The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-30 00:00:00

THAMES.

THE STRIKE OF SEAMEN IN THE PORT OF LONDON.—
John Crawford, a seaman, was brought before Mr. Part-
ridge, charged with illegally deserting from the steamship
Forth, while under a written agreement to serve in that
vessel as a stoker, for 255. per week.
Mr. W. Goynes, solicitor on the part of the Carron Com-
pany, said the prisoner deserted the Forth yesterdaymorn-
ing, in the parish of Aldgate, off the Carron-wharf. This
was a case arising out of the strike of seamen in the port
of London, and was of the greatest impor.ance to the com-
merce of the port, which could not be carried on unless
seamen fulfilled theirengagements. The Forth wasa vessel
trading between London and Grangemouth, and the prisoner '
was engaged at Grangemouth, on the 10th of January last,
at the rate of 255. Per week: The vessel arrived here on
Sunday morning, and the prisoner deserted yesterday
(Tuesday) morning, and was found the same night acting
as stoker on board the Palmerston, a saloon passenger
vessel used in the river.

Evidence was given of the engagement and desertion,
and it was stated that it was the practice to pay the crow
every fortnight at Grangemouth, and that it was the
practice for all engagements to cease there, and not in
London.

Richard Newton, a Thames police constable, said he
arrested the prisoner on board the Palmerston yesterday
evening, and he said he did belong to the Forth, and dad
not intend to go in her again, but intended to go on board
and obtain his clothes.

The prisoner said ho had a quarrel ivith the engineer of
the Forth yesterday, and that caused him to leave the
vessel.

Mr. Partridge said he did not wish to send the prisoner
to gaol, and asked him if he would go back to the Forth?
If he did noi, ho would be liable to 12 mouths' imprison-
ment and hard labour.

The prisoner said he would return to the ship and do
his duty.

The solicitor and wharfinger of the Carron-wharf said
they would not receive the prisoner on board the Forth
again, and tho magistrate simply declared four days' wages
due to the erisoner to be forfeited, and discharged him.
Mr. Partridge at the same time observed that the articles
of agreement were very loosely drawn, and there was not
a word about notice or the duration of the agreement.

MARKETS.---This Day.

MARK-LANE.

Fresh up to our market to-day the arrivals of home-
grown wheat were very moderate. The demand for all
qualities was in a very sluggish state, yet no change took
tlaco in prices, as compared with Monday.
With foreign wheat the market was fairly supplied. In
all descriptions a very moderate business was transacted,
at late rates.
Floating cargoes of grain moved off slowly, at late cur-

rencies.
English barley was in short supply, but the market was
fairly supplied with foreign produce. The barley trade
was very quiet, at late rates.
Malt was in slow request, at Monday's currency.
Oats were in good supply, and the demand was in a
sluggish state, with a downward tendency in prices.
Beans and peas were firm, at full quotations.
There was a fair demand for flour, at fully late rates.
SHIP ARRIVALS THIS WEEK.
Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour.
English and Scotch 390 60 MO 70 220
Irish .................. -
Foreign ............... 22,670 3,030

19,560 3,670 sks.
bls.
COMPARATIVE QUANTITIES AND PRICES OF GRAIN.
For the week ending May For the corresponding week
26, 1866. last year.
Qrs. Aver. Qrs. Aver.
Wheat .......57,969-47s 4d Wheat 80,224-41e 9d
8ar1ey......... 2,551-36 s 6d Barley 3,802-29s 1d
Oats