The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-16 00:00:00

_
No. 16)977. LAN DON, T U ESDAY MORNING SUN 9 FEBRUARY 161 1847.

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
CHEMICAL LECTURES y Dr. ItY..kN, with brilliant and
varied Experiments, daily, and on the Evening. of Mondays, Wed-
nesdays,' and Fridays. On the commencement of Lent, Dr. BACH-
HOFFNER will deliver a Series of Lectures on AS ERONOMY, ex-
hibiting the latest discoveries, on the Mornings and Evenings of
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with new and appropriate
Music, by Dr. Wallis. On the alternate Mornings and Evenings he
will Lecture on the EL 1 CTRO-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH, including
the recent Patent of Messrs. Nott and Gamble. The Models and
ether Works in the Useful Arts are daily described. The beautiful
Op ical Effects include the NEW DISSOLVING VIEWS. Experi-
ments by the DIVER and DIVING-BELL,
Admission Is. Schools, half-price.

HENRY RUSSELL at the STRAND
T HEATRE.
HENRY RUSSELL, composer of " Woodman spare that Tree,"
" The Ivy Green," " The Old Arm-chair," "The Ship on Fire,"
" rho Gambler's Wife," " The Maniac," " Some love to Roam,"
" I'm Afloat," "A Life on the Ocean Wave," " The Newfoundland
Dog," &c. &c., will have the honour of giving his VOCAL EN-
TERTAINMENTS on MONDAY EVENING, Feb. 22, and following
evenings, interspersed with Anecdotes of Negro Life and Character.
Boxes, 35.; Stalls, 25.; Pit, Is. ; Gallery, 6d. Doors open at
Half-past Seven ; commence at Eight. Private Boxes, I/. Is. Box-
office open from One till Four.

FMPLOYM_ENT.—Persons having a little time
to spare are apprised that AGENTS continue to be appointed
in London and country towns to the EAST INDIA TEA COM-
PANY for the SALE of their celebrated TEAS. Offices, 9, Great St.
Helen's Church-yard, Bishopsgate-street. They are packed in leaden
canisters, from an ounce to a pound, with the price and weight
marked on each packet, and but little trouble is occasioned by the
rate. The only license required is I Is. per annum, and many during
the last 20 years have realised considerable incomes by the agency,
without Is. let or loss.
Application to lie made, if by letter, post paid, as above.

UNDER THE PATRON/GE OF ROYALTY AND THE AU-

THORITY OF THE FACULTY.
KE A TIN G'S COUGH LOZENGES.
A Certain Remedy for disorders of the Pulmonary Organs—
in Difficulty of Breathing—in Redundancy of Phlegm—in Incipient
Consumption (of which Cough is the most positive indication) they
are of unerring efficacy. In Asthma, and in Winter Cough, they
have never been known to fail.
Prepared and sold in Boxes, Is. 1%d., and Tins, 2s. Sd., 4s. 6d.,
and 10s. 6d. each, by THOMAS KEATING, Chemist, &c., No. 79,
St. Paul's Churchyard, Loudon. Sold retail by all Druggists and
Patent Medicine Venders in the Kingdom.
Copy of a Letter from Colonel Hawker, the well-known Author on
" Guns and Shooting."
Longparish House, near Whitchurch, Hants, Oct. 21,1846.
Sir,—l cannot resist informing you of the extraordinary effect that
I have experienced by taking only a few of your Lozenges. I had a
cough for several weeks, that defied all that had been prescribed for
me ; and yet I got completely rid of it by taking about half a small
box of your Lozenges, which I find are, the only ones that relieve the
cough without deranging the stomach. or digestive organs.
I am, Sir, your humble servant,
P. HAWKER.
To Mr. Keating, 79, St. Paul's Churchyard.

PARISS' PULAIGNIC ClGARETTES.—Phy-
sicians have long iliscovered that in diseases of the lungs and
air passages, a remedy to be really efficacious must come in direct
contact with the diseased organ, and this cannot take place unless it
be administered under the form of vapour or smoke. The diseases
in which the Cigarettes have been found so beneficial are, difficulty
of breathing, tightness of the chest, spasmodic asthma, catarrhs,
hoarseness, sore throats, aphony (loss of voice), ear-aches, rheuma-
tism of the jaws, tooth-ache, neuralgia, &c. In the first stage of
consumption their beneficial effects are surprising, and in the ad
•
vanced stages they relieve the cough, lessen the expectoration, check
the night perspiration, and produce calm and refreshing sleep.
Sold by Messrs. Barclay, Butler, Edwards, Hannay, Johnstone,
Sanger, Schooling, and all respectable medicine venders in Great
Britain and France, in boxes at 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and I Is,
Observe that the name P. Pariss, 26, Place Vendome, is engraved
on the Government stamp.

EYEBROWS, MOUSTACHIOS, and WHIS-
KERS produced in a few weeks, and Baldness removed and
prevented by the use of GRIMSTONE'S AROMATIC REGENE-
RATOR, an essential spirit, drawn from aromatic herbs and flowers,
a few drops of which cure headache in a few minutes ; it is also it
most delightful, fragrant toilet perfume. Sold only in triangular
bottles, protected by the Government stamp, at 4e. ; double the size,
7s. ; and double this size, Its. each ; enclosed in a Pamphlet, con-
taining testimonials of undoubted authority, entitled " Three Minutes'
Advice on the Growth and ?reservation of the Human Hair, &c."
By post, 4s. 6d., 7s. 13(1„ and 125., for money orders only.
Sold wholesale only at Grimetone's Ilerbary, Highgate, near
London ; and by Messrs. Barclay and Son, Farringdon-street ; Sanger,
Oxford-street; Messrs. Butler and Co., Cheapside ; Fisher and Teller,
Conduit-street ; Mr. Johnston, medicine warehouse, 68, Cornhill •
and by all chemists. Perfumers, and others For Edinburgh, J. and
R. Raimes, Leith-walk; for Manchester, eresehe and Son, AdYer
User- office.

WHITTINGTON CLUB and METROPO-
LI lAN ATIIEN.EUM.—The COMMITTEE are happy
to inform the Members that they have taken Premises at No. 7,
Gresham-street, which are being adapted for the purposes of the
Club with the utmost rapidity.

WHITTINGTON CLUB and _METRO-
POLITAN ATIIENYEUM.
The Entrance Fees for all Members of this Institution proposed
on and atter the let of March, 1847, will be increased to One
Guinea for Town, and Half-a-Guinea for Country Members. All
persons who have been nominated as Members, and have not paid
their entrance fees are requested to do so immediately.
RATESEND STAR and BLACii\i'AIL
PACKETS.
Boat and Rail included is One Payment, avoiding the danger
And delay of the Pool.
From the Brunswick Wharf, Blackwall, at 9%, 16%, 1,3, 4, and
',. Sundays, at 9%, 11, 1%, 4, and 5. The Trains starting one quar-
ter of an hour before each of these times.

New Terrace Pier, Gravesend, at 7%, 8%, 91%, 11%, 1,3, and
5. Sundays, at 8%, 11%, 1,3, and 5.
N.B.—No other packets call at the Grays or Greenhithe Piers.
Star Office, Gravesend, Dec. 28, 1846.

EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.-
YORK EXTENSION SHARES.
Notice is hereby given that the Directors have made a CALL of
2/. Ms. per Share upon the B Quarters of these Shares, which will he
payable In Two Instalments 01 11. 55. each. 'the first ou the 18th of
March, and the second on the 18th of May heat.
Interest at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum will be charged upon
all arrears.

GEORGE HUDSON, Chairman.

By Order,

C. P. RONEY, Secretary.
Bishopsgate Station 12th Feb. 184 T.

GREAT WE STERN RAILWAY.
The Directors of this Company are ready to RYCEIVE
TENDERS fpr LOANS of MONEY, in sums of not less than
1,0001. for a period of five, seven, or ton years, on the security of
mortgage debentures, bearing Interest at the rats of 41. 10s. per cont.
per annum, payable half-yearly.
Applications may be made to the undersigned, at the Railway-
office, Paddington Station.

CHARLES' A. SAUNDERS, Secretary.

GENUINE CORK WHISKY.
This Spirit, so justly celebrated for its mildness and flavour,
could not hitherto be had in perfection, except in the City, where it
is manufactured. In order to supply this want in the London market,
J. STEPHEN'S has opened the extensive Vaults, No. 141, Fleet-
street, for the sale of this pure WHISKY, to which he begs to direct
the attention of that portion of the trade who have not as yet fa-
"'mired him with their orders. The public can be supplied with this
delicious spirit, of great age and strength, in quantities of two gal-
lons, at 18s. per gallon. Stamped sample bottles, 33. 4d. And Is. Bd.
—Gate entrance, 141, Fleet-street, and through Wine Office-court.

13J Dr.
INHALER, as constructed by
Dr. BOOT and Mr. ROBINSON.

Mr: HOOPER has the greatest satisfaction in stating that at each
of the Mettopolitan and Provincial Institutions at which this appa-
ratus has been used, it has succeeded ; Messrs. Lawrence, Ferguson,
Guthrie, Aston Key, Morgan, Thomson, M`Murdo, and many other
eminent Surgeons, have operated ou patients whilst under the in-
fluence of .Ether, by means of this instrument, with the most com-
plete success, to whom Mr. Hooper begs to refer, and to the reports
in the recent Medical Journals. The success attending this Inhaler
is in great measure owing to the construction of the valves.
Orders addressed to Mr. Hooper will be executed on the day they
arc received.

WRECK OF HER MAJESTY'S
STEAM-SLOOP S PHYN X.
THE COURT-MARTIAL.
PORTS3IOUTIT, FRIDAY.—A court-martial, comprising Rea-
Admiral Hyde Parker, C. 8., President; Captain Pasco, of
the Victory; Captain Chads, C. 8., of the Excellent; Cap-
tain Henderson, C. 8., of the Sidon ; Captain Kingcome, of
the Belleisle ; aptain Milne, of the St. Vincent ; and Mr.
George L. Greetham, Deputy Judge-Advocate of the Fleet,
assembled this morning at 9 o'clock, on board the flag-ship
St. Vincent, to try Commander John Bettinson Cragg, and
the other officers and ship's company who formed the crew of
her Majesty's steam-vessel Sphynx when( she ran ashore,
upon the following charge :
" For that you and such officers and ship's company as
aforesaid, on the 16th of January, 1847, all of them being at
that time in actual service and full pay of her Majesty's
fleet, did, through negligence, run upon the shore in Brix-
stone Bay, at the back of the Isle of Wight, her Majesty's
steam-sloop Sphynx."
All the officers and ship's company having been called
into court, and the charge having been read over in their pre-
sence, all, except Commander Cragg and the Master, Mr.
Wallis, were ordered to withdraw.
Commander Cragg then applied for permission to have his
" friend" to assist him, which was immediately granted,
when Mr. James Hoskins, solicitor (late mayor of Ports-
mouth), took his seat behind him. The trial then commenced
by the log-book being put in and identified as the ship's
book by Commander Cragg, who deposed that the entries
in it relating to the 16th of January last were correct. At
seven o'clock P.M. on the 15th, he said, the Start Light north
and by west seven or eight miles, I was on the paddle-box.
when the master proposed that we should shape our course up
channel. I inquired what the course was; he replied east
and by south. I inquired if that was from point to point or
from the present position of the ship. The master replied,
from point to point, and that east and by south would carry
us the same distance without St. Catharine's as we were off
the Start. I consented to the course being shaped east by
standard compass, the deviation being one point eastward,
and directed that she should not go inside her course. At
this time it rained—sometimes thick—wind from east.
I had some conversation with the master about reducing
the steam ; lie thought we had better make the Portland
Lights first. I went below to ascertain if the course pointed
out by the master was correct and compared the standard
compass with the steering compasu, which had been pre-
viously done by the master when he shaped the course. At
eight o'clock I received a report from the chief engineer, and
ascertained the number of revolutions we were making. I
cannot state now what number he said, but I replied I don't
want to go so fast—l don't want to go, into port to-night.
He said, or I directed—l don't know which—that the ex-
pansive gear should be put on another step of the cam (the
3d), and a fire lighted, so as not to have so much coal on,
which was done. I then remained on the bridge or paddle-
box until the Portland Lights were seen, at 10 o'clock, on
the port bow ; at 12 we were abreast of Portland Lights,
bearing north four or five leagues. I sent for the master
shortly after, and said I wished the speed of the vessel to be
reduced, I believe I said to half-speed; he said, " Yes, sir,"
and I then said " I will go on deck and order it." He re-
plied, " Let me go, sir, I'm going on deck," and he went. I
think he reported to me it was done. I spoke to him then
about his (the master's) knowledge of the Channel in going
through St. Catharine's or the Needles, as we could when the
day broke take the passage which most favourably presented
itself. The master said he had a thorough knowledge of
the Channel, particularly around the Isle of Wight, hav-
ing been brought up in it all his life. I was on deck all
night. When below I was sitting in a chair, and on two
occasions I heard the order reported. I ran on deck and
observed we were passing vessels showing lights. The officer
of the watch (Lieutenant Marryat), who was en the port
paddle-box, called out, " How's her head?" The quarter..
master answered S.S.E. and S.E.; the course was conse-
quently kept. I remained on the quarter-deck, looking out,
until after three o'clock, when I went below and desired the
quartermaster to call me at four. I was called, and the
quartermaster stated, in answer to my questions, that there
were no lights in sight except vessels' lights, and the wea-
ther was the same as when I went off. I told him to call me
at five. I was called at five by Mr. Sullivan. I asked him
if there were any lights in sight. He said, " No, sir ; the
master's on the paddle-box, and has sent a man up to the
mast-head to look out for the lights." I asked him if the
patent log had been hauled in. He said, " No." I directed
him (Mr. Sullivan) to go immediately and do it, and let me
know the result. He reported eighty-four miles on the
patent log. I said, " Tell the master to go as slew as pos-
sible, and keep her off; he knows we don't want to go in
to-night." I went on deck at five o'clock, and when I got
on the quarter-deck, or top of the ladder, I cannot say
which, the ship struck. I suppose that was about twenty
minutes after five. I got on the paddle-box as fast as
I could, when I heard the master order the ship to " go
astern." She moved astern for some time, but finding she
was fast, and the sea breaking heavily over the vessel, I
directed the engines to be stopped, and the water to be started
overboard and the masts cut down. As soon as the water
smoothed, we got our boat and an anchor out. When off the
Start, and the course was shaped, I directed the patent log to
be set and put overboard. The master said "I've set it, and
put it overboard myself, sir.
PRESIDENT—You say the Portland Lights at 12 o'clock
were bearing north four or five leagues. Was the course
altered at that time ?—No.
Who set the Portland Lights?—The gunner, the officer of
the watch. I looked at them afterwards myself.
Was the wind blowing fresh and right ahead, and was
there much head sea?—The wind was ahead; it was not
blowing fresh ; there was no head sea.
What was the weather at 12 o'clock P—lt rained, as it had
done most of the night.
Was that course (east) steered intended to take the Sphynx
in or outside of St. Catharine's?—Outside, decidedly. The
ship was to the south of that course all night.
Was any means taken between 12 and 4 o'clock to deters
mine the any
rata of goingi—The ordinary log was
hove every hour.
And what was her rate of going ?—Ten knots by the ordi-
nary_ log in the first watch. ou have
When you went on deck at three o'clock, as y
stated, was the weather then thickl—No ; you could see a
long way off. The Portland Lights were seen until near
two o'clock.
Who informed you the weather was the same when you
were called ?—Vincent, the quartermaster.
Did he, at the same time, tell you her rate of going ?

—No.
When you settled the course you stated for the master to
steer by standard compass did you lay down that course upon
the chart with the master?—l was on the paddle-box when
it was settled, but I went below and looked at the Channel
L'irectary, and found that the course from the Start to St.
Catharine's was E. and by S. 92 miles, as the masterouth had
stated. The standard compass was always to the e-
ward of east. The ship was so frequently kept to the south-
ward, that I had no apprehensions, but fully exptheected,
from the state of the weather, to see the lights of Isle
of Wight.
When you were called at four o'clock did you inquire what
distance the Sphynx had gone ?—No.
As you stated that the Directory told you 92 miles from
the Start to St. Catharine's, you surely must the
have been sur-
prised at not seeing the St. Catharine's Lights, when there
was more than that distance run on the log at four o'clock
—The ordinary log always keeps a greater speed than the
vessel is going by one mile or more in nine in paddle-wheel
steamers.
You have stated that you could see some distance, and
that it was fair during the night. Was it reported tostat yoed
u
that the weather was changed during the night? You
in your letter to the Commander-in-Chief (Sir C. weatherOgle)l
that
the weather was thick ?—I said in the letter that the
was thick when we went on shore.
Was it to your knowledge that the vessel was going ten
knots, or more, until she struck ?—I consider that the
ighty vessel
was never going ten knots. The patent log only gave e
four miles in ten and a half hours.
at four o'clock,
con-
stopping Did you propose to the master, or he to you, o'clock,
stopping the Sphynx to get a cast'of the leads ---N
on all occa-
o ;
sidered there was an order to keep the lead gog
alone. I did not on that occasion.
Who gove that order ?—I did.
Was teat order ever given in writing? —No.
Was there any written order on the night of the 16th left
with the officers of the watch T—NO.
ni
Was the lead hove at all during ght believe not.
By Captain }TENDS/SON—When the ship was ordered to
the east at twelve o'clock, what was the difference of speed?
—Three or four revolutions. The safety-valve partly shut as
well
What speed did a reduction of four revolutions give you r
—I should think she then went about seven or eight knots.
By Captain MILNE—Did you consider the master charged
with the pilotage of the shipT—Yes.
Was he on deck during the first and middle watch and
at what hours I—H on deck constantly g
e was watches,
the
night.
Did he mark on the chart the sition of the ship at eight,
twelve, two, and four o'clock?—lam not aware after eight
o'clock whether he did or not.
Whv did net the master take the bearings of the Portland
Lights at the different hours, and by the cross bearings and
the distance run in the interval, obtain the ship a cphosa's
rtitionof his
?
I do not know whether he did or not
he had
own in his cabin.
At what hours did he report the position of the skip to
o'clock, and, when I sent for him, at twelve
you?—At eight
o'clock.
Did he bring the chart with him ?—The chart was on the
cabin table.
osition of the ship on the chart at twelve?
Did he mark the p
—No, he did not. was swung for the deviation of the corn-
When the ship
passes, what was the amount of error, with the ship's head
at east?-10 deg..2o min. east.
Were you furnished by the officer who swung the ship with
a table of the amount of deviations, was it
inserted in
the log?—Yee, and it was " pasted" in the leg.
Is it in the log now?—No.
Are the Court to consider that when the ship was steer-
ing east by compass the actual course was east 10 south?—
Yes.

-pimmDENT—When the Porland Lights were reported to
you, at 12 o'clock, by the gunner, did you lay down the
ship's position on the chart?—l was on deck all the time
the Portland Lights were in sight.
Dip you, from 7 P.m., when you were seven miles off ho
Start, as stated in the log, till the time the Sphynx struck,
lay down the course steered upon the Admiralty chart?—
Yes, I measured off the course on the Admiralty chart,
and saw it was a correct course, as well as looked in the
Channel Directory. I cannot say whether I laid it down
or not.
Did any officer during that night propose to you to get a
cast of the lead?—No.
When you came upon deck, a little after 5, where did you
suppose the vessel was when she struck?.—At the back of
the Isle of Wight.
Had she struck before you got on deck?—l cannot under
take to say whether I was on the quarter-deck or not; if not
I was on the ladder.
What time of tide was it when the ship struck?—Flood
tide.
By Captain CIIADS—You have stated that at 5 o'clock
you gave orders for engines to go as slow as possible, and
ship's head to be kept off; was that done?—Yes, as tar as
the engines were concerned; they were going as slow as
possible, but the ship's head was not kept off.
Do you, from your own knowledge, know that the engines
were going slow 2—lt was reported to me. I know it
was so.
What rate do you suppose she was going when she struck ?
—Under five knots.
How was her head when she struck 2—The quartermaster
afterwards reported to me that her head was east and by

By Captain MILNE—Did the master take the bearings of
the Start at 7, and the Portland Lights at 12?—Yes, 1 be-
lieve so.
Did he give the compass bearings, or were the hearings
corrected for the deviation of the compass ?—Tbe bearings by
standard compass. Ido not think they were corrected.
Will you produce to the Court the table of deviations fur-
nished to you by the officer who swung the ship?—l cannot.
There is a correct copy (put in).
By Captain KINGCOME—When you left the deck at three
o'clock at what distance do you suppose you could see a
light at the Isle of Wight P—Eight or nine miles. Could see
a ship one and a half or two miles off.
Was it reported to you when it became thick P—No.
By the PREMIEDENT—Did you leave any night orders at
eight o'clock?---Yes.
What were they?—To call me on all occasions of change
of weather, and the officer of watch to keep his watch. The
night channel orders were—that I never could be called too
often if anything occurred.
Who did you leave those orders with ?—I think the gunner.
He was on the bridge with me for some time.
To the Master—Do you wish to question any part of the
evidence which has been given ?—No. All is perfectly
correct.
It is therefore unnecessary to give more than two items of
the master's evidence. _ _

By the PuEsmEurr—llad there been a cast of the lead at
four o'clock would the Sphynx have got on shore ?—I do not
think she would,
Cross-examined by Commander Cragg—Did you not
alter the course on your own responsibility ?—I did, at live
o'clock.
Mr. John Jones, the gunner; Lieut. Marryat, Mr. William
Cavendish Spencer Sullivan, acting mate; Walter Hall and
John Vincent, quartermasters; Mr. George William Burnby,
midshipman; Mr. Pemberton, first engineer; Mr. Oultine,
engineer of the middle watch on the morning in question ;
and Thomas M'Gellon, engineer, were all examined; but it
is unnecessary to give their testimony. This concluded the
prosecution, and it now being five o'clock, the Court adjourned
until the following day to hear the defence.
At 10 o'clock on Saturday morning the Court re-as-
sembled, when Mr. Hoskins delivered a most eloquent de-
fence on behalf of Commander Cragg, but which, we regret,
is too lengthy for our limited space. The prisoner's certifi-
ficates were of the most satisfactory character, some of the
most distinguished officers in the service having warmly tes-
tified to his merits. The master made no set defence, but
also received an excellent character, from Captain Chads and
other officers.
The Court was then cleared, and after two hours' delibera-
tion, agreed that the charge had been fully proved against
the said Commander John Bettineon Cragg and Mr. Joseph
Wallis (the Sphynx having been run upon the shore in con-
sequence of the lead not having been attended to), and did
adjudge the said Commander J. B. Cragg, in consideration of
his previous high character and length of service, to be only
dismissed from the command of the said steam sloop Sphynx,
and to be placed at the bottom of the list of Commanders of
the Royal Navy; and the said Mr. Joseph Wallis, in conse-
quence of his subsequent gallant conduct in saving the lives
of part of the boat's crew of her Majesty's ship Scourge, to
be only dismissed from the said steam-sloop Sphynx, and to
be reduced from the rank of master of the Royal Navy, and
to serve as a second master in the Royal Navy, and not to
be eligible to be promoted for the space of one year from
the day of the date hereof; and the Court agreed' that the
charge had not been proved against the other officers and the
ship's company who formed the crew of the Sphynx steam-
vessel when she ran ashore, and did adjudge them to be ac-
quitted.
Commander Cragg has been 33 years in the navy (although
only five years a commander), and, during 33 years of that
time, has been actually at sea, and mostly employed on fo-
reign stations. Ile entered the service in 1809, on board the
Lavinia, Lord William Stuart; was midshipman of the Marl-
borough, at Cadiz ; and in North America during the war,
with Admiral Sir George Cockburn; in the flag-ships of Ad-
mirals Sir Pulteney Malcolm and Plampin, at Sr. Ihlena, and
Lord Aurelius Beauclerck ; a second time he joined Admiral
Plampin, who, when he struck his flag, promoted him to
the rank of lieutenant, in May, 1828. In 1829 he was
flag-lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Paget, and
commanded the tender to the Semiramis, and, during that
time, captured a smuggling cutter on the coast of Ireland;
he was afterwards in succession lieutenant of the Talavera,
Malabar, and Cornwallis, and joined a second time with
Sir Charles Paget, for the West Indies, in 1837, where
he was placed in command of the Charon steam-vessel,
and on her being paid off, was appointed to the Dasher ; from
her was removed to the Hecla, which he commanded nearly
three years in the West Indies. During the latter command
in 1841, the yellow fever broke out on board, and the surgeon
died on the fifth day, and she was at sea eleven days without
a medical man, during which time Lieutenant-Commander
Cragg personally administered to the whole of the officers
and crew, who were all suffering from the fever, but not one
died. On arriving at Barbadoes, a week afterwards, the
fever again broke eut in the vessel, when every officer, ex-
cept Ilk. Cragg and one en4neer, together with a great pro-
portion of the crew, died; and there were upwards of 34 i❑
the hospital. Daring the time Lieutenant Cragg served in
the West Indies he always acted as pilot, having no officers,
a master's-assistant being lent him from the Rover to take
charge of the stores. On paying off the Hecla he was pro-
moted to the rank of commander, having been 31 out of 33
yews actually at sea, and was appointed to the command of'
the Sphynx on the 29th of June last.

PR.ICE SD.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FllO3l OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
FEBRUARY 14.
MONUMENT TO THE LATE COMMODORE OF TYR ROYAL
YACHT SQUADRON.—The subscription for this object now
amounts to more than 800/., to which 2001. is to be added
from the club funds, so that there is no doubt of its reaching
the proposed amount, 1,2001., by May next, the time for
holding the general meeting of members.
THE NEEDLES LIOHT.—The loss of her Majesty's steamer
Sphynx may, we hope, impress on the Government the ne-
cessity of altering the position of this light, as it is notorious
that when most wanted it cannot be seen, being always capped
in bad weather. It is well known that the unfortunates on
board the Clarendon, the Sphynx, and the fifty other vessels
that have been lost on the rock and cliff-bound coast of the
Wight were not able to discern the Needles light or they
would have been saved.
THE SPHYNX.—Great exertions have been made to save
this ship: her being so near our great naval yard has given
her a chance no other vessel has had, and everything pro-
ceeded favourably till this morning, when the wind came round
to the south-west,:blowing hard on the shore. Had the fine
calm weather of the last week continued only three days
longer she would have been safe in Portsmouth harbour, now
all is a lottery.
The barometer has sunk from 29.70 to 29.48.
DISTRESS OF THE LABOURING POOR IN THE ISLE OF
WIGHT.—At the weekly meeting of the guardians of the
poor on Friday, there were more applications from the agri-
cultural population than ever before remembered. Heavy
rain set in on the 7th ; in the evening came snow, and con-
tinued part of the night, followed by a sharp frost on the
Bth, the snow being from four to six inches deep, which had
not been witnessed for the last seventeen years. During the
day thousands of larks passed over, making for the south ;
this continued during the 9th, numbers of the birds alighting
in the turnip fields, feeding on the tops. and, strengthened by
the warm sun, again took flight to the south. In many parts
of the island they were taken in great numbers; in all parts
they devoured the cabbage plants, &c. The frost continued
by nights, but the warm sun of the days thawed the snow so
much that the grass in the meadows dipping to the south
and west, again pressed through on the 10th. It froze very
hard till midnight on the lath, when the wind shifted to the
south-west, attended with rain, and on the 14th the snow
had almost entirely disappeared. The winter has been long
and severe, and as the poor are not relieved by the charities
of those that are gone, na rich legacies having been left to
them, they rely on their own exertions, the poor-house, or to
the voluntary subscriptions of the tradesmen, &c. There
are no rich residents; the tradesmen therefore subscribe
weekly to the compassionate fund to relieve the destitute and
distressed in the .inter. The committee commenced by dis-
trilmting bread and coals once a fortnight, then weekly, and
at last twice a week; on the Ist inst. to 160 families, on the
4th to 170, on the 10th to 220, and on the 12th to 227, each
family receiving one hundred weight of coals, and to families
of six, 12 lbs. of bread, of four, 8 lbs., of two, 4lbs. This
vast amount of good is effected by a weekly subscription of
tradesmen, &c , of only sixpence each, the far greater num-
ber of whom are yearly subscribers ; but there are some, well
able to afford it, who never subscribe to this or any other
charity, men in whose breasts charity has no place : but it is
so in all towns. It is to be regretted that all towns have not
a compassionate fund, from which the afflicted and distressed
can at all times receive relief, for from this fund money (whoa
more particularly needed) is given, in sums of 2s. 6d. to 205.,
as well as food, N, ithout distinction as to creed or politics. The
committee meet every Wednesday, and every subscriber is a
member of the committee if he attends the meeting.
THE DISTRESSED IRISH AND SCOTCH.—Collections have
been made from house to house through this town in aid of
these funds, and a considerable amount obtained.