The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-09 00:00:00

SUPPOSED LOSS OF THE DACIA WITH ALL

ON BOARD.

Some doubt is felt as to the reported loss of the steamer
Dacia, one of the six vessels engaged in the expedition of
laying the West Indian and Panama Telegraph cable.
The Dacia was owned by Sir Charles T. Bright. The
telegrams report that her wreck took place on the
northern reef off Bermuda, and all hands on board except
three, were lost. The amount of cable shipped on board
from the India rubber, Guttapercha, and Telegraph
Works at Silvertown was about 1,000 miles.
The remainder of the cable, 3,000 miles, was
in sections on board the other steamers. The Dacia
cleared from the Chops of the Channel on the 19th
of May, with instructions to call at Fayal for coals. She
was then to proceed to Jamaica, but how she came to
get to Bermuda is unaccountable, excepting that she may
have become disabled. She was a powerful iron built
steamer, and had been strengthened for the voyage. The
vessel, which was of 1,472 tons net, was built in 1867.
She was 242 ft. 4 in. in length, 34 ft. 5 in. in breadth,
26 feet depth of hold, with five bulkheads, and fitted
with engines of 250 horse-power. The insurance effected
on her later cable is distributed among the underwriters
and marine insurance companies—most of the latter have,
it is said, £30,000 lines on her; the premium paid was
about 265. per cent., and the total is represented at
£270,000. It is expected, however, that there will be
some chance of picking up the cable, though the steamer
may have foundered.
A telegraphic message has been received frona
New York stating that nothing is known there of the re-
ported loss of the Dacia steamer. As the first telegram
came from New York, it is possible, therefore, that the
whole affair is a hoax.

The Shipping Gazette says :—" We have reason to hope
that the report of the loss of the Dacia is totally desti-
tute of foundation. It is said to have been originated
for stock-jobbing purposes, in order to run down 'the
shares of certain Telegraph Companies, the Dacia
having on board a portion of the cable for connecting by
a new line the West Indies with South America. It is
impossible to denounce in too strong language the detest-
able heartlessness which, for mere purposes of gain, could
suggest and circulate a rumour involving, not only loss of
property but loss of life, and given with a circumstantiality
of detail calculated, for a time at least, to secure unwilling
credence. We cannot but think that this case calls for
immediate action on the part of the com-
mittee of the Stock Exchange, with a view of
ascertaining whether the report in question origi-
nated in that institution, and, if it shall appear
that it did, to take such steps as may render the repetition
of any such act of inhumanity peculiarly hazardous to
those concerned in it. To say nothing of the value
of the property in the Dacia, which has been estimated
at £300,000, most of which is insured, there are nearly
150 persons on board. Some idea may, therefore, be
formed of the cruel anxiety created by a report asserting
the loss of that vessel and the ship's company, three only
excepted.

The report that the assumption by the King of
Prussia of the title of Emperor of Germany will form the
subject of negotiations between him and the Emperor
Alexander at Ems is, we hear, says the Eastern Budget,
very improbable, as it is only a short time ago that Herr
von Thile, in the absence of Count Bismarck, positively
declared to Lord Loftus that his Majesty had no such in-
tention, and the Kinghimself subsequently confirmed this
declaration to his lordship.

The Right Hon. Thomas O'Hagan, Lord Chancellor
of Ireland, has received a letter announcing his elevation
to the peerage under the title of Baron G'llagan. His
lordship, who is now 60 years of age, was appointed
Solicitor-General for Ireland under Lord 'Palmersttin's
second administration in 1860, and to the Attorney-
Generalship in 1861. He sat in the Liberal interest, fur
Tralee, from May, 1863, till his elevation to the bench in
,1865, when he was sworn a member of the Privy Council
On Mr. ,Gladstone taking the reins of power in December,
1868, he wail made Lord High Chancellor of Ireland,