The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-15 00:00:00

211 E FATAL PALL AReIIES ON THE
CITY AND ILIALIII.ERSMITII RAILWAY.

Yesterday Dr. Lankester, coroner for Central
Middlesex, resumed the inquest at the Bank of
England Tavern, Pi aed-street, Paddington, on the
bodies of James Hall, aged 22 ; Richard Cookson,
aged 30 ; Wm. Ogden, aged 20 ; Henry Macey,
aged 21; Alfred Beeby, aged 19 ; and Thomas
Nicholls, aged 27, the six unfortunate men killed by
the falling of several arches of the viaduct on the
Hammersmith Railway on the morning of the 6th
inst.

Mr. C. E. Lewis appeared on the part of Mr.
Romans, the contrytor for the works ; and Mr.
Cotton appeared on behalf of the railway company.
_ _ _ _

Mr. Bird, the coroner of the western division of
Middlesex, who was present, said several complaints
had reached him from friends and relatives of the
deceased parties as to the removal of the bodies after
they were proved by medical men on the ground to
have life extinct, and he had attended there to call
on his colleague, Dr. Lankester, to inquire by whose
authority such removal had taken place.
Dr. Lankester said, with all deference to the su-
perior legal knowledge of Mr. Bird, he thought
that the jury had no other duty to perform but to
inquire into the deaths of these poor people. The
removal might be a question between him and his
colleague in another place.
Thos. Chatterly was then sworn—He said he was
a foreman of carpenters to Mr. Rummens, contrac-
tor for the railway. On the morning of the acci-
dent his attention was called by Baten to the pier
of one of the arches near the ditch having sunk con-
siderably, and in consequence witness and his men
set to work shoring up the different arches, and
they had put in about 20 shores when the accident
happened. That was about half-past 8 in the even-
ing. The men were working overtime by the light
of fires. When the arches fell witness helped to get
the deceased men out, and he directed them to be
removed to St. Mary's Hospital because he thought
they breathed. He was sure such was the fact in
the case of Macey and another.
By Mr. Lewis—He had shored six arches before
the accident happened—three on each side of the
pier which had sunk. The first arch shored was the
one on the east side of that pier. The men were
found under the third arch west of the defective
pier.

One of the house surgeons to St. Mary's Hospital
deposed that the bodies of the deceased men were
brought there dead with various injuries.
Mr. john Fowler said he was engineer to the
Hammersmith and City Railway Company,and that
he had made a minute investigation as to the cause
of the accident, and was prepared to state that it
had resulted solely from the sinking of the pier of
the first arch referred to, consequent on the unsolid
character of the ground, which had become al-
tered, causing the sitiking‘ind sliding of the pier.
it had sunk or settled ten inches and a half,
and had made a slide westward five inches. The
concrete was 18 inches thick. The sinking and
lateral movement caused the fall.

Mr. Wm. Wilson, civil engineer, of Queen-
square, Westminster, said he was resident engineer
of this railway, and superintended the construction
of the works generally, He had examined the soil
of the foundations of the first six arches, and gave
instructions that if the soil was the same the build-
ing of the arches was to be continued in the same
way. Had heard Mr. Fowler's evidence, and
agreed with him as to the cause of the accident.
The brickwork was of the best description, and
the concrete used was in accordance with the con-
tract. Believed that was crushed in consequence
of the lateral action of the pier.
Mr. Joseph Cubitt, engineer, said he had exa-
mined tho place since the accident, and agreed that
the softening of the undersoil or was the cause
of the accident. A similar occurrence had taken
place at works of his own, and the proper course
was taken to save the arches. The quality of the
materials was perfectly satisfactory.
Thomas Wright Holden, superintendent of works
under the contractor, deposed to having superin-
tended the digging of the foundations for these
piers. Saw no difference in the foundation of the
soil. Was aware of the ditch, but it was dry when
the foundations were dug. The ditch was drained
under the arches about three weeks before the pier
began to sink. The first indication of the sinking
was a crack in the brickwork, at the top of the
viaduct.

Mr. Robert Ker said he resided at 3, Parlia-
ment-street, and was architect and surveyor of
St. James's. Had visited the fallen viaduct, and
quite agreed that the cause as stated by the
engineers previously examined was the correct
one. The ditch referred to by the side of the pier
which gave way had no doubt been accumulating a
deposit for many years, and had caused the clay
of the lower surface to become moistened and soft-
ened. Did not think, however, the clay suffi-
ciently altered in appearance from the surround-
ing soil to attract attention. Was of opinion
that the concrete produced and taken out of the
foundation had never been set, but it had nothing
to do with the accident.

The Coroner here said if the jury felt that they
had not had sufficient evidence as to the character
of the soil he would adjourn the inquest.
A volunteer witness, however, deposed to knout'
i
ing the ditch referred to for five years, and said t
was over the boots in summer even.
The room was cleared, and the jury, after some
discussion, desired to have the pier removed that
they might satisfy themselves as to the character
of the soil.

The inquest was adjourned till Wednesday next'

COUN2-RY MARKETS.

, .1.,

LIVERPOOL—Nov. 14.

We had a fair attendance to-day, and wheat and flour
had a very limited trade, with prices rather in favour of
buyers. Indian corn in good request, and prices rather
dearer,

WAKEFIELD—Nov. 14.

Wheat, at our market to-day, was is per qr cheaper
than last week, but very little business done. Barley also
Is per qr lower. Beans, oats, and shelling held for former
rates.

Averages for the weer( :
Wheat 1 778 qrs., at sls 7d
Barley.... 768 --
Peas.. .. -- --
Oats 125
23s Od
Rye 3 ........
.. 31s 6d
Beans

STAMFORD—Nov. 14.
New wheat, 50s to 53s—red, 47s to 51s per 36 stone
Barley, 30s to 408 per qr. Oats, 22s to 27s per 24 stonv‘,
Beans, 40s to 42s per qr.

EXETER—Nov. 14.
Wheat, white 6s 3d to 6s 6d .
Barley. ..3s 9d to 4s 61
Ditto red 6s Od to 68 3d I Oats ...... 2s 10d to 33 1
Flour, fine, 37s to 39s ; seconds, 35s to 36s per sack.
CATTLE.
A good supply of all descriptions of stock.
f
Fat beef, p sc., 9s 9d to 10s0d Ewes, per lb .... hid 4
Pork carcases, 8s 6d to Os 6dl
-° sia
Wethors, d 0....,, 61d to 7d
Lamb, p 1b....... 70 to 8d Fat calves, d0...60 told.
Rough fat, 3i,d per lb.

BRISTOL SUGAR—Nov. 14.
We have again had a quiet market for raw sugar. The
refined market has shown mere activity, and prices are very
firm. Rum in limited sale.