The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-15 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—I beg to inform you, for the information of
your readers, that the mail-packet Samphire, on her
voyage last night from Dover to Calais with the
mails, and about 70 passengers and their baggage,
at about,ll.3o p.m. came into collision with an Ame-
rican barque, and was struck in her fore compart-
ment, which immediately filled and disabled her
from proceeding on her voyage. The Samphire
being constructed with water-tight compartments
the passengers and crew were all kept in safety in
the after part of the vessel until the Belgian mail
packet, La Belgique, came to her assistance, and
conveyed passengers, crew, and baggage in safety
to Dover. The Samphire has also been towed into
Dover this morning, where she will be immediately
overhauled with the view of ascertaining the damage
she has sustained. As far as we can at present learn
no blame is to be attached to the commander of the
Samphire.—l am, sir, &c.,
LUKE SMITHETT, Kt., Marine Superintendent.
Dover, Dec. 14.

DOVER, FRIDAY.
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
The water has been got out of the ill-fated mail

steamer Samphire.
The mail bags have been landed.

PASSENGERS DROWNED.

Monsr. Laignelet.
Mons. Martin de Crocq.
A foreign gentleman, name unknown.
Miss Baines, of Galding, Kent ; and
Miss Kening, in company of Miss Baines.

Another Fire in Bermondsey.

This morning (Friday) the inhabitants of this
densely populated parish were again alarmed by the
outbreak of a fire in the extensive row of buildings
belonging to Messrs. Armfield and Sons, leather
manufacturers,' Bermondsey-street. The discovery
was made by a policeman, who gave the usual alarm.
The fire-escape and hand and steam fire-engines
were promptly in attendance ; and plenty of water
having been obtained; the firemen went to work in
an admirable manner, but the only thing that could
be saved was the adjoining factories. The premises
in which the fire broke out was partially destroyed.
The origin of the fire is unknown. The firm is un-
derstood to be fully insured. The police rendered
essential aid to the firemen by keeping an immense
crowd in order and out of danger.

THE FENIAN TRIALS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

THURSDAY EVENING.

The Judges went to Cork this morning by the
ordinary mail train, preceded by a pilot engine.
Great crowds awaited their arrival in Cork, but all
very good-humoured.

kr: Justice Fitzgerald, in delivering the charge
to the grand jury, contradicted the report that he
had attended a Privy Council meeting which ad-
vised these prosecutions. It was utterly devoid of
foundation.

It is said that a military force of 4,000 men will
guard the city of Cork during the trials.
The troops in all the Dublin barracks were under
arms last night.
The large establishment of Messrs. O'Farrell,
North King-street, Dublin, was burnt down this
morning, when soap, candles, oil, turpentine, and
other property to the value of £35,000, were totally
destroyed.

The Bank of France return shows a reduction of
£160,000 in the bullion, and an increase of £445,000
in the notes in circulation. The bills discounted
have also been augmented £480,000, and the Trea-
sury balance £165,720. The current accounts have
been decreased £260,000.