The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-16 00:00:00

-

FALLING OF A RAILWAY BRIDGE.—A melancholy
catastrophe has occurred at Mortimer, near Reading,
occasioned by the falling in of a railway bridge recently
erected over the Berks and Hants branch line of the
Great Western Railway, now in the course of construc-
tion. The lives of three of the workmen employed on
the line have been sacrificed : their names are Charles
Bailey, Daniel Dibler, and Francis Kimber. On viewing
the spot, it was found that the ponderous mass of brick-
work had entirely given way, the ruins of which a num-
ber of workmen were engaged clearing away. It was
reported that the remains of other workmen would be
found baried in the ruins, but this has turned out to be
incorrect. Several workmen, however, are now lying in
a precarious condition owing to the accident. The par-
ticulars of this melancholy occurrence will be best given
from the information gathered in the neighbourhood,
and the evidence given at the inquests held on the un-
fortunate deceased. The inquest on Dibler and Kimber
was held on Friday evening, at the Royal Berkshire
Hospital, before Mr. J. J. Blandy, Coroner for Reading;
and that on Bailey, at the Horns, Mortimer, on the
same day, before Mr. R. Clarke, the county Coro-
ner. It appeared that for some weeks past the
arch had been pronounced to be in a dangerous
state, and in consequence, on the day previous to
the inquests, the deceased, in company with seve-
ral others, according
.to the testimony of a fellow-
workman named William Coston, who was the prin-
cipal witness at both inquests, were sent to remove the
bricks from the arch erected over the railway, and while
engaged in taking off the parapet wall at the top of the
archway, the arch suddenly gave way, and the deceased,
with others, fell in with the ruins. Bailey was not ex-
tricated till within half an hour afterwards, quite life-
less. Medical assistance was procured, and it was found
that there was, besides many bruises on his head, a
fracture of the skull. The cause of death was attributed
to suffocation. Dibler was taken out in ten minutes
after the occurrence in a state of insensibility, and was
taken to the hospital at Reading, a distance of eight
miles, bnt died within an hour atter his admission. Mr.
James Dunn, house surgeon, made a post mortem exami-
nation of the body, and found the skull was fractured,
as well as the brain and nervous system injured,
.which
produced death. The other deceased, Kimber, survi.ved
till the following morning (Friday), when he expired
after considerable bodily suffering. A verdict in each
case was returned of " Accidental Death," but not with-
case
lwaib
le-
out some strong remarks from the jury on the
wcu
y u peon_
tractors with regard to the erection of bridges
neglect, as well as the responsibility of th;rail
line, as no less than four lives have been l osbe and
much
retarded from their falling in along thefeasdoaother
accidents occasioned, as well as the wo this
lrm.is
sym-
pathy' is expressed for the other nor e suffe
_tuna i
not,
tjltichi:
e.
whose condition, at present, we aro glad to learn, s
altogether hopeless.
ai);;Leilsirno:.nro\r\4
contemporary, referencel'lltouct:h
paragraphelrreolartivLe t.r co theiwhichtsT rf
oRr mation. of a permanent
committee for the control of the financial affairs of the
Duchy of Lancaster, we understand that the scheme had
been in contemplation for a considerable time previous to
the change of Ministry ; and that in thus assimilating
the practice to that in force in the Duchy of Cornwall,
the sole object was to ensure a full and competent super-
vision of the revenues without in any way interfering
with the political management or patronage of the
Duchy. The new Commissioners are Earl Spencer,
Lord Portman, Sir James Graham, and the Earls of
Hardwicke and Lincoln. Lord Campbell continues to
preside as Chancellor of the Duchy, with the exclusive
I control of the patronage.—Observer.

I

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSmOCTH, SUNDAY.—Tier Majesty, the Prince
Consort, and the Royal Family,will, according to present
arrangements, revisit Osborne on Tuesday next for a
short sojourn. The Fairy yacht is in readiness to re-
ceive the Royal party.
The Channel squadron, under Vice-Admiral Sir W.
Parker, Bart., was off Lisbon on the Bth inst. A pri-
vate letter says, " The country is at present in a very
disturbed state, and there is every chance of its remain-
ing so for some time. Lisbon is quite in a state of
blockade by land, and no one is permitted to go outside
the lines. The squadron is still here, and there is no
chance of itaistribution; on the contrary, we expect to be
reinforced. The America, 50, Captain the Hon. J. Gordon,
sailed yesterday to take her station off Corunna. The
Gladiator steam frigate, Captain Robb, is ordered off to
Oporto, to protect British interests there. The Cyclops
steam-sloop, Captain Lapidge, remains with us. Co-
lonel Wylde has proceeded to the performance of his
mission. The Terrible steam-frigate, Captain Ramsay,
leaves to-day with Commodore Sir J. G. Bremer (whose
pendant she flies), and the Marquis of Chandos, for Eng-
land.sohffi) btrlho hne
Rodney,c soqnus ai
consists
squadron presentteiße i
Ab e
Albion,
uioann, d:e9oroo;S(ilhr
ihIseVo.CN
%Pa:lna rofikpaeugrs.:
8 steamers ; the SGulpaedri
Thiel
ARRIVAL OF
80; The
Cyclops,Trafalga 'Trafalgar,
d 1210,0;
lyavnhde
mtuhse.
pEeetTedEßtnoloLinu.:
Fbia:t Gladiator,
SEA
The Terrble, steam-frigate, Captain IL msMay-F,aßanlrdOnA.ovTn thee Ed—
.
Devenport on Thursday night, from Lisbon,
following morning, displaying the broad pendant of Com-
modore Sir J. Gordon Bremer, she saluted the flag of the
commander-in-chief, which was returned by the flag -ship
Queen. The gallant commodore struck his broad
pen-
nant and went on shore on Friday. The Terrible has
brought home all the supernumerary marines from the
Channel squadron, She went into Barnpool, and landedt
those belonging to the Plymouth division. She will
proceed to Portsmouth and Woolwich with the re-
mainder. She has some defects in her machinery. This
vessel sailed from Malta on the 4th of October, at half-
past three o'clock in the afternoon, and arrived at Gib-
raltar on the morning of the 9th, having on board 940
bags of bread, 116 puns. of rum, 10 half-hogsheads of
suet, 60 barrels of peas, 200 half hogsheads of cocoa, and
37 chests of tea. The distance ran over from Tetuan to
Malta was 1,000 miles in 944 hours ; the average rate
was 10-5 knots per hour, with two boilers, only half-
steam, both in going to and coming from Malta. The
wind being ahead the sails were not used ; her expendi-
ture of coals was 194 tons, giving 5.1 knots for each ton
of coals used ; the coals were very bad, which caused
the consumption to be about 20 tons more than it would
have been with good coals, as it would then have been
only 174 tons. By this it will be seen that the
Terrible is not so expensive as the lesser steam-
vessels of 250-horse power, which burn two tons
per hour, and only go from eight to nine knots, the Ter-
rible only hentittrene-ton for 5.1 knots per hour... .
going over 730-miles, to keep company with the Retrif.
bution, the time occupied was 90i hours; in going ever
the same distance alone, with two boilers, only half-
steam, it was 71 heurs, notwithstanding the deep immer-
sion of the ship, and her being out of trim, by the pro-
visions she had oa board, in addition to her full
complement of coals, of which she was short only about
50 tons. The Terrible, since leaving Spithead, has
steamed nearly 9,000 miles, and sailed alone, without
steam, more than 46 days, which has caused a great
saving of expense in fuel, and, notwithstanding what her
enemies may have asserted. she has cost less in building
and fitting for sea than either the Retribution or the
Avenger, which vessels are some hundreds of tons less,
and only carrying guns on one deck—the Terrible car-
rying very heavy guns on two decks, a much greater
quantity of coals, and double the quantity of shot.
powder, and shells. Her sailing qualities have been so
well proved that it only remains to remove her lower
floats from the wheel, and she is equal, if not superior,
to many real sailing men-of-war, and would show an
advantage over them in pursuing the enemy's fleet, by
putting on her floats and getting up her steam. From
her speed she would soon come up with and disable
their rear, so as to enable the English line-of-battle ships
to come up and bring them to action ; and then be
found of the greatest importance to a fleet in towing a
bad sailing ship up to a fleet, or a disabled ship from the
line of battle when incapable of performing her duty.
The Avon steam-surveying vessel, Commander Den-
ham, arrived at Devonport on Thursday evening from
the coast of Africa, whereon she has been employed sur-
veying. She is last from Sierra Leone, and reports the
station and squadron healthy.
The command of the America, 50, vacant by the re-
tirement of Captain the Hon. J. Gordon, has been con-
ferred upon Captain Sir Thomas Maitland, 1837, who
was commander of the Tweed on the north coast of
Spain during the civil war, 1836 and 1837; Captain of
the Wellesley, and commanded her seamen and marines
in quelling an insurrection on the coast of Malabar in
1833; in the operations on the coast of Sinde, and in
the Persian Gulf, 1839; and those on the coast of China,
including the capture of the forts of the Bocco Tygris,
and operaticns against Canton, and commanded a bri-
gade of seamen at the taking of that city. Wt s flag
Captain at the taking of Chusan in 1840, and Amoy and
Chinghae in 1841.
In our remarks upon the promotion of Lieutenant
Lord Amelius Wentworth Beauclerk to the rank of
Commander on Saturday, we erroneously stated his
Lordship was a son of Admiral Lord Amelius Beauclerk.
It sliould have been nephew.
PLYMOUTH, Nov. 14.—The Terrible, Captain Wil-
Itanaey, beating the broad pennant of Sir James
John Gerdon Bremer, ceme in here 7,esterclay morning
from Lisbon. Left the Tagus at 9 in the evening of
:Anday last, the Bth inst. The Alal quis of Chandos,
who ha- had a three months' cruise in her, landed on
her arrival, and posted to town immediately after clear-
ing at the Custom-house.
Hur 1 :justy's steam-ship Terrible brings home be-
te, en 600 and 700 supernurnri wry marines, and about 60
70 invalids from the squadron. She is spoken of in
very high terms, and woui,i probably have made the pas-
sago from Lisbon to Plymouth in 72 hours but fur an
accidental Fr .eture of the entablature of her larboard
engine, in the Bay of Biscay, just after passing Cape
Fin isterre. IV hen under canvass ‘s ith the fleet she
beat the Queen, Rodney, Albion, and other sailing ships,
and was excelled only by the Trafalgar and superb.
The Confianco. steamer, Mr. Jagoe master, has taken
from the Terrible all the supernumerary marines belong-
ing to the Stonehouse division. The Terrible goes from
this port to Woolwich, where, and at Portsmouth, she
will land the marines attached to the divisions stationed
at those places:
Her Majesty's screw .steamer Encounter, without ma-
chinery, and under canvass, in charge of Mr. Davey,
Assistant-Master-Attendant, left Pembroke Dockyard
the same day as her Majesty's sloop Mariner, 16, in
charge of Mr. Mills, Assistant Master-Attendant, mid
arrive:l here three days before her. The sloop is a
sharp-bo toured vessel, built according to the plan of
Captain Symonds. The steamer is built for the recep-
tion of machinery, wall-sided, and flat-bottomed, but
sharp at tae bow. If any weight is to be attached to
this trial, it completely explodes the pre conceived notion
of sharp bottoms and swift sailing. The Mariner is
bound to this dockyard. The Encounter is gone up
Channel.
WOOLWICH, Nov. 14.—The Amphion, 36-gun frigate,
Captain Williams, is to be taken into dock before finally
leaving this port.
The Sidon steam-frigate, Captain Henderson, C. 8., is
taking her coals on board, and is expected to leave next
week.f or Portsmouth.
Tire Geyser steam-vessel, Commander Brown, will
leave Woolwich about the 20th inst. for the East Indies.
She is to be supplied with a 10-feet gun of 75cwt. on her
main deck.
The Grappler steam-vessel, Lieutenant Lysaght, ap-
pointed to her, vice Hawker promoted, was undocked on
Monday, and is ready for sea. It is expected she will
sail for the coast of Africa in a day or two.
The Lightning, Mr. Pettey, Master-Commander, left
on Wednesday, for Sheerness, to bring up a receiving-
ship to this port.
Captain Sir Edward Parry, Controller of the Steam
Department at the Admiralty, is appointed Superin-
tendent of the Royal Clarence Victualling-yard at Gos-
port, vice Ellice.
Rear-Admiral Francis Beaufort is to retain the office
of Hy drographer at the Admiralty, ai his promotion
will not deprive the Admiralty of his valuable services.
Colonel Mercer, of the Royal Marines, will take the
command of the Plymouth division, and Colonel Aslet,
at present atPlymouth, the command of the Portsmouth
division.
Her Majesty's steam-vessel Teazer, fitted with a
screw propeller, was again tried down the river yester-
day (Friday), previously to her being delivered over to
the Government by the contractors. The result was by
no means satisfactory, and a furthsr trial will be made in
a few days.
Vessels in the Harbour—William and Mary yacht ;
Black Eagle, Grarple, and Plover steam-vessels ; and
Amphion and Sidon steam-frigates.
In the Basin—Geyser, Medea' Rosamond, Fearless,
Dwarf, Tartarus, Ariel, and Monkey steam-vessels..
In the Deck—Vixen steam-vessel.
In alluding to the excellence of the
sea-going vessel, it was inadvertently
nw
u nteied the same easel
was steam-vessel, which en
while the latter vessel
stated that the
Water Lily as a
was driven on shore ath Titoerrb
only ran in there for
RIDGE.—On Thursday
SUICIDE FROM LOZ:ft
q °Na-tnthe Town of Ramsgate,
Mr. Baker held
on anboincliuOt James Woolrich, aged 21, a
`Napping, the
" in Devonshire street, New North-
d was attached to a young woman of
North-
road. The decease
roa •
of Pillson, living at No. 41, Little Leonard-
street,the name
Finsbury. Ile called on her for the last time in
• of the 22d ult., when he left a leek of his
the evening
in letter, which he placed the door of her room.
hair a
painter, lately residing
The following morning his hat was found in one of the
recesses of London-bridge, in which was the card of his
address with the word " dead" written on it with a lead
rmelt. There was a letter also in it addressed to Miss
Pillson, in the following words :—" Dear Eden—Give
my love to all, and tell them I wish you to be my chief
mourner. Farewell for ever." The body was discovered
on Tuesday morning in the paddle wheel of a steam tug,
lying off the town o(Ramsgate. No cause can be assign;d
for the aet.—Verdiet, " Found drowned."
ATTEMPTED ENORMOUS BRIBERY OF A RAILWAY
OFFICIAL.—We understand that some singular disclo-
tiannTdahinpegnosftitloeirnb:ntarnsa,ysthtahotwee
eitnyhteaerrt,etrshtees.
disclo-
sures are likely to occur respecting an attempt to bribe
aos
Ifirmahlileswffcaeoyrme°dpflaiNcvniayas.l2°slf 0 higheo o air.esl
jectz d with indignation.— Sunday Tinies. [Our Contem-
porary is perfectly correct. The terms offered were
20,0001. or 25,000/., to purchase the gentleman an es-
tate, and enable him to retire." We are in possession
of the whole facts of the case, and know that the party
who made the offer had a narrow chance of being thrown
out of the window, and having his neck broken, by the
official to whom the insulting and scandalous offer was
made.—Morning' paper.]