The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-13 00:00:00

GREAT EIGHT-OARED CUTTER

MATCH-SATURDAY.
OXFORD V. CAMBRIDGE.

This contest, which has excited so much interest,
not only among the members of the respective Uni-
versities, but also with the boat-clubs and aquatic
amateurs generally, took place on Saturday, and a
more brilliant affair it has seldom been our lot to wit-
ness. Shortly after one o'clock the river presented a
gay and animated appearance, and several gal-
leys, with their coxswains in gay attire, being
in the neighbourhood of Westminster-bridge,
showed that the above match had caused an
excitement amongst the elite of the boat-clubs, not
usually witnessed now-a-days, and proved that it is
only necessary to announce a match, which has the
appearance of honesty about it, to call forward in full
vigour that interest in boat-racing, which has of late
appeared almost dormant.
By two o'clock there were hundreds of boats, from
the plebeian punt to the aristocratic cutter, issuing
from the yards of the several builders on the Surrey
side ; nor were there wanting steamers, with their
display of female beauty, to enliven that which was
to be, indeed, a stirring scene to the lovers of this
popular, fashionable, and manly amusement. The
betting had been .5 and 6 to 4 on the Cantabs,
almost throughout, although the Oxonians were not
wanting in friends to take the odds, and, at last, to
lay even. How far this was justified, the result of the
match will best tell. Although two of the Oxonians
had been prevented from rowing by the Heads of their
respective Colleges, substitutes were not long want-
ing, although such an interference must have operated
prejudicially to a crew, which had been practising
together for some months before. Shortly before
four, the appearance of the purple blades making to-
wards Westminster-bridge, indicated that the hour
of trial had arrived, and that the Oxford crew were
eager for their work. The general move of
the steamers upwards, together with such other boats
as required a mile or two the start, to enable them to
see the finish of the match, proved that it would not
be an easy task to keep up with the wager even with
this advantage.
The light-blue boat, with white oars (Cambridge's)
dashed gallantly through the bridge, against tide,
and soon rounded the pier, and took their station on
the Surrey shore, and in a very few seconds, both
crews were in rowing trim, and it would be difficult
to find two crews more evenly matched, or a similar
number of well-grown men.

At eighteen minutes to four the start took place,
the Oxonians taking the lead, but in a few seconds
were passed by the Cantabs. The advantage was
merely temporary, for the Oxonians again went by them
at the llorseferry in gallant style, and at the Cadogan
pier they were at least six boats length in advance,
which, however, was triflingly diminished at Batter-
sea-bridge. Off the Red-house the Cantabs drew on,
but were soon tired of the sport, and dropped still
further astern. At Broome House-lane the
Oxonians were full three boats-length before the
Cantabs, who in a short time after pained a little,
but very trifling. The Oxonians went through
Putney-bridge exactly 15 seconds a head, and they were
exactly thirty minutes and three-quarters rowing the
distance. It was a splendid match.

WEST INDIES.

The Dee steamer, from the West Indies, arrived at Falmouth
on Thursday, at noon ; from Havana, Alay 1l ; Nassau, 20 ;
Bermuda, 25 ; Fayal, June 3. Passengers home 34 in burn..
ber, amongst whom are Lieut.-Colonel. Falls. D. A. G.. from
Barbadoes, and his lady ; Lieut. Gardner, R.N., late of the
Medina; Lieut. Keasly, R. 1., Dick, Esq., and lady,
Mons. Rennay, all wrecked in the Medina, West India steamer,
of which sad catastrophe we subjoin the following account. The
Dee brought no freight, and has not a Mexican or New Orleans
mail.

LOSS OF THE ROYAL MAIL COMPANY'S STEAM-
SHIP MEDINA.
(From the Nassau Royal Gazette.)
By the arrival of the royal mail-packet Sansoner Larne, we
have learnt the disastrous fate which has befallen the Com-
pany's steamer Abet:lla,, at Turk's Island, on the 11th May.
As the• communication of Lieut.-Colonel Falls. Deputy Ad-
jutant-General in the Windward and Leeward Islands, and
one or twe accompanying documents, are now published, which
give the particulars of the sad accident, it is very gratifying to
know that this loss has not been attended with that of life alai
limb. Captain Burney, with his officers, remained at the
wreck in order to effect the saving of every thing that may be
practicable. Amon.; the passergers on board the Medina when
wrecked were the Earl of Elgin, his lady, and Lady Charlotte
Bruce, Lieut.-Colonel Falls, D.A. G., Commodore Byng, Cap-
tain Paget, R.N., J. J. Crawford, Esq., her Majesty's Consul
for Havana, together with several other passengers.
" TO THE EPIToR OF THE ROYAL GAZETTE.
" Sir,—Nassau being the point fro, which the most imme-
diate and direct communication can be made as to the fate of
the passengers and crew of the West India steam-vessel Me-
dina, which was wrecked on a reef of rocks on thurscliy morn-
ing, the 12th inst., to the east end of Turks Island, striking at
one o'clock, A.m., I have accordingly prepared the tollowing
brief statement for insertion in your yin, nal, as I consider it
the most certain mode of putting the relations and friends of
the passengers and crew in possession of the material circum-
stances connected with the wreck of this splendid vessel, as well
as the destruction of property to an enormous amount.
" In the first place, by the mercy of the Almighty, not a life
has been lost, nor have any serious injuries been received by
the passengers or crew.
•' The baggage has, in a great portion, been recovered by the
exertions of the crew of the Medina, as well as by the activity
and the rapid assistance offered .by Captain Resterick, of the
contract West India schooner Larne, in receiving all baggage
on board when conveyed to his vessel.
" To the shore boats, under the judicious order of Mr. Mis•
sick, of Turks Island, we are also much indebted, not only as
far as concerned the baggage, but in the immediate and rapid
removal of the women and children from the wreck when the
uncertainty existed as to the vessel keeping her position when
apprehensions were entertained of her capsizing.
" I have not the least doubt that when this matter comes to
be inquired into, the exertions of the following officers will
be fully appreciated by the Chairman and Directors of the
Royal Mail Company—viz., Lieutenant. Gardiner, R. IN., Ad-
miralty agent; Mr. Wensyss, fist officer, late of H.M.S.,
Seringapatam ; Mr. Burke. late of Cunard's line of,steamers ;
and Air. Hedger, third officer ; Mr. Thomson, engineer ; Mrs
Brown, purser.
" When the vessel settled down and got firmly embedded
across the reef which runs at right angles with her keel, arid
which could be perceived by the whole frame of the heavy
steam machinery being forced up about seven or eight inches,
the mercy of Providence was clearly shown ; and that
there was a prospect of the loss of life being very trifling in
comparison to what would have been the result had she lain in
an oblique position on the said reef, or parallel to it, in which
ease she might have been capsized by the heaving of the sea,
and as heavy articles of every description were loose upon the
deck, amongst the rest 229 iron Jars of quicksilver, each
weighing from 90 to 1001bs., and to have been disernbalkifd ttt
the first, owing to their great value, as well as chains, spars,
&c., almost all loose, the cabin doors broken open, and open-
ing and shutting with the greatest violence every time the sea
struck her, had she capsized, 179 persons (150 men, 15 women,
and 14 children) would in all probability have been drowned
or crushed to death, the water being deep on all sides of the
reef. A message was delivered in my presence to Captain
Burney by Lieutenant Davis, Admiralty agent of the T weed,
that Lieutenant Ke Aley, R.N.. on leave of absence from the
Tweed, begged to offer his services to do all that lay in his
power on board the Medina, which were gladly accepted, and
were very efficient.

"On illy reaching the Larne schooner I learned tt.at the
passengers for Jamaica were ordered to the Tweed, those for
England to the schooner Larne.

" I am happy to say his Excellency the Earl of Elgin with
his Lady and Lady Charlotte Bruce were ultimately removed
to the Tweed, they having embarked f:om the 111.chna and
reached the schooner Larne with nothing but his Lordship's
despatches.

The detachment of the 2d West India Regiment, stationed
at Turks ',land, under the command of Lieutenant Howell,
were most active and useful.

" ► he passengers, who ve to go to England, of the Medina,
when wrecked, are Robert Dick, Esq., of the Island of Trini-
dad, with his family : Monsieur Iterinay, a resident of St.
Thomas, but a native of Bordeaux; a Al. Harraz;owitz, a Polish
gentleman lately from La Guayra ; these gentlemen are ready
to express their entire satisfaction at the ample attendance and
obliging conduct of all the authorities on board the Medina and
Larne, which must be gratifying to any person interested in
the welfare of this establishment, Po desirable to be entertained
uninterrupted, not only by the colonies of Great Britain but
by those of the States.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your
most obedient humble servant,

" T. FALLS, Lieut.-Col.
" Deputy Adj,-Gen. in the Leeward and Windward Islands,
" 111ay 19."

(Copy ) 13.
" The Tweed Steamer, off Turks Island, May 13.
" Dear Sir—We the undersigned passengers on board the
Medina, while assuring you of our extreme grief at the melan-
choly catastrophe in which the voyage has terminated, are
desirous to record in writing our perfeeteonviet'on of your zeal
in the performance of the duties in which you were engaged, as
well as to express our sense of your unvarying attention to the
comforts of your passengers during the voyage.
"It must be a source of gratification to you and to your
officers, that by your united exertions this calamity has been
attended with no lnas of life, and that so many lives and so
much valuable pr-,,perty has been saved.
We feel confident tha:. the Company will appreciate the
manner in which you have carried out their orders, and the
anxiety you have ever displayed since we have been on board
the Medina for the furtherance of the public service in which
you are engaged.—We are, with sentiments of esteem, dear
Sir, your most obedient servants,
" ELGIN and KINCARDINE,
Captain Burney, T. Rene,
Her ry Dilkey, Robert Dick,
Joseph J. Crawford, Consul- Byng, Commodore,
General, Robert Smith,
John Paget, Commanding, R.N. Baltazan Menendez,
N. H. Nugent, James Yorke,
Edward Bryan, 11. I. J. Boydes,
Alexander Cumming, James Dunlop,
Patterson, R. N., James Crawford,
J. L. M'Gregor, 3. de. Become,
A. M. Gurnuaya, Otta 1-larrazsowitz,
Francis Al' Vicar, B. A. Franklin."
P. A. H. Nugent,
On the 7th of May a severe shock of art earthquake was felt
at Turks Island. On beard the steamer Tweed, off St.
Domingo, it was also felt at the same time. It was supposed
the ship had struck on a rove, the shock was so violent.
Captain Beresford, of the Rifle Briglile, at Bermuda, had
obtained leave for four months to travel in the United States ;
also Captain Lawrence, Lieutenants Dundas and Lloyd, of the
same corps, departed te‘gether for the same destination. A
good many privates of the same were ill of fever, but not dan-
gerously, since the hot weather set in. A good many coil
and other vessels had come to St. George's in consequeoee of
the steamers touching there.
Sir Charles Metcalfe intended to leave his residency for Eng-
land in her Majesty's ship Vestal, Captain Parker, which ves-
sel was at Kingston preparing.
, Sir Francis Cockburn, Governor of Nassau, left that island
I Tor England on the 18th of May, on board the schooner Wil•
ham Forster.

The Medway steamer arrived at Nassau from New York on
the rught of the sth of May, and sailed next day for Havanuah.
Her Alajesty's steamer Hydra, Commander Murray, had ar-
rived at Port Royal in four days from Belize, Honduras, bring-
ing the Lord Bishop and suite. We understand that the Ad-
miral, with a part of the fleet, was at that port.
THE SILK Costr .—We understand'that a very beaoti-
ful sample of silk, weighing several pounds, has been brought
to town from the estabtishment its ht. Ann's, by Mr. Whit-
marsh. It is ecnsiderted to be of very fine quality, and we re-
fer those curious in vich matters to the office of Messrs. Barnet
and Walker, where it may be seen
WRECK. OF THE BRIG ELLEN SYMERS, OF
DUNDEE
On the Bth of May, the weather being particularly fine, the
brig Ellett Synaers, of Dundee, wi h sugar, in going out of
Havana karbour, got on the rock opposite the Moro Fort in a
most nnaccountable manner, and became a total wreck. The
Vaster reported very shortly after that his vessel was going all
ro pieces, and it would not be possible to save anything ; how-
ever, the circumstance being made known on boa-d the Illus-
trious, 72, Sir Charles Adam's flag-ship, the boats were in-
stantly prepared, and active officers to command, and a very
great proportion of the cargo was saved. The brig, so far from
going to pieces, was quite entire to all appearance when the
Dee left.

The dates from Jamaica are to the 7th ult. The Chamber
of Deputies at Port-au-Prince were still in a state of siege by
the forces of the President, who is considered likely to carry
his despotic measures.
Some delay has again been sustained by the Royal Steam
Company on landing the mails at St. Jago de Cuba. The
Spanish Government claims that they should be taken imme-
diately to the Post-office, and not to the British Consul. Mr.
Clarke, her Majesty's. Consul, opposed this, as directly con.
trary to his instructions—his duty being to verity all that may
be transmitted in the mails, and then to forward them to the
Post. office. The point is not yet set tied—and the mails were
landed in charge of the Consul's agent; who gave the mail
agent a receipt for the same. It remains to be seen whether
the Government would seize them from his possession, as he
.had taken them to the Consulate-office.
The jealousy of the Cuba Government is on the increase;
they appear, by their conduct to distrust all strangers.
CUBA SLAVE SUOAa.—A sample of excellent. Muscovado
sugar was seen at St. Jago, which had sold for l doll., or 6s.
per 1001bs. Spanish ; and another sample for 7s. We are
afraid it is quite imp, ssible for our Jamaica planters ever to
compete with such rates.
The congratulations of the friends of Jamaica will be sincere,
on learning the following result., as gleaned from acornmuni.
cation of Nis% Phillips, of London, to the authorities at Ja-
maica, relative to the copper ore raised at. that island
" The tix samples of copper ore from Jamaica contained
in the larger box have been analysed. When I received them
they were merely marked 1,1, 1, and 2, '2, 2 ; for the sake,
however, of better identifying them I have now marked them
as under, in addition, as you as ill observe, to the original
marks.
" As the samples in the small box were not marked, and are
in very small pieces, I did not think it worth while to analyse
them, -although some of them exhibit very favourable appear-
ances.
s• As the eopper. ore of Cornwall averages only about eight
per cent., it s evident that the Jamaica ores are, extremely
productive, and must be very valuable, provided they can be
raised in sufficient quantity and not at too great an expense.
—I have, &c. (Signed) "R. PHILLIPS.
" George Hope, Esq."

ANALYSIS.
Al. 27 per rent. copper A 2. 20 per cent. copper
B 1.2.5. 4. do. do. 82. 23. do. do.
-C 1. 29. 5. do. do. C 2.34 8. do. do.
"No subjects give us so much pleasure to allude to in our
columns as those which, whilst they open new resources of
prosperity to the country, bid fair at the same time to justify
all reasonable hopes of their success.
"KINGSTON MARKETS. —Hhds dark sugar were sold ye).
terday. at 225. to 235. per ICOlbs, by Messrs. L. Gibson and
Co. ; hhds fair ditto, at 28s per 100!bs. ; tierces inferior Lotr.e at
725. to 925. per loolbs ; firstquality at 102 s. per ditto, by Messrs
Darrell and Barclay."
There being no Mexican mails by this arrival, or New Or-
leans, we are without almi•st any news of interest, the next from
Mexico being anxiously looked for.
LATE AND IMPOR I'ANT FROM MEXICO.
(From the New Orleans Picayune, April 19. )
The schooner Virginia Antoinette arrived here yesterday
from Vera Cruz. By passengers in this vessel we have bees