The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-19 00:00:00

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I asked him if he could throw any light upon the acct
dent ? His answer was, "It was the weight of the iron
ribs." I said, "Then you fancy that the whole of the
trusses are down ?" ." Certainly," he replied. I told
him he was mistaken in that. He then said, " I can't
tell you anything about it It is a mystery to me."
Moore made up his mind that the whole thing—
Nos. 1,2, 3,4, 5,6, and 7 trusses—had come down
together.
Mr. William Ward, an architect, proved having been
much engaged at that portion of the building where
the accident happened. He was not at present profes-
sionally engaged at the Palace, but had been so some
time since ; and feeling a great interest in this peculiar
scaffold, bad been many times to see it during its pro-
gress. He was there for this purpose when the acci-
dent occurred, and was standing within 24 feet of the
portion that gave way. He observed a slight vibration
of the timbers forming the sixth and seventh trusses,
and immediately afterwards the whole of the last three
trusses fell too the ground, carrying the men with them.
The struts near the centre appeared to break up as they
fell. Witness had no doubt whatever of the safety of
ctohueresveiydeonucme
the principle upOn which' the scaffold was erected, or he
would not have gone upon it himself.
additionin youWha
to t
This closed the evidence, and
The Coroner then said : Now, gentlemen, I should
ask
appears 'to have entered the minds of some gentlemen
of the jury that it might perhaps be.desirable to-see the
place. I have a great idea myself of localities, and I
ayyouthink have it
adheseiaradbyle htaod a. dopltt
know that a great ,deal is sometimes accomplished by.,
an inspection. of the spot where an accident has occur
red. Perhaps you may think, however, after what
you have heard, that that is unnecessary, and that
you are. now sufficiently acquainted with the details
and particulars of the place to enable you to form a
just conclusion. ,If you wish to see the spot, I am sure
that every facility will be afforded you for doing so.
But it is for you to say whether you think that necessary.
The Case, as at present, before us, seems to be that there
has been adopted somewhat of a new principle in erecting
the trusses for the purpose of placing the roof over the
building, and that somethinc, like it had been adopted at
the old palace at the west end of the town, so that it is,
therefore, not quite a new, but something of a new
principle. It appears there was a gallery at the north
end of the transept, from which they began to work, and
they thought, therefore, that it would not require any
scaffolding underneath the trusses to raise them—having
a gallery to start from, they thought that would be quite
sufficient. Sir Charles Fox is of course a party concerned
in this matter, and therefore, though we have the fullest
assurance that he would not utter a word that he did
not conscientiously believe to be correct, yet of course
you will take every man's evidence as it is given you ;
and if you find a man connected in any way with the
building, so that his mind may possibly, and almost im-
perceptibly, have a bias without intending to say any-
thing wrong, you will give such credit to that opinion
as you think it entitled to. There are other persons
also connected with the building who have given the
same opinion, and we have also had Mr. Ward, the last
gentleman examined, who is not now connected with it,
but who was there for a scientific purpose, and all agree
in stating that the mode adopted was in their judgment
perfectly safe and judicious. Then, that being so, if
you think that that was in their judgment a perfectly
safe and judicious course, there can be no criminality
attached to any person with regard to this case. If you
should be of opinion that they really thought that this
was a safe mode of doing the work, and that the accident
was the result merely of an error in judgment—even if
it were so much as that—of course you may remove from
your minds any question of criminal responsibility
attaching to any person, because none can exist. Were
it otherwise, no man would ever venture upon a new
invention, or upon the application of a novel process.
No man would be safe in making an experiment if you
were to carry the law to the extent of saying that be-
cause a man is fairly endeavouring to bring about some
new method of doing something that had not been done
before, he shall be criminally responsible in the event of
death unfortunately resulting. You would put a stop
to everything like inventive genius, or the attainment of
scientific objects. The question is, whether you con-
skier that these persons went recklessly to work in con-
structing this scaffold, and whether it was such a foolish
and improper thing as no person in his senses would
attempt, because in such a case you would say that any
man or set of men who acted so rashly must be responsible
for all the consequences. Here, however, you have the
opinion of several persons that although this was a some-
what new invention, yet in their judgment it was aperfectly
safe one ; and certainly if they had not thought it was
so, they would not have trusted themselves upon it.
They had described the manner in which the work had
peen done, and I do not know that you would gain much
more information even if you saw the trusses in their
present position. This is for you to judge of, however. II
you wish to see them, of course you can do so ; but it
will only lead to your meeting here again. If your
minds are not satisfied as to the construction of the work,
and you like to take that trouble, every opportunity will
be afforded you ; but if you think, as appears to me most
completely, that there is no ground for saying that this
was a reckless, or foolish, or unadvised mode of pro-
ceeding, and that no person in his senses ought to have
thought of doing anything so rash or reckless, then that
which has happened in pursuit of that which is lawful
can be no more than an accident. You have already
had, I trust, sufficient evidence to satisfy your minds, as
it has done mine most completely, that this is the result
of an accident which happened to that machinery, or
scaffolding, whichever it may be termed, which no hu-
man foresight could have seen so as to have prevented.
You see they have carried out four trusses, which are
now standing complete and uninjured. They had also
carried out the fifth and sixth trusses, which were stand-
ing safely at the time of the accident. Then only at the
last, from some unaccountable cause, which nobody seems
able to explain, the trusses Nos. 5,6, and 7 all came
down together, and these lives are unfortunately sacri-
ficed. If you think, as I before observed, that this scaf-
fold was fairly erected on scientific principles, by men
who understand their business, and who really thought
that they were doing that which was perfectly safe, then
the result, however unfortunate, can be none other than
accident. You have put questions with a view of ascer-
tainine, whether any improved or safer course can be
adopted with regard to these matters in future; but you
have heard from gentlemen connected with the works,
that they do not intend to persevere with the present
mode, because, though they were at first satisfied that
it was perfectly safe, yet inasmuch as something has hap-
pened which they cannot account for, they think it safer,
and it is highly creditable of them to say so, not to fol-
low out the original plan, but to adopt some other which
they think would be freer from doubt as to the result.
They intend, therefore, to adopt another course, by which
injury may be prevented in future. It appears to me
that this is purely an accident. The men no doubt have
died from the effects of the injuries they received, and
if any person could tell us what occasioned the trusses
to give way, then the good which would result from
pursuing this inquiry would be, that it would operate
as a caution to others to avoid the mischief which has
occurred in this instance. No one seems to know
what the cause of the accident was, and I do not think
that either from looking at the pieces that now remain
or at those which have fallen, that you will be one
whit nearer the mark. Those who were upon the spot,
and have examined it carefully, cannot tell, and I do
not think if you were on the spot that you could tell
either ; still if you think it desirable to have a view, of
course you can do so, and then you can return your ver-
dict either to-day or any other day you choose to appoint.
We know that under the most favourable auspices acci-
dents may happen, and this appears to me to have been
one of those unfortunate cases which no human foresight
could have prevented. They did that which they thought
was best, but an unfortunate result ensued. Still that
does not amount, either in law or in common sense, to
more than an accident. It is for you to judge of the
case. If you wish to have a view, you shall do so ; if
not, you will please to consider your verdict ; and I
think you will have no difficulty in deciding that this
was an accident. Be kind enough to consult together,
and tell me which course you prefer taking.
After a few moments' consultation, the jury expressed
a desire to visit the scene of the calamity, and the court
adjourned until eight o'clock to afford them an opportu-
nity of doing so.
The jury then proceeded by railway to Sydenham, and
viewed the locality. Upon their return,
The foreman said the jury desired to know whether
any person unconnected with the building had examined
the materials of which the trusses were formed ?
Another juror hereupon observed that two of their
own body, both of them very competent men, had exa-
mined the materials. One of them was a builder, and
would of course be competent to speak as to the ch
ter of the wood, and the other was wellarac-
acquainted with
the qualities of iron.
The Coroner said, as that was the case, it would per-
haps be desirable to examine them on both points.
A third juror remarked that, while
awaiting
the re-
turn train on the platform at theS d h y en am station, they
had met a person who told them that evidence would be
addueed at the adjourned inquest before Mr. Carter to-
morrow (this day) of a very different nature to that which
had been brought forward to-day, and which had been
kept back hitherto. The this
person who had said all
was Downer, the witness who proved the identity of the
deceased man Henry Reading.
Downer was then recalled, and on being questioned by
the Coroner, he declared himself unable to give any evi-
dence of his own knowledge. He had only heard float-
ing rumours, and was not in a position to state anything
until he had put himself in communication with some
other persons.
The Coroner considered it would be a waste of time to
listen to hearsay testimony of this character. He thought
it would be better they should hear what two cf their
own body would say on the subject.
Mr. John Boyle, one of the jurors, was then sworn.
He said he was a scalemaker, and acquainted generally
with the qualities of iron. Re knew good iron from
bad, and what he had seen at the Palace that day
ap-
peared to him to be of the best quality.
He
had
of the
mined portions of the cast iron forming the shoes
struts which had been broken, and of the wrought iron
which was bent and doubled up, but not broken. Every
part of it appeared to him to be of the best quality,and
I to have been put together in a vrorl.
-manhke manner.He

strong iron, not
wo. He saw no

Ambrose Drewir, another juror, was next exa-
mineL stated that he was a carpenter and builder.
He had looked over the 'works generally at the Crystal
Palace, and found everything, as far as he saw, well put
together and well executed. The struts and braces
appeared to be particularly well put together. The
wood was of the best quality, and all the materials were
certainly quite new. The trusses appeared to him cal-
culated to carry ten times the weight that was likely to

be upon them.
juror
A said the man Downer had also stated on the
platform at Sydenham that a similar accident had oc-
curred at the same place about two months ago.
Downer wa3 again recalled, and again it appeared that
his communication on this point was equally groundless.
He had been "given to understand" that the same scaf-
folding had fallen, but be knew nothing of his own
knowledge, for he had never worked at the Palace.
Mr. Henderson felt it right to explain that an accident
had occurred a few weeks ago, and special care had,been
taken by strengthening the struts in all the parts of the
scaffold, to prevent the recurrence of a similar disaster.
The former accident had arisen from a high wind, and
plenty of warning was given for all the met: to get out
of danger. The present accident was a totally different
matter.

The Coroner asked the jury if they desired to know
anything more ? There could be no doubt the contrac-
tors were interested.in doing the work in the best man-
ner, and it had been shown that when the struts formerly
gave way, they were afterwards made much stronger in
order to prevent a similar accident. Even if the contrac-
tors were wromr, it could only amount to an error of
judgment, for after the evidence they had heard, it would•
be impossible to atfix criminal responsibility to any party
The jury here expressed a wish to retire, and, after an
abseiled of about ten• minutes, they returned into court,
and unanimously pronounced a verdict of " Accidental
death."

Trio funeral of a portion of the sufferers took place
yesterday.ufternoon, in the churchyard of uew Sydenham
Church—an elegant modern structure, embosomed in
luxuriant foliage, and situated in a most romantic spot.
The friends of eight of the ten deceased persons lying at
Sydeiiham had selected this locality as the last resting-
place for their remains, and a grave sixteen feet deep had
been dug for their reception. The day was observed as
a solemn holiday in the district, and there was a total
cessation of all work within the Palace. The mournful
procession formed in the central nave, and as the clock
chimed three it slowly emerged from the building: headed
by the foremen of the various departments of the works,
and wended its Way along the beautiful road which con-
ducts to the church. Each. coffin was followed by its
own particular mourners, and at tl.e rear of the last
came the whole body of the workmen, numbering some
thousand persons, clad in respectable moorrin;, and
headed by Sir Charles Fox, Mr. Henderson, and Mr.
Cochrane. In its course the procession was Swelled by
fresh additions, until when it reached the church th( ra
must have been between 2,000 and 3,000 persons follow-
ing. The funeral service was performed in a very im-
pressive manner by the vicar, who, before the removal
of the bodies from the church, delivered an affecting ad-
dress to the mourners, exhorting them to apply practi-
cally to themselves the awful warning conveyed by the
distressing affliction which had fallen upon them. A.
great number of people were attracted to the spot from
the surrounding districts, and every point along the road
was occupied by sympathising spectators. The bodies
of the other two deceased persons had been, at the in-
stance of their relatives, removed to more distant and
more cherished localities.
It may not be out of place here to mention that the
contractors, Messrs. Fox and Henderson, invariably
make a provision for the widows of workmen who lose
their lives in their service, by a weekly allowance ( f
from 10s. to 125., continued over periods of not less flan
twelve months ; and what is, perhaps, really more im-
portant and beneficial to them, the firm invariably take
charge of the orphan children and introduce them to
habits of industry in their own service.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, AUG. 18.
THE QUEEN EXERCISING THE FLEET.

Her Majesty embarked at Cowes this morning at ten
o'clock on board the steam-yacht Victoria and Albert,
Captain Crispin, and steamed up to Spithead. On
nearing the anchorage the Rolla, naval apprentices'
instruction brig, Lieutenant Fenwick in command, led
off a general Royal salute by the whole of the fleet,
which bad a most imposing effect from the shore. The
Royal Yacht steamed through the line to the head of
the fleet, when her Majesty left her yacht, and embarked
in the State barge for the Duke of Wellington, 131,
Captain H. B. Martin, C. 8., and the fleet was signalled
to prepare for weighing. The squadron about to pro-
ceed to sea under the command of the Queen in person,
consisted of the Duke of Wellington, 131, (flag) ; Aga-
memnon, $l, Captain Sir Thomas Maitland, C.B. ; Im-
p4rieuse, 50, Captain Watson, C.B. ; Arrogant, 46,
Captain Fremantle ; Highflyer, 21, Captain Moore ;
Desperate, 8, Captain Chambers ; and Encounter, 14,
Captain O'Callaghan—accompanied by the Victoria and
Albert, Elfin, Royal Yacht, Master Commander Bairn-
ton ; Fire Queen yacht, Master Commander Paul ; and
Sprightly, tender, Acting Master Commander Allen.
Steam being up, the Duke of Wellington signalled to
weigh, herself being the first to " move on ;" she got
away in 81- minutes from the time of making the signal,
and it is but just to note that all the other ships showed
similar alacrity. Each having taken the station allotted
to her, the squadron proceeded towards the Channel,
steering a S.S..E. course, in the following order
Port Division. Starboard Division.
Agamemnon. Duke of Wellington.
Encounter. Impdrieuse.

Desperate. 1 Arrogant.
Victoria and Albert. I Righflyer.
They stood out to sea, and were soon lost to sight
from land. No one but the naval authorities was
aware of the intention of the Queen to visit the fleet to-
day, and civilians were, consequently, unable to go on
board and witness the day's cruise.
At four o'clock the Royal squadron was seen again,
through the haze in the distance, making for Spithead,
the Duke leading ; but in coming within the circle of
the anchorage the Agamemnon overhauled her, and the
force came up in the same order as at starting.
At 5.30, the fleet which was left at Spithead—the
Queen, 116, the Prince Regent, 90, the London, 90, the
Blenheim. 60, the Edinburgh, 56, the Amphion, 34, the
Gefion, 48, and the Amazone, 12 (Prussian), and the
paddle frigates Sidon, 22, the Odin, 16, the Leopard, 12,
the Vulture, 16, the Magicienne, 16, the Vesuvius, 6,
the Barracouta, 6, the Banshee, 2, &c., fired a general
Royal salute to greet the Queen's return ; and, as soon
as the smoke cleared away, the crews were discovered
on the yards, ready to cheer her as she passed through
the line homewards. Her Majesty left the Duke of
Wellington at 5.45, and returned to her yacht for
Osborne.

During the absence of Captain Scott, of the Olin, on
24 hours' official leave, while moving the Odin into line,
Commander Geo. Parker, of the Barracouta steam-sloop
(who was towing the 0 lin), let hec fall foul of the High-
flyer. The latter has lost by the movement jib and fly-
ing jibboom. The Odin has a-couple of boats destroyed.
and a good deal of superficial damage done.
The Rhadamanthus steam-transport,. Master Com-
mander Belarn, arrived in harbour this morning from
Pembroke, bringing round the party of riggers that was
sent down about the Caesar.
The Edinburgh, 56, steam-ship, Captain Hewlett, will
leave Spithead on Saturday, on three weeks' cruise.
The Tribune, 30, steam-frigate, Captain the Hon. S.
T. Carnegie, hauled into the south dock this morning,

PLYMOUTH, AUG. 18.
Her Majesty's frigate Sybille, 40, Captain the Hon.
C. G. Elliot, will probably sail on Sunday next for the
East Indies. Her crew were paid two months' advance
yesterday.
The steam block-ship James Watt, 90, having been
coppered, was taken out of dock yesterday.
The St. Jean d'Acre screw line-of-battle-ship, Capt.
the Hon. 11. Keppel, will probably be ready for sea this
week. The Pallas coal depot was towed alongside yes-
terday to supply her with 400 tons of coal.
Yesterday, at 12 a.m„ a ship-rigged paddle-wheel
steamer was observed in the fair course down Channel,
under steam only ; Wind, S.W., fine breeze. Her fun-
nel was before the mainmast, and she bore the red en-
sign at her peak.
This morning, at 10, a two-decker screw steam-ship,
said to be the Edinburgh, entered the Sound from the
eastward.
Mr. Edye, Master Shipwright of this dockyard, and
Mr. Isaac Watts, Assistant-Surveyor of the Navy, left
by train yesterday for Pembroke, where they met Sir
Baldwin Walker and a committee of master shipwrights
for the purpose of inspecting the Caesar, 90, recently
launched at that port. It is stated that this ship was
hogged three feet out of her build before she was finally
launched, but that she has nearly recovered her shape
afloat. Some of the copper bolts by which her iron
knees were fastened were cut clean off by the ironwork
when the ship strained.
Q
The General Screw Steam Company's ship
the South, Captain Norman, sailed on Tuesday, th ueen of
e 16th,
for the Cape of Good Hope and Calcutta. The Lady
Jocelyn, homeward, will be due here about the 26th

instant.
The Danish merchant-ship Christine, 300 tons, Capt.
Peterson, was off the port yesterday, and landed pas-
sengers from the Cape of Good Hope. She is laden
with rice and tobacco, 120 days from Macao, bound for
Copenhagan. The Christine left Simon's Bay on the
11th of June, was off St. Helena on the 26th, Ascension
on the let of July, and the Azores on the Ist of August.
Off St. Helena she spoke the ship Scotland, from Chins
for London.

WOOLWICH, Auc. 18.
APPOINTMENTS.

Commander Graham Ogle (1846), to command the
Arab, 12, sloop, at Chatham, where she will be immedi-
ately commissioned.
Commander Robert Hall (1852), to command the
Stromboli, 6. paddle-wheel steam-sloop, of 280-horse
polder,
commissioned this day, at Portsmouth.
Chaplain and Naval Instructor the Rev. Samuel Beal
(1852), from the Queen, 116, to the Sybille, 40, at De-
vonport, whence she is to proceed to the East Indies
station.

Second Master William Francis Greet (1845), from
the Coast Guaxd, to the Dolphin, 3, brigantine, at
Sheerness.

Master's Assistant W. B. Goldsmith, to the Philo.
mel, 8, sloop, at Devonport.
Midshipman C. E. Burlton, to the Plumper, screw
steam-sloop, at Portsmouth.