The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-08 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 8, 1853.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON AND SOUTIT-WESTERN.

. .
The report of the directors, to be submitted to the
shareholders at the meeting on the 15th instant, states,
that on the authority of a very large majority of the
proprietors at the meeting in May last, the directors
pledged the company to seek for powers in the next
session to construct a double line of railway from Dor-
chester to Exeter, by which means they had succeeded
in obtaining -the .rejection -of the -Devon and Dorset
{broad gauge) Bill. The directors state that the ques-
tion; whether the company shall or 'shall not carry into
Parliament a bill for making an, extension railway from
Dorchester westward, is not now open for discussion,
and that the proprietors, pleading the altered state of
the times, have only to decide Whether the undertaking
can- be so varied as to be carried -out substantially in a
manner less burdensome to the company than its exact
and-literal fulfilment might at the present moment occa-
sion. The directors state they have most carefully con-
sidered all the circumstances, and have now to recom-
mend the following course
"1. That the application to Parliament in the next
session shall be for 'powers to construct, within five
years front the passing of the act, a single line of rail-
way from Dorchester to Exeter, to be there connected
with the Bristol and Exeter - and the Exeter and Credi-
ton lines, with land for a double line. •
• " 2. That the share capital to be authorized by the
bill shall be limited to such sum as will suffice for the
above purposes, and that the usual borrowing powers
besought in addition, to be used in such manner as the
proprietors may afterwards determine, either in substi-
tution for share capital, so far as they will extend, or
for the purpose of doubling the new line, as next men=
tioned:

" 3. That the bill shall contain an obligation to make
the extension line double between Exeter and Ax-
minster within, five years after the opening of the line,
and also between Dorchester and Axminster within the
Same period, unless in the meantime an act shall have
been passed for making a narrow-gauge railway from
Salisbury to Axminster. -

" 4. in order to obviate the necessity fora sub=
scription and issue of share capital in the present state
of the money market, the directors should, on the au-
th Rity and ,at the request of the proprietors, and for
their benefit, execute the necessary Parliamentary con-
trtlct, and take all the other needful measures for com-
plying with the standing order of Parliament respecting
the capital."

The company's engineer, Mr. Errington, is of opinion
that a single line of railway from Dorchester to Exeter,
with land for a double line, and with proper stations and
Sidings, may be constructed for 700,0001., and that a
connection with the Exeter and Crediton and Bristol
and Exeter lines may be completed for 100,0001. ;
but the directors recommend that 20,0001. should
be added to these sums in order to provide for certain
works not in the first instance necessary, but which it
will be 'more economical to construct at once. The
board believes that an honest endeavour substantially
to fulfil the company's engagements at a time of
great difficulty will be recognised by Parliament and the
public departments of the Government, and that those
measures will accordingly receive full sanction and sup-
port, while the proposed variation as to the single line
may protect this company from an unnecessary expen-
diture between Dorchester and Axminster. With re-
spect to the general interests of the company, the board
think, as the proprietors did in May and August last,
that to exclude the broad gauge company from occupy-
ing the district between Dorchester and Exeter, and to
secure and increase the feeding traffic thence which this
company now enjoys, are objects of vital importance,
and ought to be unhesitatingly pursued. The directors
exclude from consideration any London and Exeter
traffic, and mainly rest the question of remuneration on
the earnings of the line as a coast and local communica-
tion. On this point the directors think that the receipts
of the Southampton and Dorchester line afford sound
materials for aiding their judgment. That line traverses
a similar, but less populous and less productive country
than the district between Dorchester and Exeter. Within
five years from its opening it is already fairly remunerat-
ing the capital expended on it, and has added materially
to the general security or" the company's property,
and to the profits on their main and other lines. Of
the Exeter and Crediton line, running six miles due west
from Exeter, this company are owners to the extent of
three-fifths of the entire prdperty, and the capital so in-
vested amounts to 60,5001. In the capital of the North
Devon, extending the Exeter and Crediton line 35 miles
to the north coast of Devon, the South-Western Com-
pany have share; paid up to the extent of 100,0001.
Both these lines, and the extension of them to the port
of Bideford (47 miles in all), will, on the completion of
the contemplated Dorchester and Exeter extension, and
at no further outlay, become connected with, and to a
great extent feeders of, the youth-Western aygem.
Withont such exten'hion the capital expended on them
must be beneficial to the broad gauge railways alone,
and therefore these lines form an important element in
coming to a just conclusion on the policy of the measure
now under consideration. In conclusion, the report
states that a solemn engagement to go to Parliament
has been entered into by the company, and that it is
alike politic and just to fulfil it ; and that, with proper
union, this engagement may be honourably fulfilled,
without that undue sacrifice which has been assumed
to be incident to it on account of the present monetary
difficulties.

Coffin, M.P., and it was resolved to apply to Parlia-
ment in the next session for a bil' A large amount of
capital was subscribed on the spot, 'and among the share-
holders, is. the. Dowager .Countess of Dunraven and other
mineral proprietors of the district. The railway will
consist of a line from Bri4end to 131aen Lynvi, a branch
from Felin Fach 'to the Bridgend Railway, two short
branches in the parish of Bettws, and two other branches
in the hamlet of Cwmdu for the purPose of bringing
the existing mineral works into connection with the line.
DARLINGTON- AND BARNARD-CASTLE.

The provisional directors state that concessions having-
been made by the Duke of Cleveland, it is intended to
apply to Parliament for powers to construct the above
line.

PLYMOUTH, TAVISTOCX, AND DEVON
CENTRAL.
It is stated that the survey fora line from Plymouth
td Tavistock, forming portion of a scheme for a central
line through the county, in connexion with the South-
Western, has been completed ; the estimated cost is
250,000/., but only 180,0001. is positively required to be
subscribed.

DUNDALK AND ENNISKILLEN.
A special general meeting of the shareholders of' this
comp'any was held at the offices of the company, in
Dundalk, on Friday, the Right _don. the Earl of Erne,
chairman of the company, in the chair.
The meeting was convened for the purpose of taking
to consideration the expediency of constructing a rail
ay to connect the towns of Armagh and Cavan, form-
ing a junction with the company's main line at or near
the town of Ballibay, passing through, or near, the
several towns of Keady, Monaghan, Rockcorry, and
Cooteshill, pursuant to advertisement, and was nume-
rously and influentially attended*.
His Lordship, when introdtinmi the subject to the
Meeting, remarked that this company already intended
to construct branch lines to Cavan and Monaghan, but
the extension to Armagh had been forced upon them by
the company called the Belfast and West of Ireland
Junction, who, in projecting thair scheme, have entered
into direct. competition with this company's main line,
also stopping the traffic both north and south. Persons
getting into carriages at Monaghan and other places
would, in the West of Ireland line, be carried by the
Mullingar Company .to Dublin. This company's pro-
posed extension also gives facilities to the great flax
markets of Bailibay an Cootehill, which is of immense
importance. In fact, he believed the present the best
scheme.both for the shareholders and the interest of the
country at large. If any gentleman wished for further
information the directors would be most happy to
afford it.

Mr. J. MURRAY asked, why go to Armagh ?
The Earl of ERNE explained that it was necessary to
go for the lino as a whole, not wishing to interfere with
the Ulster Company, if they chose to make the line from
Armagh to Monaghan, and it might be that they should
not have to make it ; but, as stated before, they should
go to Parliament for a whole scheme, else they would
have no chance to carry their measure.
Some other questions were put, and the matters ex-
plained by the Deputy-Chairman, Hon. Captain Jocelyn,
and Mr. Macrory.

Lord RODEN, in moving the resolution for the adop-
tion of the scheme, expressed his entire approbation of
it, and his opinion of the importance of securing for the
port of Dundalk the decided advantages of connection
with the west. His lordship, in very happy and com-
plimentary terms, alluded to the exertions of his noble
friend the chairman of the company, for his untiring
zeal in the invaluable assistance rendered to the under-
taking, expressing his thanks particularly on behalf of
the Dundalk portion of those interested.
The Earl of ERNE expressed his thanks, and
The meeting separated, after pledging themselves to
give their assistance to the project.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE NEW COMMODORE SUPERINTENDENT
FOR WOOLWICH.
(From the Morning Gerald. )

Captain John Shepherd (1840), late of the flag-ship at
Portsmouth,, nominated to succeed Commodore Eden,
has served 24 years afloat since he first entered the
navy in 1805. We believe he was never under fire in
his life, and we hare no record of his being engaged in
any enterprise or expedition that has served as an excuse
for a special despatch or for a paragraph in the Gazette.
He was made a lieutenant in 1813, and in that capacity
attained the reputation of a smart officer, but he served
only in the Spartan, 28, Acasta, 40, up to 1815 ; and it
was not until 1829 we find him employed in the Rifle-
man, 18, and Druid, 46, and was made a commander
in August, 1828. As a commander he served in the
Barham, 50, Donegal, 78, and then in command of the
' Sparrowhawk, 18, in the West Indies. He was posted
1840-randla 1846, not giving' served previously as
' a captain, he became flag-captain to Sir F. Collier, in
the St. Vincent, 120, for a few months. In December,
1847, he commissioned the Inconstant, 36, and com-
manded her for three years with a vigour that made
him most unpopular in the Pacific. In December last
he was selected by Sir Thomas Cochrane as his flag-
captain.

We dare not be silent on this act of gross official in-
justice—we must not forbear publishing the fact that
this appointment is a most invidious one, for in Captain
Shepherd's whole career there is no one thing—no one
act of servibe that entitles him to be preferred to his
seniors, or to be preferred to juniors who have gallant,
dashing, and long service to recommend them. This ap-
pointment has completely surprised the navy. It is so
outrageous a preference for an officer of no service and of
no claims that naval men are struck dumb at the bare-
faced contempt with which they have been treated by
the selection. There are no less than 140 captains on
the list senior to Captain Shepherd, and of these 140
perhaps, at least 100 have infinitely superior claims to
his, irrespective of mere seniority.
There is Captain James Scott, C.B. (1828), who stands
28th on the list, aboutilB of whose years of active ser-
vice afloat were during actual hostilities. It would be
superfluous to enumerate his claims, for he is one of the
most distinguished officers in the navy. He is a C.B.
and has the good-service pension. His last gallant
services were in command of the Samarang in the China
war, where he mainly contributed to the various suc-
cesses, by both planning and executing the enterprises.
Why was Captain Shepherd preferred to such an officer,
who has every quality, whether of gallantry or seaman-
ship, to recommend him ?

Captain Baynes is more than 100 senior. Why was
this officer passed over when it is well known that he is
a candidate for a dockyard appointment ? He has served
25 years afloat. He was in the expedition with Sir
James Gordon to New Orleans, and was promoted
twelve years before Captain Shepherd for having dis-
tinguished himself as second captain of the flag-ship at
the battle of Navarino, for which he obtained the C.B.
decoration. He has since commanded a frigate and a
line-of-battle ship. '
Captain Purcell (1828) is 100 senior to Captain Shep-
herd. He has served 23 years afloat, was in the Wal-
eheren expedition, was promoted by Sir James Sau-
marez for his gallantry against the enemy, and did good
service under the late Sir Nisbet Willoughby in putting
down smuggling on the coast of Ireland. His last ser-
vice was in command of the Superb, 80.
Captain Lushington (1828), 11 years senior to Captain
Shepherd, has seen much more service than he has. For
years he was engaged in the suppression of piracy in
the Mediterranean, and commanded the "Etna bomb
at the siege of Morea Castle, for which he was decorated
and promoted. He has commanded a sailing frigate
and a steam-frigate, has been superintendent of the
Indian navy, and is now in command of the Albion,
90, in the Mediterranean, and yet this 1840 captain is
preferred.

Then there is Captain Duntze, next in seniority to
Captain Lushington. He has served 19 years afloat,
commanded the Tribune at the blockade of Callao, and
the Fisgard, 42, for three years, in the Pacific. Captain
Duntze is the nephew of the late admiral of the fleet,
Sir G. Cockburn, which fact should certainly be no dis-
qualification for such an appointment as Captain Shep-
herd has been preferred to.
Captain Michell (1830), of the Queen, 116, is ten
years senior to Captain Shepherd. He has served 25
years afloat, mostly during the war, in which he received
no less than eight wounds. At the battle of Algiers,
when it was thought Lord Exmouth's flag captain was
mortally wounded, Captain Michell was sent for by the
commander-in-chief, and directed to act in his stead.
Captain Michell commanded the Inconstant, 36, on the
coast of Syria, and saved the Scout sloop from wreck.
Captain R. F. Rowley (1840) is ten years senior to
Captain Shepherd. He is the son of the late Admiral
Sir Charles Rowley, and has commanded, as a captain,
the Sapphire, 28, and St. Vincent, 120, and has served
16 years afloat.
Captain Charles Graham (1840) is ten years senior to
Captain Shepherd. He has served about 23 years
afloat, was at the capture of Porto d'Anzo and the ope-
rations against Leghorn and Genoa. He has com-
manded, as captain, the Rattlesnake, 28, Castor, 36,
and is now in command of the Rodney, 92, in the Me-
diterranean. He was made a C.B. for conducting, as
senior officer, the operations against the New Zealand
rebels. He is brother of Sir James Graham.
Captain T. W. Carter (1831) is nine years senior to
Captain Shepherd. Captain Carter entered the navy
five years before Captain Shepherd, and has served
afloat about 26 years, two more than Captain Shepherd.
He was in the battle of Copenhagen, in Lord Cornwal-
lfs's pursuit of the French fleet, was in the expedition
to Walcheren; commanded the Emulous, Carnation,
and Wasp sloops, and in the latter captured a Venezue-
lan sloop of war ; and as a captain he has commanded
the Vestal, 26, Winchester, 50, Caledonia, 120, and
is now flag-captain to the commander-in-chief in the
Mediterranean. This officer we know has been a can-
didate for a dockyard for many years, and yet he is
passed over for Captain Shepherd.

Captain Sir Thomas Pasley, Dart. (1831), is nino
years senior to Captain Shepherd. Ho is son of the
celebrated admiral, has served about 19 years—for the
last four as Superintendent at Pembroke Dockyard.

This officer, if qualified for Pembroke, might reasonably
have expected promotion to Woolwich.
Captain Wyvill (1832), A.D.C., is eight years senior
to Captain Shepherd: He entered the navy :he same
year as the latter, and has served afloat six years more
than he has, in all climates, and in some gallantactions
t :o, which Captain S. has not. He has lately returned
from the Cape, where he was commander-in-chief during
the Kafir war.

Captain H. F. Greville (1832) is eight years senior to
Captain Shepherd, and has served afloat 20 years. He
was shot through the leg in a boat affair when midship-
man of the Arethusa, was at the capture of a Freqch
frigate, and was in the gold medal action off Lissa, in
Captain (now Admiral Sir Phipps) Hornby's ship. Ho
subsequently served up the Chesapeake, and against the'
slave traders on the coast of Africa. He now com-
mands the Trafalgar, 120.

Here, then, we find amongst the first 75 seniors on
the list of captains, no less than a dozen officers (from
twelve to eight years seniority to Captain Shepherd),
passed over in favour of that officer—the one hundred
and fortieth on the list—officers who have not only
seniority and family claims, but superior service claims—
claims for not only service afloat, but positions where
they have acquired as much experience as Captain Shep-
herd can possibly have gained—men who have the addi-
tional claim, which Captain Shepherd does not possess,
of having served.in some of the most brilliant and dash-
ing affairs during the war. Upon what pretence, then,
was Captain John Shepherd preferred, and on what
grounds were his seniors neglected ?

VISIT OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF
BRAE ANT TO THE FLEET.

PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 7.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Brabant have paid a visit to this port to-day. They
left Ostend at 8 o'clock yesterday morning in one of the
Belgian mail-packets, and arrived 'at Spithead in the
night. At 9 a.m. the Royal Belgian steamer entered.
the harbour under a salute from the Platform Battery,
and on arriving off the dockyard the Victory and Nep-
tune manned yards and fired a Royal' salute ; the com-
mander-in-chief went off in his state barge, and, having
paid his respects to the illustrious visitors, brought them
ashore and landed them at the King's-stairs, where
Rear-Admiral Superintendent Fanshawe was in wait-
ing with a guard of honour furnished from the
gallant 79th Highlanders. The commander-in-chief
escorted their -Royal Highnesses to his residence,
where breakfast was provided, after partaking of which
the Royal party re-embarked in the port-ardesiral's
barge, and proceeded on 'board the Victory, where
their Royal Highnesses were received by Captain Sir
Thomas Maitland with manned yards and a Royal
salute, the Belgian flag being run up to the main. The
duke and duchess having inspected Nelson's old ship,
got on board the Fairy yacht, Captain the Hon. Den-
man, which steamed out of harbour and passed through
the squadron at Spithead, which manned yards and
fired a Royal salute. The august party then went on
board the Duke of Wellington, 131, screw, Commodore
Henry Byam Martin, and after having inspected that
Magnificent war-steamer the Royal Visitors left for the
shore under a Royal salute from the Duke.
The Duke of Brabant landed at Fort Moncton, being
anxious to visit the Royal Hospital at Haslar, whilst
the duchess, attended by the commander-in-chief, and
Rear-Admiral Superintendent Fanshawe, with Captain
the Hon. Denman and' Flag Lieutenants Hankey
and Yonge, landed again at the King's-stairs, and
the duchess proceeded to the establishment of Sir
Thomas John Cochrane.

Their Highnesses will be entertained this evening by
the gallant admiral, where the Royal visitors will sojourn
for the night.
The Belgian consul, Mr. Alexander Beaty, and the
Austrian consul, Mr. Vandenburgh, have received
orders to be in attendance this evening, at seven, to be
introduced to the august visitors. These gentlemen
were early in their attendance this morning ; but the
arrival of the steamer took all by surprise, excepting the
authorities, who, of course, had received due notice.

PLYMOUTH, Nov. G.
The repairs of her Majesty's screw steam-ship Aga-
memnon, 91, Captain W. R. Mends, having been com-
pleted, she will go from Hamoaze into the Sound on
Tuesday. Her crew have been paid wages, and they are
now on leave of absence for 14 days.
The Diligence transport arrived on Friday with stores
from Portsmouth.

This morning, at 4 o'clock, a frigate, under three royal
topgallant sails, topsails, and courses, was observed
close in to the olt, going up Channel, wind northerly,
light breeze, and heavy sea. At 4.30 a.m. the frigate
was followed by a paddle-wheel brigantine tug-steamer,
having black sides and a red streak, under steam only.
At 12.30 p.m., a French paddle-wheel ship of war, heavy
built, all black, with black mastheads and barque rigged,
was observed inside the Eddystone, going down Channel
under steam and canvas. She carried a pennant on her
mainmast head, and dipped her ensign to a full-rigged
French merchant ship going up Channel.
The smack Lady of the Lake, Captain Langlash, of
and from Guernsey on Friday morning, which arrived
here on Saturday, picked up, about 18 miles north of
that island, a portable writing desk and some deck plank
belonging to the brigantine Susan, Captain Godfrey,
driven ashore in a calm, and totally wrecked on Wed-
nesday last ; crew saved.

Nov. 7.

Her Majesty's steam-frigate Terrible, 16, Captain
M'Cleverty, with the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund
Lyons, arrived in the Sound this morning, and saluted
the flag of Port-Admiral Sir John A. Ommanney. She
left Portsmouth at noon yesterday, and will sail at 4
o'clock this forenoon for the Mediterranean station.

ADMIRAL DIINDAS AND THE ASSISTANT SURGEONS.—
The subjoined letter from Besika Bay, relative to an
alleged gross act of disobedience of orders on the part
of the captain of the Retribution, will be read with in-
terest. It is an honourable trait in Vice-Admiral Dun-
das's character that he endeavoured to enforce as Com-
mander-in-Chief the opinions he held while at the Ad-
miralty ; and we think he cannot have been made
acquainted with the conduct of Capt. Drummond, or
he would ere this have tried him by a court-martial :
"I beg to send you the following illustration of the man-
ner in which the Admiralty order about cabin accommo-
dation for assistant surgeons is carried out in her Ma-
jesty's ship Retribution. Nearly a year ago, Admiral
Dundas, when inspecting that ship, asked to be shown
the assistant surgeon's cabin, and on being, told none
existed, he ord6red one to be built for that officer. Since
that period the admiral's order has been disregarded, and
the assistant surgeon luxuriates in a hammock. Your
insertion of this will, I hope, attract the admiral's
notice, and induce him to see that obedience from the
captains of the fleet is a necessary element of naval com-
fort, if not of naval dis3ipline."—Unitcd Service Gaz,tte.
The Bremen merchant ship Anna, Captain Raschen,
arrived at Spithead during the night from Bremerhaven,
which she left on Thursday last for Baltimore, having
lost some of her passengers by cholera, On the day
she sailed a child four years old was taken ill with
diarrhoea and vomiting, and died in four hours after.
On the same day two adults and a second child were
also attacked with similar symptoms, and died on Friday.
On Saturday five of the crew were taken ill, and one
died yesterday ; the other four are so far recovered as
to be able to do light work. Two children belonging to
passengers are the only sick now on board. The Anna
has 225 passengers, and her crew consists of 15 men.