The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-01 00:00:00

TIE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 1, 1865.

The Loss of the Bombay.

Wo have the following despatches from the Admiralty,
with a request to publish them :

Rear-Admiral the lion. Chas. B. Elliot, C. 8., Commander-in-
Chief; Monte Video.

H.M.S. Stromboli, Monte Video, Dec. 15, 1864.

Sir,—lt is my painful duty to report to you the total
loss by fire of your flagship H.M.S. Bombay, under my
command. The circumstances are as follow :

2. In compliance with your orders we left Monte Video
Roads yesterday morning, the 14th inst., at 6 15 a.m.,
under sail.

3. In the forenoon, being then between Flores Light and
the English Bank, we exercised at general quarter, firing
at a target. In the afternoon, at about 1.45, we again went
to quarters, and beat the retreat shortly after three p.m.,
keeping the foremost lower deck guns exercising.
At about 3.35 p.m. the fire bell was rung, and a fire was
reported to me to be in the after-magazine ; every one im-
mediately went to their fire-stations, and a good supply of
water was obtained directly. I ordered the magazine to be
flooded as fast as possible. The commander went below
to the fire by my directions, and'shortly returned, report-
ing to me that it was a very bad one. I went below my-
self, and found both main and lower decks full of smoke,
the pumps working well, a good supply of water, and
numerous wet blankets being passed down. At this time
men could hardly remain on the orlop deck from the dense
smoke and flames coming from the after hold, where the
fire proved to be ; some were carried up insensible.
Finding things so bad, and it being reported that the
fire was gaining, I directed the quarter boats to be lowered,
the sick to be passed into them, and preparations to be
made for hoisting out the boom boats. At 3.52 I ordered
the boom boats to be got out, and the men
still to remain at the pumps. The cutter, pinnace,
and first launch were hoisted out the starboard side, and
the barge the port ; by this time the men were being forced
up from below by the heat and smoke. I ordered the
hatchways and skids to be covered, and every endeavour
was made to get the second launch out, but the flames and,
smoke now bursting up from below from every direction
rendered this impossible in spite of The .gallant efforts. of the
men, were now forced over the side and forward by the fear-
ful heat, smoke, and flame spreading in every direction, the
topsails and rigging being at this time in a blaze. The boats
as they were filled shoved off, and laid on their oars to pick
up stragglers, and I directed hammocks, gratings, and other
articles that would float to be thrown overboard to assist
those in the water, the boats picking up the Men as fast as
possible, for the fire spread so rapidly that all, excepting
those who gained the anchors, cables, bowsprit, and ropes
hanging overboard, were in the water.

At 4.15 the mainmast went over the sides being only 40
minutes from the time the fire bell rang, the first launch
being only just clear of it as it fell into the water.
A few people still remaining holding on to the ropes
under the bows were rescued by Mr. Mandeville, Sub-
Lieutenant, and a volunteer boat's crew in a most gallant
manner, being a service of great danger, from the numerous
things falling about, and the imminent risk of the magazine
exploding.

Having been picked up by ono of the boats I detached
Lieut. Vidahin the second gig, as soon as possible to Monte
Video to make known our situation ; at this time several
vessels were coming to our assistance, the first that arrived
being a pilot boat, which relieved the pinnace of a number
of her men ; other vessels arrived shortly, and all the boats
were picked up, the men being kindly and hospitably cared
for ; most of them being nearly naked were supplied with
clothes from the stocks of the crows.

From the inquiries I have made, it appears that George
Noble, sailmaker, and George Marsh, ropemaker, who are
stationed on the platform of the hold to pass up shell,
were the first that perceived the fire ; the former, who is one
of those saved, states that he saw flames and smoke
issuing from under the starboard foremost handing room
of after magazine and platform adjacent, and immediately
rushed up, rang the fire bell, and reported the fire.
I have not been able to ascertain how it originated. The
lights in the after-light room were put out, the maga-
zine was secured, and they were in the act of putting the
lights out in the fore light rooms when the alarm was
given. There was, however, time to see that there was
neither flame nor smoke in the light room, and that all the
lights were burning excepting one. From the extraordinary
quickness with which the firo spread, and the intense
volume of smoke and flame, I am led to suppose that the
spirits were ignited.

I have much pleasure in informing you that the officers
and ship's company behaved exceedingly well throughout,
under the trying circumstances in which they were placed.
Every one went to their stations with alacrity, and worked
with the greatest zeal and cheerfulness ; there was no con-
fusio&.; even when the order was given to get the boats out
not one of those ordered to remain at the fire and pumps
left their station till they were absolutely driven away by
the flames.

Every officer did his duty entirely to my satisfaction.
Among those whom I had an opportunity of observing, and
who have been brought prominently to my notice, I beg in
the first place to mention the name of Commander John C.
Wilson, to whose coolness, activity, energy, and promptness
in carrying out every necessary measure, and infusing a
cheerful spirit among the mon, I attribute to a great extent
the fact of our being able to save so many lives. Also Lieuts.
Kelly and Fullerton, who remained at the fire till nearly
stifled, the former directing generally, the latter pointing
a branch pipe himself; he was carried up from below almost
insensible ; ho, with Mr. Brock, acting second master, Geo.
Carr, blacksmith, Jas. 'Warner, captain mizentop, were the
last men to leave. Mr. Watts, the master, did not leave the
poop till the last, when he got into the first launch over the
quarter, and persisted gallantly in remaining at the ship
in spite- of things falling around, and the probability
of the after magazine exploding every moment. Lieut.
Carr was picked up by him, and these two worked
together with great advantage ; they had only got a very
little out of the way when the mainmast fell. Lieut.
Stirling showed great zeal and coolness in preparing
for and hoisting out boats. The warrant officers worked
nobly and courageously at their stations, as did Mr. Frank-
lin, supernumerary boatswain, who was very active, and of
great service. Ho is, lam sorry to say, ono
.of the two
officers 16st. The conduct of Mr. Mandeville, sub-lieute-
nant, I have before noticed. I also saw him save another
life from drowning near the ship. Robert Giddy, chief
boatswain's mate, dfstinguished himself greatly by his
courage and energy. George Carr, blacksmith, James
were Warner, captain
hardly fhe m
ezenitvoapy.
,remained last at the fire,
and oabltetogit away.

In the boats Commander Wilson and Mr. Mandeville
speak highly of the conduct of Thomas Shilson, captain of
the forecastle, and Alfred Barton, A. 8., of the volunteer
boats' crew (a list of which I enclose), the latter of whom
went overboard and rescued a man at great risk, from a
position between some spars, while the spars were burning
overhead. Lieut. Carr and Mr. Watts recommend Henry
Priest and Samuel Grant, seamen, for swimming to the ship
when the boat could not get near, and bringing men from
ropes alongside. They also speak highly of the support
they received from Mr. Boss, carpenter, and Robert Giddy,
chief boatswain's mate.

The master succeeded in saving the ship's log, but the
remainder of the books were lost in spite of the paymaster
and Mr. Trollope, assistant clerk, having tried repeatedly
to get into the maindeck office.

Tho following are the times that Mr. Watts, the master,
took while on the poop :—Fire-bell rung, and after maga-
zine reported on fire at 3.35 p.m. Quarter boats ordered
to be lowered, and sick past into them, as the fire was
gaining, 3.50 p.m. Commenced getting boom boats out,
3.52. Men forced from below by flames and smoke; hatch-
way and skid covers put on, 3.55. Al boats out, except
2d launch ; fire coming up hatchways and skids, forcing
every one overboard by heat and flames, 4. Mainmast went
over the side, 4.15. Mizenmo.st, 4.40. Foremast, 5.5.
After magazine exploded, 8.25.
When the fire broke out the ship was under, three top-
sails and jib, foretopsail was aback, the jib was hauled
down, and the main yard squared, but the ship was not
kept before the wind, because she would have left the
boats ; the anchor was not let go, as it would have by
bringing her head to wind blinded the people on deck with
the smoke.

I enclose a list of officers and men missing, and I deeply
regret to say that I believe they have all perished.—l have
the honour to be, ecc.,

(Signed)

COLIN A. CAMPBELL, Captain her
Majesty's late ship Bombay.
LIST OF VOLUNTEER BOATS' CREWS.
JOLLY BOAT.

Officer of the boat—Sub-Lieutenant Henry A. Mandeville.
Crew—Thomas Shilson, captain forecastle ; Alfred Barton,
A.B. ; James P. Webb, A. 8.-; John Lee, sailmaker's crew ;
William Brunner, gunner's mate ; James M'Mahon, cap-
tain of Hold; Arthur M'Cardell, orderly; Thomas Ackland,
orderly.

We have received the following from the Admi-
ralty, with the request to publish it :-
44 H.M. LATE SHIP BOMBAY, Jan. 10, 1865.

" The following is a return of all casualties by
death on the occasion of the burning of the above
ship, near Monte Video, on the 14th of December,
1864 :

" John K. Smailborn, assistant surgeon ; James Vingoe
and Wm. Phillips, ship's corporals ; Thomas Weaver, naval
schoolmaster ; James Finch, boatswain's mate ; George
Marsh, ropemaker ; John C. Mullin, leading stoker ; Geo.
Miles, sick-berth steward ; Richd. George, caulker's mate ;
James White, 2d captain maintop; Richard Blatchford,
Charles Wilson, George Taylor, Charles Gower, Alfred
Mingay, A.B.'s ; James Sharpe and Henry Harris, ship-
wrights ; William Neil, lamplighter ; Thomas Walker and
S. Stainbridge, butchers; Charles Jessett, barber; Thomas
Nash, engineers' cook; William Ball, gun room cook; E.
Roberts, warrant officers' cook; Jas. Hodge, ward-room
cook's assistant ; Wm. Wiggett, sick-berth attendant ;
John Prigge, Aaron Houghton, and Alfred Holding,
ward-room officers' servants; H. Ardley, tailor; Oswald
Ansell, H. Schdeider, Edward Giles, and Richard
Magness, band ; Thomas Burr, William Farrell; Cor-
nelius Smith, Alfred Baker, Edwd. Goodenough, :and
Nicholas Moore, stokers ; Wm. Scarsbrook, Wm. Eidsforth,

S. IV. Woolley, Jas. Rayden, and Jno. T. Ratto, ordinaries ;
Edward Smith and Walter May, ordinaries 2d class ; Wm.
Head, George Cooper, Jas. Corben, DI. Donoghue, Alfred
Wallis, Geo:.Barrett, boys Ist class; Dl. Holmes, John
Dowd,--Sas. Birney, Wm. Browne, John Burns, Patrick
Meara, gunners R.M.A.; Geo. Carver, sergeant R.N. ;
Chas. Eady, Thomas Carvell, corporals R.M. ; H. Hum-
phries, drummer ; Benjamin Woodhead, Wm. Harris,
James Kirke, Wm. Carpenter, John Walsh, James Bur-
gess, John Garbott, John Shaw, Edw. Barker, CharleS
Walker, James Deamer, Patrick Reagan, John Ambler,
George Cotton, Charles Spooner, John Dogherty, Peter
Astbarey, James Ridley, Samuel Thorpe, Thomas Pope,
Charles Fisher, James Parker, Charles Bailey, and Ml.
Murphy; privates, R.M. Supernumeraries—Jno. Franklin;
acting boatswain, 3d class ; Juo. Rockcliffe, shipwright's
apprentice; Edwin G. Webb and Joseph Brown, boys 2d
class. Total, 91.

LAW INTELLIGENCE—(This Day).

.2- •

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
(Before the Lord Chief Justice Cockburn.)
THE QUEEN V. RUMBLE.-THE RAPPAHANNOCK.

This case, it will be recollected, was before the Court
some time ago. It was a proceeding on the part of the
Crown against a gentleman named Rumble, who held a
respectable appointment in her Majesty's dockyard at
Sheerness, for that he knowingly infringed the provisions
of the Foreign Enlistment Act in procuring the equip-
ment of a vessel of war called the Rappahannock, for the
Confederate Government of the Southern States of
America. The ship was formerly in the Royal
Navy, but after examination she was sold out of the
Queen's service, and purchased by some parties who had
her thoroughly repaired and fitted out as a Confederate
cruiser, as it was alleged, through the instrumentality of
the defendant. She was taken to one of the French ports,
and while there it was further alleged steps were taken to
procure a crow for her in England.
The case was set down for trial this morning before the
Lord Chief Justice and a special jury, but some mistake
having occurred in the sqmmoning of the jury, it was or-
dered to stand over Until to-morrow.

COURT OF DIVORCE.
(Before the Judge. Ordinary.)
ISAACS V. ISAACS.

This was a suit instituted by Ellen Isaacs for a dissolu-
tion of marriage on the ground of her husband's cruelty,
desertion, and adultery.
Mr. Brown appeared for the petitioner.

The respondent had been a farmer at Boxton, in Sonier-
setship, and married the petitioner, who was in his own
station of life, in December, 1853. The cohabitation con-
tinued until 1863, when the respondent formed an improper
connection with a female named Stokes at Chelsea, with
whom he had been since living, and he finally deserted his
wife, by whom he had a family. The acts of cruelty were
various, and the respondent had on certain occasions locked
his wife and child out of the house, and refused the later
food or medical advice. It was proved in evidence that
the respondent had been living in adultery in different
parts of London with a woman who was not his wife.
The Court made the decree nisi, with costs.