The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-27 00:00:00

THE DES7.RUCTION OF 7HE WORKS AT

IHE BREAKWATER FORT.

PLYMOUTH, AUG. 26.

The structure destroyed here yesterday was a
large framework of timber erected on the Shovel
Rock in the Sound, to assist in constructing the
foundation for the fort proposed to be erected just
inside the breakwater. This foundation is to be a
massive piece of masopry, formed of large blocks of
concrete, made to dovetail into each other in courses
faced with proportionate blocks of stone, also dove-
tailed together, and to be carried up to within a few
feet of low water mark. Large works have been
erected at Laird, on the border of the Catwater,
about three miles from the site of the fort, for the
preparation of these blocks of concrete and stone,
which were to be taken out to the site all ready to be
lowered into their places. For several months a
large number of men, sometimes amounting to 190,
have been employed in preparing the rock, and in Feb.
last the erection of this scaffolding that has been de-
stroyed was commenced. It was to consist of a
circle of piles driven in the rock round the founda-
tion, the piles to be about 70ft. in length, and
formed of balks of timber bolted together with iron
shoes 41in. square and sft. in length. The piles
supported by guys carried to Lewises, suitable fas-
tenings also driven in the rock. Large pieces of
timber, technically termed " longitudinals," to be
fastened across the piles as ties and braces, along
the top tramways to be laid for the trollies or tra-
velling cranes, from which the blocks were to be
lowered to their places in the foundation.
Up to yesterday the piles had been driven, the
guys secured, and the men were employed in lay-
ing the longitudinals, having reached to about the
water's edge. At low water about 40ft. of the piles
were exposed to the action of the winds and waves,
without having been consolidated by the courses of
longitudinals that were yet to be erected and the
tramways. A strong easterly wind prevailed, and
at about low water some of the eastern piles and
guys gave way, and destruction to the whole of the
rest of the structure within a few minutes was the
consequence.

The piles broke off nearly all their shoes, and
floated to the surface. There were about seven men
on them at the time of the accident, who fortunately
all escaped with an immersion and two of them
being rather severely bruised. Mr. Brown, the
foreman, also had a narrow escape with an immer-
sion, being in a pinnace which was crushed and
sunk by a falling pile. Another boat was also de-
stroyed, but its occupants also escaped.
By this accident the laying of the foundation-
stone has been retarded at the earliest for several
months. It was hoped to be ready to lay on the
coming birthday of the Prince of Wales.
The contractors, Messrs. Lee and Son, of Lon-
don, are also heavy losers, the whole six months'
labour having been sacrificed, in addition to the
damage done to the materials.

THE CONDEMNED CRIMINAL TAYLOR.

The demeanour of this wretched man since his
condemnation has not indicated the slightest con-
trition for the great offence for which the forfeiture
of his life is to be the penalty. He takes his food
regularly, sleeps well, and spends the greater por-
tion of his time during the day in the perusal of re-
ligious books. He converses freely, and even cheer-
fully, with those who approach him, but makes no
reference to the crime for which he is to suffer. He
has the benefit of the ministrations of the much-re-
spected chaplain of the gaol, the Rev. T. Appleton,
i
who visits him daily. As is customary in the case of
prisoners under sentence of death,Taylor is attended
night and day by officers of the prison. During the
trial the prisoner's father, who is 70 years of age,
and an unmarried sister, a middle-aged. woman, and
the daughter of another sister, a girl about 18, were
in the vicinity of the court, and at their urgent re-
quest were permitted to have an interview with
Taylor before he was conveyed back to gaol. The
interview was of a very painful nature. His sister
who is, it is said, an exceedingly intelligent, well;
informed woman, had frequently written to her lin.
happy brother during his incarceration with a view
of bringing him to a proper sense of the appalling
position in which he is placed, but it does not ap-
pear that her praiseworthy efforts have been attended
with much success.
At this meeting she spoke to
him on the subject andfalso concerning the deaths
of the children, when he exclaimed, with some im-
petuosity, "I did not murder them; Mellor mur-
dered them, and they'll murder me," and evidently
showed that he did not wish to hold any further
conversation respecting the fearful tragedy. His
relations took a last farewell of him on Thursday,
and on the following morning proceeded to Man-
chester, it being understood they went thither for
the purpose of visiting the graves of the murdered
' children in Harpurhey Cemetery. Mrs. Taylor also
had an interview with her husband soon after he
had been visited by. the relatives spoken of, and
was with him a considerable length of time. She
was most tenderly attached to him, and still enter-
tained as strong an affection for him as ever, it is
said. She was overwhelmed with grief, but the
criminal was apparently comparatively unmoved.
He expressed a great desire that she should not
leave Liveipool until after his execution, and she
promised to comply with his wish. At her request
lodgings were taken for her in the house of a resi-
dent near the gaol. Mrs. Taylor returned
.to the
prison after the trial, and remained there during the
night, leaving on Friday morning. On the even-
ing of that day one of her uncles arrivedin Liver-
pool from I)unster, Somersetshire, and propcsed to
her that she should at once take leave of her unfor-
tunate husband, return with him (the uncle) to
Minster, and there spend the remainder of her days.
Mrs. Taylor at first was not at all inclined to con-
sent to this course, seeming to feel great repugnance
at the idea of so soon parting for ever with her hus-
band, and wished to postpone the final interview as
long as possible ; but on it being urgently repre-
sented by her uncle and her legal adviser that her
frequent visits would only have the effect of dis-
tracting the mind of the wretched criminal, and
prevent him making due preparation for the fate
which inevitably a e:aits him, she at length reluo-
tantly yielded to their entreaties, and on Saturday
afternoon proceeded to the gaol, accompanied by
her uncle, for the purpose of bidding the condemned
man a last farewell. As will be readily imagined,
the interview was of the most heartrending descrip-
tion. Taylor had, notthe slightest idea of his wife's
determination until she communicated it to him her-
self, and there is no doubt it was altogether unex-
pected by him. Mrs. Taylor, w© understand, left
Liverpool for Somersetshire on Saturday evening.
In the ordinary course of things the execution will
take place on the second Saturday after the termi-
nation of the assizes.--ZtVerpoo/ Mercury.