The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-17 00:00:00

SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.

EXCURSION TO SOUTHAMPTON AND THE ISLE OF
WIGHT.—The success which last year attended the ex-
perimental pleasure trip got up by some individuals con-
neci,ed with the South-Western Railway h as induced them
to enter into new and improved arrangements for renew-
ing their previous exertions for the recreation, amuse-
ment, and improvement of the health of their fellow-
citizens. Accordingly, the first of a series of these
" excursions," or pleasure trips, intended to take place in
the course of the present season, came oil' (to adopt a
sporting phrase) yesterday morning. The company left
the Vauxhall terminus in four second-class carriages,
drawn by the " Crescent" engine precisely at half-past
seven o'clock, and with only three stoppages (to take in
water) the train performed its journey of (we believe)
78:} miles in 2 hours and 20 minutes. They were imme-
diately escorted on board the steamer, the Princess Vic-
toria, which has recently been purchased from the
Commercial Steam-packet Company by a body of gen-
tlemen resident in Cowes and Southampton, in conjunc-
tion with others connected with the South-Western
Railway Company, which was in readiness at the pier to
to receive them. This steamer, since the change in her
owners, has undergone considerable repairs and altera-
tions, the latter of which have not yet been entirely
completed. She, with all the disadvantages of the tide
being against her during the whole of this day's voyage,
was enabled, under the skilful management of Captain
Gooderidge, the Commander of the Lady de Saumarez
Jersey steam-packet, to maintain an average speed of
11 knots an hour. Precisely at ten o'clock she got under
way, and proceeded down the Southampton waters, past
Cowes, Hurst Castle, Yarmouth, and Lymington, to the
celebrated Needles, which form the western extremity of
the Isle of Wight. Up to this moment, the waters were
" as smooth as glass," and the voyage was regarded with
the highest delight by all on board ; and the
vessel soon, completed her cruise round the far-
famed island, passed Portsmouth, and reached the
pier at Ryde. Then, again, she entered " smooth
water," and shortly before eight o'clock all the party
took footing at Southampton. The only casualty which
happened was one of the engineers performing, through
his own carelessness or stupidity, the operation by the
aid of the piston-rod, of amputating one of his fingers at
the first joint. A medical gentleman on board promptly
lent his professional assistance, and no serious appre-
hensions were entertained as likely to result from the
accident. But "on shore once more," we re-entered the
railway carriages, and were in motion, on our return to
Vauxhall, precisely at five minutes past eight o'clock,
and we were brought without the least " let or hin-
drance," to the Vauxhall terminus by twelve minutes
past ten o'clock, thus performing ti.e distance of 78i
miles in two hours and seven minutes. To recapitulate,
then, what mechanical science, and British capital and
labour have in this instance been shown to have accom-
plished in respect of steam locomotion, we may mention
that according to Captain Gooderidge's calculation, the
course he was compelled to steer, owing to the state of
the tide, was 115 miles ; this, added to the distance per-
formed by railway, namely, 157 miles, makes a total of
272 miles, accomplished within the space (including
stoppages, &c.) of 14 hours and three-quarters. On the
whole, the trip was truly delightful, and when more
generally known will, we doubt not, be highly popular
with the public.

COAL M

Ships arrived since

` •. d.
Buddle's West Hartley l7
Carr's Hartley l7 6
Hebburn Main l7 0
Holywell Main
New Tantield Moor l3 o
Ord's Redheugh l4 6
1 an(l2ld Moor l9 6
Townley... .. ... .. ...... ....., l4 6
Walls End Hedlcy lB 3
Walls End Hilda ... 18 0
Walls End Hotspur
Walls End Perkins l7 0
Walls End Haswell.
OFF THE WIGHT, MAY 14
Hamburgis.