The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-20 00:00:00

THE EXPLOSION AT LURD.HILL.

Since our last notice of the state of affairs at this
colliery several important events have occurred.
The water was reduced to a depth of seven feet on
Monday, and attempts, which were successful,
were made to get out the large iron chair which was
thrown down at the bottom, and which prevented
the buckets from filling. The chair was got up on
Monday afternoon, and from that time the work of
emptying the pit was continued until Wednesday,
when the water was " unroofed," and the ventila-
tion between the upcast and downcast shafts par-
tially restored. On Friday the engineers in charge
of the mine met at the offices of the company and
received the report of the sub-committee. The water
was reduced to the depth of 3 feet, and a lengthy
consultation ensued as to the means to be adopted
to ascertain with certainty whether the fire was
really extinguished in the mine.
On Friday night the first descent into the
mine since the afternoon •of the explosion was
effected. At six o'clock seven persons went
down the shaft-. On arriving at the bottom, the
party found themselves in nearly four feet of water.
They penetrated on each side of the levels, north
and south, a distance of about 40 yards, but they
could proceed no further in consequence of there
being no air. The ventilation between the two
shafts was moderately good, but all the doors and
stoppings were blown down, and in consequence the
air could not circulate in the workings beyond.
The state of the mine, as far as the explorers
could see, afforded strong proof of the intensity
with which the fire had raged. The roof was fallen
in in many places, the stables were down, as was
the adjacent roof to a great extbnt. The party re-
mained in the mine for a considerable time, and suc-
ceeded in finding three bodies, which were lying in
the water in the vicinity of the downcast shift.
They then returned to the top of the shaft, and re-
ported what they had discovered to Mr. . Wood
and his colleagues, who concluded that the fire
must certainly be extinguished.
The men engaged at the top of the shaft, having
heard that some of the dead bodies had been found,
volunteered to descend the mine, and bring them
to the top. Accordingly, at two o'cle4e on Saturday
mornings a party descended to undertake the dan-
gerous duty. They found the three bodies, and
brought them to the surface. The bodies were
shockingly mutilated, and all recognition of the
form or features was quite impossible. They were
covered with M'Dougall's disinfecting powder, and
immediately coffined and placed in the shed erected
for the purpose. The drawing out of the water was
then resumed.

The inquest was held on Saturday night, by Mr.
T. Badger, coroner, at the offices of the company.
The first witness was John Warhurst, who proved
that he assisted to recover the bodies. He thought
one of them was the body of a young man named
Thomas Gray.
A young woman named Harfiet Gray was then
examined, and she deposed that her husband was
killed by the explosion. She ha I heard that one
of the bodies which had been recovered resembled
her husband, and she identified it as his by finding
a very large wart on the not of the thninel4 of the
left hand. Th 3 features were totally destroyed.
This evidence was confirmed by that of a brother of
the deceased, who identified a belt which was found
round the body.
A middle-aged woman named Catts was then exa-
mined—She stated that her husband, John Catts,
and her three sons, William, aged 19, John, aged
17, and Georges aged 16, had all perished in the
mine. She identified one of the bodies as being that
of her son William or George, and the identity was
made out in this way :—.A. short time before the ex-
plosion she was making a pair of corduroy trousers
for one of her sons, either George or William. They
were wanted in a hurry, and she was obliged to
leave one button-hole in the waistband unfinished.
On one of the bodies to-day was found a waistband
of this kind, and Mrs. Catts immed.ately recog;lised
it. She had no other means of identifying the b0.,!:,7
of her son, which was dreadfully disfigur,d. The
witness was very much affected whilst giving her
evidence.

The foreman of the jury, Mr. Johnson, submitted
that the identification which had taken place was
sufficient for all purposes. It was a matter of im-
mense importance that, as soon as thee poor crea-
tures were brought from the bottom of the mine,
they should be at once conveyed t 3 the graveyard,
so that no injury might arise to the people of the
district, or to those who may be engaged in reco-
vering the b.)dies. The jury did not want to shrink
from one iota of their duty, but they thought that
the viewing of each body would be totally unneces-
sary.
The Coroner said there must be other bodies re-
cognised ; and the identification of Gray Ntas not so
good that it would stand the test of a cross-exami-
nation if anybody were sent to trial for manslaugh-
ter. The committee expected finding some of the
bodies " high and dry" in the working, and of
course thoze could be easily identified by the rela-
tives. The disinfecting powder would be placed
upon the holies as soon as they wera got out, and
the jury would run no risk in viewing them.
In reply to a question. Mr. Galland, one of the
owners, said th t there was every probabdity that a
good many bodies which had been untouched by the
water would be got out this week.
The Foreman persisted that it was unnecessary
that the inspection should be insisted upon ; and he
said that if Sir G. Greyhad been applied to ie would
at once have relieved the jury from such a painful
task.

The Coroner—Sir G. Grey has no power to alter
the law.
The inquest was then adjourned to the 30th in-
stant.
On Thursday placards were issued stating that the
mine would be -explored on Monday (to-day), and
asking for volunteers to undertake the task of re-
covering the bodies. Thecall has been responded to
by a large number of first-class men of the adjacent
mines. It is intended to work the men in relays,
eace party to be under the guidance of two of the
engineers. No doubt is entertained that a large
number of the bodies will be recovered this week.

A REAL WIZARD IN Tnz NORTH.—It is reported that
Prince Albert, being about to visit Manchester to open
the Att Treasures Exhibition, expressed a desire to see
the Free Trade Hail, a place rendered famous by the
harangues of the great -hes-trade loaders. Manchester,
it is true, no longer delights to honour such men ; but
the wishes of his royal highness, and especially under
such circumstances, were regarded as paramount to every
other consideration, and it was determined to held a
grand dress concert in the buildine• on the evening of the
sth of May, at which the pence might be present. But
an unexpected obstacle presented itself, On inquiry, it
was found that the building had beea let for thee n
mof
tire
month to the Great Wizard of the North at the su
5001. Overtures were made to Mr. Anderson antnce to
gite up the ball for two nights, but he would sl listen
to them, though a handsome sum was tendered. 'The hall
was wanted the night before the concert for a rehearsal ;
and two nights would not be any great loss of ears 1
the wizard, but he was for a time infhlitle. Happily
his scruples have at length been overeome, and the con-
cert, which is fOr the benefit of these nfirmary, has tittn
announced. The concession has n made, but Mr.
Anderson appears to have caught the true commer4coiall.
spirit, and for relinquishing the ball it is understood that
the committee are to give him 300/., besides paying
to the owners of the ball, by whom he wider p released
from paymept to that amount under the terms of hie
agreement. He was master of the position, and seems
to have turned the advantage to the best possible ac-
count, The ordinary charge is 20/. per night.

"HORSE GUARDS, March 30, 1857.
"Sir,— The Court lately assembled for the purpose of
investigating the charges preferred againe. you by Lieut.-
General Beatson, of the Turkish army, having closed its
proceedings, and reported the same to the General Com-
manding-in-Chief, I have now the honour, by direction of
his Royal Highness, to transmit to you, for your informa-
tion, the accompanying copy of the opinion expressed by
the Court upon the various points laid down for its consi-
deration.—l have the honour to be, sir, your obedient
humble servant, (Signed) "C. YouK v.
"Colonel Shirley, &c., &c., United Service Club."

COPY OF THE CHARGES PREFERRED BY GENERAL BEATSON
AGAINST COLONEL SHIRLEY.
" That Colonel Shirley, without reasonable or probable
cause, made private inquiries at Shunola amongst the
officers and others of the corps formerly under General
Beatson's command, he being at the time to which these
inquiries referred a superior officer to Colonel Shirley.
"That he, equally without reasonable cause and with-
out the means of proving his statements, transmitted such
statements to General Vivian, which were highly dero-
gatory to General Beatson's character as an officer, and
which he must have known to be untrue; and was there-
fore guilty of wilfully slandering him.
" That he wilfully suppressed evidence which he had
received, and which was material to show that General
Beatson was not guilty of the acts which he (Colonel
Shirley) alleged against him."
The Court having read over the statement of
General Beatson and all the evidence offered, as
well as a otatement of Colonel Shirley, then read
the letter from the Deputy Judge-Advocate-Gene-
ral, dated 9th February, 1857, and proceeded to
give their opinion separately on each of the points
laid down in the concluding part of that letter :-
IST QUESTION. IST ANSWER.
Did Colonel Shirley make Colonel Shirley did make
any private inquiries at private inquiries at Shumla
Shumla among the officers and at Constantinople among
and others of the corps for- the officers of the corps for-
med under Major -General med under Major-General
Beatson's command respect- Beatson's command respect-
ing the conduct of Major- ing the conduct of Major-
General Beatson ? General Beatson, and also of
Mr. Skene, Civil Commis-
sioner to the Turkish Con-
tingent ; but these inquiries,
though private, were not
secret or underhand.
2D QUESTION. 2D ANSWER.
If so, did he do so with- Colonel Shirley had rea-
out reasonable or probable sonable cause for making the
cause ? inquiries referred to.
3D QUESTION. 3D ANSWER.
If he did make anch in- The reply to the preceding
quiries without reasonable or question renders an answer
probable cause, was Major- to this one unnecessary.
General Beatson a superior
officer to Colonel Shirley at
the time to which these in-
quiries referred ?
4TH QUESTION. 4TH ANSWER.
Did Colonel Shirley, with- Colonel Shirley did trans-
ont reasonable cause, trans- mit to General Vivian state-
mit to General Vivian state- meats highly derogatory to
monts highly derogatory to Major - General Beatson s
Major - General Beatson's character as an officer, and
character as an officer ? with reasonable cause ; but
the evidence he had received
was not, in theopinion of the
Court, so precise and full as
to warrant his making those
statements so strongly,
STH QUESTION. STH ANSWER.
Jf so, had Colonel Shirley Colonel Shirley had the
no means of proving such means, in the opinion of the
statements f Court, of obtaining further
evidence on the subject; but,
under the circumstances of
the case, and consiuring
General Beatson's rank, the
Court considers that it was
advisable that he should not
prosecute the inquiry further
than he did without instruc-
tions from his superior officer.
6TH QUESTION. 6111 ANSWER.
Must Col. Shirley have No.
known those statements to
have been untrue?
711 r QUESTION. 7TH ANSWER.
Did Col. Shirley willingly No. Col. Shirley framed
suppress any evidence which his report upon the corn-
he had received munications made to him
Tel Bally by the persons from
whom he obtained his infor-
mation, but did not forward
the particular evidence of
any of them.
BTH QUESTION. BTH ANSWER.
If so, was that suppressed The answer of the Court
evidence material to prove to the preceding question
that Major-General Beatson renders an answer to this
was not guilty of the acts one unnecessary.
which he (Colonel Shirley)
alleged against him?
The Court having answered all the questions on
the several points laid down in the Adjutant-Gene-
ral's letter of the 9th Feb., 1857, does further,
with reference to the Deputy Judge Advocate-
General's letter of the 25th Feb., 1857, record their
opinion, that there are no grounds whatever to
render it necessary to investigate the charges
brought by Major-General Beatson against Colonel
Shirley by a Court martial.
(Signed) C. CAMPBELL, Lt.-Gen. and President.
P. MONTGODIERIE, Major-General.
W. PAULET, Major-General.
D. A. CAMERON, Major-General.
.T. LAURENSON, Major-General.
H. J. HANCOCK, Major-General.
W. NORCOTT, Colonel.

MR. SCOTT RUSSELL'S GREAT STEAM-

SHIP.

The fcllowing letters have been addressed to the
editor of the Times :
Sir,—Your interesting observations on the great
ship now building, in my yard at Millwall, in your
leading article of this morning, have induced me
to beg the favour of your communicating to the
public some additional points of information, which
I have no doubt they will find interesting.
I hope you will pardon me for saying that your
mention of my name exclusively in connection with
that ship may be interpreted injuriously to the rights
of others who have largely shared in whatever
merits or responsibilities belong to the undertaking.
In justice, therefore, to my own feelings and to
their rights, I wish to communicate the following
facts : . _

My share of the merit and responsibility is that
of builder of the ship for the Eastern Steam Navi-
gation Company. I designed her lilies and con-
structed the iron hull of the ship, and am respon-
sible for her merits or defects as a piece of naval
architecture. I am equally responsible for the
paddlewheel engines of 1,000 horse-power, by which
she is to be propelled.
But Messrs. James Watt and Co., the eminent
engineers of Soho, have the entire merit of the de-
sign and construction of the engines of 1,500 horse-
power which are -to propel the screw.
It is, however, to the company's engine er, Mr.
I. K. Brunel, that the original conception is due of
building a steamship large enough to carry coals
sufficient for full steaming on the longest voyage.
He, at the outset, and lung .
. before had assumed
a mercantile form, communicated his views to me,
and I have participated in the contrivance of the
best means to carry them into practical effect. I
i
think, further, that the dea of using two sets of
engines and two propellers_ original, and was his
invention. Itwashis idea also to introduce a cel-
lular construction like
.that at tho top and bottom
of the Britannia-bridge into the construction of the
great ship; It will be seen that these are the great
characteristics which distinguish • this from other
ship 3, aud:these are Mr. Brunel's. Her lines and her
structure in other respects are identical with those
of my other ships, which are constructed like this
on a principle of my own, which I have systemati-
cally carried out during the last 20 years, and which
is commonly called the " wave" principle. In other
respects, also, her materials are put together in the
manner usual in my other ships.
I think, too, there are others whose names and
services in this matter the public should not forget
whenever the great ship is mentioned. The mer-
cantile difficulty appeared at the outset, and this
has proved itself since to be quite as great as the
mechanical difficulty of the undertaking. So un-
usual an enterprise could not have been carried out
without ability, enterprise, and prudence, to the
credit of which the board of directors, represented
by their chairman, Mr. H. T. Hope, and their
secretary, Mr. John Yates, are entitled in a high
degree. And there was one of thorn who bore the
burden and heat of the day, and at the outset of
this undertaking was one of its most able and zealous

'Sir,—The following is a comparison between the
size of Noah's Ark and the Great Eastern, bot'i
being considered in point of tonnage after the old
law for calculating the tonnage.
The sacred " cubit," as stated by Sir Isaac Now.
ton, is 20.625 English inches; by Bishop Wilkins,
at 21.88 inches. According to these authorities
the dimensions will Ile as follows :
Sir!. New- Bishop Great
ton. Wilkins. Eastern.
English Feet. English Feet. English Feet.
Lengthlystween
perpendiculars 515'62
Breadth
Depth
Keel, or length
for tonnage 461.08
Tonnage ac-
cording to
old law 18,231 58.91 ... 21,76150-94 ... 23,092 25.94
City April 18. X. Y. Z.

547.0
91.16
54.70

680.0
83.0
60'0

492.31

630.2