The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-02 00:00:00

EXCULPATORY EVIDENCE.

Mr. Crania& then called evidence fur Captain Hen-
dersc n:—

Captain William Johnstone, harbourmaster, Glasgow,
gave Captain Henderson an excellent character.
Captain John Boyd—lletircd about a year ago from
the command of the Admir:tl steamer, having been for
16 years previously on the Glasgow and Liverpool par-
sage. Captain Henderson joined about the time he left.
Witness bad no written -instructions when in command,
out he was not in the same company as Captain Hender-
qin. As captain, witness hail no particular watch. In
tine weather the first and second mate took watch. The
captain was /always on deck going down the Mersey.
when off the Mull of Galloway, when off the point of
Ayr, and generally when off the Cumbrae3, as also when
going up the Clyde. Was in the habit of retiring occa-
sionally for rest in good weather sfier passing the Mull,
end generally gave instructions to be called in case of
fog. The lifeboats were usually covered, and there were
plugs in all the boats. The hole was generally kept
open, as the covers did not keep out the rain. The pugs
were kept in a locker in the stern of the boat. and were
not fastened to the plug-hole. If ho saw Portpatriek
;ight on the starboard bow he would steer north. If the
light was two points and a half on the starboard bow the
course would be quite safe.
For the Crown—The vessel generally passed a qturtcr
of a mile off Dunteaa Head, and drew to within half a
mile of Pertpatrick as they proceeded. The captain and
Liverpool pilot hsd the responsibility of navigating. the
Mersey, and the captain and Gla,gow pilot' the Clyde.
Considered himself entitled to retire for four hours, or a
whole watch, for rest after passing the Mull, and was
gonera!ly called again when off the Cumbraes. If the
Mall was discovered with fog he would not go to sleep.
It was a very common thing for such fogs to come and
go in a short time. The life-boats hung inside, and
were seldom examined; perhaps not for eighteen months.
By the ConaT—Thei starboard or second watch was
generally called the captain's watch, but in point of fact
the captain took no more charge of this than any other.
He might occasionally look a little more narrowly into
it. If the second mate went wrong while in charge of
the vessel he would not consider himself responsible, for
he supposed the owners would be satisfied with the
competency of the roan.
Several other witnesses were called, who gave si-
milar evidence as to Captain Henderson's character and
abilities.

Captain Crawford, of the Princess Royal, plying be-
tween Glasgow and Liverpool, corroborated what Capt.
Boyd stated as to retiring during the second mate's
watch, and after passing the Mull.
Captain J. Dalz,ll, one of the first commanders of
steamers in Scotland, spoke to the excellence of the
Orion as a steamer. He had known vessels lest from the
deflection of the needle by local attraction. The Iron
Duke was lost on the coast of Kent from this cause,
when the rue die varied seven points.
George Langlands, first mate of the Orion, described
the nature of the passage from Liverpool. Ho gave up
his watch when two or three miles scuth of Dunman-
head. It was then quite clear, and the stars were shin-
ing. They were then coasting from a mile to three-
quarters. Left the deck a quarter before one o'clock.
Passed Dunman-head about half a mile, and they were
in a safe track. At the nearest they were not within
half a mile. The captain was on deck when the watch
was changed. Before rounding Cromart Point, bad he
been commanding, he would have brought the ship to
N. half W., and on clearing it, would go perhaps
direct north till he saw the land at Portpa,rick. Had
seen other boats a long way inshore of them in passing
Dunman-head.. It was the captain's practice to keep u
little to the west in passing this point. When he retired
there was nothing in the weather or the course to make
him apprehend any danger. It was difficult to launch
the lifeboats from the crowds of passengers that were
below when the vessel struck, but ran up immediately.
There was great confusion and alarm, and every one of
the boats was full, though hanging on the chocks. The
captain retained his composure, and did all he could
to save the passengers. He and witness were taken off
the mast-head last of all. Witness was in the royal
navy for some time. Had seen many life boats., but
never saw the plugs fastened.
By Mr. Penney—The mate in charge of the vessel
had the discretion of giving any course he thought pro-
per while on his watch, according to the tide, &c.
Witnesses were then called in favour of Williams.
It was proved that there were about eight tons of iron
on board.

Mr. Hatcher and Mr. Clark, of the Electric Telegraph
Company, stated that they had made experiments to
test the influence of iron on the compass, and found that
it was very considerable.
Captain Douglas, superintendent of the Clyde Navi-
gation Company, stated that no directions were given
by the company as to the regulations of the captain's
time of watch.
Several witnesses were examined as to character, and
with reference as to the launching of the boats of the
Orion.

The Solicitor-General then addressed the jury for
the Crown, and at 7 P.m. an adjournment took place
until Saturday.
SATURDAY.—The trial commenced to-day at 9 o'clock
A.M., and finished at 7 o'clock not.
Mr. Craufurd, advocate, addressed the jury at great
length for the master of the Orion steamer, Thomas
llenderson.
The LORD JUSTICE CLERK then summed up, when
the jury retired for about half-an-hour, and returned
into court with a verdict, finding, by a majority, Thomas
Henderson (the captain) Guilty of culpable neglect of
duty, and John Williams (the second [nue) unanimously
Guilty.
The LORD JUSTICE CLERK then, in an impressive
address, sentenced John the second mate, to
seven years' transportation, and Theina3 Henderson; the
captain, to 18 months' imprisonment.

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Sold by all vendor, Jf medicines, and at Professor Holloway's
Establishment, 244, Strand, London.

LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAILWAY. - The
divh'end of this company fur the past half-year has been
fixed at the rate of two per cent. rer annum, with a consi-
derable tarplw. • -