The Sun.
London, England, 1827-05-21 00:00:00

ADDRESS.

May it please your Royal Highness,
We, the Mayor, Jurats, and Commonalty of the Town
and Port of Sandwich, in Common Hall assembled, ap-
proach your Royal Highness, with the respectful and sincere
tribute of connatulation, upon the restoration of the ancient
dignity and Office ot Lord High Admiral, with which his
Majesty, our most gracious Sovereign, has been pleased to
invest your Royal Highness.
A station of the highest public trust and national im-
portance, as it regards the Prerogative of the Crown ;
the security of the Realm with its Dependencies ;—the
Naval Ascendancy, and the Commercial Prosperity of the
Country.
In common with the feelings that pervade our fellow-
subjects, we look forward, with confidence, to the fulfilment
of the duties of this high and honourable office, under the
auspices of that illustrious Prince, whose life has been,sle-
voted to his Country's service.
It is, with these sentiments of loyalty to the dynasty of
the Brunswick line of our Kings, and of inviolable at-
tachment to the Constitution of our Country, that we
testify our ardent desire for the happiness of so illustrious
a Prince.

Given under our. Common Seal this 10th day
of May, 1827.

Gentlemen,

ANSWER.

I receive with real satisfaction your congratulations on
my appointment, by our most gracious Sovereign, to the
office of Lord High Admiral, which imposes on me duties
of the highest public and national importance, and imme-
diately connected with the Naval Ascendancy and the Corn-•
mercial prosperity of the country.
trust my conduct will be of that nature so as to merit
the approbation of my fellow-subjects, and to prove the
efficacy of my regular education in the Naval Service of
Great Britain.

I feel most sensibly your expressions of attachment of
loyalty and duty towards the King, and of your veneration
for the Constitution of our Country, and accept most grate-
fully your wishes, for my happiness and welfare.
WILLIAM HENRY.
Admiralty, May 18, 1827.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

NOTICES OF MOTIONS, AND ORDERS OF THE DAY, WHICH
STAND IN THE ORDER.-BOOK FOR THE PRESENT WERE.
MONDAY, MAY 21.-ORDERS OF THE DAY.
1. Larceny Laws Consolidation Bill-Further considera-
tion of Report.
2. Remedies against the Hundred Bill-Further consider-
ation of Report.
3. Malicious Injuries Bill-Further consideration of Re.
port.
4. Larceny Laws Repeal Bill-. Further consideration of
Report.
5. Llanwnda (Caruarvon )Inclosure Bill-Second reading.
6. Auction Duties (Ireland) Bill-Third reading.
7. Church Rates (Ireland) Bill-Second reading.
S. Foundlings (Ireland) Bill-Second reading.
la.-Land Tax Commissioners Names Bill-Committee. -;
10. Land Revenue (Ireland) Bill-Committee.
11. Parochial Settlements (Scotland) Bill-Further consi-
deration of Report.
12. Canada Clergy Reserves Bill-Further consideration of
Report.
13. Supply-Committee.
14. Ways and Means-Committee.
15, Corporate Funds bill-Third reading..
16. Insolvent Debtors (Ireland) Bill-Committee.
17. Roads and Bridges (Ireland) Bill-Committee.
NOTICES OF MOTIONS.
1. Mr. Charles Pallmer-Bill to repeal certain parts of
two Acts of 3 William and Mary, c. 12, and 21 Gee.
2, c. 25, relating to the carriage of parcels and por-
terage.
2. Mr. Moore-To bring under the consideration of the
House the Petition of the Mechanical Operative
Classes of the City, liberties, and vicinity of Dublin
(presented 12th April), and praying the establish-
ment of a Loan Fund.
3. Mr. Hume-Bill to repeal Act 60 Geo. 3, c. 9, subject-
ing certain publications to the Duties of Stamps on
Newspapers.
4. Mr. Peel-Bill for the better administration of Justice,
by abolishing Benefit of Clergy.
5. Mr. William Lamb-Irish Miscellaneous Estimates.
(In Committee of Supply.)
6. Mr. Herries_ArmyExtraordinaries, Commissariat, and
to pay off Exchequer Bills for Public Works. (In
Committee of Supply.)
7. Mr. Herries--..T0 refer Mr. Telford's Report to the
Committee on the Holyhead Road Bill, and to move
an Instruction to the Committee.
S. Mr. Lombe-To move, That the Appendix to the Cape
of Good Hope Report be printed.
TUESDAY, MAY 22.-NOTICES OF MOTION.
1. Sir Henry Parnell-Renewal of the Bank of England
Charter.
2. Mr. Michael Angelo Taylor-Motion tending to sepa-
rate the jurisdiction in all matters of Bankruptcy from
the High Court of Chancery.
St Sir John Wrottesley-Bill to give concurrent jurisdic-
tion. to the Magistrates of Warwickshire in the City
of Coventry.
4. Mr. Charles Pallnier-Bill to consolidate and amend
the laws•relating to Saving Banks.
5. Mr. Henley Eden-Bill to amend the Bankrupt Act.
6. Mr. George Bankes-Bill to relieve certain persons pro-
fessing the Roman Catholic Faith from double Assess-
ment of the Land Tax.
7. Lord John Russell-Select. Committee to inquire into
the cause of the increase of crime in England.
S. Mr. Herries-Bill . for carrying into effect the Treaty
with Sweden relative-to the Slave Trade.
ORDERS OF THE DAY,
1. Coventry Election Committee Report-To be consi-
dered.
2. Grahame's Divorce Bill-Committee ; Counsel, and
Witnesses.
3: Benefices Resignation Indemnity Bill.-Committee.
4. Prerogative Court (Ireland) Bill-Second reading.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23.-NOTICES OF MOTIONS.
1. Mr. Solicitor-General-Bill to prohibit Arrests on
11esne Process for Debt under 20/.
2. Lord Viscount Althorpe-Bill for registration of Free-
holders in England and Wales.
ORDERS OF THE DAY.
1. Constables Presentments Bill-Second reading.
2. Dissenters' Marriages Bill-Second reading.
3. General Turnpike Act Amendment Bill-Further con-
sideration of Report.
THURSDAY, MAY 24.-NOTICES OF MOTIONS.
1. Mr. Edw. D. Davenport-Select Committee to inquire
into the causes of the severe distress which has af-
flicted the Commercial and Industrious classes of the
Community during the last and present years.
2. Mr. Moore-Bill. to give validity to the service of pro-
cess to conipel appearance issuing out of the superior
Courts of Justice in any one of the parts of the United
Kingdom on persons in any of the other parts of the
United Kingdom.
3. Mr. AThore-Bill for the protection of purchasers for
valuable consideration iu Ireland against judgment
not recovered within twenty years.
4. Mr. Moore-Bill to regulate the buying and selling of
Hay and Straw within the city, liberties, and vici-
nity of Dublin.

ORDERS OF THE DAY.
1. Frivolous Arrests Bill—Second reading.
2. Small Debts Bill—Second reading.
3. Sale of Game Bill—Second reading.
4. Election Expences Bill—Third reading.
5. Game Bill—Second reading.

:,,,--f.
. ,
• ~L„- A 4.- '...f,..-.., -
' '-
(FtlaTREL'It :-
..t..74**- -i4r-,7k pigi T,
it
So great iidie t-"r;t7111',1. - i. .the
~...se, „14,,,, - vs. _
.. .. .
correct infortietlier • r rt' r---. •• . , ich has sus-
pended the works at the above extraordinary undertaking,
that during the whole of yesterday the inquiries at Rother:
hithe were very numerous, as to whether or not the diffi-
culty had been overcome. At low water yesterday after-
noon, Messrs. Brunel, senior and junior, descended in
the diving bell again, and made a more complete in-,
spection of the aperture in the bed of the River, by
means of which the Tunnel has been inundated. On,
their being drawn up, they stated that the hole was per-
pendicular, and, therefore much easier to be filled up than
would otherwise have been the case. Mr. Brunel, junior,.
tied a rope round his waist, and was lowered from the
bell on the shield of the Tunnel, and after a careful in-
vestigation, found that the brick-work remained uninjured.
Had the aperture been sufficiently large, it was intended
by Mr. Brunel to have been lowered into the work
itself, and to have made an examination as to the nature
of the soil beyond the point where the men left off at the
time the accident happened. It has already .been ascer-
tained that a yard beyond the .point which the work has
proceeded, a stratum of strong clay commences ; and'could
the present difficulty be overcome, en doubts as to ultimate
success would be done away with. Por the last few days
the workmen have had some new difficulties in digging out
the soil, it having been of so loose a nature, resembling
indeed mud which had been exposed to the sun for a day
or two. As a proof Of this, we may mention the fact
that a spade, dropped fromthe bell accidentally, on a former
descent, actually made its way through the bed of the river,
and was dug out by the workmen much bent. The work'
had proceeded to the very middle
-of the river, and to this
fact may be attributed the loose description of the bed
of the river, as the depth of it at the place where the
aperture is, is such as to leave but a comparatively :mall
portion of soil between the top of the tunnel and the bed
of the river. Preparations had been made previous to the
turn of the tide to commence filling up the hole, and
barges full of strong blue adhesive clay were stationed at
the proper place, and as soon as the diving bell was hoisted
up, the workmen conmstced throwing in the clay. Mr.
Brunet's sanguine that ' the difficulty will be overcome,
and that the undertaking wilt be accomplished. 133, the
confidence he evinces, the spirits of the 'workmen litre been
much increased, and they do their duty with alacrity.' It
is calculated that all the water could be drawn out in
seventy hours, should the leak be stopped. Up to a late
hour last night the men were throwing clay into the river;
and it is intended to-day to set the steam-engine to work,
in order to ascertain if the leak be stopped..
That the archway should sustain the shock, is a great
proof of its strength and solidity. By calculation,' it ap-
pears, that there was a sudden rush of 225,000 cubit feet
of water, which indicates the work is well bonded, and the
cement of a good quality. Mr. Brunel has already com-
menced the work of stopping the aperture, of doing which
quickly, he appears to entertain no doubt, seems very happy
no lives were lost, and expresses himself very warmly in
his thanks for the prompt assistance and sympathy he has
received. The conduct of some of the miners and artificers
in remaining to shut the compartments of the shield, which
is divided into three tiers, and their mutual endeavours to;
assist and rescue each other, when the torrent rushed in
with its utmost fury, driving the empty cement casks and
loose timber in all directions, and forming whirlpools in
different parts, partook of the heroic. One man, who had
seen a hat floating, dived several times, in the idea that
his comrade was under water, and could only be restrained
by force from repeating the immersion.
Already a well-known projector has planned another
Tunnel, and has addressed a letter to the Directors, pur-;
porting, that he can, under their act or charter, form it for
less money than the present one can be completed for ; and
informing them, that should they not listen to his proposal,
and he should execute it, close and parallel to the present
undertaking, all the world will run through his tunnel,
while the present one will never be used'or frequented ; but
in all probability, there will for the present, be no' more
tunnels, and their future formation will depend on the suc-
cess of Mr. Brunel, in the present instance, whose acknow-
ledged skill is now put to the severest test.

COPY OF A LETTEB. FROM MR. FRANCIS FORTUNE Or

LOMBARD-STREET.

Sir—ln consequence of the accident which has happened
at the Thames Tunnel, I feel it incumbent on me to offer
some explanation of the statement I made to the subscribers,
at the meeting held at the City of London Tavern, when
the object was projected. I then told them, that during
the excavation of the original Tunnel, in 1810 or 1811, 1
bed frequently gone down the_ shafts for the express pur-
pose of inspecting the progress of the undertaking, and
when the miners bad approached within two or three
hundred feet of the Shadwell side, an accident similar to
the present occurred. I then suggested the propriety of
filling sacks with mud, clay, &c. and for them to be
thrown from out of a barge into the Thames, immedi-
ately above the bole. This was done, and the result,
as I anticipated, proved satisfactory ; the engine was set
to work, the water pumped out, and I with many others
went down into the Tunnel, and found it perfectly dry ;
the aperture through which the water had forced its way
having been completely stopped, by means of the bags of
mud, &c. The Subscribers, however, took the alarm,
the scheme was abandoned.

I have just been informed that the idea of stopping the
influx of water, in the present instance, by clay, &c.
(without bags), is now acting upon, but I am afraid that it
will not prove successful, unless the clay is put into bags,
as in the former case.

29, Lombard-street.

I remain, Sir, yours, &c.
FRANCIS FORTUNE.

REPORT TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE THAMES

TUNNEL COMPANY.

We received last night the following communication
from the Thames Tunnel Company, on the subject of the
above accident :

" Ma. EDITOR.-4 am desired by the Directors of the
Thames Tunnel Company, to send you enclosed, a copy
of the Report made to them by their Engineer, Mr. Brune),
upon the subject of the accident which last night occurred
to the Tunnel.

" I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant,
" C. BUTLER, Clerk to the Company.

" Walbrook-buildings, May 19, 1827."
" GENTLEMEN—It will be in the recollection of the
Directors, that for some time past the nature of the ground
through which the Tunnel was passing, has been such as
to occasion much delay in the works, not unattended with
danger, if such a term may be applied to a casualty al,.vayi
contemplated by me as possible. The Directors will then -
fore not be surprised, particularly after my last Report,
at the occurrence of an accident which took place lasi
evening at near high water, when the pressure on the shield,
was nearly at its height. The body of the Tunnel is at
present filled with water ; but I am quite satisfied that the
whole of the brickwork of the Tunnel is sound and un-
injured, and that the injury is confined to a small spot
over the top of the shield, in the frame of which the
workmen, for their protection, carry on the excavation.
" It is extremely gratifying to me to report that the
workmen retired gradually, without confusion ; and Mr.
Beamish, one of my assistant engineers, was the last to quit
the shield, which has thus been proved to be an effectual
safe-guard against any sudden disaster.
c‘ I have adopted means to remedy the evil, and Remove
the water, and feel confident that the work will in a short
time be resumed, and proceed as usual.—l have the honour
to be, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

" M. J. BRUNEL,
" To the Directors of the Thames Tunnel

Company, 19th May; 1827."

The bursting of the Thames Tunnel suggesiii to us re-
flections upon the extremely imperfect manner in which
tunnelling is executed in this country. Whilst we excel in
machinery, and in every other branch of civil engineering,
the art of tunnelling, or dunking horizontal subcavations,
is almost unknown in England, compared to many parts of
the Continent. This is the second attempt to cut a tunnel
under the Thames, and even the efforts to form a tunnel
tbrough such a contemptible elevation as Highgate Hill
proved, abortive. It is very different in many parts of
Germany ; and in proof of which we make the following
extract from the amusing and instructive travels just pubs
lisped by Capt. Jones, of the Navy. The author has also
an account of a celebrated tunnel in the north of Italy ; but
the present refers to the celebrated tunnel in the Silver
Mine of Kingsburgh, in Norway :—" A wonderful gallery
has been pierced through the side of the mountain, at the
depth of six hundred feet, through which the ore is now
transported, instead of being hoisted to the top. Its length
is six thousand feet, and it occupied twenty-three years in
its completion. It had been commenced in 1792, but dur-
ing seven years of the time it was discontinued, it had just
been opened. The process was most tedious, being en-
tirely by calcination and hammering, which brought the
rock off in flakes. Only two men could work at a time.;
it was commenced both externally and internally, and to
their credit be it recorded, that upon meeting, there were
only two or three feet difference in the level, and none in ,
the direction ; it is from six to seven feet wide, and from
ten to fifteen high,"