The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-21 00:00:00

BER.

LOSS OF AN EXCURSION
STEAMER.

On Monday last (the IGth iestant) the Superb
steamer was to have started from St. Hehers on an
excursion trip to St. Malo, but, in consequence of her
machinery requiring some repairs, the La Polka was
substituted, and started with between thirty and forty
passengers. When about six or seven miles from St.
HeHers it was discovered, to ti2e great horror of all
on board, that she had sprung a leak, and was fast
foundering, but that, in consequence of the wind be-
ing adverse, it would he useless to turn back, as be-
fore she could have performed half the distance she
would be at the bottom of the ocean ; in this strait
existed but one chance—that of reaching some small
rocks called the Minques, on the coast of France, and
which were then about six miles a head. Every pre-
caution was immediately taken to keep her afloat till
the rocks were gained. The passengers and luggage
were collected on the starboard bow, in order that
the larboard side might be kept as much as pos-
sible out of water, that being the locale of the
leak, the engines we re worked as fast as possible,
a small sail was set, and the crew, assisted by some
of the passengers, betock themselves to the most
vigorous exertions in baling with buckets, there be-
ing no pumps on board. The consternation was
great, there being but very small hopes that the rocks
could be gained, and from the heavy swell which pre-
vailed, and the little way she made, it was feared she
would capsize. When she was about two miles from
the rocks an immense cloud of steam and ashes an-
nounced the fact that the water had reached the
fires; all hope was now abasduned, and planks and
other modes of keeping sfluat were eagerly sought
for, but to the surprise of all, it was perceived that
the paddles still kept slowly revolving (the engine
working, it was afterwards ascertained, upon a va-
cuum). The baling was now continued with re-
newed exertion till the buckets, three in number,
were literally knocked to pieces, and the vessel was
ultimately brought up to within a quarter of a mile
of the largest rock. The anchor was immediately
dropped, and two small boats which the vessel pos-
sessed instantly lowered. To the great credit of
all, the utmost order prevailed, the ladies were
sent off first, and not a man thought of leaving
the vessel till they were all cleared, with the
exception of one Frenchman, who endeavoured
to get among the first boat load of women, but
was instantly seized by the other passengers, and
forced to wait. By reason of the smallness of the
boats, only four could be taken off at a tithe, and, as
may be imagined, all eyes were strained eagerly
watching their slow going and coming; at last, under
the providence of God, all were saved, the last boat
pushing off as the ill-fated vessel went down, the .
(
water covering her masthead. After passing a dismal
night on the bare rocks, the passengers were picked
up by the steam-boat South-Western, from Wey-
mouth for St. Mato, the captain having luckily per-
ceived through his glass something unusual in the
appearance of the rocks, and imagining that it might
be a wreck, steered for them, to the great joy of those
who were upon them, as it was only by reason of 'a
spring tide that the South-Western was enabled to
come within sight that day, and if they had not been
perceived the chances were that they would have re-
mained for a very considerable period, as, from the
very dangerous nature of these rocks, vessels seldom
even approach them. Limpets, &c., were already their
only articles of food, and the want of water had began
to be felt.

WITCHCRAFT IN TIPPERARY.
The following most extraordinary instance of Irish
superstition has just occurred in the town of Roscrea.
The facts are as follows :—A poor little girl, aged
six years, named Mary Anne Kelly, daughter of
Thomas Kelly, a resident of this town, has been for
six months past in a dying state, under the care of
the dispensary physician. An old hag, who pro-
fessed to be one of those rare characters a " fairy
woman," persuaded the parents of the child that it was
" fairy struck," and offered to cure her if they would
comply with her directions. To these terms they
agreed. The child was to be placed on a shovel at
night in the open air, in the name of the D—l, after
having a prayer or invocation in the same name said
over it. In the course of the night the mother was
to say to her, " Mary Anne, if you are able to come
in, do so." This was done for three nights in sue.
cession, on the last of which the child died, a victim
to the credulity of its father and mother. While
enduring the cold of the nights the cries of the little
sufferer were most piteous ; and who can but wonder
that a woman, and that woman a mother, should not
be softened by the distressing cries of the child of
her bosom, who was an idiot, had been born blind,
and, although six years of age, had never walked ?
On Sunday last Mr. O'Aleagher, coroner, held an
inquest on the body of the child. Tne following per-
sons were sworn on the jury, namely, John Delany
(foreman), W. Corcoran, Michael Doherty, Patrick
Cahill, Richard Quin, Thomas Healey, John Cor-
coran, Jeremiah Maher, W. Saunders, Joseph Glen-
non, James Phelan, jun., and Solomon B. Matthews.
idget P.ters, the " fairy doctress," and Mary
Kelly, the mother of the deceased, were present in the
custody of the police.
The tir3t witness produced was Mary Maher, who
stated that the "fairy woman " administered herbs
in milk to the child, and said that it did not belong
to Mary Kelly, as it was a fairy. Mary Kell)'s
own child she represeuted as having been taken away
by the "good people ;" she also stated that she would
either "kill or cure" the child. She blistered the
child, and steeped it in water, after which she put the
child out en the shovel in the air for three nights.
The child cried and called to its mother to bring her
in. The " fairy woman" used to say to the child,
" Mary Anne, get up and come in." The mother
and she helped the child in. The "doctress" said
that on the last night the child would be very black
as there would be some faries beating it ; and that
she would tither live or die after it. The witness
also added, that " the witch" had been in the house of
the mother of the child for several wetks for the pur-
pose, and that she heard Mary Kelly, the mother, say
to the doctress, "Why don't you do it quick ?" On
the third night the witness, who was a servant in the
house, was ordered to put out the child on a shovel,
aid, having refused to do so, she was discharged.
Another woman, named Mary Whitford, deposed
that she heard Bridget Peters, "the fairy woman,"
say that she had stupified the child three times, and
had given her verbena and foxglove.
Surgeon Po‘l ell deposed that he knew the deceased
child, who had an affection of the brain and was very
delicate. He was of opinion that death was caused
by the treatment of Bridget Peters and Miry Kelly.
The Coroner charged the jury, who returned a
verdict of " Manslaughter" against both prisoners,
who were then committed to gaol to abide their trial
at the next assizes at Nenagh.

Tome years since the master tailor of a battalion of
de Foreign Legion and his wife and child were found mur-
dered in their bed in the barracks at Pau. Two sub-officers
of the regiment were tried for murder, one of whom was ac-
quitted, and the other, notwithstanding his protestations of
innocence; condemned and executed. An old Cantinie of the
regiment, has lately, it is said, made some revelations on her
death-bed relative to the said murder, which completely
prove .the innocence of the sergent who was executed, and
seriously compromise other individuals.

CHAMPIONSIIIP Or 'run TnAMES.—A match has
been made for a boat-race between Robert Coombes, the pre-
sent Champion of the Thames, and Thomas Mackenny, of
Richmond, who aspires to that honorary distinction. The
conditions of the race are a clear right away wager (no
fouling) from Putney.bridge to the Ship at Mortlake, for
2011. aside, and in order that the most ample opportunity
may be Laois' d for requisite prepartion for this great event,
next May has been determined upon as the period at which
the contest shall take place. 59/. has already been posted
on either side, and deposits will be made on the first Monday
in every month at various places until the whole amount is
made good. It is difficult to say which of the two men has
the preference. Coombes, although many years the cham-
pion, has always taken great care c f himself, but his oppo-
nent has the great advantage of being many -ears his junior,
and although he has rowed but little compared with Coombes,
has acquitted himself so ably. and exhibited so much game,
as to induce his friends to back him for the above large
stake.

DEPARTURE Or LIBUTENANT-GENERAL SIR W.
M. Gomm, K.C.8., yon INDIA.—We understand that Lieu-
tenant-General Sir W. M. Gomm, K.C.8., the newly ap-
pointed Commander-in-Chief of the forces in the East Indies,
had intended to have left London for Alexandria, vici Mar-
seilles, this week, to assume the high duties he is appointed
to in India, accompanied by Lady Gomm, and his secretary,
Captain Yates. The Gallant General leaves this country in
the course of the ensuing week, but the precise day is not
yet decided on. It has not transpired who is to be the com-
mander of the Indian army at Bombay, to which Sir W.
Gomm was appointed previous to the receipt cf Sir Charles
J. Napier's resignation by the East India Company.
INDISPOSITION OF LORD COCKBURN.—We hear
that this Learned Lord was so indisposed at Dumfries, en
Monday, that he intimated his inability to proceed with the
business of the Circuit Court, which was appointed to com-
mence on Tuesday morning.— Caledonian Mercury.
THE BISHOP OF OXFORD'S FAMILY. -- Of the
members of this family the following ex-transi ionists have
gone to Rome:—The -Rev. G. Dudley Rider, married to his
sister-in- law ; Mrs. Ryder, his sister-in •law ; Mrs. William
Wilberforce, another ; Mrs. Henry Wilberforee,
another sister-in-law; the Bev. Henry Wilberforce, •a •
brother.—Church and Stale Gaze te.

NOTHING LIKE LEATIIER.—We have seen a sum-
pie of potatoes grown by Mr. Verner, shoemaker, in a garden
in the Barnfield, three of which, our informant says, weighed
lour poun s six ounces. The ground was dressed with lea-
ther cuttings.— 'Piston Times.

Abuse it tLe penalty h-vied on the bond of praise,
and can be rendered effective only when noticed. - Eliza
Cook's Journal.

TUE STtPUENSON TFSTIMONIAL.—A movement is
now making for the erection of a national monument at New-
castle to the late George Stephenson, "the father of rsilwa) s."
rADVERTINEMENT.j—THE EARL OF -ALDBOROUCH
AND Ilor.toway's Purrs.—An astounding cure by this miraculotui medicine, alter every other means had failed. See extract from his
Lordship's letter, dated " Villa Messina, Leghorn, Feb. 21, 1845.
Professor Holloway—Sir I beg to acquaint you that your pills have ef-
fected a cure of a disorder in my liver and stomach which all the most
eminent of the faculty, at home and all over the continent, had not
been able to effect; nay, not ever the waters of Carlsbad or Ma-
!limbed. (Signed) " Aumosonon." These wonderful pills will
cure any disease of the liver or stomach.—Sold (also Holloway's
Ointment) at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, SWIM, gat
Macias ytar49o Woulkut sittlissa woftli