The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-17 00:00:00

SION BRIDGE

CHESTER, WEDNESDAY EVENING.—The Coroner's
inquiry relating to the late loss of life, by the falling of
the Chester and Holyhead Railway-bridge, over the Dee,
was resumed this morning at ten o'clock, for the fourth
time, at the Exchange Hall of this city, before Mr.
Hostage, the Coroner, and the jury of citizens previously
empannelled.
The CORONER, in re-opening the inquiry, announced
that he had a list of nineteen additional witnesses handed
to him by the superintendent of the police; they com-
prised passengers by the train and other parties, whom
he was informed could speak to some now facts.
Previous to calling them, Sir E. S. Walker, the fore-
man of the jury, begged to ask Mr. Stephenson why he
adopted timber baulks in a bridge of 30 feet span, as was
the case with the one over the King's Ferry, and omitted
them in one of 90 feet span? .

Mr. Tyrrell put it to the Coroner whether the ques-
ion had any reference to the inquiry.
Sir E. S. Walker contended that it had.

The CORONER thought they had better keep to the
bridge that had led to the accident.
Mr. Stephenson said he was ready to give the worthy
Knight the fullest explanation, and which could be
answered by any scientific gentleman. He was content
to leave it to Mr. Walker. He had nothing to conceal,
and it was well known that their use or omission was a
mere matter of convenience, and did not affect the secu-
rity of the structure.
Mr. J. Tomkinson, merchant, of Liverpool, was then
sworn—l was a passenger in the train that met with the
accident. I was sitting in the second compartment of
the first-class carriage next to the tender. To the best
of my recollection the speed of the train before it got to
the bridge was about ten miles an hour. I was engaged
in conversation with one of the passengers, when sud-
denly our attention was drawn to a rumbling, as we were
crossing tho bridge. We had apparently got across,
when we felt the line give way from us, and we dropped.
The carriage fell on the bank, and rolled over several
times, stopping on the brink of the river. The reason
why I think it rolled over is, that I was on my head
several times. Having no bones broken, I got out, and
found that all the train had fallen through the bridge.
Several carriages, wrecks of them at least, were lying on
the bank, and some immersed in water. Seeing a wo-
man struggling, I ran forward, and kept her up till as-
sistance came and rescued her.

By the CORONER—I do not think the accident resulted
from any blow on the bridge, for, at the time, I was
sitting with my face towards the road.
By Mr. Walker---Up to the time of the sinking, I
heard no bumping of the carriage, to show that the
tender was off the line. There might have been a la-
teral blow given the girder, but I did not hear it. The
carriage did not fall sideways, but seemed to go down as
the bridge sunk.
After much further evidence of a similar character,
the inquiry was again adjourned.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY. —The
annual examination of the Model School for Girls connected
with this institution took place yesterday, at the school-
room in the Borough-road. Sir John P. Boileau, Bart., was
in the chair, supported by Viscount Ebrington, Mr. Sergeant
Thompson, and other friends of the society. The room was
crowded with visitors. The examination included, in addi-
tion to the Scriptures, English history, modern and sacred
geography, arithmetic, and English grammar. The chil-
dren presented a very neat appearance, and their answers to
the various questions proposed frequently indicated superior
intelligence. Numerous specimens of needlework and mo-
dels of cutting out garments were presented, as well as maps
and drawings. At the conclusion, Sir John Boileau, Sergeant
Thompson, and Mr. Robert Foster severally addressed the
company, expressing the high gratification they experienced.
CLOSE OF THE MATTHEWSON AND COOKE SUB-
sciurinoN.—Last night a meeting of the committee ap-
pointed for the purpose of procuring the discharge of Mat-
thewson and Cooke from the 7th Hussars, was held at the
house of the treasurer, Mr. George Walter, Blue Posts, Shoe-
lane • Mr. Behenna in the chair. After some conversation,
,
it was moved and seconded that, as the amount of subscrip-
tion in the hands of the treasurer, through the kindness of
the public and the exertions of the committee, had now
reached the sum of 501. and a few odd shillings, that the
amount in hand be forthwith handed to Thomas Wakley,
Esq., M.P., for the purpose of carrying out the objects
originally contemplated by the committee. After a vote of
thanks to the chairman and to the treasurer for their several
services, the body was dissolved.
MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.—The following accident
occurred at Sleahead, parish of Ventry, on Monday last. A
married woman, named Fenaghty, brought her husband his
breakfast on the road making there. On their retiring to
eat it above the road, a clift they were sitting under fell on
them and crushed them to atoms. The unfortunate parents
a left orphans to deplore their 1055,.-Trake Chronicle,