The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-22 00:00:00

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES

FRONI

SIR CHARLES NAPIER.

(FROM THIS EVENING'S GAZETTE.)
ADMIRALTY, AUG. 21.
Despatches, of which the following are copies, have been
received from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.8.,
Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's ships anti vessels in
the Baltic :
CAPTURE OF TWO TOWERS OF BOMARSUND.
No, 354. Bulldog, off Bomarsund, Ang. 14, 1854.
SIR,-1. At four o'clock in the morning of the 13th
instant the French battery, of four 16-pounders and four
mortars, opened a splendid fire on the western tower,
which commands the fortress of Bomarsund and the an-
chorage : a white flag was displayed .in the afternoon,
which led to nothing ; but on the morning of the 14th
the tower was surprised by. the Chasseurs. General
Jones's battery of 32 pounders .finished in the night '
and ready to open ; but not being wanted was turned
against the eastern tower, -and on the morning of the
15th he opened his fire : the battery was manned by
seamen and marine artillery from the four ships
named in the margin*, under the direction of Captain
Ramsay, of the Hogue, assisted by Commander Preedy,
Lieutenant Somerset, of the Duke of Wellington, and the
officers named in the magin their fire was beautiful.
2. At six p.m. one side was knocked in; and the tower
surrendered.
In the attack on the western tower the Chasseurs, with
Minnie rifles, were employed so successfully, that it was
difficult for the enemy to load their guns ; in the attack on
the eastern tower we had no Chasseurs, and they were
enabled to load their guns with more facility.
3. Our loss has been trifling, one man killed and one
wounded, but I have to lament the death of the Honour-
able Lieutenant Cameron Wrottesley, R.E.' who was mor-
tally wounded by a cannon ball, and died twenty minutes
after he had been sent to the Belleisle.
4. The enemy had 6 men killed ; 7 wounded, and 125
were taken prisoners. I have sent the latter to the Ter-
magant.
5. The loss of .the French at the western tower was also
trifling.
6. Both batteries were admirably constructed and ad-
mirably fought, which accounts for the small loss. Goneral
Jones speaks in high terms of the conduct of the seamen
and marine artillery, and the pecision of their fire.
7. During, the time the operations weregoing on, Gen. Bfl-
raguay d'Hilli,rs was employed in establishing his breching
batteries against the fortress, and the French and English
stea:neis, as per margin,: supported by Trident (bearing
the flag of Rear-Adinirel Penau), Duperre, Edinburgh,
and Ajax, kept up a well-directed fire from their shell
guns, argil very much damaged the fortress, whilst Captain
the Hon. F. T. Pelham, of the Blenheim, kept up a beau-
tiful fire from a 10-inch gin, landed in the battery we had
driven the enemy oat of a few days before. His position
was one of great danger, but the battery was put in such
good order by Captain Pelham, that the men were well
covered, and he had no loss.
8. The General's breaching batteries will be rearly by
to-morrow, and they shall be well supported by the ships-
of-the-line of both nations, and the steamers. The narrow-
ness of the ground on which the General has established
his breaching battery, very much circumscribes the space ;
the greatest caution will be necessary to prevent firing on
his troops, and the little space in the anchorage before
Bomarsund, and the intricacy of the navigation, will pre-
vent ships approaching the main fortress so near as could be
wished; but when the batteries are established acting in
the rear of the fort, and supported by the shell guns in
front, it cannot hold out more than a few hours.
9. I have put off to the last moment the departure of
the mail, but I shall send an extra courier the moment the
fort surrenders.
10. The western tower was fired either by accident or
design, I do not know which, and blew up at eleven a.m.
yesterday.
11. I am sorry to add that Lieutenant Cowell,
Royal Engineers, Aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General
Jones, was unfortunately wounded in the leg
by the accidental discharge of his pistol ; he is
now on rboard the Belleisle, doing well, but the loss of
his services is much to be regretted.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) CHAS. NAPIER,
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
P.S.—A return of the whole of the force landed, and of
casualties, will be forwarded by the next opportunity, to-
gether with an inventory of stores and list of prisoners.

SURRENDER OF BCYMARSITNI).
Bulldog, off Bomarsund.
August 16, 1834.
Sir,—ln continuation of my despatch of this date, I
beg you will inform their lordships that, after sending
awl), the mail, the fortress opened a heavy fire on Captain
PelhAm's batter) , which had annoyed them much, and
which he maintained ail yesterday and to-day, and it is
wonderful how he and his men escaped. He had with him
Lieutenant Close and Mr. Wildman, mate, of whom be
speaks highly. Seeing his position, I immediately ordered
the ships and steamers named in the margin,§ who were
within range with their 10-inch guns, as well as the French
mortars on shore, which had been playing on them some
time, to give them a sliot and shell every five minutes ;
and their fire was so well directed that the enemy held out
a flag of truce.
2. I sent Captain Hall (of the Bulldog) on shore, who
was shortly joined by Admiral Parseval's Aide-de-Camp,
and two of General Baraguay d'Hillier's staff, and the
troops in the fortress agreed to lay down their arms and
march out.

No. 355.

3. After I had landed I was joined by the French Ad-
miral and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army ; the pri-
soners (about 2,000 I believe) were marched out and em-
barked in steamers, and proceeded to Led Sund, to Com-
modore the Hon. Frederick Grey, who will conduct them
to the Downs to await further orders.
4. I beg to congratulate their Lordships on the fall of
this important fortress, which will be followed by the the
submission of the Garden of Islands, with so small a loss ;
and. I am happy to say the greatest cordiality has subsisted
between the French General and Admiral and myself, as
well as between the soldiers and sailors of the two nations.
5. As soon as I can collect a list of the stores captured,
it shall be forwarded to their lordships, and a Commissary'
has been named for that purpose.
6. This despatch will be delivered by my Flag Liete-
nant (Lieutenant
.John de Conrcy Agnew), whom I beg to
recommend to their Lordships for promotion.—l have, &lc.,
(Signed) CHARLES NAPIER,
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.

* Edinburgh, Hogue, Ajax, Blenheim.
, Master ;
FI.M.S. Blenheim—Lt. F. A. Close; J. J.
L. Wildman, acting Mate; Lieut. T. L. Waa:Ll Bat
Acting Mate ; IP. B. Nolloth, Brevet-Major, R.Yi4.lwm.
Orr.
Sanders, First Lt. R.M. ; S. Wade, Asst. Surgeon,
Ajax—W. L. Sayer, Capt. R. 31. ; Thos. Bent, First LieluSt.
R.M. ; H. L. C. Robinson, Mate. H.M.S. Hogue_ Chas.
Smith, Mate ; 31. Singer, Lt. R.M. ; Capt. Fosbroke, R.
A. R. Bradford Surgeon. H.M.S. Ediuburg—Lieut. G.
Burgess; Capt. Delacombe, R.M. ; A. Tait, Lt. R.M. ; E. J.
Giles, Passed Clerk.
Asinodee, Phl ,3thon, Darien ; Arrogant, Amphion, Va-
lorous, Driver, Bulldog, Hecht.
z Ajax,
r b .01Arrogant, Amphion, Valorous, Sphyax;
Driver.

THE LONDON GAZETTE.
(THIS EVENING.)

FOREIGN-OFFICE, AUG. 18.
)3,The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. George
ragna.`s Consul at Liverpool for the Republic of Nica-

SPORTING INTELUGENCE.

TATTERS AL L 6-YESTERDAY.

Although there was little activity in the betting to-
day, yet some of the operations were to a high degree
important.

i?or the Great Ebor Handicap, heapy experienced a
further decline, until 100 to 3 was reached ; in fact' so
unfavourable an opinion was entertained of him that
even money was betted against his starting. Meanwhile
his stable companion, the Grand Inquisitor, was ail-
valced to the psitiou of first favourite-2 to 1 offered,
5 to 2 taken. Tros had staunch adherents, who increased
the investments by taking 8 to 1 to various sums ; and
a strong disposition was manifested to back O'Toole at
the same figure, but layers were "cautious." The last
bet wanted was 800 to 100.

THE ST. LEGEB.—The almost forgotten Boiardo came
out with such a rush, that at one time he was as good a
favourite as anything for this event. At the commence-
mence he was backed for 500 even against The Trapper;
at the close, however, The Trapper took the lead at 7 to
1, and 9to 1 was offered, bar one. The principal in-
vestments which were made with regard to Boiardo were
at 12 and 10 to 1 ; 375 to 25 was taken twice about
Acrobat, and 1,000 to 60 offered against Dervish ; 2000
to 60 taken about Marley Hill ; 1,000 to 25, 500 to 15,
and 330 to 10 about Dr. O'Toole. The odds quoted
against Ivan and Champagne were taken to only small
sums. In the early part of the afternoon 500 to 40 was
taken about King Tom, but towards the close 1,000 to 5
was betted, with an eagerness which palpably betokened
that even his startingis considered extremely proble'
i_natical. 600 to 200 was taken about Scott's " lot."
The room was very thinly attended.

CLOSING PRICES.
IMOD HANDICAP.
5 to 2 agat Grand Inquisitor (taken)
Bto 1 agst Tros (takea).
Bto 1 agat Dr. O'Toole (taken freely.)
10 to 1 agat Kingston (take 12 to 1)
15 to 1 agst Merry Bird (taken)
100 to 3 agat Eleapy
ST. LEGER.
7to 1 agst The Trapper (taken).
9to 1 agst Boiardo (10 to 1 (taken).
14 to 1 agst Ivan (taken).
15 to 1 agst Acrobat (taken).
1000 to GO agt Dervish (offered).
30 to 1 agst Champagne (taken).
33 to 1 agst Marley Hill (taken).
33 to 1 agst Dr. O'Toole (taken).
1000 to 5 agst King Toni (taken and offered).
600 to2oo agst Scott's lot (taken).
500 even on B oardo agst The Trapper (taken).
NO DERBY BETTING.
NOTICE.—AII Messrs. Saxon and Barber's horses were
struck out of their engagements at York on the 21st
inst., about one o'clock p.m.

FOREIGN-OFFICE, AUG. 19.
The wneen has been pleased to approve of lire George
A. Brandreth as Consul at Plymouth for the United States
of America.
The Queen has also been pleased to approve of Mr. Sa-
muel Robert Gravesas Vice•Consul at Liverpool for the
Grand Duke of Mecklenburgh Schwerin.
CROWN-OFFICE, AUG. 19.
MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT
'Ladd
PAELLMINT.PonsonbY 1
Borough of Cambridge—godAlexandor Shako Adair Eye

STRETFORD RACES.--Moxper.

TRIAL STARES.

Vivid
Mountain Maid

• 1

TRAFFORD HANDICAP.

DREADFUL COLLISION ON THE SOUTH-
EASTERN AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY.

TWO r- PASSENGERS KILLED AND ONE 1
HUNDRED INJURED.
Yesterday the old Croydon Railway station, on the
main line of the Brighton Railway, was the scene of one
of the most fearful collisions that probably ever occurred
on the line since its formation.
This station, as well as the whole of the line to Reigate,
is under the management of the Brighton Railway Com-
pany, the South-Eastern Railway Company having run-
ning powers over it. On the London side of the Croy-
don station is a kind of ballast pit, from which the
Brighton Company have been for some time running
two or three ballast trains for ballasting their line and
works at Hayward's-heath and Brighton. It has been
the practice to employ one engine for this particular
work. Yesterday morning it had taken a train to Hay-
ward's-heath and returned to Croydon to take up a
second ballast train to Brighton, and between 12 and 1
brought it out of the ballast-hole on to a siding alongside
the up-line, where the engine was unhooked from the
trucks, and the driver ran it on the up main line to a
water-pillar, for the purpose of taking in water. Before
so doing; the officials of the statian caused the at-
tendant at the up semaphore signal to put up a danger
signal.
A special express excursion train to the C:ystal Palace
from Dover was at the time on its route from Reigate.
Notice had previously been given to the authorities at
Croydon station of such a train being despatched in the
morning from Dover, in addition to the ordinary traffic.
It appears that a Dover excursion train havl passed
Croydon in the course of the forenoon, and the officers
of the station concluded that it was the one of which
they had been advised. It turned out that it was part
of the train that had been despatched from Dover, but
that in consequence of its being somewhat heavy, as our
informant was instructed, it was divided at Ashford.
This second portion consisted of about 25 carriages,
first, second, and third class,;with the usual breaks, &c.,
the engine being driven by one of the company's drivers
named William Simpson.
According to the regulations of the South-Eastern
Company the train's approach was telegraphed from
station to station, and the reporter was informed that
its proximity to Croydon was communicated to the au-
thorities at that station from the next station, Mers-
tham, and entered in the signal books prior to the bal-
last engine coming upon 'the heal's line to take water.
Simpson, the driver of the Dover train,' states that on
arriving at the auxiliary signals, some three-quarters of
a mile below the Croydon station, he found them indi-
cating that all was right, and came on under the im-
pression that the line was clear—free from obstacles.
There is no doubt that the train was pursuing the ordi-
nary express rate, and continued it until within a short
distance of the Croydon station, when the semaphore
danger signal came in view. The driver instantly shut
off his steam and reversed his engine, but owing to the
velocity with which the train was going, and descending
as it was an incline, the means employed to check its
progress were comparatively speaking fruitless, and it
dashed on through the station at a maximum speed and
with tremendous force. Some who witnessed its course
declare that its rate could not have been much less than
a mile a minute. From the testimony of persons not
accustomed to compute rates of speed some deduction
must doubtless be made, but that the speed was exces-
sive there can be no. doubt. A signalman at the signal
post on the London side of the station, perceiving the
train's rapid approach shouted to the driver of the ballast
engine, that was taking in water, to get out of the way.
The man put on his steals, and gut his engine in run-
ning trim, some 50 yards up the line when the engine
of the excursion train overtook it and came in contact
with truly terrific force. The consequence was most
appalling. The ballast engine was hurled along the
line, and the driver and stoker who remained
on it were stunned by the shock, and remained al.
most unconscious of their position until the train
had nearly reached Forest-hill, where they suc-
ceeded in bringing up. The effect upon the excur-
sion train was of that awful character which just
stops short of complete destruction. The engine re-
coiled the instant it struck. It turned round and
met as it were the train, smashing the whole of the
carriages, and throwing them on to the up and down line
in confusion. Hardly, perhaps, was ever seen such a
wreck. It is almost impossible to describe the scene which
presented itself amongst the passengers who filled the
carriages. Our reporter was told that there were be-
tween 300 and 400, and that few escaped some injury.
Their screams and cries were of the most piercing cha-
racter. All the aid that could be obtained in the neigh-
bourhood of the station were employed to extricate
them, but, for a time, the people seemed almost para-
lysed by the terrible scene. When the melancholy task
was set upon, it was found a most difficult work to ex-
tricate the wounded from the wreck. There were seve-
ral ladies with their families lying beneath the debris,
bleeding and insensible. Other passengers could be
descried jammed in such a position that they could not
be got out for nearly an hour. As quickly as this could
be accomplished the sufferers were conveyed to the
neighbouring-taverns, where they were attended by the
medical gentlemen of the district. Mr. Laing, M.P.,
the chairman of the Brighton Railway Company, with
Mr. Slight, the secretary, and several of the directors,
arrived shortly after the accident, as also Sir John Camp-
bell, the chairman of the South-Eastern Company ;
Captain Barlow, the superintendent ; and Mr. Weather-
head. Several of the medical profession from Guy's and
L Sc. Thomas's Hospitals accompanied them, and every-
thing that was possible to be done to alleviate the suf.-
' feringe of the wounded passengers was rendered.
i Amoir4st those most dangerously injured were three
first-cl-c;s passengers, second class, and one third
. . two
class—the latter, a gardener of the name of Garman,
died before lie could be removed from the station. Ehs
body was removed to the Railway Hotel. The others
were taken by special train to Guy's Hospital. Another
of them, however, a clergyman, soon sunk afterwards
and expired. By the last accounts the remainder con-
tinued in a most critical state. The writer has endea-
voured to obtain a list of those injured ; but the railway
company had it seems, removed a large number of those
who had been first taken to houses in Croydon, to such
places as the sufferers or their friends resided. Indeed, al-
most every vehicle that could be found in Croydon was
employed for that purpose. The engine-driver of the ex-
cursion train and his stoker succeeded in escaping just be-
fore the collision, by jumping from the engine. These
men, together with the driver and stoker of the ballast-
engine, were immediately afterwards taken into custody
by the police at Croydon, in accordance with the in-
structions of Captain Byron and Captain Kerumis, two
of the county magistrates, until the result of the coro-
ner's inquest. -
For nearly two hours the entire traffic of both lines
was stopped, and it was not until late last night that the
line was clear from obstruction.
From an inspection our reporter made of the wreck of
the train, it appeared that no fewer than eight carriages
were for the most part smashed, including a travelling
saloon, one first class, and five third class. The engine
No. 135 was shattered and rendered useless.
Information has been sent to the coroner, but no time
as yet has been fixed for the inquest. Similar informa-
tion has been forwarded by Captain Barlow to the Rail-
way Department of the Board of Trade, for the guidance
of the Government inspect Or.