The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-05-06 00:00:00

AWFUL CATASTROPHE : FALL OF YARMOUTH SITS•
PENSION BRIDGE : UPWARDS OF ONE HUNDRED LIVES
LOST. —A most awful calamity occurred at Yarmouth on
Friday afternoon, by the falling of the suspension chain
bridge across the Were. Nelson, the clown to Cooke's
company of equestrians, quartered in the town, was exhi-
biting the feat of being drawn up the river in a tub by four
geese. There was-an immense concourse of persons as-
sembled on the bridge, report says 500,) when, suddenly,
the centre of it gave way, and the whole mass were preci-
pitated into the river. It appears that thousands of spec-
tators had assembled on both banks of the river to witness
the voyage, leaving the bridge comparatively clear. " The
clown," says the Norwich Mercury, " commenced his
feat with the flood tide at the drawbridge, and had entered
the North River. There were many persons on the bridge,
and as he drew near the multitude rushed upon it to ob-
tain a full view as he should pass underneath. Already
had he reached Bessey's-wharf, not far from the bridge.
when one or two of the rods were observed to give way.
An instant alarm was given to quit the bridge. Alas, the
caution came too late ! The chains broke, and, quick as
the ,passing thought, one entire side fell, and the whole
mass of human beings, whose numbers are estimated at
from three to six hundred, were swept into the river be-
low. The scene which followed is not to be described.
Amongst those on the balustrade were multitudes of chil-
dren, who, with men and women, were all mingled in one
death struggle. Quick as thought, almost, twenty-seven
children, all girls, were snatched from the water. Others,
more exhausted, followed, and several who were insensi-
ble, were, by proper treatment, qeickly restored. Some
of the men and women struggled to the bank, but multi-
tudes perished, and, at length, those who were exerting
themselves to save drew forth nothing but dead bodies.
" In every street," says the paper above quoted, " are to
be seen one or more bodies extended on biers, returning
to those homes from which, but some short minutes be-
fore, they had passed in health and life. The consterna-
tion, the agony of the town is not to be described. It is
as if some dread punishment was felt to have fallen upon
its inhabitants. Every face is horror-stricken, every
eye is dim !" Throughout Saturday morning boatmen
and others were buisily employed seeking for the dead ;
and, up to the latest hour, twelve o'clock, the number of
bodies picked up exceeded one hundred. It is supposed
that the accident happened in consequence of the crowd
rushing suddenly to one side of the bridge to see the
clown approach the arch.
Loss OF THE SKYLARK.—A detailed and interesting
account relating to the wreck of this vessel has appeared
in the limes, of Friday, furnished by an eye-witness.
The following are the principal facts :—The Skylark, 2,
Lieut-Commander George Morris, sailed from Plymouth
on Thursday, the 24th ult., with 68 supernumeries on
board for Portsmouth, which, together with her own crew,
made about 110 teen. She passed the Portland Lights
early next morning, and it soon after became very foggy.
At a few minutes after 10 o'clock, when the ship was
going about 44 knots, with topgallant sails set, she struck ;
attempts were immediately made to put her about, but
being between two ledges of rock she again struck, and
would not go about. Attempts were then made to back
her off, the hands were turned up, and every precaution
and exerti used ; all, however, was ineffectual. About
11 o'clock, a.m., the fog cleared off a little, and the ship
was found to be within Rail of the shore, and the people
on board the brig could hear voices from the cliffs calling
to them that a boat was coming to their assistance from
the coast-guard station. One of the guns was then hove
overboard, and an anchor dropped with a halser to it, to
lighten her and haul her off. She now began to leak ;
thl hands were set to the pumps, and the boats got out,
but the tide soon flowed upon her, and she ran ashore on
Coalpit Ledge, near Kemberage, where a tremendous surf
was setting in on shore. The coast-guard's boat men-
tioned was nearing her, when the brig's gig, in which, be-
sides the crew, was the commauder's son, a boy 11 years
old, was upset. The lad sank several times, and was on
the point of drowning, when one of the crew of the coast-
guard boat swam out to him and supported him, until
Lit ut. Smith of the coast-guard, at the imminent risk of
of his own life, rushed in, saved them all, and returned
with them to the bay. The brie's cutter was then hoisted
out and filled with men, who, after much difficulty, were
safely landed. Lieut. Smith, next sent successively two
Persons in the skylark's " dingy," and six men were first
brought off, and afterwards, time after time, others, until
the coast-guard boat was full, and these were landed. The
tide having gone down, and the surf decreased in violence,
the " dingy" was enabled to land her men on the ledge,
which was but a stone's throw from the brig's bows, until
nearly all were landed. A boat, the Bee, of Weymouth,
then came alongside and took the rest of the crew and the
master out. Commander Morris, having the gout in one
of his legs. and having used almost superhuman exertions
to save his ship, was quite exhausted when the last boat
went alongside; so -far, indeed, was his strength pros-
trated, that he was incapable of getting into the boat to
save himself, and was thrown overboard, and picked up
by the first gig. By great exertions under Lieut. Smith,
a quantity of sails, spars, provisions, clothing, &c., were
afterwards got ashore. Commander Granby, in his ten-
der, afterwards arrived, and succeeded in saving a great
quantity of stores, &c., with which, after much danger,
she got safely to port. The wind continued to blow very
strong fur three days, and on its abating the boats em-
ployed cleared the brig of every thing of value. Too
much praise cannot be given to Lieut. Smith for the gal-
lant and intrepid mariner in which he saved the com-
mander's son and boat's crew of the skylark, and for his
immense exertions in saving the lives and property of the
offic,rs and crew generally. The conduct, also, of Com-
mander Granby was most praiseworthy. The ,upernu-
maries were consesed to Portsmouth in a steam-tug. A
force °triggers was sent on Wednesday from the dock.
yard pa endeavour to weigh the wreck by chains and sweeps,
and tow her either into Poole or Portsmouth—it is feared
a hopeless task. A ship got ashore on the same day as
the Skylark, n' ar Portland,—all hands perished ; another
the same day, near St. Alban's,—the crew not yet heard
'ef. The Skylark sailed from Liverpool on Wednesday
fortnight, with 48 of the volunteers, and afterwards called
at &fete', Falmouth, and Plymouth, on her way to Ports-
mouth, to take on board the others.

EXECUTION OF llociam.—The dread sentence of the
law was yesterday week carried into execution. The
crowd assembled in the Old Bailey to witness the execu-
tion was very great; numbers had taken their places be-
fore twelve o'clock the previous night, and by six o'clock
in the morning the open space in front of Newgate was
I.terally crammed, and the numbers regularly increased
until the time appointed for the execution. The culprit
retired to bed at twelve o'clock, and slept rather soundly
during the night. He rose at five o'clock in the morning,
and appeared rather composed, but did not exhibit his
usual strong nerve. lie partook of breakfast, atter which
he was visited by Mr. Davies, the Ordinary; he was not
at all communicative, but gave to the rev. gentleman a
statement he wrote the previous day. At half-cast seven
o'clock the culprit became very weak, but after taking
some cold water he soon revived. Shortly after this time
the bell of St. Sepulchre's church began tolling, when he
neatly fainted. The prisoner all along did not deny being
a guilty participator in the murder, but strongly asserted
to the last that his was not the hand that committed the
crime. In a conversation with Mr. Sheriff Sidney, who
told him that his statements on the trial could not be de
pended upon, he replied that part of his defence was true,
viz., that Delarue had seduced the girl. Several times
since the prisoner's trial the Sheriffs have kindly told him
that if he had anything to urge shy the sentence should
be delayed, they would willingly and immediately lay it
before the Home Secretary. He at first seemed doubtful
what he should do on the subject, hilt when lie was visited
by Mr. Sheriff Sydney, at four o'clock on Tuesday
week, he said that he had come to the conclusion to say
no more on the subject. Since Tuesday, the Sheriffs have
stain asked him it he wished any communication to be
made to the Home Secretary, and he replied that he did
not ; he had determined to say no more upon the subject.
On the entrance of those connected with the press, the
Rev, Ordinary told the wretched man that there were
several reporters present, and asked it he wished to make
any statement: if so, it would be taken down, and go
forth to the world. Rocker, much agitated, replied,
" No, Sir; if I had known those gentlemen would have
been here, I might have said something, but I am not
now sufficiently composA." The executioner then pro-
ceeded to tie the unfortunate man's hands; the moment
the cord touched them he was agitated in the most dread.
ful manner, his whole frame trembled, and during the
operation he became quite insensible; he fainted and fell
backwards, but was canght in the arms of two of the
officers. He presented at this moment a lamentable pic-
ture of the effects of guilt. He was placed in a chair,
and after his temples had been bathed with cold water
he somewhat recovered, and was carried into the chapel-
yard, where lie remained sitting until the melancholy pro-
cession, consisting of the Sheriffs, Under Sheriffs, the
Oiditiary, the Governor, and officers of the prison, was
fgrmed. Whilst sitting in the yard his arms were
pinioned, during which every muscle of his frame was
violenty agitated, and it was supposed that it would be
necessary to carry him to the fatal platform ; but when
the prison clock struck eight he at once rose from the
chair, and, with the assistance of two of the prison offi-
cers, feebly walked to the fatal spot, the Rev. Ordinary
reading from the burial service " I am the Resurrection
snd the Life," &e., &c. On arriving at the scafrild, the
Sheriffs delivered him over to the executioneer ; he was
immediately placed under the gallows, and in two or
three minutes the drop fell, and the mortal career of this
wretched man ended. He sbuggled but a very short
time. The prisoner, under date the 26th April, wrote a
long letter to the Rev. Mr. Davies, chaplain of the gaol,
in which, amongst a variety of other matters, he protested
his innocence. He wrote—" A man whom 1 have treated
as my friend is the murderer of Delarue. His own admis-
sion of the fact was the only means of extricating me from
this unworthy end., He has not come forward. Had I
caused him to be apprehended, he would doubtlessly have
denied it. I have been assured that had I not been found
guilty of murder, I should have been transported for high-
way robbery. Such an alternative has failed to induce me
to divulge what it. is my resolution to die with in my bo-
som. Let, then, this sentence ring in the murderer's ears :
—That he is not only the destroyer of Delarue, but me
likewise. I did not lift a hand against deceased. There
may even yet be found some harsh enough to brand me as
a dying liar; but oh! if they knew what 1, alas! too well
know,they would see thewrong they do me." After Rocker
got up in the morning, lie asked for pens. ink, and paper,
when he sat down end wrote two letters to young females,
with whom be assumed to have been on terms of intimacy ;
but it since apuears that they were unknown to him.—The
body, alter hanging the usual time, was cat down and
placed in a shell, to be buried within the walls of the pri-
son. •The prison authorities have been most zealous in
eendeavouring to trace out the party who transmitted oxa-
lic acid in a letter to H‘scker, but without effect.. On Fri-
day the prisoner's brother visited him for the last time.
During the interview, Mr. Wright, the deputy-governor,
was seated betwt en the two brothers. The culprit's bro-
ther was deeply affected, but the criminal showed no feel-
ing on the occasion. On Saturday, about noon, the father
of the i.ri,ouer saw his unhappy son for the last time. He
was implored by his heart-broken parent to confess the