The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-14 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING-, MAY 14, 1857.

N'aval and laillt9.ry intelligeuce.

Her Majesty will not leave Osborne until the
4th of June. It is rumoured that a squadron will
be assembled at Spithead to salute the Grand Duke
Constantine of Russia, whose own squadron of
several sail is also expected at Spithead from the
Mediterranean.

Admirhl Sir G. Seymour and Rear-Admiral Mar-
tin went to Cowes yesterday in the Fire Queen, for
the purpose of paying a visit to her Majesty.
The Duke of Cambridge, with the view of ascer-
taining the opinions of the various commanding
officers respecting the new clothing issued to the
troops during the present year, has directed that
all officers in the command of corps shall forward
the proceedings of boards held for the purpose of
inspecting the clothing received for the troops
under their command to the Horse Guards, with
an opinion of the new tunics issued for their men.

Her Majesty's steam store-ship Urgent, Com-
mander S. Phillips, with the 67th Regiment from
the West Indies, arrived at Plymouth yesterday.
Yesterday the troops stationed at Chatham gar-
rison, consisting of the depots of the Provisional
Battalion, under the command of Col. H. Jervis,
the Royal Marines, commanded by Col. E. A.
Parker, and the Royal Engineers, under the com-
mand of Col. 11. Sandharn, were drawn up on
Chatham Lines, when the entire brigade went
through a variety of manoeuvres, under the direc-
tion of Col. Eden, commandant of the garrison.
A melancholy accident occnrred yesterday morn-
ing to a colour-sergeant of the Royal Engineers at
Chatham, named Edward Barnicoat, an experienced
diver, who lost his life whilst diving for the pur-
pose of recovering the 32-pounder iron gun which
was accidentally , sunk at Rochester-bridge in the
pontoon experiments on Saturday .last. The de-
ceased, who was a most experienced diver, having
been employed in recovering the Royal George,
went under water about nine o'clock this morning,
and made the usual signals for some time. After
being down about half an hour, it was found that
he did not reply to the signals, when he was imme-
diately drawn up; and was discovered to be quite
dead, there being a quantity of water in his diving
dress. An inquest was held on the body this even-
ing, when, after hearing the statement of Major
Has:iard, and the other"2witnesses, the jury returned
a verdict that the deceased was accidentally
drowned.

The Melville, two-decker, fitting as an hospital
ship, for China, was taken out of dock to-day.
The Princess Charlotte, three decker, Captain St.
Vincent King, is not now to take out the troops
assigned to her. They are to go out in a hired
steam transport. An embarkation of troops is now
expected to take place here for China on Tuesday
next.

The Volcano, steamer, which brought round ma-
chinery for the new steam-ships fitting at this and
the other ports in the west, sailed for the latter
to-day.

Lieutenant-General Baron de Brandis, the War
Minister of Hanover, who represented the King of
Hanover at the funeral of the Duchess of Glou-
cester, is expected to visit Portsmouth to-morrow,
to inspect the various departments.
The Hamilla, Mitchell, convict ship, arrived on
Sunday evening from the eastward. Yesterday she
embarked from the convict prison 60 prisoners for
Gibraltar, and sailed, calling at Portland.
Tho Agamemnon, 91, Master Noddall, was taken
out of dock to-day.

The Fancy, 2, gun-boat, has come into harbour
to pay off.
Sir Colin Campbell, G. C. B. , Inspector-General
of Infantry, arrived in Cork on Saturday morning
for the purpose of inspecting the regiments in that
garrison.

The 36th depot, under command of Col. Halli-
day, has left Cork for Athlone 300 strong. The
company which was stationed at Spike Island was
relieved by one of the 99th Foot.

The service companies of the 36th Regiment are
expected to arrive from America in the latter part
of this month. They are to land at Portsmouth.
The 3d Light Dragoons are expected daily to ar-
rive in Cork from Cahir, in the room of the 13th.
Half a company of Artillery left Cork on Thurs-
day, under command of Captain Blackburne, for
Limerick.

The screw corvette Malacca, 17, Capt. Farquhar,
arrived at Spithead yesterday forenoon from the
Mediterranean. She left Maltwon. the 15th April,
and Gibraltar on the 29th. She brought 20 soldiers
of various regiments from Malta, 10 Sappers and
Miners from Gibraltar, 2 women, and 6 children.
She filled up with Commissariat stores, &c., as
usual with vessels now coming home from Malta.
On the Ist inst., in lat. 37.0, long. 10 0, exchanged
numbers with the steamship Golden Fleece; on Sun-
day, West of Scilly, exchanged numbers with her
Majesty's ships Exmouth and Colossus, under can-
vass ; on Monday, off Scilly, spoke the brig Moun-
taineer, 55 days from Gibraltar, and supplied her
with water. The Malacca has sailed for Plymouth,
taking round supernumeraries.
Tho United States steam frigate Niagara passed
the Wight yesterday for the Thames, to ship her
portion of the Atlantic telegraph cable.
The Hotspur, Indiaman, one of Smith's sqadron,
passed the Wight yesterday from India for the
Thames. She experienced strong easterly winds
for 14 days. She passed the Southampton India-
man, bound up Channel, and a large quantity of
shipping. Among her passengers are Major
Ricketts, Captain B. P. Reid, Messrs. B. Frazer,
C. W. Janvrin, L. North, F. W. Goldsworthy
Browniow,
The screw steamship Exmouth, 90, Capt. Harry
Eyres, which arrived with the Colossus at Ply-
mouth yesterday morning from Lisbon, struck the
ground about three miles north of the Lizard on
Tuesday morning, during a dense fog, and was for
a short time in some danger. She was under sail
with a light wind from south-west, and was sup-
posed to be in a fair course for Plymouth Sound.
At 9.15 a.m. land was suddenly discovered right
ahead. The "Exmouth was put about, and when
in the act of going round took the ground forward;
sails were lowered, and she fell off immediately
into deep water. The anchor was let go in seven
fathoms, steam got up, and within a few minutes
of 11 o'clock the ship was out of danger. The star-
board fora boiler was bulged by the concussion,
and some of the bolts are bent, which makes the
boiler leak. It is supposed that a portion of the
false keel forward has been knocked off, and that
some of the bolts connecting it with the keel have
been loosened, as the ship has a leak averaging:, an
inch per hour. The tide was in the last quarter of
the ebb. Land was first seen at 6.30 a.m., and the
course marked at 8 a.m., when they were about
15 miles south of the Lizard. A strong northern
' current is supposed to have put the ship out of her
course.

The erection of the new slips at Pembroke dock-
yard is proceeding rapidly. Their length is very
great, in order to meet the increased size of our
modern men-of-war. The beds are of limestone,
with solid copings of granite. The widening and
lengthening of the dock are actively being carried
out, and this year are to cost 20,0001. It is pro-
posed that the navigation in front of the dockyard
shall be materially improved by being both widened
and deepened. Large quantities of mud in banks
have been for many years accumulating, and these
are to be removed. The mud between the Car
Spit and the dockyard is to be scoured away. The
extension of the sheds seaward is proceeding ra-
pidly, as also the erection of the various new
workshops, &c. The sum to be expended this year
on the extension and improvements at this dock-
yard cannot be less than 100,0001.

PROMOTIONS.
By the death of Vice Admiral of the Red the Right
Hon. Granville George, Lord Radetock, C. 8., the fol-
lowing promotions will take place on the Flag-list :
Vice Admiral of the White Sir William Henry Dillon,
K.C.H., to be Vice Admiral of the Red.

_ . ...
Vice Admiral of the Blue Sir Barrington Reynolds,
1C.C.8., commander-in-chief at Plymouth, to be Vice
Admiral of the White. _

Rear Admiral of the Red Sir Charles Sullivan, Bart.,
to be Vice Admiral of the Blue.

Rear A dmiral of the White Henry Dundas, to be Rear
Admiral of the Red.

Rear Admiral of the Blue John Alexander Duntze, to
be Rear Admiral of the White. _

....
Captain the Right Hon. Lord John Frederick Gordon
Hallyburton, G.C.H,, to be Rear Admiral on the re.
served list.
Captain John WDougall (B), to be Rear Admiral of
the Blue.

The following promotion has taken place
Mackay Ogilvie, late assistant-surgeon of her Majesty's
flagship Boscawen, to be surgeon, R.N.

THE FRENCH CORVETTE ARTEMISE.—On Sunday after-
noon the French corvette Artemise, with her consort
L'Agile, got under weigh in Carrickfergus roadstead,
and sailed for Iceland. The captain and officers of the
Artemise entertained the Mayor and several of the Har-
bour Commissioners of Belfast at dinner, on board that
vessel on Saturday, and reciprocated the hospitalities
offered them in elegant style and with cordial good feel-
ing.

THE LATE LOSS OF LIFE IN TOTTEN-
_HAM-COURT-ROAD.

INQUEST ON THE FIVE BODIES.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. G. S. Brent, deputy-
coroner for the western division of the county of
Middlesex, opened an inquiry at the Lord Welling-
ton, University-street, New-road, respecting the
deaths of Frederick Bing, aged 24, shopman ; Ann
Driscoll, 26, servant ; Richard Turner, 30, carpen-
ter ; John Gurnett, 29, carpenter ; and George
Kivil, 28, labourer ; the five victims of the falling
on Saturday list of the premises of Mr. Maple and
Mr. Hunter, furniture dealers and upholsterers in
Tottenham-court-road, the published details of
which have caused the most painful sensation
throughout the metropolis.
The inquest was originally appointed to take place
at 11 o'clock ; from that hour until one o'clock, the
time ultimately fixed for the commencement of the
inquiry, a vast number of persons flocked to the
inquest-room, and congregated in its immediate
locality.

Mr. Hardinge Giffard, barrister, instructed by
Mr. J. W. Chamberlain, appeared on behalf of the
representatives of the deceased Bing. Mr. Maple,
Mr. Raggett, his surveyor, and Mr. Taylor, builder;
Mr. Hunter, Mr. Redding, surveyor, and Mr. John-
son, builder, were represented by Mr. Cooper.
Mr. Henry Baker, district surveyor, Mr. Reeve,
surveyor to the etropolitan Commissioners of
Police, and ethers who evinced deep interest in the
proceedings were present during the inquiry.
Inspector Checkley, of the E division, was pre-
sent to watch the proceedings, by the direction of
the Commissioners of Police.

It was intimated to our. repgter, that the Right
Hon. Sir B. Hall, feeling u deep interest in the
proceedings, had at an early hour yesterday morn-
ing personally inspected the ruins.
Previous to the jury being sworn, Mr. Brent ex-
pressed a desire to offer a few observations. It was
with deep regret he had to announce the absence
from town of the coroner, which was occasioned by
the serious illness of Mrs. Wakley ; the sad event
had detained the coroner at Brighton for some clays
past. Yesterday he (Mr. Brent) had the advantage
of seeing Mr. Wakley, who came up to town ex-
pressly to confer upon the present inquiry, but was
compelled to return immediately, and he (Mr.
Brent) expected momentarily to hear of the demise
of Mrs. Wakley. Under these circumstances he
wished to put it to the jury before they were sworn
whether they would prefer for the present merely to
view the bodies in order that they might be identi-
fied and interred, and then to postpone for a fort-
night the taking of evidence, by which time he
trusted they might have the advantage of the pre-
sence of Mr. Wakley. If, however, the gentlemen
summoned were of a different opinion, he was quite
prepared to proceed with the evidence.
Mr. Dyke, a juryman, was of opinion that whilst
no doubt it would be found necessary to adjourn
the inquiry, still a fortnight would be too long a
time to keep parties concerned in suspense.
After some observations from the foreman, it was
determined to proceed wi,h the inquiry.
The jury was then duly impannelled, and having
selected Mr. James Linton, of Bath-place, New-
road, as their foreman, proceeded, accompanied by
the deputy coroner, to view the bodies, and then
to inspect the scene of the catastrophe.
After an absence of nearly an hour, the jury re-
turned and answered to their names.

The following is the panel : Mr. James Linton,
14. B nth-place, New-road, foreman ; Mr. Alexan-
der Watson, 20 Euston-place ; Mr. Robert Pollock,
15, Osnaburgh-street ; Mr. William Dyke, 21,
Grafton-street East • Mr. Thomas Alvey, 16, sow-
land-street ; Mr. William Purkis, 6, Cain-place,
Kentish-town ; Mr. Septimus Battam, 160, Totten-
ham-court-road ; Mr. John Eeles Lawford, 15,
Tottenham-court, New-road ; Mr. J. T. Rothwell,
27, Loudon-street ; Mr. S. Wills, 86, Tottenham-
court-road ; Mr. 11. Matthew, 59, Warren-street :
Mr. B. Winter, 27-12, Charles-street, Hampstead-
road ; Mr. S. Rogers, Cleveland-street; Mr. T.
Thomas, 101, Stanhope-street ; Mr. G. Ell, 5,
Tottenham-court, New-road ; Mr. G. 803E0113, 2,
Tottenham-court, New-road.
W. L. Bing deposed as follows :—I live at Can-
terbury, and am out of business, but was formerly
engaged by Mr. Maple. The deceased F. Bing was
my brother, he was employed as shopirian to Mr.
Maple, and lived on the premises. I last saw him
alive on Thursday week—he was then well. I have
been employed on the premises myself for 14 years
and a month, and lived in the house for 12 years.
The place was always considered perfectly safe.
Abby Driscoll identified the body of Ann Dris-
coll as that of her sister.

Ann Turner, having been sworn, identified the
body of John Turner, as that of her husband, who
was a carpenter in the emplopment of Mr. Taylor,
the builder.

The deceased John Gurnett, also in the employ-
ment of Mr. Taylor, was identified by his wife,
Sarah Gurnett. She had heard her husband speak
of undermining and putting a girder in which he
could hear it crack. Did not hoar him say that it
was dangerous, or she would not have suffered. him
to go to work iu the same place.
Alfred Barnes, bricklayer, in the employment
of Mr. Johnson, builder, identified the body of
George Kivil, who was to the time of his death, a
labourer in the employment of Mr. Johnson. Was
at work with deceased from six in the morningun-

til the occurrence _ took place. He was at work on
Mr. Maple's side of the party-wall, on the ground
floor. The body was found close to the basement
of the party•wall on Mr. Maple's side.
Joseph White, labourer, of 4, Prince of Wales%
passage, deposed that he was employed by Mr.
Johnson, and was at work on the premises at the
time of the accident. He escaped by running
across the road. After the houses fell he assisted
two others in getting out some of the bodies • soon
after there were a great many more helping. He got
out Bing, who was lying quite dead, in bed, under
the lead flat. He appeared to be pressed to death,
there being nothing between him and the lead flat
but a sheet and a blanket.

Alfred Barnes recalled—The whole of the bodies
were taken out from about the middle of the ruins.

-
Wm. Price Jones, M.R.C.i., swo-rn; deposed as
follows—l am medical resident of the University
College Hospital. The bodies of the four deceased
were brought to the hospital quite dead. The
cause of death in four cases was from suffocation.
There were no marks of external injury. There
was great lividity about the head. All the internal
organs were healthy, and showed the cause of death
to be suffocation merely. In the case of Ann Dris-
coll, I believe that death must have been instan-
taneous, from laceration of the liver, which was torn
into several pieces. There were four ribs broken on
one side, and two on the other. In the case of Bing
there was no sign of injury either internal or external.
The heart was filled with dark fluid blood. J. Gur-
nett also died from asphyxia. The scalp was com
pletely separated from the skull ; but that was not
the cause of death. In the case o George Kivil, in
addition to evidence of suffocation, there was a
fracture of the left leg and right thigh ; but death
was caused by suflocation. .
The next witness called was Arthur King, wbo
deposed that he was a bricklayer, in the employ-
ment of Mr. Taylor. He was engaged on the pre-
mises on the day of the accident. He was running
up some brickwork to strengthen the party-wall
between Mr. Maples's two houses. He was at work,
with two others, under the direction of Mr. Taylor.
By the Jury—ln running up the brick he used
Roman cement. It was about 20 feet from the street.
Examination continued—The first intimation he
, had of the accident was the rolling down of dust
from the party wall. The foreman called attention
to it. He said to Johnson's men, "You are cutting
away too much brickwork, and we shall have the
wall down." Did not hear what reply was made to
this. The observations were made about five
minutes before the wall fell. He saw the party-
wall on Mr. Hunter's side bulge, and split in the
middle. Two men shouted to Mr. Hughes, the
foreman at Maple's, and others whom he could see,
to get out of the way, as the place was falling. He,
witness, ran and made his escape by getting down
a ladder into Tottenham-place. Just as he got to
the doorway the place fell down with a heavy crash.
There were two openings in Mr. Hunter's party-
wall, one at one end and one at the other, about 4
feet square, as near as he could judge.
After some discussion between Mr. Giffard and
Mr. Cooper,
Thomas Hughes, salesman to Mr. Maple, de-
posed that he resided on the portion of the pre-
mises No. 2, Tottenham-place. On Saturday he
was on the ground floor looking at the bricklayers
making a hole in the party-wall. They were not
employed under Mr. Taylor. At 7 o'clock in the
morning, there were two at work ; one was knock-
ing away with a crowbar to make a hole. The hole
that was made about the centre was about 3 feet
by 3. Soon after seven, one of the bricklayers called
out, " That wall does not look safe ; there is dust
coining out of it." Immediately afterwards the
same man shouted out, "Run, run for your lives."
All those who were within hearing—about eight or
ten—did run, and so just escaped. There were on
Mr. Maple's premises at the time about ten per-

sons upstairs, who slept in the house. Up to that
day be had no apprehension of the premises being
in a dangerous state. He was of opinion that the
premises fell through the cutting away of the party-
wall to make the holes. He did not see any crack
in the wall. None of Mr. Taylor's men were work-
ing at the same • wall where Mr. Johnson's men
were at work. There were three bricklayers, two
carpenters, and two labourers present. Mr. Tay-
lor superintended the work himself.

By Mr. Cooper—There bad been some alterations
made in the front of Mr. Maple's shop. There was
a column removed. He could not say whether a
new Bressemer has
.been put up lately or not.
By the Coroner—Had not the least apprehension
of any danger until a few moments before the acci-
dent occurred.

In reply to Mr. Giffard, the coroner stated tl'at
at a later period of the inquiry the professional
gentlemen would have ample opportunity afforded
them of putting any question they desired to the
witnesses. The present was a most important in-
quiry, and would not be hurried forward.
Sparrow Harrison was next examined, and de-
posed that he resided at Dalston, and was foreman
to Mr. Johnson, builder, of the same place. Re
was at work on Mr. Hunter's premises in Totten-
, ham-court-road, on Saturday morning last, in
company with several workmen. He had set the
' carpenters to work to fix the joists, and Jones and
Barnes, bricklayers, to cut away the brickwork in
the party wall ; the other men were at work on
Mr. Huntees roof. About a quarter past 7he went
down to the office in the hoarding in front of the
building to make out the time sheet, it being Sa-
turday. At half-past 7he was called out by a man
named White, who said he was alarnied at seeing
some dust falling over: —HoltvittieSs) then looked
iu from the front of the shops, so that he could see
the party-wall, and thought he saw it cracking.
The wall is 14 inches thick. On examining it he
fancied he saw it cracking. Knowing the state of
the party-wall between 146 and 147, he called out
to both sets of men. One of the openings was about
five feet by three. The dust came from the party-
wall between Mr. Hunter's and Mr. Maple's. Im-
mediately after he called out to the men he beard
a crash, and saw the building fall. He then assisted
to get out some of the injured persons.
Mr. Cooper submitted that it would be most de-
sirable at this stage of the inquiry to adjourn the
proceedings to a future day.
The Coroner had not the least objection to such
a course, provided it met the approbation of the
jury and others whose attendance would be abso-
lutely necessary. As he understood that the person
who received the notice respecting the condemned
wall was present, it might be as well to take his
evidence, as it formed part of the narrative in con-
nexion with the lamentable occurrence.

Inspector Checkley stated that it having been
intimated to the officer who served the notice that
bis evidence would not be required that day he had
left the court.

An adjournment was then agreed to, and the
jury having been severally bound in the sum of 50/.
each to appear at the same place on Friday next
(to-morrow), the day's proceedings terminated.
Mr. Taylor, son of the contractor, died this
morning, making the sixth life which has been lost
by this melancholy catastrophe.