The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-09 00:00:00

FATAL COLLISION AT SEA.

On Saturday accounts were received at Lloyd's of
the total loss of the brig Hopewell, of Cork, which
took place on the night of Saturday last, in the Bristol
Channel, near the Naas Lights, about ten miles from
Jewport, through coming in collision with the brig
Yauden, belonging to Gloucester, and we regret to add,
that five perm:.
s lost their lives by the unfortunate oc-
currence. From tn. narticulars received, it appears
that the Hopewell had on Llard four seamen, the cap-
tain, his son, a youth of tender ag,:, and six passengers.
It left Cork on Monday, and was making
pnrogress across
the Channel, when she came in collision wits, the Yau-
den. This vessel was on her voyage to Gloucester, t.:nd
was heavily laden. The captain stated that the night
was very dark, and the wind was blowing a complete
hurricane. On first perceiving the Hopewell she was
running down the Channel before the wind. A good look-
out was kept, and every effort was made to steer clear
of the vessels that were hovering about. Notwith•
standing, however, the in ecautions, the vessels came in
collision with dreadful violence, and almost immediately
after the Hopewell filled and went dawn. The Hopewel
struck the Yauden full in her bows, but being the,strongest
built vessel it sustained not so much damage. Such,
was net the case with the Hopewell—the whole of her
bows were stove in, and she filled instantly. The rig-
ging getting entangled with that of the widen, she
was kept up for a few minutes, and the crew and pas-
sengers finding that she was sinking, were in the act of
jumping on board of the Yauden, when a wave ope-
rated the vessels, and many of them were thrown over-,
board. The Hopewell drifted with the current for a
short distance, and then disappeared in deep water.
The scene at the moment is described to be one of a
most appalling description. Five individuals could be
seen struggling in the water. But it was impossible to
render them assistance, in consequence of the Yauden's
boat being washed overboard at the time of the collision ;
and, consequently, they perished. They consisted of two
seamen, two of the passengers, and the captain's son ;
the captain was picked up about two hours after, having
lashed himself to a piece of timber. On the following
morning the Yauden pat into Newport, and those saved
went ashore. The loss by .the Hopewell is very consi-
derable ; she is reported to be insured to the extent of
2,0001. None of the bodies have yet been found.

EXECUTION OF ELICABIDE.

(From the Gazette des Tribunaux of Friday.)

BOURDEAUX, Nov. 3.—The rumour had been cur-
rent for some days past that the execution of Elicabide,
the murderer, was speedily to take place, and every
morning a pretty considerable crowd collected around
the approaches to the prison and the place of execution.
In consequence of the eager curiosity evinced, the au-
thorities issued the most strict orders that the fatal day
should not be made known beforehand ; it was even
stated that the documents had not yet been sent back
to Bourdeaux, though they had been in the Registrar's
office for the last two days.
During the night, that is to say, about three in the
morning, the scaffold was being erected in the Place
St. Julien, and the first preparations were but hardly
commenced when the crowd, which continued to swell
in numbers, took up the whole of the Place, and it was
with difficulty that four companies of the line could
keep it within bounds.
Before daylight several ladies of the city, who no
doubt had retained their places beforehand, repaired to
the houses adjoining the place of execution, in order to
lose no portion of this bloody and lugubrious drama.
At six o'clock the registrar of the Court of Assizes
entered the cell of the condemned culprit. Elicabide
was asleep when roused. The shock appeared awful ;
for, notwithstanding the faculty that Elicabide possessed
of mastering his feelings, a con% ulsed motion agitated
him, and, like a cloud, a rapid paleness passed over his

emaciated features. He soon recovered, allowed the
fetters to he taken off without uttering a single word,
and listened with apparent passiveness to the judgment of
the Court of Cessation, which was read by the registrar.
During that time Elicabide was enabled to make an
effort, and to resume that indifference which he evinced

(luring the trial. "Is it to-day ?" said he, sharply ;
and on an affirmative reply being made to him in an
under-tone, " I am sorry that I have been taken by
surprise," added he ; " I expected it ; but I had yet
some arrangements to make, some lines to write.........
but that is sufficient

Shortly afterwards the chaplain of the prison (M.
l'Abbe Promis) arrived, and after a short interview with
the culprit he led him to the chapel, where he listened
with deep emotion to the religious exhortations of his
confessor. On leaving the chapel, after having renewed
his devotions ot, his knees, he said to M. l'Abbe Pro-
mis that ho would find sonic writings in his cell, some
notes which he had been unable to find, and which were
at his entire disposal. But in consequence of orders
from the Procureur-General (M. Planel) the commis-
sary of police had already seized those papers and
affixed the seals of office thereon. On hearing of those
measures, which had been adopted in a moral point of
view, and to prevent certain speculations, which had
already been made on the publication of Elicabide's Me-
moirs, he appeared for a moment much vexed, as if, ac-
cording to his abominable pride, there was a sort of re-
putation attached to the bloody celebrity which he
sought after. But this culprit, who for such a length of
time had made it his study to dissemble all that ho ex-
perienced, added, with assumed indifference, that if
those papers wore restored he wished them to be given
to M. l'Abbe Promis. " I authorise him," said he "to
make any alterations that he may deem advisable."
At seven o'clock Elicabide was placed in the bands of
the executioner ; he took off his clothes himself, and
prepared himself' for his last moments.

At this critical juncture he was speechless, but his
lips, which were agitated as if by some convulsive mo-
tion, seemed to refuse to betray the torture of his soul.
In crossing the threshold of the prison, and viewing
from the fatal scaffold the immense crowd that was col-
lected, Elicabide appeared to resume all his assurance,
and during the passage he was in deep conversation with
his confessor.

Having reached the place of execution, Elicabide
turned his head towards the instrument of death, and at
the same time, whilst a livid paleness covered his coun-
tenance, ho sharply cast aside his face. At the moment
after he was secured to the fatal plank he complained of
the pain which he experienced from one of the cords,
and, having asked the priest to bestow upon him his last
blessing, he underwent, the just and terrible punishment
for his crimes.
More than 30,000 persons were present at the
execution, and, as an exception to the usual mani-
festations on such painful exhibitions, an exception Jus-
tifiable undoubtedly in every sense, not one single act of
commisseration was evinced for this culprit, who is now
launched into eternity.

THE SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY.—'A cir-
cumstance of no slight importance, and one that seems to
demand investig.ation, has recently taken place in the
affairs of our railway. It is now certain that Mr. East-
hope has resigned the chair of the Direction. It is stated
(with what truth we know not) that. his resignation has
been occasioned by a difference of opinion between himself
and his colleagues, and some of the officers of the eats-
hiishmcnt, as to a system of management which he deemed
essential, as well to the itlt‘;resls of the Cour:pail, as to
the public safcty.—Hanipshire Independent.