The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-14 00:00:00

FATAL COLLISION AT SEA.

The Dublin Evening Post of Thursday contains the
following:-
I)llring the heavy gales last night a deplorable acci-
dent occurred in the river Mersey, at Liverpool, b.)
-which it is apprehended three or four persons have lost
their lives. The Iron Duke steamer, with the mails on
board for Kingstown, had just left the pier, and, while,
proceeding slowly down the river, came in contact with
a boat which appeared to have three or four persons on
board. The night was very dark, and although a shall
look-out was kept on board the steamer, nothing was seen
ahead until the boat was within a short distance.

The following account of the accident was drawn up
by the passengers on board :
" Wednesday Evening, Oct. 9, 1844.
on board the Iron Duke.

"After leaving George's Pier this evening, for Kings
town, having come down slowly by the docks, and just
after havivg passed the Iron Ship Building-yard—thi
captain being on the stage keeping a 100k-out, and one
man on each paddle-box, with, certainly, more than two
men looking out on the forecastle, several passengers being
at the time about the stage in front of the chimney, the
night dark and blowing hard—a cry was passed from tht
forecastle, A boat right ahead.' Immediately the word.
" Stop her—back her,' was given by the captain, which was
at once attended to ; but the boat having been so clos,
under the ship before she was seen, from the darkness of
th© night, had not time to clear her, and, while the en-
gines were in the act of being stopped, the boat was run
an by the steamer and swamped, having been struck by
ithe larboard paddle. The ship was at once stopped.
blue-lights were burned, life-buoys were thrown over.
and the boat lowered, with a crew, who went to look fur
and render assistance to the unfortunate people who had
been in the boat ; but, after searching about for a ion,:
time (fully three quarters of an hour), were obliged tt
return without having been able to discover any trace
,either of the men or the boat.

" We, the passengers, who were on board the Iron
Duke, and on deck at the time of this accident, cannot
for a moment hesitate giving our testimony as to the
watchfulness of the look-out kept by Captain William,
and his men on this distressing occasion, and are firmly
of opinion that every care was taken to avoid such an
accident, and that on the boat being seen (she having no
light to show), everything possible was done to avert the

Wright Willett, Clerk. !Peter M'Donnell.
11. R. Brophy, Clerk, M.A. Jame 3 Sterling (standing at
John Wrer.r. the time on the larboard
Isaac Holmes. paddle-box).

John Andreviii.
George Wa 1.
K. M.K.enzie.

liiiitthew John Corey.
John Wright.
B. 3PG ouran."

ENCROACHMENTS ON THE REQENT'S-PARK.—On
Saturday, at a very numerous meeting of the vestry of
St. Marylebone, for the purpose of considering what
steps should be taken with -respect to recent inclostires
which have been made of portions of the Reebent's-park,
it was agreed, on the motion of the Rev. Dr. Fellow es.
that a memorial should be presented to the Commissioner,
)f Woods and Forests, representing " that a part of the
Regent's-park, in one of the green slips adjoining the
ground attached to Hanover Lodge, has been inclosed
with an iron wire fence, and thus takenl from the public
use ; and that the green slips which lay to the nor.'„ 01
the park, between the canal and the road of
'ne outer
sircle, are snore prized by the public in 'general for the
aural scenery which they exhibit, rend for the shad)
walks which they afford, particularly during the hot
summer neeiths. Your memorialists, therefore, setting
the highest value on these slips, are greatly grieved to
see ore of them fenced in, and abstracted from the pub
idvaiefit."
HAMPSTEAD-HEATH.—The inhabitants of Hamp-
stead, who have been long threatened by Sir Thoma
Maryon "Wilson the lord of the manor, with having
their beautiful heath encircled w;th "squares, streets.
and courts," and for an Act to enable him to effect which
tzit Thomas has petitioned Parliament, at intervals, eve
since the year 1829, have been in much consternation
luring the past week, upwards of eighty workmen
laving been employed in levelling the fences between
the various fields belonging to Sir Thomas between the
Vale of ILalth and Highgate. On Saturday Sir Thomas
rommenced operations on the heath itself, which, as th(
copyholders have rights of common, arid other valuable
lights there'll, may still it is hoped, be preserved to the
public by the committee of copyholders. Sir Thomas's
!property immediately adjoins Caen-wood, the grounds
of which will be commanded by the intended cemetery.
'flee Committee of copyholders will, it is supposed, call
meeting of the copyholders as early as possible, inti-
mation vins -aireauy been given to Sir Thomas, that
the copyholders dispute his right to interfere with the
heath, Watch, in his recent applications to Parliament,
tte 'has always professed he had no intention of doing.
PUBLIC WALKS, PARKS, Re.—We are glad to find
fresh proofs of the general interest manifested in this
vxcellent object, in the rapidly augmenting subscription,
list, which, since the last list was advertised, has been
increa,;ed by about 1,7801., and now amounts to nearly
22,5004 The most recent subscriptions include a hand-
some donation by Mr. W. Atkinson, of 500/., and ont
at v 501., by our representative, Mr. Milner Gibson,
M.P. There are also several liberal subscriptions front
a distance, from parties thus gracefully acknowledging
and maintaining their connexion with the town. Mr.
J. Thompson, of Primrose, Clitheroe, has given 100/
Amongst the supporters of the measure in the clergy of
the Establishment, it gives us pleasure to see the names
of two of the canons of Manchester, the Rev. C. D. Wray
and the Rev. R. C. Clifton, for 25/. each. There is
another class of subscriptions, of which, as yet, we have
2nly the commencement, but which have a peculiar
value, as the contributions of the working-classes them-
selves. The subscriptions are by far the most significant
and decisive answer that can be given to those who
Object, that when parks are provided, the people will not
use them. Few will suppose this likely, when they find
that the workmen in a calico-printing concern (that of
Messrs. Thomas Hoyle and Sons) have subscribed 67/.
add ; and those of a machine-making establishment (that
al Messrs. Sharp, Brothers, and Co.), upwards of 501.,
in aid of the. fund for public walks and parks. If these
are not satisfactory proofs of the earnest approbation and
mrdial support of those for whom these parks are mainly
treel'ed, we know not where to seek them.—Manchester
uardiall.

The Collingwood, 80, flag of Rear-Admiral Sir G.
J.'. Seymour, arrived at Madeira on the 18th ult.
at ten
.) dock in the evening, all well. She performied the
voyage from Spithead in beautiful style, and so steady
that even the ladies on board experienced no inconveni-
ence from the voyage. Apprehensions were entertained
that if they were at sea lung water would be scarce on
),Hard, as her hold was discovered to. be less moray- for
stowing than was imagined when she was victualled.
512 e was expected to leave for Rio de Janeiro, en route
ic,Valpareiso, the next day.—Hampshire Advertiser.