The Sun.
London, England, 1835-06-17 00:00:00

Svvilie

UNION-HALL.

Yesterday a boy named Curtis, only 10 years of age, was
brought before Mr. TRAILL and Mr. JEREMY, on a charge
of coining.
Inspectors Fagan and Brown, of the M division, pro-
ceeded to a house, No. 3, Bailey's-court, Pepper-alley,
Tooley-street, where a number of the lower order of the
Irish reside, and on going up stairs they observed through
the keyhole the prisoner, a boy only 10 years of age, busily
engaged over the fire-place. The inspectors entered the
room suddenly and ran towards the fire, on which was placed
a small crucible, containing molten metal, which the pri-
soner attempted to capsize into the fire, but was prevented.
On the hob stood two moulds, rudely constructed with chalk,
one for forming the impression of a shilling, and the other
for sixpences, and there were some metal spoons also found,
a portion of which had been used for the purpose of mak-
ing the spurious money. There was no person in the
room but a little boy, who had evidently been well trained,
and no doubt had been placed there in the event of a sur-
prise by other parties, who imagined thet his youth would
save him from the consequences. When the little fellow
was placed within the felons' bar, he cried incessantly, and
in reply to Mr. Traill said that his father and mother lived
in the room where he was found, and that they had gone
out about half an hour before he was taken into custody,
ing him to take care of the things. Although the prisoner
was young in years, yet he displayed a great deal of cun-
ning, and assumed to be totally ignorant as to the pur-
-1 poses for which the moulds and th melted metal were re-
quired. He also pretended not to know where his pa-
rents were to be found, and in fact concealed every thing
he could on the subject of the accusation, but uninten-
tionally let slip the fact that his father had made the
moulds which were found on the hob by the fire-place,
and into which he intended to have poured the metal.
The inspectors also apprehended four or five Irish women
who were found in another part of the house at the time.
They were examined separately, but they told such glaring
falsehoods, and contradicted each other so frequently, that
I there was not a single word either of them uttered that
could be believed.

The boy, together, with the women, were remanded, the
Magistrates directing the inspectors to use every exertion
to take the parents into custody.

CORONER'S IN QUESTS.

Yesterday evening an inquest was held by adjournment
at the Town of Ramsgate public-house, Wapping Old
Stairs, before Mr. BAKER, Coroner, on the body ofLuder
Messerer, a German tailor, aged 24 years, who was
drowned by the swell of the steamers upsetting a boat, in
which he was coming to London, on the night of Monday,
the Bth of June.

The inquiry excited a general interest, and a great num•
ber of watermen and steam-boat captains were in at,
tendance.

George Saunders, a waterman, on the night of Whit-
Monday, was engaged to row six gentlemen from Green-
wich to London. When off Execution Dock, Wapping,
two steamers passed him at the rate of ten miles an hour,
on their way also to London. The swell caused by them
was very heavy, and upset his boat, and the whole party
were precipitated into the river. He called for help, and
two or three watermen came up in their boats, and saved
five of the passengers and himself. The other passenger
was the deceased, who was drowned. The first steamer
caused a great commotion in the water, and tossed his
boat about, but he should have got over that if the second
had not passed at a still more furious rate. He called to
the second vessel to " ease her," but they took no notice of
him. There were a great number of persons on board.
He could not say what steamer it was that sunk him. He
did not see their names, but he saw a great number of
persons on both. He was a freeman of the Waterman's
Company, and licensed to carry six persons, the number in
his boat at the time of the accident. Was quite sure the
steamers were passing up, and not down the river. He
had no doubt the whole party would have been drowned
but for the very prompt assistance of the watermen who
picked them up.
H. Holmes, a waterman, heard the cry for help, and
immediately put off in his wherry. He picked up three
persons who were in the water. He had just before ob-
served the Greenwich and the Red Rover steam-vessels
going down the River. There was a great swell in the
River all day and all night, from the velocity of the steamers
passing and repassing, and it was difficult to manage a boat
at all in such a swell as they made.
Richard Field, a waterman, picked up two men, and ob-
served two steamers going down the River, and which, he
believed, caused the accident. There was a towing steam-
vessel which carried passengers also going up the River at
the same time. This witness also spoke to the agitated
state of the water all day and night. He never saw SO,
many steamers in his life as on Whit-Monday, and never
saw them go so fast as they did on that occasion, although
the stream was more than usually crowded with boats and
small craft. _ _

James Jones, a waterman, was rowing down the River
soon after eleven o'clock, and on passing Execution Dock
heard the cries for help. He saved two of the people. He
saw no steamers about at that time, except one, which was
going down, but had not passed the wherry which was
swamped, and could not have caused the swell which cap-
sized it. He saw several steamers go down four or five
minutes before. He called to the Monarch tug vessel (the
steamer which had not pssed) to stop, and they did so.
He saw no steamer passing up the River from the Tower
to Execution Dock. He saw two steamers, of which the
Greenwich was one, pass down the River just before he
picked up the two persons. He did not know the name of
the first steamer ; he believed it was the Red Rover, but
he would not swear to that. The first vessel was a con-
siderable distance ahead of the other.
By a Juror—He was always in fear of the steamers.
He thought there was great danger from their naviga-
tion in the Pool.
By the CORONER—The Greenwich steamer was going
at the rate of eight or nine miles an hour. She was
going faster than the vessel now passing. That vessel is
going at the rate of eight miles an hour.
By a Juror—The Greenwich had not passed him more
than two minutes when he heard the alarm.
Samuel Waterhouse Preston, of Wapping High-street,
was sitting outside his premises, which are on the bank of
the river, and saw the boat upset. The Greenwich steamer
had gone up the river 20 minutes before, and had left no
visioie ruffle on the surface of the water when the accident
occurred, which happened about 20 minutes to 12. The
Greenwich was going at the rate of about eight miles per
hour.

The CORONER here remarked, this was a third version
of the case.

John Banyon, clerk to the Waterman's Company, who
had been summoned to produce the bye laws which affected
the navigation of the river Thames, stated the 42d by-
law made by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen under the au-
thority of 7 and 8 George IV , cap. 75, says that no
steam-boat or vessel shall navigate the river Thames be-
tween London-bridge and the eastern limits of Limehouse
reach, at or beyond the rate of five miles or knots an hour,
under the penalty of the forfeiture of any sum under 51.
The CORONER said this proved the illegality of the act.
Mr. Banyon said that many convictions had lately taken
place under the by-law, the validity of which was contested
on the ground of its usefulness.
Henry Holmes, the first witness, was recalled, and stated
that when he picked up those who were saved, the water
was so rough that he could hardly manage his boat, and that
the Greenwich had not passed two minutes before he heard
the cry that the boat was upset.
In answer to a question by a gentleman who attended on
the part of the Steam Boat Company, the witness said the
Greenwich had one light on her bowsprit on the night of
the accident. He observed she had carried three lights
ever since. He believed it was the cross swell produced by
the Greenwich going down the river, and a towing-vessel
which was going up.
Field, the other waterman, confirmed this evidence, and
stated that the towing-boat had not passed above a minute
beforo the accident.

William Preston, sen., observed the Greenwich going
down the river, and about ten minutes afterwards, he was
alarmed with the cry of a boat upset. He was sure seven
or eight minutes must have elapsed. The agitation of the
water caused by the Greenwich, had subsided before he
left the window eight minutes full, before the accident
occurred. He had undressed himself, and performed his
usual devotions when he was alarmed by the cry for help.
Nicholas Shiraux was one of the passengers on the night
of the accident in the boat with the deceased, When off
Wapping, two steam-boats were going down the river
nearly abreast of each other. He observed that the name
on the steamer next them was written in a half circle, but
he could not read it. After these boats had passed, about
fifty yards, they felt the water very much agitated, and

witness told the waterman to row them ashore ; the next
minute they felt the water come into the boat, and the
waterman laid by his oars and called for help. Witness
then jumped into the water, and swam about half way
ashore ;he was picked up. He was sure the steamer
caused the accident by the swell which first splashed in at
the head of the boat, and then the next wave filled the boat.
The deceased was in the boat at the time.
By a Juror—We should have come safely, I think, had
we not met with steamers. We were very cautious ;we
sung songs when there were no steamers in sight, but when
they were approaching we were very careful, and ceased
singing. We were all perfectly sober, and there was not
the least disposition to larking.
The CORONER said that the most extraordinary part of
the case was, that the waterman who was in the boat at the
time of the accident contradicted the evidence of all the
other witnesses.
Saunders here said there was one witness to corroborate
his statement.
The CORONER—WeII, let us have him ; he cannot con-
fuse the case worse.
Thomas Goldsforth, a waterman, witnessed the accident,
and that two steamers had gone up the river about ten
mi-
minutes before, and a large boat and the Greenwich were
coming down at the time, and had just passed when he
heard the cry for help. The Greenwich was going at the
rate of eight or nine miles per hour, and the other larger
boat at somewhat less. Witness thought that an unsafe
rate, particularly at night. There was a heavy swell when
he heard the cry.
The CORONER here remarked that, although there was
not evidence to charge any particular person with the
death of the deceased, yet sufficient was shown to prove
the dangerous state of the river from the navigation of
steamers.
The Jury then retired : and, after a long discussion, re-
turned a verdict of " Manslaughter against the masters of
some steam vessels whose names are unknown," accom-
panied with a strong expression of reprobation of the velocity
and dangerous navigation of steamers, and their earnest
hope that the Government will take such measures as will
abate the nuisance, which has been destructive of life and
property.

Yesterday an inquest was held before Mr. STIRLING, On
view of the body of Louisa Barnbam, a young woman aged
18, who had thrown herself from one of the windows of the
Marylabone Infirmary. Deceased had been admitted into
the Infirmary in a state of pregnancy, and having been de-
livered, was so dreadfully afflicted with the milk fever as
to become delirious. While in this state she had committed
the dreadful act. The jury returned a verdict of Tempo-
rary Insanity.

An inquest was held on Monday evening at the Grange
Inn, Carey-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, on the body of Wil-
liam Bentley, aged 23, who was drowned while bathing in
the Thames. It appeared that on Whitsun Tuesday the
deceased and his brother, with some other young men, hired
a boat, and rowed themselves to Putney, where they staid
drinking during the afternoon. After starting to return
they made a call at the Red House, Battersea, on quitting
which the deceased was quite tipsy. When they got oppo-
site St. Stephen's Chapel, the boat was grounded on a shoal
in the mud channel, the tide being then fast running down.
It was proposed that one of the the party should strip, and
get into the water and push off the boat. The deceased
immediately volunteered to do it, observing that he wanted
to bathe. Having got upon the shoal, he first pushed of
the boat, and then proceeded to wade into deep water. 11°
could not swim, and coming more suddenly than he ex
pected into deep water, and having to encounter the full
force of the fast ebbing tide, he lost his footing, and before
assistance could be rendered by his companions, he WO
drowned. An alarm was given, and several watermeri put
off with drags, and searched for the body, but without suc-
cess, and it was not recovered till Friday, when it was
picked up by a waterman named Waight, in the employ of
the Duke of Norfolk, under the third arch of Waterloo-
bridge.—Verdict, Accidental Death.

Monday morning, a Coroner's inquest was taken at
the Crown, East Smithfield, before Mr. Baker, on view of the
body of Henry Hertland, aged 40, who was drowned in con-
sequence of the swell caused by steamers. It appeared from
the evidence of Robert Lowe, servant to Messrs. Smith and
Thorpe, coal-merchants, Wapping, that on that day week, IA
the afternoon, between four and five o'clock, the deceased we
employed with him in discharging coals from some craft, nil
board the Aberdeen steam-packet, and was passing to and fro
along a plank 12 inches wide, which was placed on two barges
at the time that he was so employed. While he had a sack of
coals on his back, three steamers were going down the rior
at a rapid rate, and which caused a heavy swell of the
water,
by the violence of which the craft was tossed about, and in
.8,11
instant the water washed over the gunwale of a barge which
immediately sank, the deceased also going down. Every
effort was made to save him, but without success. An hour
previous to his being drowned he was immersed in the water
from a similar cause, but was then preserved. This being the
whole of the evidence, the Coronet-. after commenting uponthe lamentable loss of life during the last week' from similar
causes, said he would adjourn the inquiry, in order to find out
which were the steamers that caused the man's death. The
inquest was adjourned to Wednesday.

About two o'clock yesterday morning a person re-
spectably dressed, supposed to be insane, threw himself over
the area railings of a house in Lancaster-place, Strand, to the
ground below, which is nearly on a level with the Thames, *
distance of about 60 feet. He was heard groaning, and was
taken by a policeman to the station-house. He appeared to
have sustained but little injury. He had plenty of money ie
his pocket.
COACH ACCIDENT.—About two o'clock on SB'
turday morning, as the Portsmouth night coach Rocket was elt
the road, with a full load, on Hindhead, the coachman ?13-
served the London mail coming down the road at a slappleg,
pace, the horses galloping, and notwithstanding the
the Rocket pulled close to the side of the road, the mail rail
foul of it, and was overturned. Happily there was only The
outside on the mail, who received but a trifling injury. 11:,ei
concussion was so violent, that although the Rocket was 11,:t
overthrown, the pole and fore carriage were broken, so that
the horses were liberated and trotted off. The guard of 1-2;
Rocket was shook from his seat, but not hurt. A coadlsl6o
driver of
sent for from Guildford, and brought on the passengers el "sr,
Rocket to London. From what we learn from the passellhe
no blame whatever can be attributed to the driver of
Rocket.—County Chronicle.
The neighbourhood of the Broadway, Great ClA-
pel, and Orchard-streets, Westminster, were, on Stodgy,
evening, in a complete state of uproar from the number o
f
drunken drunken and disorderly soldiers of the Guards, rolling abed
and insulting every person within their reach ; one of there;
about eight o'clock, was observed passing through York-sheet'
in a drunken state, with a bayonet in his hand, uttering t,:
most obscene and disgusting language. Mrs. Howe, 3 bier
spectable woman residing in that street, was attacked by
and had great difficulty in escaping from him. In the BrezI";
way a young woman, named Martha Reeves, was standing s
the door of Mr. Stearman, a respectable builder, No. 4, in the,
,
Broadway, of which house she was an inmate; and the sov"
dier, who by this time had sheathed his bayonet, made preP°7l
sitions to her not to be described. Upon her turning row
to retire into the house, he again deliberately drew his ba:4°:
net, and made a thrust at her, which must have been prodec
of serious injury had she not nimbly evaded it, and eseuPe"
into the house. He then thrust his bayonet into the .stee:
coed front of Mr. Stearman's house, and staggered. JO''
with his bayonet still drawn. The moment Mr. Stem Oil
heard of the outrage, he applied at the Wellington Bev
racks, St. James's Park, for aid to take the fellow 111... t"
custody, but so cavalierly was he treated, that he saw the"'
was no hope of redress. These facts, should it be tee?'
sary, can be fully established by several respectable
imbabit-
ants of the neighbourhood, who are daily suffering fry° t
he
violent and unprovoked conduct of the Foot Guards sta-
tioned in and about Westminster.—Morning Herakil.

BIRTHS.
On the 14th inst., at Farringdon, Berks, the lady of Willi'
Bennett, Esq., of a son.
On the 14th inst., the lady of R. Anderson, Esq., fate of the
Hon. Company's service, of a daughter.
On the 13th inst., Mrs. Buller, Hans-place, Sloane-street, 4)(
a son.

On the 13th inst., at Hartley Maudytt Rectory, Hants, 1111.9..
Bissland, of a still-born son.

MARRIED.
On the 16th inst., at St. George's, Hanover-square, Cap
James Campbell, 87th Fusileers, to Catherine, daughter of the l'""
Edward Daniel, Esq., of Ramsgate.
On the 16th inst., at Lewisham, Edmund Bick Bradley, Egg',
oor
f
Mark-lane, to Helen, eldest daughter of John Donaldson, Esq.,'
Forest-hill, Kent.
On the 15th inst., at St. Mark's, Kennington, John Gibbon''
Esq., of West-green-lodge, Tottenham, to Emma, youngest &lig'''.
ter of Richard Roffoy, Esq., Reigate and Kennington.

DIED.
On the 11th inst., in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, Colonel Sir
A. S. Frazer, K.C.8., in his 59th year.
On the 9th inst., at Portobello, near Edinburgh, Miss Choi° d
A. M. Ochterlony, aged 22, grand-daughter of the late. Sir 1:104
and sister to Sir Charles Ochterlony, Bart.
On the 11th inst., in his 67th year, William Molson, Esq.,
St. Alban's-terrace, Kennington.
On the 10th inst., in Park-place, Regent's-park, John ESN'
Esq.
On the 13th inst., in his .sth year, Henry Bird Kirk, eldest °II
of Henry Kirk, Esq., of Piercoicld Cottage, Regent's-park. _..
On the 14th inst., aged 32, Slvralt, the wife of Charles CtittooP
Leman-street, Whitechapil.
On the 12th inst., John Harvey, Esq., of Teddington,
sex, in his 84th year.

On the 11th inst., Elizabeth, the wife of William Pulling, .131 q"
True-street, Devon.

On the 14th inst., Mr. Luke Freeman, of Brighton, solititt)r,
aged :30.
_ _

On the 10th inst., Mr. George Fitcher, lareildon-place,1V181(,11:•
hill, aged 60,
On the 17th of April. tit• Port Royal Jamaica, \lr. ThomrA Oaf;
man, aged 19, son Captain. John Hayman, of the Trinity Boil of
His death in:: occasioned by the accidental bursting of a. -piece 7'
ordnance, from the effects of which he lingered only two )sorry
'
- - - pr.
London: Printed and Published by AIURDO YOUNG,o
112, Strand, at The S'ul, thrice. No. Mt, Strand, In the Co"'
of 'Middlesex.