The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-16 00:00:00

SEBASTOPOL

....--
of the season and the approaching winter rendered
the gre: itest expedition absolutely indispensable.
We s IPA believe (although, of course, it must
be obvious that these are mere speculations as to
probabirdtiea, and that we do not venture on any
positive at isertions)--ithat the bombardment com-
menced bi More the Bth instant ; and with the pre-
cedent of , Bomarsund fresh in our recollection,
we have tl, le strongest reasons for supposing that
long ere this the Union Jack and Tricolour are waving
over the captured city and the dismantled fortifi-
cations. W e lately pointed out the difference
between the, assailants and defenders—the one
exulting in the prestige of recent success, feeling
themselves irresistible—the other disheartened by
unlooked-for defeat—a defeat so unlocked for
that invitations were issued to the chief inhabi-
tants of Sebastopol, even the ladies (!), to witness
the overthrow of the audacious invaders and the
execution of MENscuniores vaunting promise
that he would drive the barbarians into the
sea(!) In addition to the demoralisation naturally
following so serious a disappointment, we can-
not forget that there is much disaffection in
the Russian ranks. The Muscovites poor
ignorant serfs—'may blindly obey the ukases of
the AUTOCRAT, but it has ever been the policy of
NICHOLAS to recruit his army with men torn from
their native homes, who would gladly proclaim
" war to the knife" against the oppressor—who,
in place of being actuated by unreasoning fana-
ticism or ridiculous superstition, think on their
outraged nationalities, and would sacrifice even
life itself to be avenged on the tyrant. We
have seen the attempt to gc incorporate" the
Moldavian militia with the invading army, and
to make them fight against their SOVEREIGN.
The records of the Court-martial that
sentenced their gallant commander to Siberian
exile for repudiating the iniquitous order of one
to whom he owed no allegiance, and who had no
right whatsoever to demand his services against
his real Sovereign, are too recent to require more
than a bare allusion. The Poles, who are placed
with arms in their hands side by side with their
tyrants, are surely as likely to turn those arms
against the Russians as against those whom they
would hail as liberators, who would rescue them
from forced servitude, and restore them to free-
dom. The quarrels between the Finnish and
the Russian prisoners of war—the total absence
of friendly intercourse, and the intense animosity
by which they are actuated towards each other,
prove, beyond the possibility of doubt, the differ-
ence of feeling between the pure Muscovites and the
inhabitants of the territories that have been
usurped. We know no more appropriate name for
the annexations since the policy of the First PETER
became developed. We may then feel assured
that we have many friends within the walls of
Sebastopol, who will take any suitable opportunity
of exhibiting their true feelings, and who will not
sacrifice themselves to gratify the vanity of the
CZAR by a desperate resistance. We feel, then,
that there are many reasons to hope that the next
communications, which cannot long be deferred,
may tell us not only of the auspicious commence-
ment and gratifying progress, but even of the
triumphant termination, of the siege, that Sebas-
topol is captured, and the object of the campaign
virtually accomplished.

In our impression of Thursday we gave a brief
account of the total loss of the Arctic steam-
ship, one of the Corthrs' line of United States
mail steamers. This melancholy event, which led
to the loss of a large amount of property and a
far more deplorable sacrifice of human life, oc-
curred at noon on the 27th ultimo, in conse-
quence of a collision with the French merchant
screw-steamer Vesta, on the coast of Newfound-
land, about G 5 miles distant from Cape Race.
The ill-fated vessel bad left Liverpool on the 20th
of September, the day of the sanguinary battle of
Alma. Nothing could be more auspicious than
the commencement of the journey. There were
embarked 185 first-class, and 75 second-class,
cabin passengers ; in addition to these, the officers,
crew, and regular employees of the vessel amounted
to no less than 130 more, making up a total of
390 persons. Within a week of their departure
they were steaming at a rapid rate along the
banks of Newfoundland. The passengers were
lunching in the cabin, heedless of their impending
fate. A dense fog covered the ocean, but, despite
the danger, the good ship proceeded with
unabated speed, while the passengers were
enjoying themselves in the highest degree.
It does not appear that there was any extra look-
out, or additional precautions, adopted in conse-
quence of the haziness of the weather. Many
previous voyages had excited confidence. The
Captain was as indifferent to the latent dangers
arising from the fog as we ourselves were until
lately to the vile smells from open teas-pools, or
the bone-boiling nuisances, still permitted to pol-
lute the atmosphere in many parts of the metro-
polis. The old school copies say that " familiarity
breeds contempt ;" and so it was in the present
unfortunate instance. At the very moment when
they were enjoying the collation, an awful crash
was heard and felt. It was the first intimation
of their perilous condition; and the alarm thereby
excited was speedily converted into despair, when
they learned their almost inevitable doom. It was
seem known that there bad been a collision with
another steam vessel, although one of inferior tonnage
and, for a brief space; it was supposed that she
was the chief sufferer. In the graphic account
of the fatal accident given by Mr. BAAHLAm, the
second officer of the Arctic, it is stated that
" the French steamer seemed to be sinking bow
foremost." The first impulse of Captain LUCE,
the American Commander, was to order assistance
to those whom he imagined to be in a worse plight
than himself. He " immediately gave orders to
clear away the quarter boats, which was done, and
Mr. GOURL.&Y, chief officer, left the ship in
charge of the starboard boats." While lowering
the port boat, the Captain exclaimed to the
second officer, whose account we have received,
" Hoist up that boat, Mr. BAlausext," and
beckoned him to come over. During that brief
interval he had perceived the imminent peril of
the good ship which he commanded, and of
the lives of the passengers entrusted to his charge.
He found that his earliest efforts were required at
home. He therefore endeavoured to ascertain
the nature of the injuries which he had himself
sustained. On examination, it was found that
"the blow had taken effect on the starboard bow,
about 60 feet abaft the cut-water, which had made
three large holes in the ship, two of them below
water, one of which was about five and A half feet
iu length, and one or one and a half in depth,
leaving the whole cut-water and stem of the iron
steamer clean through the Arctic's site !" This
fearful state of affairs required the utmost promp-
titude on the
part of the commander, and he
forthwith gave orders to have the ship's head
kept for land, in
the
proportion of its living vain hope of saving a large
freight.
A few minutes added another dreadful accident.
They had not been on their' course more than four
or five minutes when they ran over a boat and
crew belonging to the other vessel. All save one
perished, and he escaped, for a time, by clinging
to 0 rppe hanging over_ the bow of. the Axotic.

The moment the boat was seen orders were given

to reverse the engines, but it was impossible ; the
engineer announced the fatal intelligence that

" the vessel was fast sinking." In thirty minutes

all the lower fires were out, and " there wero at
least six feet of water in the hold, fore and aft.

Attempts had been made to get at the leak from
the inside, but unfortunately in vain. The pas-
sengers had at first assisted the crew in pumping
the ship, but when they found that there was but
little hope of saving the vessel we cannot feel sur-
prised that the utmost confusion prevailed on every
side, and that sauve qui peut ' became the order
of the day. The second officer was then ordered
to look to his boats."

By this time, however, those on board
had seen that the only hope of escape lay in those
boats, and all on the port side were crowded with
men and women. The guard-boat was, however,
lowered from the starboard, and given in charge
of the crew. The second officer then asked the
captain " What his intentions were ?" when he
answered that the ship's fate should be his, and
refused to permit his son to leave him, or avail
himself of the only chance of safety that offered.
Mr. BAAILLAM, whose conduct during the whole
of this trying emergency appears to have been
very meritorious, jumped into the boat. Twenty
persons then leaped overboard, of whom seventeen
or eighteen were picked up. He speedily came
up with another boat, which he lightened of part
of her complement, leaving nineteen in her and
twenty-six in his own boat, which, so far as we
have as yet been able to learn, were the sole sur-
vivors of the ill-fated Arctic. After forty-two
hours' strenuous exertions the boats at last
reached the shore, and landed fourteen passen-
gers, three officers, and twenty-eight seamen, the
mournful remains of 390 human beings. Every
search that humanity dictated was made for the
survivors, but no satisfactory tidings had been
received, and we fear can scarcely be anticipated.
The Vesta was saved from a like fate by the
skill and determination of her gallant commander.
No hope was in the first instance entertained of
her preservation. Those on board looked to the
Arctic as the only means of safety. In their
intense anxiety to avail themselveS thereof
some sprang overboard, and were, of course, lost.
Two boats were put out, the first of which was
immediately sunk, the other run over •by the
Arctic. Thirteen persons were lost through their
own imprudence ; the others were brought safely
to St. John's, Newfoundland. The captain, by
lightening the front of the vessel, and piling up
mattresses, palliasses, and other effects, strength-
ened the bow so as to keep the vessel afloat. He
has justly received the highest praise for his con-
duct from the time of the unfortunate collision.
Now, this fatal event appears to belong to the
class of what have been termed "preventible
accidents." Notwithstanding the density of the
fog, and the position in which it was then pro-
ceeding, no precaution appears to have been taken
on board the Arctic to prevent such a catastrophe.
Had the speed been abated, a careful watch kept,
and a drum kept beating, it could not have oc-
ourred. But the danger was underrated ; and
possibly some reliance was placed on the size of
the vessel, that she could not suffer much even
should she unfortunately come into contact with
another ship. The great danger would be to the
other whatever it might be. The Captain was
naturally anxious to make a rapid passage, and
to that he sacrificed his noble vessel, the valuable
property on board, and, far worse than all, the
lives of 345 human beings, including himself and
his son among the number. Surely this de-,
plorable occasion ought to be improved, so as to
render the adoption of suitable precautions under
such circumstances imperative, and thus to obtain
some greater degree of security for life and pre.
perty than is afforded under the existing system.

We are happy to hear that Mr. Geach, M.P., is re-
covering from his severe attack of illness.
Lord Louth has left the Gresham Hotel, Dublin, for
Louth Hall.

The Right Hon. the Attorney-General for Ireland has
left his ?hefting quarter{ in the Highlands, and is ea
route for his residence in Dublin.

- Sir Richard Sutton, Bart., and Lord Edwin Hill,
M.P., and party, are enjoying the sports of the field at
the hen. baronet's seat, Lingham Lodge, Norfolk.
James Roosevelt, Esq., and Mrs. Roosevelt have left
the Clarendon Hotel for Paris. Sir Herbert Maddock,
M.P., has arrived at the Clarendon from Liverpool.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Downshire are re-
ceiving a succession of visitors at Hillsborough Castle,
where they intend to winter.
The Marquis of Anglesea left Newmarket on Friday
last for Beaudessat, Staffordshire. His lordship is form.
ing a valuable racing stud.
The Earl of Desart has arrived in town from a cruise
off the coast of Scotland in his yacht. The countess
attended her Majesty from Scotland as Lady in
Waiting.
The Earl of Jersey, we are gratified to say, is not in
so bad a state of health as represented. The noble earl
and countess, and a small family circle, are located at
Middleton Park, near Bieester. _ _

The Viscountess Canning and Lady Stuart de Roth-
say havc.. left Grosvenor-square on a visit to the venerable
Dowager Countess of fiardwicke at Titterhanger,
Herts.

PROFESSOR COCXERELL.—Our readers will sympathise
with Professor Cockerell in the loss which he and the
service have experienced in the death of his gallant son,
a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, and who fall on the
20th of September, at the battle of the Alma, a few days
only after this fine promising youth had joined his corps
at Eupatoria.
THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.—A very important point,
in regard to the construction of the treaty, is entirely
misunderstood by certain New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia newspapers. These papers hold out the idea
that, if those provinces withhold their assent to the
treaty, their fisheries will remain shut against the in-
habitants of the United States. This is a great error.
OPPOSITION TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH.—A. meeting
was held on Monday evening at the George Hotel,
Haymarket, of butchers and other persons interested in
keeping swine upon their premises, to consider the best
means of protecting their interests from injury by the
regulations of the Board of Health. It was resolved
that an association should be formed for the purpose)
and a solicitor engaged to defend any member who might
be subjected to proceedings by the authorities.—Leicester
Journal.
FEARFUL ACCIDENT AT A LICENSED VICTUALLER'S.—
On Saturday night a lad named Rawlings was standing
with one leg on the window sill of the Cross Keys Ta-
vern, Blackfriars-road, and the other on the arm of one
of the ornamental lamps in front of the house for the
purpose of lighting the gas, when by some means he lost
his hold and fell head foremost upon the stone flags be-
neath. Police-constable No. 70 of the L division ran to
his aid, picked him up, and found the blood issuing from
his ears and mouth. He conveyed the sufferer to the
surgery of Mr. Rose, of Stamford-street, but such were
the serious injuries received that the surgeon recom-
mended the lad's instant removal to St. Thomas's Hos-
pital, which was done ; but not the slightest hope can
be entertained of his recovery.
ALARMING FIRE' IN THE CALEDONIAN-ROAD, ISLlNG-
TON.—Yesterday morning, shortly after 12 o'clock, a
call was received at the different engine stations that a
fire had broken out in the neighbourhood of the Cale-
donian-road, Islington. To that spot the engines of the
parish, and three of the London Brigade started, as well
as the Royal Society's fire escapes. The firemen then
found that the fire had originated in the premises of Mr.
W. Keeling, a tobacconist and toy dealer, carrying en
-business at 14, Great William-street, in the above-named
road. The origin of this fire is unknown, and it could
not be ascertained whether the sufferer was insured or
not.

SUSPECTED INCENDIARISM AT HOLLOWAY.—Yesterday
morning, between the hours of two and three o'clock, the
premises of Mr. W. Brown, a farmer, situate in Hollo-
way-fields, Holloway, were discovered by the police on
duty to be on fire. The total loss is very considerable,
and unfortunately the sufferer is not insured for a single
penny. The origin of the fire is sot precisely known,
but from the fact of its occurring at a time when no one
was employed in that part of the premises, there is strong
ground for supposing that it was the work of some vile
incendiary.

OLONNII- I INQUEST.—On Saturday Mr. Wakley held
an inquest on the body of Mr. John Shaft, aged 55, a
Russian linguist, and for many years passport agent at
St. Petersburg, which city he quitted last Christmas.
Deceased retired to rest on Monday last, in apparent
good health, but about 2 o'clock his son was summoned
to his assistance by a servant who had heard a peculiar
noise in the bed room. Deceased was found lying on
his back apparently in a fit, life being quite extinct.
The past mortem examination showed extensive disease
of the heart, and a medical man, only a fortnight before,
had predicted that deceitioci would one day die suddenly.
Verdict accordingly,