The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-15 00:00:00

more. I determined to try the Arkansas shore, which was
about three-quarters of a mile distant. I passed over se-
veral bodies of dead men, killed and trampled in the mad
rush which must have occurred some time prior to my ad-
vent on that part of the boat. I found the same sea of
heads on this side ; but found that the fldmes had driven
them from the vicinity of the wheel-house. Prior to my
leap I saw several husbands fasten life-preservers to their
wives and children, and throw them overboard into the
straggling mass below. I struck out for the Arkansas shore,
and reached a log lodged in 15 feet of water, among over-
flowed cotton woodlands, at 3.30 o'clock by my watch, which
had not ceased to run. After four hours of exposure, I was
rescued by the steamer Silver Spray. The boat contained
1,175 souls. The density with which they were packed
had awakened my curiosity, and I looked over, with the
clerk, his certificates and books, before retiring. This num -
ber included 85 hands employed on the boat. There were
some females, besides a few children. The bulk of the pas-
sengers were returned prisoners from Andersonville, which
place they left on the 7th Feb. Among them were the
remnant at that point of prisoners captured at Chicamauga
and Gettysburg. They numbered altogether 1,960 men and
36 officers. A large numbor of horses were on the boat,
which providentially fell unresisting victims to the flames.
Had they broken loose the fate of the swimmers would
have been determined. As near as can be ascertained with-
out other data than observation, between two and three
hundred reached the bank, while about an equal number
floated down the stream on doors and furniture. A dense
mass, estimated at about 500, took refuge on the bow of
the boat, while the flames were driven aft by the wind. A
moments afterwards the wheel-houses, loosened by con-
cussion and flames, fell off outward, and the boat turned
up-stream, reversing the flames. The largest part of the
number then must have perished, as they had no material
at hand to throw over to sustain themselves, except a few
bales of hay, which were immediately seized on the turn-
ing of the boat. Gang-planks were thrown overboard, but
sunk at once under their living freight, and rose too far
out of reach. A yawl-boat was landed bottom up from the
hurricane deck upon the heads of those below, and afforded
support for a few in that condition. Ehe whole time before
the boat was an entire sheet of flame could not have ex-
ceeded 20 minutes. I was not more than one-third of the
distance to shore when I observed the fact. The prisoners
represented nearly every State in the Union, even Texas,
and the calamity will be as widely felt as a battle of no in-
considerable proportions."

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

GREAT INDIAN PENINSULA.

The report of the diiectors states that in the
course of the past year 324 miles of the Nagpoor line
from Mulkapoor to Sheagaum was opened for traffic.
The Thull Ghat incline, 93. miles, was also completed
before the close of the half-year, the goods traffic
having beenworked overit from the27th of Decem-
ber. The company's lines now extend continuously
across the Syhadree range from Bombay, in a north-
easterly direction, via the Thull Ghat to Sheagaum,
in the Nagpoor territory, and in a south-easterly
direction via the Bhore Ghat to Sholapoor. The
average number of miles worked over was 565, as
compared with 542 in the corresponding half of
1863, being an increase of 23 miles. The total re-
ceipts amounted to £313,175 for the past half-year,
against £207,871 for the corresponding half of 1863,
showing an increase of £105,304, of which £71,130
was for goods, and £31,939 for passengers. The
receipts not brought into the revenue statement
applied to meet cartage charges at the Ghats and in
Bombay amounted to £39,913, against £36,648,
showing an increase of £3,265. While the length
of the line worked over was in last half-year ex-
tended only 4.18 per cent., the increase in the
receipts was equal to 44.40 per cent. of those for the
corresponding half of the previous year. Of the total
receipts 10.41 per cent. arose from the carriage of
the company's own materials, against 715 per cent.
in the corresponding half of 1863. The Bombay Go-
vernment had authorised the rates for passengers to
be increased as follows, as from the Ist of December,
1864, viz. :—The first-class from 12 to 15. pies per
mile, the second-class from 6 to 8 pies per mile, and
the third-class from 2to 3 pies per mile. The ad-
vanced rates were not, however, to be regarded as a
settlement of this question, which would be dealt
with as further experience might dictate. 'The work-
ing expenses amounted to £229,462, against £149,173
for the corresponding half of 1863, showing an in-
crease of £80,288. But including the cartage charges
at the Ghats and in Bombay the total expenses
amounted to £269,375, or 73.26 per cent., against
£1.85,821, or 71.76 per cent., showing an increase
of £83,554. The working expenses of the half-year
were materially enhanced by the continued rise in
the price of labour in Bombay, by the high price of
fuel, and by the issue for maintenance of the line of
31,835 teak sleepers, at a cost of £12,685, chiefly
required to replace those of jungle woods, which
had been used in construction. The directors look
forward with confidence to a diminution in the ratio
of expenses to receipts in future half years. The
net profit of the half-year carried to the credit of
the company's interest account with the Govern-
ment was £83,713, against £58,697 in the corre-
sponding half of the previous year. Considerable
progress had been made upon the several contracts.
Upon the Nagpoor line it was expected that the
whole of the main line works would be completed
for laying the permanent way within six months
from the date of the report ; upon the Jubbulpoor
line, that the 78 miles from Rhosawul to Kundwah,
would be ready by the end of the year ; that the
next contract in the same direction,, " Hurdah to
Sohagpoor," would require for completion till May,
1867. Of the south-east line the construction of
the first section; beyond Sholapoor to Kulbargah,
701 miles, had been just let to Messrs. Adamson and
Clowser, who conducted the works on the Bhore
Ghat. The remaining section from Kulburgah to
the junction with the Madras Railway, at Raichoor,
would be let without any delay so soon as the plans
were completed. It had been determined with the
sanction of the Secretary of State for India to pro-
ceed at once to lay down the second line of rails be-
tween Callian and Kussarah, at the foot of the Thull
Ghat, 414 miles, the line having been constructed as
a double line upon the Ghat, and from Bombay to
Callian. When this further portion was doubled, the
railway would be a double line for 84f miles from
Bombay to Egutpoorah at the top of the Thull
Ghat incline. The capital account to the 31st of
December last showed that £12,249,384, had been
received, and £11,489,846 expended, leaving a ba-
lance of £759,538. The interest account showed
that £3,163,283 had been paid and payable _by the
Government to the 31st of December last ; and that
£793,167, had been repaid out of net revenue,
leaving £2,370,111 chargeable against half-surplus
profits over 5 per cent.

WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION.

A special meeting of this company was held at
Whitehaven on Thursday ; Mr W. Furness presided.
The CHAIRMAN moved a formal resolution, ap-
proving a bill to enable the company to make
branches and other works, and to extend their rail-
way from- Millom to join the Furness Railway at
Dalton, and to raise additional capital to the amount
of £130,000. Powers were also taken to enter into
traffic arrangements with the Whitehaven, Cleator,
anal Egremont Company.
_ _

Mr. CAMERON seconded the motion, which was
unanimously agreed to, and the proceedings termi-
nated.

WHITEHAVEN, CLEATOR, AND EGRE-

MONT.

A special meeting of this company was held at
Whitehaven on Thursday, Mr. A. B. Steward inthe
chair, for the purpose of considering a bill now
before Parliament to empower the company to make
branches and other works, to extend their line to
Bigrigg Moor, and to raise additional capital.
The CHAIRMAN pointed o•at the desirability of
making the proposed line to accommodate the traffic
from the iron ore pits now at work in the neigh-
bourhood. A considerable quantity of ore was now
being raised, and more was expected to be raised.

Mr. H. JEFFERSON seconded the motion approving
the bill, and it was agreed to.

TENBURY AND BEWDLEY.

A special meeting of this company was held on
Wednesday ; Sir E. Blount in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN moved a resolution authorising
the directors to create and issue preference shares
to the amount of £20,000 at interest of £4 10s. per
cent. per annum, to take priority of all other shares
of the company.
This resolution was carried unanimously, as also
was another resolution authorising the directors to
issue and dispose of the unissued reserve and for-