The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-13 00:00:00

THE SUN)! 7.LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 13, 1859.

THE EXPLOSION ON BOARD THE
GREAT EASTERN.

WEYMOUTH, MONDAY NIGHT.

The sad intelligence of the accident on board this
ship reached London, through the medium of the
electric telegraph, long before the inhabitants of
Weymouth had any knowledge of the disaster, and
steamers crowded with spectators and yachts gaily
dressed out continued to sail round and about the
Great Eastern until after dusk on Saturday even-
ing. It was only when the bodies of three of the
sufferers were brought on shore yesterday morning
that any idea of the fatal nature of the catastrophe
prevailed. Subsequently inquiries were made of
parties who came on shore, and since the truth has
become known a wide-spread feeling of sympathy
'has pervaded all classes resident in the neighbour-
ood.
After the arrival of the ship on Saturday a couple
of hulks, previously engaged for the purpose, were
brought alongside the vessel to facilitate the embar-
kation and disembarkation of persons anxious to
view the ship. The propriety of carrying out the
advertised intention of exhibiting her, after -what
had occurred, was anxiously considered by the
directors, who ultimately resolved that no sufficient
reason existed for a postponement, especially as
they were assured by Mr. Scott Russell that if the
necessary repairs were entrusted to himself he would
-undertake to have the ship again ready for sea in 14
days. The arrangements in progress were therefore
completed, and to-day she has been visited by at
least 1,000 persons at ss. a-head. The curiosity to
view the ship is perhaps rather stimulated than
otherwise by the accident. In the single section of
the vessel that has suffered the ruin is complete;
and in the minds of non-professional observers a
feeling of the utmost astonishment will arise that
after such an explosion any ship should have proved
seaworthy. Those who have a knowledge of her
construction, however, will not share this impres-
sion; and both agree that the much-to-be-lamented
disaster affords the strongest possible evidence of
the general safety of the ship.
The list of fatal casualties has unfortunately
being increased since the despatch of my previous
letter. At that date, including Gorman, who
jumped overboard, after having been severely
scalded, three lives were known to have been sacri-
ficed. Subsequently, Michael M'Gilroy, Robert
-Edwards, and Richard Adams, all employed as fire-
men in the fore stoke-hole, suceumbed under the
terrible injuries they received, The bodies of three
of the sufferers were brought on shore yesterday,
and deposited at a tavern in the vicinity of the
Town-hall, whither the other bodies were conveyed
this morning.

THE INQUEST.
The deaths having been formally reported to the
Coroner for the county of Dorset, Mr. H. Locke, a
solicitor resident at Dorchester, that gentleman
caused a jury to be empanelled for the purpose of
investigating the cause of the accident. The use of
the Town-hall was courteously granted by the cor-
poration for the purposes of the inquiry, and the
hour fixed for assembling was 11 o'clock this

morning.
The following is a list of the panel :
J. Drew, proprietor of the Victoria Hotel, foreman.
Hugh D. Sime, tutor. G. Welsford, gentleman.
A. Buck, cabinetmaker. J. Russell, ironmonger.
A. Tucker, bookseller. E. Hallett, cabinetmaker.
John Lundie, grocer. Daniel Pigeon; grocer.
Septus Mace, draper. T. B. Groves, chemist.
James Sherrin, printer. James Buck, stationer.
John Talbot, draper. Rich. Roberts, reporter.
The usual oaths having been administered,
The Coroner said their first duty would be to view
the bodies of the deceased persons. The inquiry
upon which they had been summoned was perhaps
the most important that had ever been submitted
to a jury, but he felt confident it would secure their
full and serious attention.
The jury having viewed the bodies, which were
lying at the King's Head Hotel, adjoining the
Town-hall,

The Coroner, before proceeding with the investi-
gation, asked if there was any person present to
represent either the company, the friends of the
deceased, or the Board of Trade.
Mr. Leverson, solicitor of the company, replied
that he represented that body, and that Mr. Gallo-
way, an officer attached to the Board of Trade, was
also present.
Mr. Galloway stated he was present only as a •
spectator, and had no instructions from the Board
of Trade; but that any questions which might be
asked him he was willing to answer.
Mr. James Briscoe was the first witness exa-
mined. He said—l am assistant-engineer of the
paddle department of the Great Eastern steam-
ship. My duty was simply according to my in-
structions—to meddle with nothing, or at all inter-
fere with the machinery, but to obey the orders of
the senior engineer of that department on board in
charge. •I was to take no responsibility whatever
upon,myself. I was, on the morning of Friday,
after leaving the Nore, standing with Mr. Dickson,
foreman of Mr. Scott Russell, when I heard the
donkey engines were then becoming troublesome—
namely, those in the boiler-room No. 2, I then
'went with two or three others to try and keep them
going in order to pump the water into the boilers.
I remained from that time with the donkey-engine
on the starboard side of the boilei-room until the
time of the explosion, the donkey engine on the
port side being disabled, and incapable of doing its
work,,but the men were repairing it. About a
moment previous to the accident, Mr. M'Lelean,
the chief engineer of the ship, came to me to test
the saturation of the boiler—that is, the density of
the water. Having done so, I pointed out to him
that 'the feed-water was of sufficient height--at its
prOjier height. He said it was all right, but he
again gave his previous caution not to meddle with
the working of either the engines or boilers, except
so far as I was told to do by the senior engineer in
charge of the paddle department. I was not to
meddle with any such thing as the opening of
• cocks •r valves, or with any of the details of the
engines. That conversation ended, Mr. M'Lelean
left the boiler-room. I can't say who was the
particular engineer in charge of the department at
the time. The senior engineer on board was Mr.
Arnott, but his name was not mentioned to me 'as
the engineer in charge. After my conversation
with Mr. M'Lelean I had merely time to walk a
distance of about 15 feet and resume my position
when the explosion took place. I could not tell
then where the explosion took place, but I diso-
vered when I got on the middle deck that it was in
the funnel-casing and not in the boiler of that room
where it occurred.
Coroner—When was it you say you first became
aware of where the explosion took place ?
Witness—l did not know of it until I got on the
saloon deck.
Coroner—What was the effect of the explosion ?
-Witness—The effect was that the room was im-
mediately filled with hot air and steam.
Coroner—lVell, what did you do then ?
Witness--I got up the fore-stoke-hole ladder on
starboard
the side, where I found three stokers, who
had g( uP before me, and they were calling for
assistance on the lower deck.
Coroner—Who were they.—do you know their

names i!
Witrbess—The name of one is parks. The other
two I 5 ) not know the names of.
Corot .er-Are those persons here?
Witm ess—That I cannot say. I have not seen

them.
Corm' er —What did you do when those men \
tailed foi • assistance ?
Wanes, s—l led the way into the lower saloon,
obt wined a s.sistance and got them U. One was got
up by a To, oe, the other two by a ladder.
Cc Toner- -What took place then ?
W 1 'tn Ido not know anything further, as I
becarn e incayable of doing anything more from my
burns, and. vq,nit below to be attended to by one of
the doctoil '
Coroner —I th:yught you said it was then, or after
that, you c liscover 'ea what the accident was ?
Witness-. -I* wak; when I was standing on the up-
per (kik ase isting the men up that I said I disco-
vered it. Tb e hole where the funnel hadbeen was
at my feet. •
Coroner.--IN hat was the cause of the accident ?
Witness—It . was that the two cases of the funnel,

the inner and the outer, between which the water
is heated, were rent asunder and the waste pipes
were scattered about.
Coroner—Anything more?
Witness—And the whole of the cabins of the
lower deck were in a mass of ruins.
Coroner—Now, what do you say was the cause
of the accident ?

Witness—The cause was the bursting of the
heater that surrounded the boiler.
Coroner—Had you anything to do with that ?
Witness—No, sir:
Coroner—Did you know the stokers who hare
died ?

Witness—l know them all by their numbers, not
by their names.
Coroner—Did you see any of them after you
went down, as you say, to have your burns dressed ?
Witness—Yee, I saw several of them.
Coroner—Several of those who have died ?
Witness—Yes.
Coroner—Who were they ?
Witness—l saw the one who died last night and
the man who died this morning.
Coroner—When did you see these men last ?
Witness—Late last evening when I went into the

dispensary. •
Coroner—What was the time the explosion took
place ?
Witness—Some time in the afternoon, just before
dark on Friday. I should say about six o'clock.
Coroner—Now, with respect to the two men you
saw on Sunday, what are their names ?
Witness—Adams and Edwards.
Coroner—Did you know them by their names be-
fore ?

Witness—No ; I knew them by their numbers.
All the men bad numbers.
Coroner—What were their numbers ?
Witness—l do not know what their numbers
were. They carried their numbers attached to the
most convenient part of their dress ; but when I
saw them their clothes were torn.
Coroner—Did you know any of the rest ?
Witness—Yes ; I knew Boyd, Mahon, and the
man who went overboard.
Coroner—Did you see him go overboard ?
Witness—No ; I was on the starboard side, and
he was on the port side.
Coroner—How then do you know he went over-
board ?

Witness—l only heard of it by report, and I
know he is missing out of that watch. He did not
answer in the muster.

Coroner—Were you present when the muster
was called.
Witness—No ; I only know of it by hearsay.
Coroner—Do the gentlemen of the jury wish to
ask the witness any questions?
Mr. Leverson—With your permission I shall ask
him a few questions. Were you present when Mr.
M'Lelean called the stokers and firemen together on
the Tuesday or Wednesday evening before we left
to give them instructions 4 The Wednesday even-
ing, I think it was, after we anchored in Long•reach.
Do you recollect anything about it?
Witness-1 do. I was not present when he did
so ; but afterwards Mr. M'Lelean's clerk came to
look for me about it.
Leverson—Then what orders did he give yon?
Witness—He gave orders that I wasto assist but

not meddle with the work of the engines or boilers
except when ordered to do so by the chief engineer
in charge of the department.
Mr. Leverson—Did he give you any reason for
the order P
Witness—No; except that Mr. Russell's men
were the engineers in charge.
Mr. Leverson—When was that P
Witness—lt was latish in the afternoon.
Coroner—You were not with the stokers, then,
when Mr. M'Lelean addressed them.
Witness—No, I was below on duty, and coming
aft, I came on with the clerk and met him,' and
then, in presence of the clerk, he repeated his in-
structions.
Mr. Leverson—What did he repeat ?
Witness—That I was not on any account to
meddle with the machinery and boilers, or take any
responsibility upon myself, but obey the orders of
the chief engineer in charge of the paddle depart-
ment, and render general assistance if required.
Mr. Leverson—He gave you some reason, did he
not ?

Witness—He did.
Mr. Leverson—Repeat to the coroner and jury
the reason.
Witness—That the engines were still in Mr.
Russell's hands, and that, so far, Mr. Russell sup-
plied the engineers.
Mr. Leverson—Did he tell you that himself ?
Witness—Yes ; and I saw them there.
Coroner—How do you know that they were Mr.
Russell's engineers ?
Witness—Because I knew the men myself, and
have known them for years as Mr. Russell's men,
and I heard them get instructions.
Coroner—Do you know who assumed control in
the paddle-engine department ?
Witness—Mr. Dickson, Mr. Russell's foreman.
Mr. Leverson—And Mr. Russell was himself on
board giving orders. If you do not know it of your
own knowledge I will not press the question, as I
shalleget the answer from somebody else. (To wit-
ness)—The explosion was confined to the water-
casing, was it not ?
Witness—Yes ; to the water easing of the funnel.
Mr. Leverson—The object of these is to heat the
water before going into the boilers, is it not ?
Witness—Yes.
Mr. Leverson—ls it not also to keep the heat of
the funnel from the people round it ?
Witness—To some extent yes.
Mr. Leverson—There is a feed-pipe from the
water-jacket to the boiler ?
Witness—Yes. •

Coroner—You call it a jacket ; please explain.
Mr. Leverson—lt is sometimes called the water-
casing, sometimes the water-jacket. Both terms are
used. (To witness)—At the time of the explosion
were they feeding the boilers from the casing ?
Witness—No.

Coroner—How do ycu know that ?
Witness—Because the temperature of the feeding
pipe would have been much greater than I found it
to be when I touched it.
Coroner—What were you doing at that time ?
Witness—l was simply watching the donkey-
engine to keep her working. In the morning the
donkeys were troublesome. One had broken down
and the water was getting low. The engineer in
charge came down when something was done with
the cock. I believe the feed was shut off the jacket
to get a greater supply to the boilers, but I am not
certain.
Mr. Leverson—lf the jacket had been fed by the
donkey, and the boiler fed from the jacket, the ex-
plosion would not have taken place ?
Witness—lf the whole of the heater (the jacket
or casing) had been kept full it would not.
Coroner—That is a matter of opinion I suppose.
Mr. Leverson—There are standing pipes to the
jacket, are there not ?
Witness—Yes.
Mr. Leverson—Will you describe the effect of
these pipes, and their object ?
Witness—They are to allow the water to flow
through them and give warning below. So far as
I can judge that is their use;
/Mr. Leverson—Will you describe what you did
when you heard the explosion ? I wish to state that
I ask this question that it may become generally
known how by presence of mind this gentleman
was able to preserve himself, and render assistance
to others.
Witness—l got as low down as I could until the
first shock of the explosion was over, and put my
hands over my face.
Mr. Leverson—By that means you protected
your eyes and lungs from the steam?
Witness—Yes.
Coroner—l understand the engines were in the
entire charge of Mr. Russell's men. Was Mr.
Russell himself on board ?
Witness—I saw him about half-an-hour before
the accident. Mr. Russell supplied the paddle-
wheel machinery and Messrs. Bolton and Watts
the screw.
Mr. Leverson—Were you led to believe that the

company did not accept the engines until they were
approved on the trial trip ? •
Witness—l was.
Coroner—ls Mr. Russell here ?
Mr. Leverson—He is not. He has left the vessel.
Coroner—Did you know John Boyd, one of the
deceased ?
Witness—Yes, I knew him, as he was leading
stoker in that watch.
Coroner—Have you seen him dead ?
Witness—No, I have not.
Coroner—Did you know M'Gilroy or Mahon ?
Witness—Yes, but I have not seen them since
their death.
Coroner—Do you think you could identify them ?
Witness—l think I can.
Coroner—When last did you see the two men
who have last died, Edwards and Adams ?
Witness—l saw them last night when I wont to
the dispensary to get my hands dressed.
Coroner—What time was it ?
Witness—Dr. Watson, what time was it ?
Watson—Your first visit was at 11 a.m.,
and your second visit at half-past two p.m.
The witness then withdrew.
Mr. Thomas Slater was next examined. He said
—I am a surgeon, and, in conjunction with Dr.
Watson, joint medical superintendent of the Great
Eastern steam-ship. About six o'clock on Friday
evening Dr. Watson and myself were standing to-
gether abaft the after-house on deck, which is the
smoking saloon, temporarily used as. the ptirser's
cabin, when the explosion took place.
Coroner—Did you hear it ?
Witness—Yes, we heard a great noise, and went
forward immediately to see what accident had
taken place. My idea was that an explosion had
taken place somewhere on board, and we went for-
ward to superintend the conveyance of any who
night be injured to the dispensary. We then
went down to the saloon, but we did not remain
long there, as we felt we should be of much greater
use in the dispensary, and I gave orders that all
persons injured should be brought there, and 12 or
13 were, of whom five (very severe cases) have
since died. Those which were comparatively slight
cases have been removed from the ship to the in-
firmary, and the others whose injuries were very
trifling have been able to leave the ship, or to re-
turn to duty. John Boyd was one of those put
under our joint care. He was suffering from scalds
over his entire body from head to foot. We at-
tended him up to the time of his death, which took
place about two o'clock on the morning of the 10th.
I was present when he died. The cause of his
death was a general shock to the whole
system. There was a general collapse from
the effects of the severe scalding. In fact
reaction never took place. I have seen
the bodies where they now lie, and can identify
them. Mahon and M'Gilroy died from the same
causes. The former died a short time after Boyd,
and M'Gilroy at seven p.m. on the 10th. Ido not
know their ages, but, judging from experience, I
should say that Boyd was 45, Mahon 34, and
M'Gilroy 37. There was not much difference in
the severity of their burns ; there were all severely
scalded. Edwards and Adams died of the same
causes. They were treated alike, but not one of
them ever rallied Adams died on the 11th at
1.1.15, and Edwards at 6 a.m. of this day (the
12th). I would say that the scalds were occasioned
both by steam and by boiling water. Every assist-
ance was afforded them, and the greatest kindness
was shown to them by the passengers, and by their
wives, who, waiving all delicacy in the matter,
volunteered their services in the dispensary.
Dr. Watson confirmed the evidence of Dr. Slater.
The Coroner suggested that it would be well to
close the inquiry at this point to enable the jury to
visit the scene of the accident, and on their return
to have a formal adjournment. In the meantime
he would communicate with Mr. Russell and the
Board of Health—he meant the Board of Trade.
Mr. Leverson asked if, before that was done, it
would not be well to have a witness examined who
would explain the cause of the accident ?
A Juror thought it would be most advisable.
Mr. Robert Pierson Brereton was then examined.
He said—T am a civil engineer and chief of Mr.
Brunel's engineering staff. As Mr. Brunel was
unable to be present on the voyage, I attended for
him. When off Dungeness, on Friday, about six
o'clock in the evening, I was on deck, and having
met the solicitor of the company and his wife I
turned back with them, and in a second or two after
the explosion took place. I turned round, and saw
the funnel leap up above the deck. The foremost
funnel and a shower of splinters and broken plate-
glass began to fall where we were standing. I
hurried the ladies aft and reassured thein, telling
them they had nothing to fear, and immediately
went forward to see what was the matter. I found the
funnel lying on the deck in two parts. On looking
down the gratin% leading to the boiler, whence the
steam and hot air were escaping, I heard a man crying
for help and for water. The fire-hoses were then
laid on, as the men below were crying out " Fire."
All this time the engines were never stopped. As
soon as the confusion was over, I went to examine
the funnel, which was lying on the deck. The fol-
lowing and several other engineers were asked by
the chairman to make a survey of what had taken
place to put him in possession of the facts, and we
did so :—Mr. M'Connell, of the locomotive depart-
ment of the North-Western ; Mr. Scott Russell ;
Mr. Smith, inventor of the screw propeller; Mr.
Smith, the editor of the Artisan ; and Mr, Blake,
the representative of the firm of Bolton and Watts,
the manufacturers of the screw engines, and my-
self did make the required survey, and we then had
an opportunity of seeing the construction of the
funnel and water-casing, which we would not have
seen had the timber-casing remained up, and that
led us at once to a knowledp of the cause of the
accidentrwithout having the drawings before us.
The funnel is double for 40 ft. of its length, the inner
cylinder being 6 ft. in diameter, and the :..uter 7 ft.,,
so that there is between the two a run 6 inches.
broad, and this run constitutes the water-jacket
The outer casing we found burst through, the ex-
plosion having taken place about half-way down,
about on the level of the lower saloon. The inner
casing we found in a collapsed state. The object of
the water-jacket is to prevent the cold water being
fed to the boilers. There was an apparatus attached
to it to prevent any excessive pressure taking place
within it. This apparatus consists of a standing
pipe. It stands up nearly to the level of the top of
the funnel, and is connected with the water jacket_
and communicates with it. It is the same thing as
is used in water works, and really constitutes a
safety valve. It being open at the top, as soon as
the pressure exceeds a certain amount it is pressed
out at the top, the height of the , pipe being the
measure of the pressure. (To a juror)—The boiler
has its own safety-valve. We next learned that the
feed-water had not been sent through the jacket, but
direct to the boiler, the donkey-engine not working
well. If that had not been the case, the explosion
would not have taken place ; or if the standing pipe
had been in operation. Our attention having been
turned to what remained of the standing pipe, we
found that it was armed with a plug or cock, capa-
ble of being turned, and we also found that it had
been shut off, leaving no vent whatever for the

steam which must have been gendated during the
day. The coincidence of these two things led to
the accident. If they had gone on feeding ti: rough
the jacket, or if the standing pipe had been kept
open, the accident would not haye occurred. No
one seems to know how, when, or by whom the
cock came to be shut off. Two or three" days be-
fore the ship started some work was done to it.
As it had been too low, a piece had to be let Pin at
the top, so I was informed by the contractor. Up
to that time the cock must have.been open, and it is
presumed some workman may have,turned the cock
for some purpose, and not re-opened it. It could
only be done by a workman with a spanner, or
instrument for that purpose, es it has no
handle. (To a .Juror)--There was no means of
discovering the error, and nothing but a pre-
sentiment would lead an engineer, having passed
a piece of work of that kind, to re-examine
it before starting. It was so shut in that it could
not be casually interfered with. A mischievous
person might certainly get through the man-hole
and turn it. It was originally put on to test the
strength of the casing, and that done it ought to

have been taken off. (To .ror)—lf it had not
been for the coincidence of the two causes the ship
might have gone . out to Australia and come
back again without the state of the cock being dis-
covered.

By Mr. Leverson—At the time of the accident
one of Mr. Russell's u4n, whose name I cannot
give, was the engineer in charge of this part of the
machinery; but Mr. Dickson ,was the chief engi-
neer, and responsible for' the. working.
The Coroner—Supposq your were the engineer in
charge of a vessel, and that :any alterations took
place in the arrangement of tlie machinery, do you
not think it would be yohr duty to go and see that
all was right ?
Witness—We only assume it was done then
when the alteration took place.

A Juror—Might not the explosion have done it ?
Witness—Certainly not.
At this stage of the proceedings,
The Coroner repeated his intention of adjourn-
ing the inquiry, and of communicating with Mr.
Russell and with the BoardtVf Trade in order that
they might be represented ,Whbn the jury next met.
They would now visit the sq, and on their return
he proposed formally to adjourn the inquest until
Saturday next.
This course having been unanimously agreed to,

the inquiry at the Town-hall here terminated, and
the coroner and jury immediately went on board the
railway company's steamer, South-Western, Capt.
Harvey, which conveyed them to the ship, where
they were received by Mr. Campbell, chairman of
the board of directors, and Capt. Harrison, com-
mander of the vessel, by whom they were con-
ducted over the scene of the accident. Mr.
Galloway, of the Board of 'Made, was present, and
assisted in pointing out the construction of the
funnel and feed-water pipe, and the tap alluded
to by the witness Brereton as the supposed
cause of the accident. .Atter remaining more
than an hour on board, the coroner and jury
expressed themselves satisfied with what they had
seen, and returned to Weymouth, where they
arrived about half-past fiveco'clock.
The Great Eastern is lying within the break-
water, almost under the shadow of the Isle of Port-
land, between which and'herself are two first-class
frigates riding at anchor—mere cockleshells on the
water by comparison with their leviathan sister
ship. She is about 20 minutes' sail from the quay
at Weymouth, from which steamboats ply every
half hour during the day, thus affording ready
means of communication with the shore. •
The excursion train on the South-Western Rail-
way which left London this morning, and is ad-
vertised to run daily, brought down a great many
passengers, who have the option of remaining 48
hours, at a fare' so ridiculously small that it cannot
be doubted a great many persons will avail them-
selves of the opportunity of visiting Weymouth
while the ship remains under repair. A numerous
gang of boilermakers and fitters arrived yesterday
from Mr. Russell's works at Millwall, and under
their united efforts the debris arising from the acci-
dent was fast disappearing when we left the vessel
this evening.

THE NINE HOURS MOVEMENT.

Saturday saw the end. the seventh week of the
strike and the fifth of e],ock-out. The master
builders were naturally anzA.us to insure the attend-
ance of good and active workmen at their respec-
tive establishments yesterday morning, and the
most nest measures were taken by them for that
purpbse; while the men were quite 1113 desirous. to
resume work, where they could do so without pledg-
ing themselves under the declaration. So far as in-
formation has been forwarded, the efforts of the em-
ployers have not been attended with much success ;
for where the declarationhas been presented very
few men have' gone in. Among the employers
who are reported to lo;iyk opened without the
declaration are. Mr. 116 L, with 60 men ; Mr.
Alders, employing 400 .aft; Mr. Bevis, 60 men ;
Messrs. Jackson and SPIN+, 200 men; and Mr.
W. Rose, 100. The document was presented
at Messrs. Ashby and Horner's, Mr. 'Waller's,
and several other large firms yesterday morn-
ing ; but the men, without hesitation, refused to
male it.

The dividend declared yesterday was at the rate
of 3s. 6d. per manifor the lock-outs, and Trollope's
were paid 12s. skilled, and 'Bs. unskilled artisans.
Subjoined is an officiat,list of the actual pay-
ments made by the confer6ice
Carpenters and joiners 'lt 2,216 £336 19 11
• Masons - 11-i 500 87 10 0
Painters • • •/;14: - 88 15 8 0
Plasterers .. • • .. 660 115 10 0
Bricklayers • • . • ••• 900 157 10 0
Stone sawyers • • • • 74 12 19 0
Woolwich men • • • • 208 36 8 0
Labourers.—Lodge 1. 500 87 10 0
.7. ;1 , 02. .. n 0 returns.
• . 132 23 2 0
// )9 „ 4. 278 49 13 0
))
,5. • 97 19 8 0
„ 490 85 15 0
~ 7. .. 191 44 8 6
7, 8. 39 6 16 6
9. y 325 56 17 '0
91 10: ''" 272 42 12 0
7, *•
11, 12, 130koleturns.

-,: 6,976 £1,168 _6 11

Total'

Meetings continue to be held throughout the
provinces, at which earnest sympathy is expressed
for the men out of work. Last night there were
large gatherings at Liverpool and at Hertford. At
.the latter place, where the men were convened
wider placard, conjuring them to "Awake, arise,
or be for ever fallen," the following resolutions
were passed :
"Moved by Mr. SEALES, joiner, seconded by Mr.
CRAWLEY, tailor :
"‘l. That it is the opinion frf this meeting that the build-
ers of London have acted I.4l.gisely, tyrannically, and un•
j
that the document put
fo
Itreand degrading to the feel
fl.
ando
r
that its inventors would be
inks
tts illy
o iybfn e
vterthem,
lockingemi
workings
oustt
man,sei
u i n
bs
.more fit to rule it slave population than the free-born Eng-
lish artizan."

Moved by Mr. COOK (mason), seconded by Mr.
.TARvis (plasterer) :
" 2. That we, the workingmen of Hertford and its vici-
nity,
.in public meeting assembled, deeply sympathising
with our brother operatives in the London building trades,
and believing in the justice of the • struggle in which they
aro engaged in resisting tliglyranny attempted to be im-
pwed upon them by the master builders of London, do
hereby pledge ourselves te Afford them all the support in
our. power till they have conoAted the same to a successful
termination."
Handsome as the divuknd is, every one who re-
flects upon the nature of the contest must regret to
find that there are 6,976 industrious men out of
work.

and 35 smiths' labourers. Taking into account those,
who resumed work yesterday, and those . of their_
men who have continued to work in the country
during the strike, the members of the firm estimate
that from 400
,to 500 of their hands are now in em-.
ployment, or nearly a third of the 1,500. They ex-
press themselves as well satisfied with the result of
yesterday, as indeed they may be, for in no other.
of the large building establishments in London has:
anything like so great a proportion of the men re-
turned to their employment. At the extensive
works of MeSsrs. Mansfield, in Henry-street, Gray's-.
inn-road, where between- 300 and 400 men of all
kinds are ordinarily employed, besides a large num-
ber in the country, only a fe Ar painters and la-
bourers engaged to work under the declaration.
Upwards of 100 presented themselves at the works
early in the morning, but, with the few exceptions
mentioned, they refused to make the requisite 'de-.
claration and soon after went away. There was
a similar demonstration in front of the establish-
ment of Messrs. Holland and Hannen, in Duke-
street; Bloomsbury, but a small. proportion only—
perhaPS not :more than 30—agreed to start work.
This firm usually gives employment to about 1,000
men in
.town and country. Again, at Messrs.
Piper's, in Bishopsgate- street, who ordinarily em-
ploy about 1,000, only about 25 joiners and sawyers,
out of seine hun'dred men who crowded the
,en-
trance, went in and engaged to Work under the de-
claration. About, GO men (carpenters) presented
themselves at, Messrs. Ashby's in the same street,
but, declining to accept the document, though will-
ing to abandon the nine hours' movement ; none of
them were engaged. At Messrs. Browne and
Robinson's, in -Worship-street, where also the de-
claration was insisted on as an indispensable con-
dition, not more than half a.dozen agreed to accept
it, though the firm employed between '4OO and 500,
at the time of the lock-out. It was the same at
Messrs. Jay's, in the City-road, who give employ-
ment to upwards of 1,200 men there and in the
country in ordinary times. Some 300 or 400 of
*Messrs. Myers' old hands assembled 'in front of
their extensive .works., in the York-road at six
o'clock in the morning and during some part of the
day. The elder Mr. Myers addressed them at in-
tervals on three -different occasions in explanation
of the Meaning and object of the declaration, but to
no purpose, for they refused to a man to work under
it. There was also a considerable gathering of
workmen in front of the large hotel in Westmin-
ster, now being erected by Messrs. Myers, but they
all declined,in like manner to come to terms, and
the work there. continues suspended as before.
Again, at Messrs. Lucas's, in the Belvidere-
road, less than half a dozen men (painters) have
assented to work. under the declaration. The
painters, as a body, appear to have come in in every
case.

The general result shows that, excepting at
Messrs. Cubitt's, a very inconsiderable proportion
indeed of the men on strike have availed themselves
of the opportunity afforded them of resuming their
employment. This is accounted for on two grounds
—first,- that on a Monday, which is partially a
holyday, it was to be expected that comparatively
few of the men would return• to work ; and, again,
numbers of them, not wishing to be the first to set
the example, it is supposed arc only waiting for
others to do so, and that the ice once broken they
will flock in by degrees into the various shops.
One circumstance would lead one to suppose that,
with the exception perhaps of the masons and the
rest of the extreme society men, including, of
course, the members of the conference, the nine
how's scheme is now tacitly understood to be im-
practicable for the present at least. Almost in every
instance yesterday the declaration alone was the
ground of scruple with the men seeking employ-
ment. Scarcely in any case were the hours of
labour made the ground of excuse for refusing to
resume work.

A meeting—though not a public one—was held
at Exeter-hall last night, for the purpose of ap-
pointing a committee to distribute the fund sub-
scribed in connection with the anti-strike move-
ment for the relief of non-society men.

THE ROMAN VILLA AT CARISBROOKE.

The following is from a correspondent of the
liampshire Advertiser :

• • " Freshwater, Aug- 27.
" From the great interest excited by the Roman
villa at Carisbrooke, of which no account has yet, I
believe, been published, a few particulars may, per-
hapsf interest your readers, and serve as a reply to
the many inquiries that are constantly being made
respecting it, and the manner of its discovery.
,- KI.-first mot with indications' of the villa on the
28th of April last, when, observing workmen ex-
cavating for stables on the vicarage grounds, I
walked down to sec if anything might, be turning
up, induced to do so by having before found in
Carisbrooke pbrtions of a British urn and other
relics of ancient burial; and I was indeed agree-
ably surprised by finding portions of Roman tiling,
which had been thrown up by tile workmen, its'
• character being unknown to them.
" I at once applied to the vicar, the Rev. E. B.
James, for leave to make researches, which was
readily granted, and .every facility for search
afforded me by those in his employ.
" Following, then, in the wake of the men, still
digging. for the foundation of the stables, a good
quantity of broken pottery,&c., was collected, and
findine, some scattered tesser, which gave indica-
tions of a pa cement, I set a man to cut exploring
trenches in several directions.

" The first trench soon opened up a coarse tesse-
late(' pavement, forming a portion of what may
have been a corridor of the building, another
brought to light the bath, with its hypocaust, and
following up these and other trenches, the villa, so
far as it has yet been opened, was gradually dis-
closed. A detailed account, even of these portions
of the building, would require accompanying plans,
and a practised hand; but a few general features
may be given, premising that some dimensions •are
given from memory, and that the remains have not
been sufficiently explored to speak positively on
many points, while some must be, necessarily, a
matter of conjecture only.
" The villa would appear to have covered a
space of from 110 to 120 feet in length, and. from
60 to 70 feet in width, but from the slight indica-
tions of masonry in the adjoining lane this size may
be increased. • _ .

" The pavements are from 5 to 6 feet below the
Present leveLpf the soil ' • of this depth about 3 feet
is composed of the chalk debris of the walling, &c.,
over which the 3 feet surface mould must have been
brought and spread.
" As to the,arrangefnent of the building, a portion
of the (*tern' side would seem to have formed a
corridor of about 42 feet long by about 8 feet wide,
leading 'to the atrium, or central hall, about 222
feet square, and the best apartment, which is on the
north-eastern side, and about 144- feet square.
"Around two sides, at least, of the atrium, north
and west, apartments, probably dorMitories, about
10 feet wide, with cement floors, appear to have
been'ranged. • •
" Other walls have been met with in the cuttings,
but av they have not been followed up no idea of
the, apartments of which they formed a part can be
gained, though from the plain plastering on them,
and the ablence of tesselated pavements, the better
portions of the villa would appear to have been those
opened on the north-eastern side.
" The bath, an interesting object, ,is near the
south-westeiln side, and is in good preservation.
Its shape is semi-circular, or nearly so; its length
at the_ base, 71-; feet, and its height about 16 inches.
Whim the flues under'it were first opened the soot
of, say, 18 centuries since, was adhering in large
quantities to the tiles. These flues were traced to
the adjoining stable. where they appear to have
warmed a small apartment, the floor of which was
gone, though very many of its tile supports were
still remaining. The examinations were suspended
before those flues could be traced to the furnace
mouth, which.inay, however, have been destroyed
by the first excavations of the workmen, or may
yet be found in the adjoining lane.
" To 'the south-cast of the bath a kind of cement
floor occupied a large space, probably the site of in-
ferior offices, :)r, it may be, of a court-yard. Over
this, the least interesting portion of the building,
stables ha7e been erected, leaving, fortunately, the
far greater
.and better portion of the villa un-
touelied, , • •

" Returning to the corridor and atrium, we find
their -pavements to consist of red brick tesserse, of
about an inch square, roughly -formed, and are
mostly laid without any design. *They appear to
be Chiefly made out of roofing -tiles, &c. ; at least
they bear portions of the same markings.
" The walls remaining are about the same height,
2 fc4.--;`" 8 inches, and are from 1 foot 9 inches to 2
feet 3 inches .thick ; .on, many parts of them the
t>l:rs'er.•inl: is' still perfect, while in the interior of
the r,)0:2 a plaster mouldink runs round the base of
most of them: - -

" It is, however, on the before-mentioned apart-
ment, at, the: north-eivtern angle of the building,
ti at the chief care has been bestowed. In about
141ifeet square, but, rather singularly, an angle of
the atrium projects into its south-western corner to
tl;c 'extent oribur feet square.
•""!'he pavement of this room needs a drawing to
convey an idea of it. The borders wide, but irregu-
larly so, are of coarse red and white tesserm. The
designs of theinterior portion, consisting of paral-
lelograms ara other figures, with scrolled borders
enclosing the lotus flower and leave's, are worked
with finer. tesserx, of a red, white, black, and blue
colour, and are, I .find: of a form often found in
Roman pftvenrag- .Bimilar ones, among others,
may be seen figured an the sketch of a pavement at
Basildon, Berks, in one of the numbers of Mr.

Roach Smith's " Collectanea Antigua." In the
centre is a handsome-shaped vase and flowers.
From its hollow sound it has probably flues under it.
" While it cannot, I believe, be classed with the
superior pavements at Cirencester, &c., it is unlike
some of those, in good preservation, and from the
testimony of a most competent judge, Mr. Roach
Smith, F.S,A., is a very interesting one. The
plastering on one side of this apartement still re-
mains. It is painted in panels, but many pieces
were found among the rubbish on the floor, with
leaves, flowers, and other figures on them. The
colours, red, white, yellow, blue, green, &c., were
very bright, when first removed, but have some-
what faded since.
" The villa must have been covered with stone
roofing tiles (if I may so call them), of an angular
shape, as these lio scattered everywhere, both whole
and broken, many of them with the nails still in
them.

" The only flanged roofing tiles that were found
had been used for the bottom of the flues leading
to the bath.

" Wood ashes in small quantities were found
about most parts of the building in some cases,
though amounting to two or three handsful. Some
portions of the pavements, too, show signs of fire,
so that it was first thought that the place might
have been burnt down, but no charred wood of any
size has been found, nor does the plastering appear
to have suffered from fire.

" Whatever may have caused its destruction,
nearly everything appears to have been first re-
moved from it, for nothing perfect or valuable has
been found; though much that is interesting ; among
which are two coins (third brass), one illegible, the
other a •Posthumius in good condition ; two bone
hair pins, two or three small bronze rings, blade of
knife, hinges, various small iron articles, a few nails
eight or nine inches long, a quantity of roofing nails,
fragments of window and other glass, large quan-
tity of debris of pottery of various kinds, though
chiefly of a coarser sort, part of the upper stone of
a handmill, stone roofing tiles, flanged earthern
• ditto, flue tiles, painted plaster,
" Bones, t00,,0f the deer, sheep and other animals
are abundant, as well as oyster and other shells.
On two or three portions of the antlers of the red
deer some marks are as fresh as when first made.

" These articles I shall gladly deposit again at the
villa, as it is important to keep the collection intact.
" I have heard no decisive opinion as to what
period. of the Roman occupation the erection or
destruction of the villa may probably be ascribed,
but we know that Vespasian conquered the Isle of
Wight A.D. 43 ; that the coin found is of the third
century, and that the Saxons, under Cerdic, A.D.
530, made slaughter and havoc at Carisbooke.
" The villa will, I think, when fully uncovered.
be found a very interesting one, though much in-
ferior in size to some. _ _

" Apart, too from any claim it has in itself, it
derives a peculiar interest. from its being the first
Roman building that has been met with in the
island. It settles, too, a point long contended for by
the Rev. E. Kell, as to the Roman occupation of our
island, and cannot but contribute to the elucidation
of that period of its history.
" Situated in a rich valley, under the very sha-
dow of the castle, it seems to point to a former con-
nection with it, though the traces of any Roman
occupation at the latter place are, I believe, few,
if any. This bulling could hardly have stood
alone ; in the same valley, indeed, many have
collected portions of Roman tiling a long time since,
while coins, too, have been found there.
" There can, then, I think, be but one wish—viz.,
that the place may be thoroughly explored and
preserved in situ, for it is by that alone that its
teaching can be fully realised.
" Pending any arrangement for continuing the
excavations, the vicar has kindly apportioned the
proceeds received from visitors towards the reduc-
tion of a debt pressing heavily on the parochial
schools, and a good sum has been already realised,
though the amount has been greatly exaggerated.
" This matter of the further exploration has, it
is well known, been beset with many difficulties in
consequence of the remains standing on the private
grounds of the vicarage. To endeavour to remove
these difficulties has been the aim of several gen-
tlemen of the neighbourhood associated for the
purpose, nor have others pleaded privately with
less anxiety for the same object.
" Some of the best portions of the remains the
vicar has already, to his personal discomfort, decided
to preserve, and I confidently trust that he will
before long arrange some plan, which shall embrace
the whole.
" I may add that the iaost important parts, the
best pavements and bath, have been from the first
temporarily roofed in, and preserved as far as pos-
sible from injury."

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—Sept. 12.

HAMMERSMITH.—SINGULAR CHARGE OF
THREATENING TO SHOOT A LADY.—Lieutenant
Thomas Patrick Fraser Tytler, of the 17th Regi-
ment of the Madras army, was brought up in cus-
tody of Fletcher, one of the warrant officer:3of the
court, and placed in the dock before Mr. Paynter,
charged with threatening to shoot Georgina Fraser
Tytler, by presenting a loaded pistol at her.
Mr. Lewis, jun., of Ely-place, attended for the
defendant, and pleaded not guilty to the warrant.
The complainant deposed that she was the wife
of Alexander Fraser Tytler, the defendant's brother,
and resided at No. 2, Hammersmith-terrace. On
the night of the 23d ult. the defendant presented a
loaded pistol at her, within a yard of her head, and
which was on at full cock. It occurred outside
3, Hammersmith-terrace. He was on the door-
step of that house, and witness was standing upon
the pavement in front. A great number of persons
had collected in consequence of the gentleman at
No. 3 having thrashed the defendant with a horse-
whip for insulting his mother. After he had re-
ceived the horsewhipping he ran into witness's
house, and took up the loaded pistol, which was
lying upon the table, and when he came out he pre-
sented it at her and others. She was merely look-
ing, and had nothing to do with the quarrel. She
was so alarmed at the pistol being presented at her
that she took refuge in a tradesman's house until
he was gone. He did not threaten her, but he used
very offensive language. While in the dining-
room, before the occurrence, he told her he bore
her the greatest The defendant came on
her husband's business.

In cross-examination by Mr. Lewis, the witness
said Mr. Alfred Moore lived at No. 3. He was a
photographist, and she had known him about twelve
months. She denied being on friendly terms with
him. She was in the habit of visiting him for the
purpose of spending the evenings with Miss Moore.
She denied that she was in the habit of spending
the evenings with him in the absence of Miss
Moore. The witness her objected to these ques-
tions being put to her.
Mr. Paynter observed to Mr. Lewis that the
questions could not form an excuse or justification
for the offence.

Mr. Lewis said he agreed with his worship in
that view, but his object was to put the Court in
possession of the facts.
Mr. Paynter said that line of cross-examination
could only go to show the motive.
The cross-examination was then proceeded with,
and the witness said the defendant came for some
luggaze belonging to her husband. She went to
Mr. Moore's to let him know that the defendant was
there. She knew that he wanted to give the de-
fendant a horsewhipping for insulting his mother.
She denied having abused the defendant. She saw
Mr. Moore horsewhip him in the open street. She
admitted having said it served him quite right. She
denied having assisted Mr. Moore in the horse-
whipping.
Mr. Lewis—What became of the whip?
The Witness—l believe the defendant kept it as
a curiosity. (Laughter.)
• Ia answer to further questions from Mr. Lewis
the complainant said he presented the pistol at the
whole of the crowd as well as at her. Her husband
brought the loaded pistol and kept it on the table.
The defendant was unaware of a loaded pistol being
kept there.
Mr. Paynter thought it quite unnecessary to carry
the case any further. The act was unjustifiable,
and he should order defendant to enter into his
own recognisances in the sum of £lOO to keep the
peace for six months.
Mr. Lewis said they denied having presented the
pistol.
Mr. Paynter wished to know if the defendant,
denied having the pistol.

The Defendant said he had the pistol.
' Mr. Lewis sail. he was not aware that it was
loaded. His client had just returned from India
where lie had suffered great privations, and there
was no ground for saving that he intended to shoot
the complainant.
Mr. Paynter said he had 'nothing to do with the
origin of the misunderstanding. It was his duty
to see that the peace was preserved.
The defendant having entered into the required
recognisanees was discharged, and he left the court
with his friends.

[ADVERTISEMENT.] —Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—
Diphtheria, Sore Throat, Glandular Swellinzs.—Some
twenty years ago diphtheria raged in Paris to an alarming
extent, and in Boulogne' in 1855, its presence produced
consternation by the desolation it left in its track, and gained
the appellation of the " Egyptian pestilence." Diphtheria
is a variety of typhoid fever, perfectly under curative con-
trol.by Holloway's Ointment and Pills, which assuage the
fever, diminish the thirst, disperse swollen glands, prevent
inflammation in the throat, and speedilyiheal the hazardous
ulcerations on the tonsils which always accompany the com-
plaint. Various are the remote:causes of this pestilence, but
impure blood directly produces it. The ointment must be
well rubbed upon the chest and throat twice a day at least.

---
MYSTERIOUS ABIi&CTION OF A, M
AT WOLVERHAMPTON.

Within the past few days considerable excite-
small
meat has been occasioned at Compton, a
village on the outskirts of Wolverhampton, in
of the
sequenc9 of the mysterious disappearance
illegitimate child of a young woman named Emma
Bishop, residing with her parents in Hope's-build-
ings, Compton, On Thursday last a messenger
came to the Union at Wolverhampton, with a es
sage to the effect that a lady, who was waiting
.at
con-
the North-Western Railway, station, wished to see_
one of the nurses. Having obtained permission
hoe
the governor, Miss Siddons, the nurse to whom t
message was delivered, thinking it was a relative
of hers, whom she was expecting, proceeded to the
station, and was there shown to a fashionably
attired and lady-like person, who introduced her:
self as Mrs. Phillips, 31, Highgate,
Birmingham, and stated that she was desirous of
obtaining a child to adopt, and bring UP as heir to
Moseley-raatti.
some property, at the same time inquiring if
was any probability of obtaining a child from tia,
Union: The nurse replied that there was no infant'
in the house likely to be parted with, but suggesteao
that probably her sister-in-law, Mrs. Siddons,
lived in that town, might know some one possessetoa
of 'a little responsibility who would be glad
accept the offer and brilliant prospects depicted b
the generous stranger. Thither accordingly', theY
went, and after the lady had told her wants, Mrs.
the.re
Siddons said she knew a young damsel living
id
Compton who had made a faux pas, and who N'Ne
probably be glad to part with the " incumbrance•
A car was procured, and the party waited upon
Miss Bishop, and after a little parleying
grandma and baby's, mother, it was agreed that
the lady should have the bantling, and that the
mother should be engaged as wet nurse. the
far -matters appeared to progress satisfactorily',
when, having refreshed themselves with a eeP
tog ac'
of tea at Mrs. Siddons's, the lady, to
with the " wee bairn " and . its mother, ac-
companied by the grandmother, who was go.ing
to see her daughter safe, proceeded ,to
between
Bi
ham by the Stour Valley Railway. On the vi'aY
the lady, varying her statement, explained that the
child was wanted for her sister, whose husband, r!
cp.l)tain, was stil unblessed with any,"
pledges
affiction," although nine years married. It was
further intimated that a little ruse was conteta-
plated, which could only be accomplished through
the medium of the infant. The lady's sister had for
some time past given it out that she was in thg
situation ladies wish to be who love their lords, 07
the captain being from home it was intended
d. that
ot
on his return the adopted infant should be plaee,i
in his arms as his OW darling offspring. Arriv"
at Birmingham, the mother, daughter, and baby
were left at Noch's dining-rooms in Union-passage'
while the lady went to make some purchases Ord
the " bairn." On her return a cab was called, an
mamma and grandma got in. The lady,
ingly held the baby while grandma got into the
cab was suddenly so charmed with the little inn(/'
cent that she would not give it up, but promised t°
follow with it in another cab. Not suspecting ,ae.'„_
artifice the mother of the child and the granar-
were driven to the address indicated by the lat
but on arriving there, no intelligence could,l u
gained of her, and after waiting in vain
expeetan.
of the second cab which was to follow.therat t'en'n
at last came to the conclusion that a most inhare—e
who oblig-
trick had been played upon them. The police„
communicated with, and a description of the lagJt
and child placed in the hands of some intelligee
beea
detective officers, but at present no clue has
obtained. For the information of those who heat" unexpectedly" become fathers, we may stat,
the infant is about two months old ; is a,male childf
with dark hair, and has a mulberry mark on one e
its eyelids.