The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-27 00:00:00

FATAL COLLISION ON THE THAMES.

Last evening an inquest was held at the Anchor and
Hope Tavern, Charlton, before Mr. C. J. Carttar, coro-
ner for West Kent, on the body of Robert Hobbies, 16,
who went down in the collier brig Arab, which was
wrecked in consequence of being run down by the screw-
collier Black Diamond, on Sunday morning last. The
proceedings excited considerable interest, and the room
was densely crowded.

The following witnessee were examined :

Richard White, master of the Arab, deposed--On
Sunday morning last, the vessel was laying at anchor off
the Coast Guard station at Charlton, and witness and
several of the crew were in their hammocks. Witness
was aroused by a cry of " brig, a-boy," and instantly he
felt that the vessel was struck. He had just time to get
up the companion ladder on to the deck, and found that
three of the crew had already entered the boat, which he
cut adrift, to save it from swamping. The. vessel was
then fast sinking, having been cAnpletely split at her
larboard bow, and witness managed to jump from the
side of the brig into the arms of the captain of the Black
Diamond, just before the vessel went down.

tienry<ininson, mate of the Arab, deposed—At half-
vaat, cia ,i'elock on Nunutty morning ta.o
in his hammock, when he was aroused by the cry of
" brig, a-boy." He ran up the ladder, and before he was
on deck he heard a crash, and then know that the vessel
was struck. When on deck, he saw that a steam-vessel
had entered the larboard bow of the brig. He bad just
time to enter the boat before the Emig went down.
William Nelson, the cook, and John Robinson, a sea-
man on board the Arab, gave similar evidence, the wit-
nesses having narrowly saved their lives by jumping into
the boat.

Robert Ward, foreca.tle boy on board the Arab, de•
posed he was asleep in the same cabin with deceased and
a boy named Boxall, who was drowned. He was aroused
by Bexall, and whilst running up the ladder the vessel
was going down, and witness was up to his shoulders in
water. Boxell and Hobbins had no chance of escape.
This witness was cross-examined by Mr. Fangs, pilot
to the Black Diamond, and denied having stated to
Fringe that he had shook the other lads and could not
wako them. He did not speak a word to Funge on the
subjeet.
George Gray, of Sunderland, captain of the Black
Diamond, deposed—He left Gravesend, after taking a
pilot on board, early on Sunday morning. The John
Bowes, screw steamer, started at the same time, and
proceeded at about the same speed until the two vessels
arrived at Gibson's Hole, off Charlton. The John Bowes
at this point came up within eight or ten feet of the
Block Diamond, and passed the starboard side of the
vessel. This movement caused the John Bowes to go
northward, and the Black Diamond southward, com-
pletely altering the steerage way, and preventing all
control over the steerage. The engines were stopped
and reversed, but there was no control over the steer-
age, and collision was inevitable.
By the Coroner—l am not aware that Screw vessels
are liable not to answer to the steerage so well as the
old paddle boats.
Thomas Honey, a waterman, who was towed up in his
boat at the stern of the John Bo wee, was examined and
deposed—When the collision took place the John Bowes
and the Black Diamond were about 6 feat apart. He
altr,buted the collision to the draught of water made by
the John Bowes, and there was not sufficient water for
the o her steamer to pass.
The Coroner said it was evident that if any blame was
to be attached to either of the stf am vessels it must be
the John Bowes ; and it would therefore be advisable to
adjourn the inquest for evidence on that point.
At a late hour the ingriett was adjourned until Wed-
nesday next at 4 o'clock. •