.
Swan, have each been presented by the Grand Duke Con-
stantine of Russia, on behalf of the Emperor, with massive
gold snuff boxes set with diamonds, as an acknowledgment
of the conscientious manner in which the firm have fullfilled
their engagements to the Imperial Government in the
building of armour-plated ships, :&c. Three years ago
Messrs. C. Mitchell and Co. were commissioned by the Im-
perial Government of Russia to convert one of the dock-
yards at St. Petersburg to iron shipbuilding purposes.
Having completed their task, they entered into a contract
to build an iron-plated war vessel in the new dockyard.
Under the superintendence of :Mr. S wan, 14 months after
the keel was laid, the firm finished an iron-plated vessel, the
Ne Tron Menya, of the capacity of 3,000 tons, her armour-
plating having been sent out from England. During the con-
struction of this vessel, the same firm commenced at St.
Petersburg, with a turret ship,the Smertch, the turrets being
made from drawings specially prepared by Captain Coles.
She was launched in about eight months after her keel was
laid down. Sho is of the capacity of 1,400 tons, and carries
heavy armament. She has a double bottom, has twin screws
for quick manoeuvring, has a bow rudder for the same pur-
pose, and with stores, coals, and armament on board she
only draws 101 feet of water. Since she has been commis-
sioned she has been tested in the Baltic with the most
satisfactory results. She can turn in a very small space,
and can be brought out of very narrow passages with com-
parative ease. The same firm have furnished designs for
six other turret vessels of various sizes, which are beitg
built upon Capt. Coles's principle in the Russian dockyards,
and they have recently commenced laying down at St.
Petersburg an armour-plated frigate of 3,500 tons for the
Russian Government, which vessel will be of the same con-
struction as our new British frigate Bellerophon. The hull
and armour-plates will be of the best Russian iron from
Siberia, and the machinery, also, will be made out in Russia.

_ •-•
s- !It,&fb
(d Dint ktlltnifar.

HER MAJESTY.

BALMORAL, Sept. 22.
The Queen went out walking in the grounds in
the morning, and drove with Princess Louise in the
evening.

Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse, Princess
Helena, and Princess Beatrice, attended by the
ladies and gentlemen in waiting, honoured the Brae-
mar gathering with their presence yesterday after-

noon.
Earl Russell left the Castle in the evening.
Sept. 23.
The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louis of
Hesse, Princess Helena, Princess Louise, and
Princess Beatrice went to a dance given by the
Prince of Wales at Abergeldie yesterday evening.
The ladies and gentlemen in waiting were in
attendance.

The Queen's Visit to Invermark.
As we have already stated, her Majesty remained
over night at Invermark as the guest of the Earl of
Dalhousie. On Wednesday morning her Majesty
had partaken of breakfast and was out in front of
the lodge by 10 o'clock, and she then proceeded to
plant four trees near the lodge in memory of her
visit. These trees had been provided by the Earl of
Dalhousie in the course of May, 1864, in the expec-
tation that the Queen would have visited his hunting
seat and planted them that year, and as it happened
that the visit was then postponed, they have since
been kept in readiness. They consist of two excel-
lent specimens of each of the Wellingtonia Gigantea
and Scotch firs, measuring each about three feet in
height. The Queen planted one of each on the
different sides of the approach to the lodge, but there
was nothing approaching ceremony in connection
with this circumstance.

Her Majesty, the Princess Helena, General Grey,
and Lady Churchill, accompanied by the Earl of
Dalhousie and Lady Christian Maule, left Inver-
mark shortly after 11 o'clock. The royal party were
conducted on the first stage of their journey by the
Earl of Daihousie's forester, who had also acted as
guide of the visitors from Balmoral to Invermark.
The royal party returned to Balmoral by the
same route as they came. At the Prince's Well,
the tent which was erected for the party in passing
on Tuesday was still standing, but the Queen did
not halt at this stage. The Princess Helena, how-
ever, took a draught of the " refreshing waters" of
the well, as had been done by her royal parents
exactly four years ago—on September 20, 1861—
while passing on their incognito visit to Fettercairn,
and to commemoratewhich the well had been covered
in by the Earl of Dalhousie. After passing the well
the route lay by the " ladder road." In ascending
the hill the Queen—who was as usual in mourning,
and rode a dark brown and black pony—took the
first place, and was followed by the Princess Helena,
who wore a blue riding habit, and was mounted on
a light brown or chestnut horse. The Earl of Dal-
housie kept the next place, whilst Lady Christian
Maule followed. General Grey and Lady Churchill
rode a considerable distance behind. On reaching
nearly the top of the " ladder," the pass becomes
more steep and narrow, till the road passes along
almost on the face of a precipitous cliff which
ascends rapidly from the banks of the Mark. After
some distance was passed the Glen again widens,
and the road proceeds along a pretty level tract to
the west shoulder of Mount Keen. On reaching this
point the royal party halted for luncheon. The spot
selected seemed almost in front of the summit of the
hill. A small hollow served as protection from a
stiff breeze which was blowing at the time.
Luncheon was served about one o'clock, and a halt
of an hour was made in this delightful spot. Im-
mediately after luncheon the Earl of Dalhousie and
Lady Christian Maule took leave of her Majesty
and suite, and returned to Invermark. The royal
party then proceeded on their journey. No other
incident occurred till on arriving at the top of Glen
Tanar, about four, when another halt was made.
After half an hour's rest the journey was resumed
over the Pass of the Pulloch to the Bridge of Muick.
The weather during the two days had been excel-
lent till they arrived at this stage of the journey,
when aheavy shower of rain fell,completely drench-
ing the party. At the bridge the carriages were
waiting for her Majesty and suite, and they at once
drove to Balmoral, which was reached shortly after
six in the evening.—Dundee Advertiser.

Her Highness Princess Czernicheff, the Princess
Leon Czernicheff, and the Princess Mary Czernicheff have
arrived at Claridge's Hotel from St. Leonards.
Her Highness Princess Wladimir Bariatinaky
and family have arrived at Claridge's hotel from St.
Leonards.

The Duke of Northumberland and Lady Louisa
Percy are shortly expected to arrive at Northumberland
House from Alnwiek Castle, on their way to TorquaY,
where his grace intends to pass, as usual, the winter
months.

The Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe are causing
extensive preparations to be made at Floors Caatle, in
anticipation of the visit of their Royal highnesses the
Prince and Princess of Wales next month.

The Duchess (Dowager) of Norfolk will shortly
take possession of the late Countess of Glengall's mansion
in Grosvenor-square.
The Duchess (Dowager) of Sutherland has left
Trentham on her way to meet the Duke and Duchess of
Sunderland at Dunrobin Castle. _ .

---
The Marchioness of Londonderry is prolonging
her sojourn at Dieppe.
The Earl Russell, who left Balmoral on Thurs-
day, from attendance on the Queen, arrived on Friday at
Drumlanrig Castle. on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of
Buccleuch.

The Countess of Ellesmere, with the youthful
earl and family, left Bridgewater House on Saturday for
Worsley Hall, Lancashire.

Lord and Lady Lovat have left Beaufort Castle
with a large party of friends to attend the northern meet-
ing at Inverness.
Major-General Lord Henry Percy, C. 8., arrived
from Raby Castle, Durham, where he has been spending a
few days with the Duke and Duchess of Cleveland, on Sa-
turday, and to-day will resume his command at Aldershot.
Colonel North, M.P., and Baroness North will
leave their town residence in Arlington-street to-day for
Wroxtcn Park, Oxon, where they will shortly receive
distinguished circle.

CLOSE OF THE RAILWAY EXCURSION SEASON.'
The Sunday and Monday excursion trains of the London.
and Brighton, the South Eastern, and the London, Chathani,
and Dover railways, and other railways, cease running after
this day, according to official announcement. Owing to the
fineness of the weather the season has been one of unex-
ampled success. It is worthy of remark that, notwith-
standing the number of excursion trains run by the above
three companies on the Sunday and Monday, and the maul
thousands of passengers carried each day, not one single
accident has occurred during the season.
ELECTION EXPENSES.—The return of the expenses
connected with the election of Baron Rothschild,
Mr: R. W. Crawford, Mr. G. J. Gosehen, and Mr. Alderman
W. Lawrence, as representatives of the city in Parliament,
shows an average expenditure of £1,560 Os. Op. The
official return of the expenses incurred by the candidate.
at the late election for the borough of Leeds has been pub-
lished. Those of Mr. G. S. Beecroft, the successful Con-
servative candidate, amounted to £1,739 15s. 6d„ and the
chief items were as follows :—Official expenses, £175 13s.
11d. ; solicitors for professional services, £344 95.; Poll
agents, £lO7 2s. ; ward and district expenses, £244, 17s'
3d. ; printing, stationery, and advertising, £2lO Os. 6d. ;
horse, coach hire, and railway passes, £sl3' 19s. 4d. Those,
of Mr. Baines and Lord Amberley, who we re the Vivre'
candidates, and whose election expenses are conjoined, vier')
£1,223 Os. llid. The principal items are given as follows
—Advertising, printing, and stationery, £3OB 10s. id'
cabs and tolls, £169 14s. lop.; canvassers, clerks, sir
messengers, £219 7s. ld. • professional charges, £105;
official expenses of the mayor' and returning officer, 4 171"
3s. 9d. These differences between the two accounts silos/
considerable diversity in the details, from which it aPPear4
that there is no uniform system of making out or classify"
ing the accounts. They also show that the expenses c's
the two Liberal candidates—one of whom (Mr Baines) we
elected—were upwards of £5OO less than those of the Con-
servative. The election expenses of the two membersfl
Guildford have just been published. Those of Mr.
Guild-
ford Onslow (Liberal), who was not opposed, amounted to
s
£157 Bs., the largest item being £35 ss. for town clerk.ii
fees and hustings expenses. The expenses of Mr. /30'/1
(Conservative), opposed, amount to £644 6s. 3d., including.
posting bills and delivering circulars, £lOO 16s. 6d.; nesl
mitte-room staff, £304 175. 6d.