The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-04 00:00:00

TILE WRECK OF THE _ROYAL CHARTER.

The adjourned invest was resumed on Wednes-
day.
The Coroner (Mr. W. Jones) inquired if there
was any gentleman present representing the owners,
of the vessel.
Mr. Tindale Bright, of Liverpool, replied that he
attended as the rerresentative of Gibbs, Bright, and
Co., and that he was prepared to call all the evi-
dence that it was possible for him to call. The
-witnesses whom he would bring forward were the
following :—N. H. Morse, H. Carew Taylor, and
Thomas Gundry, all first-class passengers ; W. Fos-
ter, carpenter; George Snaicar, boatswain's mate;
John O'Brien sailor; T. M. Cornick, steward ; Jas.
Russell, second-class passenger; W. Bradbury, con-
fined with a broken leg ; Walter Hughes, an ap-
prentice, also ill in bed ; and J. W. Field, third-
class passenger.
The Coroner said it then became his painful duty
to institute distressing inquiries—distressing alike
on account of the number of valuable lives lost, as
well as the circumstances under which that dreadful
calamity took place. He hoped the jury would lay
aside everything which they had previously hsgrd
or seen concerning this sad affair, and confine their
attention to the evidence only. He wished, for
facilitating the business of the Court, to explain the
mode in which he intended to conduct the proceed-
ings. First of all he would examine the witnesses
himself, then he would ask the representative of
Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co., to examine them,
who, he trusted, would assist him as much as lay
in his power to discharge his duty with justice to
them and satisfaction to the public.
Mr. Robert Pritchard, of Bangor, was sworn, as
interpreter, the Coroner observing he was sorry he
could not get a jury that could all understand Eng-
lish, but that they were the most respectable farmers
of the district that he could get. He then called upon
W. Henry Morse, who, being sworn, said—l was
one of the saloon passengers of the Royal Charter,
which was wrecked on this coast on the morn-
ing of Wednesday last. The Royal Charter sailed
from Melbourne on the 26th of August last, bound
for Liverpool. When we started there were 61
saloon passengers and about 300 of the other pas-
sengers. The vessel did not turn or call at any place
on her passage. Had a full supply of coal on board
and a full complement of crew. There were about
110 of the crew altogether. There never was any
difficulty in her sailing up to the day of the wreck.
The first day we saw nd was on Monday morning
at daybreak. It was the Irish coast. Landed some
passengers near Cork, in the pilot boat, about 13
in number. Passed Holyhead about 4or 5 o'clock
on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 25th. Two passen-
gers landed at Holyhead, the wind blowing at that
time rather fresh, and against us. The storm con-
tinued to increase, until it came to a perfect hurri-
cane. About 12 o'clock, when in sight of Point
Lynas, the anchors were let down. Had passed that
point, but did not knw what part of the channel it
was. Had seen the captain during the progress of
the storm, but did not speak to him. No one made
any remonstrance to him in my presence. Saw him
giving directions and orders to the crew up to five
o'clock on Tuesday evening. I was not much on
deck afterwards. At the time the anchors were let
down did not notice anything the matter with the
machinery, the helm, or the screw. Anchors were
let down about 10 o'clock in the evening. At
two o'clock in the morning one of the cables got
loose, and parted with another about an hour after-
wards. Guns were fired and signals given before
we came to Point Lynas, and continued until day-
break. Struck on the rocks about three o'clock. I
was below at the time, and cannot say which part
struck first. It was but a very slight shock at first.
Went up on deck once after that. She broke in two
about seven o'clock. Heard of the hawser being
sent ashore, but saw nothing of it. Saved my life
by swimming. Had no conversation with the cap-
tain after she struck, but he had some conversation
with the ladies, to whom he said there was no dan-
ger, and that they might shortly walk ashore. He
was perfectly sober at the time. Did not see him
or any of the officers once intoxicated during the
passage—everything going on favourably until the
storm came on. Captain Withers told the ladies
that they were on a sand beach, but had no conver-
sation with Captain Taylor at all after three o'clock.
• By Mr. Bright—There was a testimonial given
to Captain Taylor by the psssengers, in which all
the saloon passengers joined except two. There was
some difference between the second and third-class
passengers and the captain, because they were not
allowed to dance on the poop. After the anchor was
put down, heard Captain Taylor speak cheerfully
to the passengers. He was calm and collected in
speaking with the ladies. He was down several
times in the same temper. The captain's object in
coming down upon one occasion was to order some
coffee, of which I myself partook. He was not din-
ing with us that evening. I heard the captain tell-
ing the passengers in the saloon that he had been
forward, and that no stress was on the cable. The
vesssel was in 16 fathoms of water, but cannot say
how far she was from the rocks.
Mr. Mellor, solicitor, of Oldham, said he repre-
sented several families who had lost friends and re-
latives by that vessel, and hoped if he sometimes
became a little excited they would bear with him,
as he himself had lost a brother and a cousin by the
same unfortunate steamer. He then went on to
examine the last witness, who said that a testimo-
nial had been given to the captain on the Saturday
afternoon or Monday previous to the wreck. Took
some riggers on board after passing Queenstown.
Had no such rough weather during the passage as
they had on Tuesday last. Remembered a storm off
the River Plate; not so hard there as here, when
the ship was wrecked. Up to the time when the
anchors were let go the weather was not so bad as
it afterwards was. It might have been as bad on the
River Plate as it was up to the time of the letting
go of the anchors at Moelfra. I only know by hear-
ing that riggers were shipped. I don't know how
long the vessel was off Queenstown. I was on deck
there. I was not much on deck before the ship
' struck that evening. Cannot say what time. Not
• anticipating any accident, I did-not come up ; and
not being a nautical man did not know off what
part of the coast we were. Did not see the
captain on deck at that time. Was on deck
several times after half-past three o'clock in the
afternoon, but I don't remember to have
seen Captain Taylor, excepting about three
times. He was in the saloon when the anchor
got loose from the ship, and I heard the captain
being informed of it.
By the Coroner—No one in my hearing asked the
captain to turn to Holyhead or any other harbour.
By Mr. Mellor— It was when the first anchor
parted that he was in the cabin. He did not dine
with us on Tuesday evening, because he had been
up the two previous,evenings.
By. Mr. Bright—When the captain he a-d that the
anchor had parted he went up on deck immediately.
H. Carew Taylor—l heard some of the evidence
of the last witness, with all of which up to Cork I
agree. There a portion of the passengers landed.
About half-past 4 or near 5 o'clock on Tuesday,
when I went on deck to see the Great Eastern, it
was blowing very fresh, and it was also very foggy.
Never saw Capt. Taylor the whole day until I
lumped overboard ; at least I have no recollection
of having seen him. Saw him when I jumped over-
board. Saw him in the saloon when the ship struck,
• but have no recollection of having seen him on deck
all that time. I saw him before daylight in the
saloon assuring us that all would be landed in safety
shortly, and that she was firmly embedded in the
sand. Cint. Withers also said cheerfully- to the
ladies, " Why, you will he able all soon to walk on
shore." I was deputed by the ladies to make in-
quiries of the officers as to our exact position,when
I saw. Capts. Taylor and Withers look in such a
way as made me believe that we should all be
saved ; I was so perfectly satisfied that there was no
danger that I went to • bed at 11 o'clock, when I
heard Capt. Withers addressing somebody, "Come
directly ; I shall take your child." There was some

answer to that, but I don't know what lie said she
had struck, or something to that effect ' • that was
g.
about half-past 2 in the morning. I jumped out of
bed, and looked at the saloon, when, seeing some-
body there, I put my coat, trous • and great coat
on, and went up. Believe thatelpserson to be Mrs.
Woodruff. I then heard the ship givingh tremendous
ierks or. . concussions, when I feits e was aground.
Gentlemen and ladies wereii‘nrtrh.He greatestd consterna-
tion, praying, &c. The Rev. Hodge stood praying
extemporaneously. I then went to° the end of the sa-
loon to look for my child and nurse. I found. the lobby
ofch chance
sraemlooanineedramme with people, so that no
to find the nurse to get out, and it was impossible
them, and the'tel and
my
child. I eventually found
of the vessel went on in
quicker successioiinunnl.4odinNgi-iolence than before. Water
began to come
perfectly wet,
• through hours before I wasthat I wasv I saw the ship
divi .ed in half, and saw
,s ad
Captaine *Taylor on deck,
of
lying there with a logwood tied to him. I said
to him " Oh ! Captain Taylor, what a fearful scene
this is !" He did not reply to, wthhceo.A-;.otlier wave
came over, when- I took off my at
anwhich I
jumped
of wood, to
overboard. I got on a piece
saw.another man clinging. After that I got a
,piece of board, from which - I was washed twice ;
and at-last somebody took hold of my fingers, when
-near the shore. Three men men assisted me when
on shore, and the people paid me every possible
attention. I think it was Robert Lewis who put
me. in his own bed and treated, me with the greatest
kindness. My little daughter and nurse were lost.
The ship was thumping against the rocks for hours
before she went to pieces, As far as I know, the
captain was perfectly sober, and nothing approach.
ing to drunk; in fact, he was averse to drink, as he 1

invariably, when invited to take a glass, refused it:
I lost everything except 10 sovereigns and my gold
watch. If I had thought the captain was tipsy I
never would have gone to bed. I did not hear any
one remonstrating with him to turn back.
By Mr. Bright—Saw Captain Taylor knocked
fear
rkeodf
down by a wave. I jumped overboard, for
being 'Oiled. myself.
By Mr. Mellor—Saw the captain knocked down
two or three times. and so were the women and
children. On Tuesday, when off Holyhead, went
on deck to see the Great Eastern. We were going
very slow indeed, until I thought we should never
have passed her. Made the remark to several
gentlemen, " How very slow we are going." I saw
Holyhead the greater part of the day, but it was
Father difficult to see, as it was very foggy. Only
saw the captain once in- the saloon on Tuesday, and
once on deck after. The port anchor was out when
I went down. About teatime (about seven o'clock)
sky-rockets were let off. I never heard. a gun
fired. Did not see the masts cut down, but we
were ordered to go to the lower saloons, by whom
we did not know. I heard there was a difficulty
in steering the ship. On Capt. Taylor assuring the
passengers there was no danger the ladies became
pacified, and Mrs. Fenwiak ordered her children to
put clean shoes and stockings on.
Thomas Gundry, a saloon passenger—The Royal
Charter passed Queenstown at half-past 12 on Mon-
day, when 13 passengers went ashore, and Holy-
head at 5 o'clock on Tuesday. It was blowing
rather fresh, which ultimately increased. Between
6 and 7 the captain put some signals out, and the
gun was fired about 9 o'clock. We did not appre-
hend danger until the anchor was let off, which
was shortly after 11 o'clock. Saw Captain Taylor
previous to that on deck, but had no conversation
with him. Heard nobody remonstrating with him
as to turning back. He seemed perfectly sober,
and competent to give orders, and doing his duty.
Never saw the least sign of liquor on him.
This witness was subjected to a severe cross-exa-
mination by Mr. Mellor, after which the court was
adjourned until 10 o'clock the following morning.
The inquiry was continued yesterday afternoon
before Mr. Jones, the county coroner. The National
School-room, in which the inquiry is being held,
was again filled, several of the relatives and friends
of the persons drowned being in attendance. A
small piece of parchment, with a few verses in He-
brew written upon it, was cast up at an early hour
this morning.
Mr. Tyndal Bright was again present on the part
of the owners. As the jury consisted entirely of
Welshmen, Mr. Robert Pritchard, of Bangor, at-
tended as interpreter.
The first witness examined was Samuel Edward
Gapper. He said he was a second-class passenger
on board the Royal Charter. He had been working
thrashing machines in New Zealand, and was re-
turning to England. The vessel left Queenstown
on Monday, October 24th, about half-past 1 o'clock.
Either 11 or 14 passengers were sent on shore
there. The vessel arrived off Holyhead on Tuesday
afternoon about half-past 4 o'clock. The weather
was hazy and it was blowing fresh. Off Holyhead
a tug boat, called the United Kingdom, came along-
side and put some men on board. He did not re-
collect seeing the captain on the deck on Monday.
He saw him on deck frequently on Tuesday. After
leaving Holyhead the wind blew strongly on the
port bow. The first signal was put out about eight
o'clock at night. It was a rocket and a blue light,
and occasionally a gun was fired. The witness con-
tinued—The anchors were let go about 11 o'clock,
after we had passed Point Lynes. Previous to that
no ene remonstrated with the captain, or asked him
to turn back. It was six or seven o'clock after the
anchors were let go that the vessel struck. It was
about two o'clock when she parted from her anchor.
I don't know how far we were from shore when the
anchors were let go. It was teo dark to see. She
struck on the sand first, and about six o'clock she
struck on the rocks. She was three-quarters of an
hour upon the rocks before she went to pieces. As
soon as it was light enough to see a hawser was
sent ashore. I frequently saw the captain on deck
during that time. The captain was on the quarter-
deck during the time the signals were being sent
out. Up to the time the anchors were put down the
captain was constantly on deck. I was near enough
to hear him, but never heard him give any direc-
tions to the seamen. He was looking at Point Lynas
light. He appeared to me to be perfectly sober. I
had no conversation with him after the vessel
struck. I did not hear him say they were safe. He
said to the ladies, "Ladies, I think we are on a
sandy beach, but I hope by the help of God we
shall all get ashore when daylight comes."
To Mr. Bright—When we passed Holyhead we
could see the Great Eastern very dimly. Between
Holyhead and Point Lynas the wind increased very
much. After passing Point Lynas, and to the time
of dropping our anchor, the wind was much stronger.
I cannot say whether it was blowing a hurricane.
It blew tremendcasly after the anchors were let go.
Capt. Adams, a second-class passenger, was below
at 10 o'alock at night examining the chart, and he
told us that we must go ashore from the position of
the ship. He said he should not be surprised if we
were ashore before morning. We were then to the
east of Point Lynes. I never saw Captain Taylor
the worse for liquor.
To Mr. Pitcher (who lost a relative)--I heard
some persons in the second cabin express a wish
that the ship should approach Holyhead to see the
Great Eastern. When the wind was blowing so
hard on the port bow I heard no orders given to
put the vessel out to sea off Holyhead.
To the Coroner—The wish of the passengers to
approach Holyhead was conveyed to the captain,
but I do not know by whom. His answer was, " We
may sight the Great Eastern, but I must not stand
away for you to see her, as I want to get home."
To Mr. Mellor—Looking at the chart produced,
we were in hopes of getting into Dulas Bay-. That
was after the anchors were let go. Captain Adams
said, about 10 o'clock, that the ship was on her
course. I can't say that it was 10 o'clock when Cap-
tain Adams said he would not be surprised if the
ship went ashore. It was after the anchors were
let go ;that Captain Adams said we should get
ashore, and that we should have to swim for it.
When off Holyhead we saw the Great Eastern very
dimly. That was on account of the distance, cou-
pled with thick weather. I cannot say it was very
hazy when we were off Holyhead. The wind was
not continually shifting when we were off Holy-
heod. From 6 o'clock in the evening until 11 the
wind was constantly shifting. It was not dark
when we were off Holyhead. The masts were cut
down after the anchors had broke from their moor-
ings. The mainmast 'as cut away before the ship
struck on the stern. I did not hear any one ad•
vise the captain to cut the masts away before he
did so. Captain Withers and Captain Adams had
a consultation with Captain Taylor in the saloon
as to the best means of saving the ship. That
was before the mainmast was cut away, and
after the anchors had parted. There were two guns
on board, both of which were used for signals.
The last time they went to charge the weather
gun it was full of water, and they could not charge
the lee gun. The ship ceased to use the screw
when she was hard and fast in the sand. She
was lying on the sand from half-past five to six
o'clock. No rocket was fired to the shore with a
rope or anythicg of the kind. Between half-past
five o'clock and when the struck I did not see the
captain or crew try to put a hawser ashore. It
was too dark. Many of the passengers put the
life-belts on. After half-past five o'clock, and until
the ship struck, I did not see any light on deck
that could be seen from the shore. Previous to
halr-past five I had seen a globe light on deck, at
the telegraph leading to the engine-room. Rockets
were fired and blue-lights were burning more or
less all night. I can't say that any were let off
after the ship parted from her anchors. I do not
know the result of the interview between Captains
Taylor, Withers, and Adams. I saw Capt. Adams
after this interview, but I had no conversation with
him. He then seemed very quiet.

Mr. Mellor here observed that, unless he should
be instructed by others, he should confine his ques-
tions as to the course of the ship on the night when
she struck. He suggested that it was of import.
ance that some nautical man who well knew the
coast should be called and examined. He also
thought it right to call the attention of the owners
to another circumstance. He understood that some

time ago the Royal Charter was altered, and that
such alterations had weakened her, a fact known

to the'owners.

A chart was here produced, and Captain Martin
explained it to the coroner and Mr. Mellor.

The proceedings were then adjourned for half an
hour.

There are a great number of witnesses yet to be
examined, and just as our parcel was despatched
the coroner intimated that he did not expect to
finish the inquiry before Friday.

[ADVERT rs ENIN T .] P PS' S 0171000 pa Ville Chemist)
Cocoa.—This esteemed preparation is sold by the prin-
cipal Er,roctrA at ls. Gd. per lb.; in llb., and lb.
packets. Each packet is labelled " James Epps, Iloraceo •
pathic chemist, London."

[AnvrarrisrmENT.l—lfollaway's Pills and Ointment.—
DiarrliCeit —Stoinach.—Whenever the stomach fails faithfully
to perform its functions, indigestion is sure to be produced,
the issue of which is ever uncertain. The undigested food,
after passing through the sluggish stomach, irritates the
bowels, and sets up diarrhoea, by which 'it is carried off, and
the body Is relieved for a time. Perhaps this is the least ob-
jectionable product of disordered stomachs, though gradually
it will pull down the strongest. To check the first symptoms
nothing previously prescribed, equals Holloway's Digestive
Pills, aided by his Ointment, rubbed over the stomach and
right side. 'Their action over stomach, liver, and bowels is
immediate, beneficial, and lasting, restoring order and ens&
and removing at one and the same time both the cause and
results of the disease.