Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
33 articles on this Page
LONDON LETTER. .
LONDON LETTER. lFROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] [SPECIALLY WIRED.] LONDON, Friday Night. PEACE. Needless to say everybody is delighted with the result of Lord Kosebery's Foreign Office Conference, and the Labour repre- sentatives in Parliament express themselves thoroughly satisfied with the terms of settle- ment. Amid the universal congratulations it is fully admitted that the credit of the great boon conferred upon the country by this restoration of commercial peace is due first to Mr Mundella and his able lieu- tenants at the Board of Trade, and 3econd to Lord Rosebery's tact, temper, and diplomacy. How much this was we are not to know, because all present have been sworn to secrecy, and the shorthand writer's transcripts are not to be published, but to be enshrined in the archives of the Board of Trade. As the conference lasted from eleven o'clock to after five, it may be readily guessed that Lord Rosebery's task was no easy one. However, he has come through it with flying colours, and men seem unable to find words adequate to an expression of their relief. LOUD ROSEBERY'S DIPLOMACY. From what I hear, the smartest bit of Lord Rosebery's diplomacy was the way in which he had arranged for the conference to idjourn for a sumptuous lunch immedi- ately difficulties suggested themselves. I am told by one who was present that this had a splendid effect on the temper of the delegates, and contributed in no small degree to the happy settlement subsequently arrived at. SERIOUS, VERY. The young Tory squire who represents North Dorset, Mr Kenelin Wingfield Digby, unintentionally played this after- noon into the hands of those who do not worship the House of Lords. In the pro- cess he caused one of the liveliest bits of fun the House has enjoyed for some time. Apparently taking his inspiration from a tetter in to-day's Times, Mr Digby has "become suddenly impressed with the seriousness of the terms in which Mr John Morley referred to the Lords in his speech at Manchester. More than a week has elapsed since then, yet the heavens have not lallen, so that Mr Digby's intervention seems a little out of date. But nevertheless he assumed all the air of a saviour of his country when he began to ask Mr Morley in solemn tones whether he was correctly reported to have said, when speaking of the House of Lords, "You are dealing with a vast overwhelming preponder- ance—a huge deadweight of preju- dice." Thus far had Mr Digby pro- ceeded when his course was arrested by a jubilant cheer of approval from the Radical and Irish Benches. Con- tinuing on a cessation of these — "of passion"—renewed delight—"of interest" -more applause—"of bigotry"—resound- ing cheers, and so on all through the quota- tion—" ot class and party spirit, impene- trable by argument, immovable by discus- sion, beyond the reach of reason, and only to be driven from its hereditary and anti- quated entrenchments, not by argument, or by reason, or by discussion, but by force." Each epithet was punctuated by a resounding cheer that, gradually increasing in volume, culminated in quite a shout of ecstacy at the word "force." When the hubbub had ceased Mr Morley was warmly backed up, as, with- out pledging himself to every word, he admitted the substantial accuracy of the report. An awed House watched expectant as Mr Digby rose to hurl some crushing thunderbolt. In consequence of that answer—(derisive laughter)—I beg to give notice that I shall—(' Move the adjourn- ment,' mockingly suggested one of his tormentors)—ask the First Lord of the Treasury a further question in ;respe,ct of this." If Mr Digby had not gone up like a rocket, the certainly came down like a stick. MR LABOUCHERE'S QUERIES. We had a little sparring between Mr Labotlchere and the Colonial Secretary, as a parenthesis. In his replies to a series of ques- tions by the former, Mr Sydney Buxton asked to be allowed to remark that the hon. member's questions in regard to Matabele- land and the Chartered Company abounded in unfounded assumptions. Mr Labouchere immediately bridled up and demanded to know what "unfounded assumptions" the present questions contained. "They arc full of assumptions," said Mr Buxton. "Yes; but unfounded?" persisted Mr Labouchere. Did I say unfounded ? I meant to say unproved." To many of Mr Buxton's hearers that last word sounded uncommonly like "untrue." Their surprise at the quietness with which Mr Labouchere and the House took this was only removed when the word was discovered to be "improved." A few minutes later Mr Buxton expressed the hope that hostilities ire now at an end, adding that Sir Henry Loch has sent a military secretary to Bulu- wayo. "What reason had he for hoping that?" snapped in Mr Labouchere. "The reasons previously communicated to the House," curtly rejoined Mr Buxton. OUR NAVY. The Civil Lord of the Admiralty was brought to book by Mr Kearley respecting the dilatory and inefficient distribution of the Victoria Relief money by the jog-trot magnates of the Patriotic Fund. Upon Mr Gladstone was imposed the necessity of elucidating for the benefit of Lord George Hamilton the elementary principles of pre- paring Departmental estimates. Lord George Hamilton wanted the particulars of the new shipbuilding programme while yet it was in preparation and before it is matured. Mr Gladstone accompanied his page out of Pinnock's catechism for the young Parliamentarian with the assur- ance that neither the House nor the country need entertain the slightest apprehension as to the maintenance of the distinct naval supremacy of this country. Lord George found an unexpected ally on the Radical benches in Mr Macfarlane, but this diver- sion on Mr Gladstone's flank was as impo. tent as the attack in front. KEnt HARDIE GRACEFUL. After the House had watched with fascin- ation Mr Keir Hardie's bows, as advancing up the floor he bore to the table a Bill to nationalise the mines and minerals of Great Britain and Ireland, it suddenly relapsed into the familiar appearance of old times, by the Speaker stepping from his throne and Mr Mellor seating himself at the table as chairman of committee. PARISH COUNCILS BILL. When the debate on Sir Charles Dilke's amendment was finished, Mr Fowler spiked an amendment by Mr Luttrell on parish grouping by conciliatory promises, and a long struggle ensued on Mr Grant Lawson's attempt to make the formation of parish councils "optional and dependent on the vote of parish meetings. This was one division rejected by 80 votes. "WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE. The advocates of women's suffrage in the House are greatly elated over their triumph of last evening. There is every reason to suppose, however, that it will not be very ong-hv.ed. The prevailing feeling in the J? is that Mr Fowler made a tactical mIstae in not accepting Mr McLaren's in- struc ion, and then having the matter fully lscusse in committee. Many members voted with Mr McLaren from this point of view, who make no secret of their intention of vot'ng against him when the subject is dealt with in committee. ib ;8 nof con sidered likely that Mr ment will ever be carried. STILL FIRM. I am able to give an unqualified contra- diction to the report that the Government have decided to abandon the poor-law clauses of the Parish Councils Bill. No such decision has ever been seriously con- templated, and in fact the difficulties of the Government would be greater were this portion of the Bill to be dropped than if it is persevered with- It is true that from the first great private pressure has been brought to bear upon the Government to induce them to divide their measure in two, but they have already made up their minds on the point, and will ask the House to con- tinue sitting until it has passed in its pre- sent form. RADICALS AND THE MAGISTRATE QUESTION. In accordance-with the instructions of the Radical committee, Mr Storey last evening forwarded to the Prime Minister a copy of the resolution adopted with reference to the conduct of Lord Herschell in connection with the appointment of magistrates. No reply has yet henu received, but it is under- stood that in the event of its being unsatis- factory an early opportunity will be taken to bring the whole question before the House. A TROUBLESOME MATTER. It has leaked out that Mr Morley's flying visit to Dublin a few days ago was not only unconnected with a rather embarrassing state of matters which has arisen at the Castle in consequence of the return of Sir West Ridgway, the former Under-Secretary. That gentleman does not take very kindly to the arrangements now in force and the Government have been sorely exercised in order to find an appointment to which he might be promoted. Already the post of Governor of the Isle of Man has been refused by him, and there is now some talk of the present Embassy vacancies being utilised in order to provide a suitable post. Sir West Ridgway was to-night in the House of Commons, and was, I believe, in conference with the Chief Secretary. THE FEATHER QUESTION. Since my statement respecting the hats of the Princess of Wales was copied into the fashionable journals and went the round of the papers," there has been little seen on the hats of the ladies who dress up to their duty and cultivate self-respect, except the plumage of the wild blackcock, or the tail feathers of the domestic black Spanish poultry. I am afraid, moreover, I must admit that her Royal Highness's use of plumage must be extended beyond a utilisation of the feathers of birds used for food, for I now learn that she has not only commanded to be built, but is wearing, a hat trimmed with the deep green sheeny feathers of the paroquet. This seems to show that the Princess draws the line at English songsters, and does not discourage the slaughter of foreign or tropical birds, which is a little lacking in logic, as I presume the sufferings of birds slaughtered where rivers roll down their golden strand," are not less than those of British seagulls or guillemots. But it is a truism that a slight injury on our own doorstep causes us more anguish than the calamity that decimates a Chinese province. THE QUEEN S HALL. London is to have her not too adequate provision for concerts and other public entertainments and gatherings increased by the opening of a new room, The Queen's Hall," in Langham-place. It is designed to meet the requirements of those occasions for which the Albert Hall is too big and St. James's Hall too small, for it will accommo- date an orchestra of 500 and an audience of 4,000. It is expected to be ready for opening before the end of the present year. HISTORIC SCENES. The cases in which the commercial instincts or temptations of an age have been too strong for the virtue of the proprietors of historic sites or of possessions beautiful enough to deserve to be retained as a joy for ever," are too sad and too nu- merous to make one view with anything but satisfaction the efforts of a number of distinguished gentlemen to form a "National Trust for Places of Historic Interest and Natural Beauty." This body will gladly accept the trusteeship of such unconsidered trifles as a piece of rock- bound sea coast, or a hoary moun- tain, or ancestral park, or a lake, or an island, or a stretch of lovely scenery. It hopes to purchase these by way of redeeming them from the devastating hand of the building shovel or the engineering Goth. But all the same it is impossible not to secure this tempting scheme an ideal that may present many difficulties, and even be beyond mortal reach. Suppose Sir Edward Watkin begins by handing over Snowdon. CITY RUMOURS. The continued disturbances in the City in consequence of the disquieting rumours which are in circulation has drawn forth a vigorous exhortation from the new City editor of the Times, imploring the directors of the Bank of England to make a clean breast of it., and to stop exaggeration by stating the actual facts. Indis- cretion" is not a pretty woid to be used in connection with an insti- tution like the Bank of England, and there can be little doubt that if there be a persistent refusal to take the financial world into confidence a further indiscretion will be admitted in the interests of a false dignity. It is cruelly suggested that the Times might set the example by explaining the causes for the retirement of its City editor.
PONTYPRIDD DISASTER
PONTYPRIDD DISASTER CLAIM OF A MINER'S WIDOW. JUDGMENT OF THE COURT RESERVED. IMPORTANT HINT TO THE PLAINTIFFS. In the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice yesterday, the hearing of the case of Thomas v. the Great Western Colliery Com- pany was resumed before Mr Justice Wills and Mr Justice Wright. It was an appeal by the defendants from a decision of the county-court judge sitting at Pontypridd in favour of the plaintiff, who was awarded £ 234- damages. The action, which was understood to be a test one, was brought under the Employers' Liability Act by the widow of a miner who had met with his death in the defendants' mine as, it was alleged, through a defect in the ways, works, plant, and machinery, and through the negligence of defendants' servants. The facts were as follow At the bottom of theminetherewasan engine worked by compressed air for drawing up and letting down trucks by a wire rope on an inclined plane, and there was also a brake, composed partly of wooden blocks, to stop the rope from running too quickly. A canvas brattice cloth was placed near the engine to protect it, and the men attending it, from the blast and dust coming from the mine. The case for the plaintiff was that the brake was defective, as it emitted sparks which ignited the brattice cloth, and this led to the firing of some timber, and the suffocation of deceased and 62 other men. The coroner's jury, before whom the Home Secretary was represented, acquitted thedefendants of negligence, but thelocal county- court judge came to a different conclusion, and held that defendants' machinery was defective, as the brake emitted sparks and the canvas brattice was placed within two feet of it. He also found that the company's responsible officials knew, or ought to have known, of the brake emitting sparks, and that there was an absence of water on the proper receptacle near the engine at the time of the accident. At the conclusion of the arguments their lord- ships reserved judgment, but recommended plaintiff's counsel to consider a suggestion which had been thrown out by the court and assented to by the defendants, that the case should be re-tried by a judge of the high court as a test case, and that the defendants should be bound by the result in all the cases.
TO-DAY'S WEATHER, 4.30 A.M.
TO-DAY'S WEATHER, 4.30 A.M. TO DAY'S FORECAST fOR I'UvGLAN U, AND flTVJI ISVI/WO. strong, but decreasing north- westerlywinds, colder showery, clearing. General, -'i he depression U moving steadily tn the north-east- ward, and coldi-li south-westerly winds, with squally, showerv weather and bright intervals seems, likely. WARNINGS. -The south cone is up oil all coasts. GENERAL FORECASTS. The following forecasts were prepared la, t nigbt *2 Meteorological Office at eight o'clock 6. Scotland N 1 North westerly gales and 1. Scotland,' E l strong winds, moderating 2. EnglandjN.E. f !ater;cold; showers; bright i i ■. J. intervals. o. Jingland, E.1 „ 4. Mid. 8trong squally winds from 5. Eng. S. (Jton. f north-west; colder weather, and Channel. 1J showery; bright intervals' fi, Scotland, W. w* £ > but decreasing, north- r j at ''■ h westerly winds; colder; 5. Ireland, A. showery, but clearing. 11. Ireland, S.)
Advertising
Mrs Francis Crosby, authoress of Safe in the Arms of Jesus and 3,000 other hymns, is 61 years old. She lives in New York, and has been blind since she ww sis weeks old.
THE MATABELE WAR.
THE MATABELE WAR. OPPOSITION TO MR RHODES. CAPE TOWN, Friday.—Mr O'Reilly, a member of the Assembly, has declined to act as a member of the committee in charge of the arrangements for the public banquet to be given here to Mr Rhodes. He gives as his reason that be cannot take an active part in showing honour to Mr Rhodes until the latter has given a satisfactory explanation of the shooting of the indunas and of certain other matters. Both the Cape Times and the Argus declined to publish Mr O'Reilly's letter.— Pall Mall Gazette.
DEATH OF PRINCE ALEXANDER…
DEATH OF PRINCE ALEXANDER OF BULGARIA. GRATZ, Friday.—Prince Alexander of Bulgaria died at noon to-day.—Reutcr.
THE STORY OF HIS LIFE.
THE STORY OF HIS LIFE. Prince Alexander Joseph of Battenberg was born in 1352. He saw service in the Russo- Turkish war with a regiment of Russian lancers, was at the siege of Plevna, and crossed the Balkans with Horesko, After the war he served with a regiment of Prussian life guards, but was called by the will of the Czar to the Principality of Bulgaria in April, 1879. He did not rule on the principle of Bulgaria forthe Russians, butset afoot the work which M. Stambouloff (at that time his enemy) has since consummated. In 1884- the people of Eastern Roumelia revolted and joined themselves to Bulgaria without any opposition from the Sultan, but the Tsar at once began intriguing to get Prince Alexander's term of office over Roumelia limited to five years. Being unsuccessful he formed bolder plans, and set going a series of plots by which Bulgaria was to be broken up and annexed to Russia. Prince Alexander fought brilliantly in his own little war with Servia, which he finished off m a very brief time. But General Kaulbars, the Tsar's agent, was only waiting his opportunity. The Prince was kidnapped, and drugged with some potion which ruined his nerve entirely. He was then brought back and forced to abdicate. Afterward he became a subject of popular gossip, when the Empress Frederick wished to marry him to one of her daughters, who had been fascinated by his good looks and charm of manner. Bismarck would not hear of such a match, and he was backed up by the present Kaiser, both of them being at the time anxious to ally Russia with Germany. Afterwards Prince Alexander married an opera-singer, and took service in the Austrian army, where he commanded a regiment of horse, under the name of Count Hartenau.
AIRDRIE COLLIERY DISASTER
AIRDRIE COLLIERY DISASTER ALL THE MEN RESCUED. An Airdrios correspondent telegraphs that the forty-two men who were;entombed on Thursday in the Coatbridge Pit of theSummerleeand Mossend Iron and Steel Company, have all been rescued. The last man was brought to bank at six o'clock yesterday. The fire at the pit's mouth has been extinguished. None of the men are the worse for their close confine- ment.
MEASLES PROSTRATE A FAMOUS…
MEASLES PROSTRATE A FAMOUS NOVELIST. Mr Robert Louis Stevenson was, at the date when the last mail left, somewhat seriously ill at Honolulu with measles. Measles are almost an epidemic at Samoa at present.
THE BANK OF ENGLAND.
THE BANK OF ENGLAND. DISQUIETING RUMOURS IN THE CITY. Keen interest is being taken just now in City circles in everything relating to the affairs of the Bank of England. Although the sittings of the Bank directors are often protracted, Thursday's proceedings seemed to be somewhat unusually prolonged, and the fact became the subject u K0SS1P to the effect that the board was discussing whether or not two more official resignations should be accepted. So circumstantial, indeed, was rumour, that the names of the two gentlemen supposed to be alluded to were even freely bandied about. For this, of course, says the Westminster Gazette, there was ot the slightes authority of any kind, and it is noted in the Standard that whatever the intentions of some members of the board may have been, it is certain that no resignations have actually taken place. It would be unseemly if they did take place just at this juncture, and pernicious as well." The Times, it will be seen, is very anxious that the directors of the Bank of England should take the public into its confidence. But if the Bank of England, why not that other great institution, the Times newspaper itself ? It so happened, as we pointea out the other day, that the chief City editor of the Times retired atabout the same time as the chief cashier of the Bank of England. M'ght not the Bank, then, retort on the Times soniewnat as follows :—" You do not take the public into your confidence about your City editor s retirement. There is no earthly reason why we should, you will say, for there is really nothing to tell. But why, then, not believe the same of us ? The Central News has the authority of a director of the Bank of England to state that there is not the slightest foundation for the stories concerning tne transactions ot the Bank which have been in circulation. These, for the most part, were conjectural and misleading. Asked if there was any cause for allXiety, the director replied with a laugh, "Anxiety? Cer- tainly not. We shall undoubtedly issue a state- ment shortly which will remove all miscon- ception.
---MURDERED AT TARGET PRACTICE.…
MURDERED AT TARGET PRACTICE. A PRIVATE SOLDIER'S REVENGE. George Mason (19), costennonger, of London, was indicted at Winchester Assizes vesterday, for the murder of Sergeant James Robinson on June 27th. Prisoner belonged to the 3rd Bat- talion East ourrey Uegunt iit, and while stationed at Portsdown disobeyed Robinson's orders, and was confined to barracks for three days. Subse- quently, whenat targetpractice atHillsea, prisoner discharged his rifle at Robinson's back,exclaiming, "Now I am level with him. He ran me in yesterday—now I have run him in Robinson's death was instantaneous,—For the defence, evi- dence was called as to the mental condition of the accused.—-iJr. Worthing ton, of the county asylum, and Mr Wickham (prison surgeon) both expressed the opinion that he was insane.—The jury returned a verdict of Guilty," and sentence of death was passed.
ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE AT BARRY.
ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE AT BARRY. A FARM LABOURER AMONG SHARKS." PLUCKY CAPTURE AT DYNAS POWIS. Last evening, at a Gueret-street boarding- house, Barry Dock, Richard Evans, au elderly farm labourer, living at Llantwit Vardre, was badly lllused and then robbed of £5 by some members of a gang of Liverpool corner bovs," who for some months past infested "the district and given the local police much trouble. Evans gave information at the central station to the effect that after having been drinking he met some men outside and asked them to direct him to Castleland-street. They told him that that was their street and said they were going home but instead they took him to a house in Gueret- street. Here he was induced to pay for some beer and injudiciously showed himself to be in possession of a purseful of gold, which he explained he had saved. After several drinks he was called into the backyard and there assaulted. He defended himself as well as he could, but was soon overpowered and forced to the ground, where he was kicked over the eye and lost consciousness. When he recovered his assailants had gone, and he missed his money. Despite his sorry plight—his two eyes were' blackened and his face badly cut—he was enabled to give a fairly good description of the men, the ringleader of whom, he said, must lie marked on the eye. Constable Bolton, Dynas Powis, was at the central station and heard the description. This officer travelled to his outlying station by the seven o'clock train, and on alightintr saw his men on the platform and about to enter the Cardiff train. One of them he identified from Evans s account, and at once proceeded to arrest the two on suspicion. They resisted and after a fierce struggle one of the men attempted to trip the officer on to the metals before the advancing train. Sticking to his men, Bolton at length maniP-ed to m be[ore kicked among other places on the knee-cap, and his clothing materially damaged. One of the prisoners was identified by Evai, and the other was liberated. When formally charged prisoner said h:s name was Edward Keegan, and kve h% age as 2o, adding that he was R a hard-waking seaman when he had work." Prisoner will be brought up this morning at the magistrate's clerk s offices at Cardiff, when he will probably be remanded to Monday s court at Penarth.
CHARGED WITH THE DEATH OF…
CHARGED WITH THE DEATH OF A COMRADE. SOLDIERS QUARREL IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE. At Northampton yesterday two soldiers named Bonner and Day, of the East Kent Regiment, were again charged with causing the death of Private Haddon, of the same regiment, whilst travelling from Euston to Athlone. Bonner stated that they were fighting, and deceased opened the carriage door. Day kicked him. and he fell out. Day said deceased deliberately jumped out! The case was further remanded.
THE BRAVE GARNER INTERVIEWED,
THE BRAVE GARNER INTER- VIEWED, In an interview with Jack Garner, also spoken of as Gowler, our representative further ascertained that this man has been instrumental in saving life on no less than seven different occasions, and yet had received no recognition from the usual source. That I don't mind, mate I did my duty flesh for flesh," he remarked. You must have had an amount of pluck," was observed, to hold on to your boat for six hours." Yes, I daresay," Garner said, but we were afraid of being run down in such a dark and stormy night." "How came you to sight the brig ?" When we got the boat righted, we tied a scarf on to one of the paddles in order to attract attention, for we knew we had neither food nor water on board. We soon saw, however, the brig was bearing down on us." Here Garner paid a tribute to the French skippers ability with the remark A smart captain, the fellow kept a good look out." Proceeding, Garner said that when the helm of the brig was about, there was great danger of the lifeboat being run down. Had it been a steamer, it would have been different, as the engines could have been reversed. However, he proceeded, "we were, with difficulty, taken on board, and were treated with every kindness." This is the captain's rig-out," the interviewed interposed, pointing to the suit of clothes he was dressed in, and he replied, I must return them when my own are dry." ) How about the crew of the Favourite ?" was asked. "Well," he replied, "all I know is the brig was half full of water when we reached her," Describing the part he took 111 steering the boat at so great a risk to his life, he said, speak- ing in the presence of the other seaman :—The other three men got on top of the overturned boat while I was myself in the water. It was dark, and I fancied I saw the light of the Boileau bearing away from us. The second mate was soon attacked with cramp, and we were obliged to hold him on the top of the boat for at least five hours. It was quite dark by this time, and the gale had increased to a perfect hurricane, and so we drifted on miles out of the course the Boileau ¡ had taken. When the mate had got over his cramp, and me and my shipmates were holding on to the boat, it turned over, and we were all thrown into the water again. The mate drifted behind us, and one of the men told me he was cone, but I saw his coat in the water, and swam towards it, thinking it was the mate him- self. The boat, luckily, drifted on top of the olheer, whom we rescued as the boat righted. The four of us were, naturally, very exhausted, owing to having to battle with the waves for nine hours at least, but we managed to rig up a sea anchor, and some time afterwards we passed a barque, but its crew could render no assistance because of the dark. Wo were then in mid-Channel. Next we hailed a ship and made ourselves heard. Thp crew threw torches round us as long as they could, hoping to give us assist- ance, and we tried to pull th" boat towards the vessel, but the wind and se.t were too strong, and we had to abandon the effort and trust to our keeping afloat till daylight. At seven this morn- ing we found ourselves off Port Eynon, w th the wind blowing a gale from the N.N.W. We tried. hard to land, but the swell was too great, and seeing this French vessel we made signals. The Oaptain (M. Aioult) answered us. and put his vessel before the wind in order to rescue us, and we managed to get aboard in it very exhausted condition.
STATEMENT BY THE BOILEAU'S…
STATEMENT BY THE BOILEAU'S CAPTAIN. Our Barry correspondent says :—Fearing his men were lost, Capt. Robson made for Barry Roads, and having shipped substitutes, made the customary official declaration to the Customs authorities. Captain Robson stated that he sighted the ketch, apparently in distress, about a mile and a half distant. When 111 the vicinity of Lundy he bore down upon her, but the heavy seas prevented his getting close, though he hailed her, and some- one replied that she was fast sinking. He at once launched the Boileau's lifeboat with four seamen and the second mate, but all their efforts to reach the little vessel were ineffectual, the heavy seas upsetting the lifeboat, which dis- appeared with the ketch, with which it was sup- posed to have sunk.
THE RESCUED MEN.
THE RESCUED MEN. It is doubtful whether the rescued men will be able to rejoin their vessel this voyage, for they may be ordered to hospital for a few days, though at the present moment they appear, thanks to the kind attention of the French captain, not much the worse for their exposure. Their proceeding to Cardiff will de. pend on any decision Mr Gueret may come to There is nothing known at Swansea of any report of lives lost.
FATE OF THE KETCH.
FATE OF THE KETCH. CREW LANDED AT PORTHCAWL. ONE MAN LOST. The Favourite, of Ilfracombe, left for Porthcawl on Thursday morning, and was sighted about eleven o'clock from Porthcawl, but was driven away by the force of the wind. She sprang a leak, and the captain left her about 15 minutes to eight, and was brought to Porthcawl by the schooner Chrysolite, of Penzance. David James, the captain, told our reporter that his mate was left aboard, and they feared he was lost. His name is James Sergeant, of Ilfracombe. The fishing smack Favourite is of 84- tons register, and was built in 1886 carrying five hands. Owner T. Rashcomb, Grimsby. She is ot Milford, and was bound from Ilfracombe to Porthcawl. Our Porthcawl correspondent interviewed the captain of the Favourite, who informed him that the crew of a steamboat bore down upon them and launched their 'boat, but although they pulled manfully towards the ketch they failed to get near. They were;,trying for about an hour. The captain feared the brave fellows failed to reach their vessel again. He lost sight of them about five o'clock. It was nearly eight o'clock when he and his crew were taken on hoard the Chrysolite. The Captain of the Chrysolite of Penzance was afterwards seen. Captain David James and his trusty mate are old Bristol Channel traders. They said that they were hailed by the Favourite, that they wanted assistance. He prepared to do what he could. There was a fearful sea rolling. Our boat would be no good in such a sea, so the captain of the ketch put her about, and ran her just beautiful. She scratched our quarter. One n,an was forward 011 the ketch. He had his hand on the Chiysolite's rail. One of the latter's crew felt his hand, but her bowsprit coming over the rail the crew cleared off a little. The captain came in tumbling over the deck. They advised the other men what to do; and stood by, and tried to get to him. but. they failed. It is feared the poor fellow is lost.
THE FAVOURITE TOWED INTO LLANELLY.
THE FAVOURITE TOWED INTO LLANELLY. The s.s. Orpheus arrived at Llaneliy yesterday, and brought news of severe weather in the Channel on the preceding night, during her voyage from Cardiff. Yesterday morning, about nine o'clock, while proceeding up Carmarthen Bay, she came acioss the abaudoned ketch Favourite, four miles from the Burry bar. The derelict had her flag half-mast high, and was flooded with water. She had no cargo, and appearances seem to point to the fact that she had been abandoned during the night, as the ship's boat was missing. Capt. Richards, of the Orpheus, took her in tow, and brought her to Llaneliy. A Lloyd's telegram says :—The Favourite, of Milford, from Ilfracombe to Porthcawl, has been towed into Llaneliy abandoned.
i THE MISSING SAILOR PICKED…
THE MISSING SAILOR PICKED UP. LIFEBOAT TO THE RESCUE. Our Port Eynon correspondent wires At 12.15 yesterday afternoon, during a whole gale of wind from the westward, Mr Taylor, of Pavi- land Farm, brought a report to the coxswain of Port Eynon lifeboat that a small boat was drifting up the channel near the Helwick Sands with one man on board. The signal was fired for the lifeboat crew, and the boat was success- fully launched at 12.45, manned partly by the crew and partly by volunteers. They succeeded in rescuing the man about an hour afterwards, three miles south-east of East Hshvick buoy. There was a high sea running in the channel, and in returning to shore the lifeboat shipped a sea, which knocked all the oars out of the men's hands. Two oars were lost and one broken. The lifeboat safely returned to her station at 2.45 with crew completely drenched. The man turned out to be James Seargenr, of 2, Albert-court, Ilfracombe. After being brought ashore, he stated that he had abandoned the ketch Favourite, of Milford, at daybreak the same morning three miles south- west of Worm's Head in r. sinking [condition, the captain and only other man on board having been rescued by a schooner at eight o'clock on Thursday night. The poor fellow was in a very cold state, and said he could not have lasted much longer. He had not had a mouthful to eat since between nine and ten o'clock Wednesday night. After being landed he was taken to the Ship Inn where he was well cared for by the landlady, Mrs Hughes.
.STEAMER ASHORE IN SWANSEA…
STEAMER ASHORE IN SWANSEA BAY A Swansea telegram states that the s.s. Ranee belonging to Messrs Hutchinson, Glasgow, ran ashore in Swansea Bay on Thursday night during a. strong south-easterly gale. Fortunately, no great damage was done. Tho boat still lies on the beach, but an effort will be made to get her off during the day. The Ranee is of 138 tons, has a ciew of 11, and is commanded by Captain Donald Mackenzie. It is stated that the casualty was due to a rail- way red lamp being mistaken for the pierhead light.
WRECKS ON THE BRITISH COAST.
WRECKS ON THE BRITISH COAST. FISHING BOAT SWAMPED. FOUR LIVES LOST. Severe storms, involving serious loss of life, raged round the British coast yesterday. A Holyhead telegram states :—The brigantine Busy, stranded on the breakwater, has capsized, and will probably be a total wreck. A Fleetwood telegram says :—A three-masted schooner, sup- posed to belong to Carnarvon, has gone ashore on Sunderland Bank, and is in a dangerous position. The lifeboat has gone out. A melancholy occurrence took place off the Tyne in connection with the gale. A steam fishing boat, Ruth Bolton, when 30 miles off the Tyne, was struck by a tremendous sea, which washed overboard Thomas Rightby (captain), Win. Hastie, and Andrew Taylor. One of the crew, named Robert Stanners, in endeavouring to rescue the men, was also washed overboard. All the men, who belonged to North Shields, were drowned. One man was married. During a severe southerly gale off the Tyne, yesterday morning, the barque Lowestoft, of Blytb, for Grimsby, drove on the rocks inside the North Pier at Shields, and became a total wreck. The crew were rescued by the rocket apparatus. The smack Harry Sinclair, of Grimaby, was wrecked off Withernsea, Yorkshire. The life- boat Admiral Rous succeeded in saving the crew of five men. At Holyhead, yesterday, the schooner Jane Douglas, of Plymouth, for Runcorn, with clay, went on shore on the rocks, and rapidly broke up. The crew were rescued with great difficulty by the lifeboat. The schooner Pioneer, of Hulh ran ashore near Banff, yesterday. Crew landed. The schooner Eliza Belle, of Beaufort, was driven ashore three miles south of Port Logan yesterday, and the crew were drowned. A woman's clothes have been washed ashore. A telegram from Thurso states that the schooner Annie, of Thurso, was driven ashore on I the beach. Her crew was saved. A fishing trawler is ashore at Scrabster, but the crew has been taken off. The mail steamer Stola grounded at Scrabster and was damaged.
CARDIFF STEAMERS IN COLLISION.I
CARDIFF STEAMERS IN COLLISION. I Lloyd's reports that the British steamers Merthyr and Helen Otto collided at Ibrail. Both were badly damaged. The Helen Otto was also in collision with the British steamer Isle of Ramsey, and the latter was slightly damaged.
----------_---BEAUMA RIS VESSEL…
BEAUMA RIS VESSEL STRANDED. ALL HANDS LOST. The schooner Eliza Bell, of Beaumaris, stranded in Barncuikerie Bay, north-west of the Mull of Galloway, and became a total wreck. All hands were drowned.
THE JOINT CONFERENCE.
THE JOINT CONFERENCE. A SUCCESSFUL ISSUE. THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT. MINERS GO BACK AT THE OLD RATES. THE TERMS OF SETTLEMENT. A BIG VICTORY FOLLOWS A LONG STRUGGLE. LORD ROSEBERY'S SKILFUL MEDIATION. OPINIONS OF REPRESENTATIVE MEX. THE RESULT RECEIVED WITH WIDESPREAD SATISFACTION. (PRESS ASSOOIATIOS TELEGRAM.) LOXOON, Friday. The coal crisis is at an end, the result of the conference at the Foreign Office being that the miners are to return to work at the old rate of wages until February 1st, 1394, and that a Board of Conciliation is to be constituted forth- with. The close of the sitting of the conference was announced a few minutes before half-past five, with the further welcome information that an agreement had been effected, and shortly after this formal and satisfactory announcement the official statement (which will be found below) was handed to the representa- tives of the Press. Whatever may have been the hopes or fears of those upon whom lay the onerous duty of taking a personal share in the deliberations, a feverish interest was manifested by the throng who paced the quadrangle at the Foreign Office, and the general anxiety increased rather than diminished as the day advanced. It must be stated, however, that on the whole a distinctly more hopeful tone prevailed than was observable at the Westminster Palace Hotel con- ference. No attempt was made to conceal the evident desire of both parties that the disastrous struggle should be terminated. The coalowners' representatives are: Lancashire and Cheshire—Mr A. Hewlett,Mr John Knowlt-s, Mr Richard Pilkingion, and Mr T. Ratcliffe Ellis (general secretary) Yorkshire — Mr A. M. Chambers (president of the association), M. J. Devonshire Ellis, Mr D. Davy, and Mr A. C Briggs; Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire—Mr John Jackson and Mr Fitzherbert Wright Cannock Chase—Captain Harrison and Mr G. B. Bidder, Q C. North Wales—Mr Hy. Dennis Gloucestershire and Somersetshire—Mr Batey. All these gentlemen, with the exception of the last-named, attended the last joint conference. The names of the men's repre- sentatives are Mr B. Pickard, M P., Mr E. Cowey, Mr W. Parrott, Mr J. Frith (Yorkshire), Mr S. Woods, M.P., Mr T. Aspin- wall, Mr R Isherwood and Mr T. Ashton (Lan- cashire), Mr E. Edwards (Staffordshire), Mr J. Haslan and Mr W. E. Harvey (Derbyshire), Mr A. Stanley (Cannock Chase), Mr W. Bailey (Nottinghamshire), and Mr S. H. Whitehouse (Somersetshire.) The Earl of Rosebery was president. The miners' delegates held a preliminary meet- ing at St. Martin's Town-hall, and arrived at the Foreign Office In a body just before 11. Mr Pickard, M.P., had put in an appearance a few minutes earlier, crossing the Quadrangle with Sir George Trevelyan. Owing to his condition of health he expressed a doubt whether he would be able to sit out the conference, but his fears were not realised, and he was present from the beginning to the end of the proceedings. Mr Thomas Ratcliffe Ellis, as representing the other side, was also present a short time in advance of the Coalowners' Executive, his object being to Scarry out some preliminary arrangements. While the delegates were as- sembling the ubiquitous photographic camera was brought into play. The scene was not destitute of animation, and the permanent clerks in the various Government Departments over- looking the quadrangle appeared at the windows in order to catch a glimpse of the joint deputation ascending the steps of the Foreign Office. They entered the conference chamber precisely at eleven o'clock. After the conference had been sitting an hour, some stir was occasioned by the advent of a considerable number of miners' dele- gates outsidethe executive. They had crossed from Richmond-terrace, and were conducted to a separate room. They had come in order to be within reach if the executive in the course of the deliberations should find it necessary to consult the larger body. Lord Rosebery had given directions that the membeis of the conference should be provided with lunch within the build- ing, so as to render an adjournment to their respective headquarters unnecessary. Among those who joined the expectant groups at this stage included Mr Thomas Bayley, M.P., a Midland colliery owner, who was one of the first to reopen his pits at the old rate of wages. Chatting with Mr Bayley was Mr R. D. Burnie, M.P., who, as representing a mining district, naturally took a close interest in the pro- ceedings. The joint conference adjourned for luncheon within the building at half-past one, the under- standing being that the discussion would be resumed at half-past two o'clock. At half-past three word was brought that the conference had not been resumed, and that the employers were deliberating apart. The miners' executive filled up the interval by being photo- graphed under the porch. Mr Pickard and Mr Woods forming the two central figures of the group. Enquiries made at this stage of the negotiations elicited that the prolonged separate sitting of the employers was the result of the dis- play of an unconciliatory spirit on the part of several of their number. Shortly before four the coalowners' committee left the Foreign Office, and the joint conference was at once resumed. Notwithstanding the reported friction the prospects of settlement were regarded as highly favourable, and it was re- ported that the noble president had given ex- pression to his own strong personal desire that the delegates should not separate to-day without arriving at a friendly conclusion. Five o'clock brought no definite news, and fears were enter- tained by many that after all there must needs be an adjournment until to-morrow. Members of the Coal Exchange, journalists, and miners' delegates thronged the staircase leading up to the first floor and invaded the waiting-rooms. The attendants found their exertions for preventing crowding not altogether successful, but they did manage to keep the corridor leading to the conference-room clear of strangers. A few minutes before the half-hour several of the miners' delegates were seen ap- proaching from the direction of ths chamber, and before they had barely reached the end of the corridor nearest the steps leading to the quadrangle they were besieged by scores of those who rightly guessed that they were carrying with them the fateful secret. If the outgoing delegates had intended to leave the building with sealed lips they did not succeed, for their tongues were unloosed, and un- willingly though they spoke, they communicated to a surging throng of eager hsteners that the conference was at an end, and that the men were to return to work at the old rate of wages until February 1st, 1894. After a brief interval the following official statement was communica.ted to the Press Associa- tion :— "TERMS OF SETTLEMENT of the coal dispute agreed upon between representatives of the Federated Coalowners and of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain at a conference held at the Foreign Office on Friday, November 17th, 1893, Lord Rosebery, K.G., in the chair. 1. That a board of conciliation be constituted forthwith, to last over the year at the least, con- sisting of an equal number of coalowners' and miners' representatives 14 each. They shall, before the first meeting, endeavour to elect a chairman from outside, and should they fail will ask the Speaker of the House of Commons to nominate one, the chairman to have the casting vote. That the board when consti- tuted shall have power to determine from time to time the rate of wages on and from February 1st, 1894. The first ineeting to be on Wednesday, December 13th, 1893, at the Westminster Palace Hotel. 2. That the men resume work at once at the old rate of wages until February 1st, 1894. It is agreed that all collieries, so far as practicable, be re-opened for work forthwith, and that, so far as practicable, no impediment be placed in the way of a. return of the men to work. We, the undersigned chairman and secretary of the Federated Coalowners and of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, on behalf of those represented at this conference, agree to the above terms of settlement of the present coal dispute. "Signed on behalf of the coalowners :— "A. M. CHAMBERS, chairman. "THOMAS KATCLIVFE COLLIS, secretary. "On behalf of the Miners' Federation :— "BENJAMIN PICKAKD, chairman. "THOMAS ASHTON, secretary. ROSEBERY, chairman of conference. "H. LLEWELLYN SMITH, secretary of conference." It appears that before the result was arrived at many proposals and counter proposals were made and discussed. It is stated that one of the proposals put forward hv the colliery owners was that the men should return to work at a reduction of 10 per cent, until March, and that after that date the wages should be settled by a conciliation board. The miners' representatives declined this, and insisted upon the old rate as the condition of their returning to work, but they were willing to modify their previous terms to the extent of agreeing that any new rate decided by the Board of Conciliation should begin on March 1st instead of April 1st. Eventually it was decided as a compromise that in view of being allowed to return to work at the old rate, they would con- sent to accept a further limitation of the period to February ht, and this was eventually agreed to. When this settlement was well within view, Lord Rosebery suggested that the opportunity might perhaps be a favourable one for deciding upon some figure as the minimum wage, but the coalowners did not accept this suggestion, and the question of the minimum was, therefore, left with other points to be settled by the Board of Conciliation. Mr Pickard, in spite of bis illness, was the puncipal spokesman for the miners' representa- tives, who express much satisfaction with the way in which he discharged the onerous duty. On the employers' side, the leading spokesmen were Mr A. Al. Chambers, the president; of the Coal- owners' Association, and Mr Bidder, Q.C. The news of the successful issue of the confer- ence was known throughout the West End at 5.30, and on all hands evoked expressiull of thankfulness. Delegates on both sides speak in hign terri.s of the impartial conduct of Lord Rosebery There is telephonic communication between Lord Rosebery's room at the Foreign Omce and JSo. 10, Dowmng-street, the Pri-ne Ministers official residence, and one of the first to be informed of the result, of thp conference was Mr Gladstone, who throughout the day had been anxious to know how mativrs progressed. In the course of an interview at the elose of the conference Mr Piekard, M.P., expressed himself gratified at the termination of the dispute, and said the terms were such as should be satisfactory to the men. As many as possible would resume work on Monday morning. A representative of the Press Association inter- viewed several members of Parliament and labour leaders on the subject of the settlement. Two members of the Cabinet expressed their intense satisfaction, which is fully shared by Mr Gladstone, at the satisfactory re- sult of the conference. Mr John Burns, M.P., says, "1 am extremely glad that so novel a step as the interposition of the Government in a great industrial dispute should have proved successful. It success will encourage an appeal to similar influences in future strikes. Tiie present result) kills the contention of the employers that wages must follow prices, because if a conciliation board can either arrest the fall of prices or increase wages that shows that after all the regulation of prices and the fixing of wages is a human institu- tlOn, cpable of indefinite nse, and not unalter- able like the laws of the Medes and Persians. The part played so successfully in the present instance by the Foreign Secretary as buffer is, I think, likely to prove the beginning of a depart- ment under the Government by means of which Ministerial machinery may be beneficially brought to bear, not only on .disputes of a national character, but also all other disputes where the parties concerned are willing to invoke such mediation, but I would have all such inter- position of a voluntary character. I congratulate the miners on the magnificent victory they have achieved at the end of a long and painful struggle." Mr Woods, M.P., expressed his gratification ati the satisfactory termination of the conference, and said the conduct of Lord Rosebery through- out had been admirable. A Press Association representative also had a conversation with a coalowner of the Wigan district, whose wage sheet averages about £3.000 weekly. This gentle- man, who is not a member of the Coalowners' Association, and whose men have already returned to work at the old rate, said there had been grevious faults on both sides but for these mistakes he thought the masters were much more to be blamed than the men. The employers aid not, he asserted, make their position clear at the outset. This they would have done had they asked for 15 per cent., and if they had not suc- ceeded in securing a reduction to that amount) they would have obtained 10 per cent. at least. One of the miner's representatives present at to-day's conference says he hopes and believes tho result of it will prove such an effectual practical lesson as to prevent any coal strike of equally serious extent within the lifetime of the present generation. He says there has only been one stoppage of the same extent within the last 17 years, and that lasted only about half the period of the stoppage now at an end. He adds that in thousands of homes and in hundreds of chapels throughout bis division there will be tears of joy and prayers of thanksgiving at the result of to-day's conference. Mr Thomas Bayley, M.P., a coalowner, whose pits resumed work some time ago at the old rates, and who represents the Chesterfield mining dis- trict of Derbyshire, says: "The result, which is extremely satisfactory, was pretty much what I had ventured to anticipate. Aboard of conciliation, formed under such auspices as that proposed to. day, should lead to a prolonged period of peace in the coal trade. It might be an advantage, if practicable, to have conciliation boards formed for the different counties to deal with the local disputes, and prevent them assuming large dimensions." To-morrow the miners' delegates hold a private meeting at ths Westminster Palace Hotel to arrange details in connection with the resump- tion of work. The result of the conference at the Foreign Office was conveyed by Lord Rosebery to Sir Mundella at the House of Commons in the following brief note All is right. The men go back at the old rate till February, when the Board of Conciliation will meet," and the gratifying announcement was immediately handed by the President 1 f the Board of Trade to Mr Gladstone and the members cf ths Government in the House at the moment, as well as to Mr Balfour, as leader of the Opposition, and the Speaker.
RECEPTION OF THE NEWS.*
RECEPTION OF THE NEWS. The Alfreton correspondent of the Central News telegraphs that the settlement of the coal dispute was received with unbounded enthusiasm by the Derbyshire colliers, who had been waiting in vast numbers at the chief centres since three o'clock in the afternoon. As successive telegrams were read out by the leaders confirming the good news, the men threw their caps into the air and cheered until they were hoarse. In some placet the church bells were rung during the evening, and in most places of worship thanksgiving wilt be held to-morrow. The news of the settlement was received with great relief and satisfaction in Sheffield, which has probably suffered more from the strike than any other industrial cntre. The hard coal pit: in the district will be able to produce coal ot Tuesday, but several weeks muse elapse before the work is in full swing where the seam is of soft coal, owing to falls of roof which have to be cleared. The news of the settlement was received last night throughout South Staffordshire and Easf Worcestershire with unbounded enthusiasm. Owners and men had alike grown very weary of the 17 weeks' struggle, and had become despair. ing. This has been the longest strike evec experienced in the coal trade of Staffordshire, and the destruction it has caused will be counted by thousands of pounds. Happily the mine- owners have been able to keep the pits in good repair, and Staffordshire and Worcestershire will be amongst the earliest districts in the kidgdom to resume. Telegrams received last evening from Leigh, Bolton, and other mining centres report that the news of the result of the conference was received with great jubilation. In some cases bells of churches were rung, while dancing and other forms of rejoicing wera pretty general. It would appear in most cases the relief funds were almost exhausted, and that a prolongation of the struggle would have led to an extent of misery and suffering unsurpassed ic any former colliery disputes.
LAST SUNDAY'S COLLECTION IN…
LAST SUNDAY'S COLLECTION IN ? CARDIFF. It will be remembered that a sum of j315 was collected at the Park-hall. Cardiff, on Sunday afternoon, in aid ef the children who are suffering by reason of the strike. In yesteiday's issue of the London Daily Curoniclc, acknowledgment ifr made of receipt of £10, and the other j35 wa* forwarded to relieve the distress at Coed Poeth, near rexham, where 1,500 children are being fed daily by local effort.
THE liHONDDA BRIDE AT CARDIFF.
THE liHONDDA BRIDE AT CARDIFF. EXPLANATION BY THE HUSBAND. Olir Rhoudda correspondent writes:—I called on Friday evening upon Mr Carter, whose marriage with the young woman, Miss Morgan, of Cwmparc, near Treorky, about four months ago has during the past few days become the subject of considerable gossip in the Rhondda and other districts, to ascertain whether the allegations made by the dissatisfied wife, who deserted him shortly after the wedding ceremony was performed, were true. He ex- plained to me that his object in calling at his wife's lodging's in Frederick-street, Cardiff, the other day, was to get her to sign an agreement to the effect that she would not in future solicit any support from him, or many way demand him to contribute towards her maintenance. He emphatically contradicted he story that she had not corresponded with him or kept company with him previous to the occasion of the marriage. After the wedding ceremony was over the newly-married couple returned by train up the Rhondda, and he alighted at Ystrad Rail- way Station voluntarily to repair to his owr. home, and she proceeded to Cwmparc, a locality situated about a miie and a half higher up the valley. But she did not afterwards rejoin her husband, and he never earnestly entreated her to come and live with him. He is quite happy in her absence, and is agreeable tOll. legal separation, which he hopes to shortly obtain.
A BATH MILL BURNED DOWN.
A BATH MILL BURNED DOWN. Hurd's Hosiery Mill, Portland Grange, Matlock, Bath, was gutted by fire yesterday. The damages, which amount to £9,000, are covered by insurance.
Advertising
NEW SHORT STORY EVERY WEEK.—On Satur- day next will be published in the Cardiff Timet and South If" ales Weekly News a new short s10ry (complete} entitled. A Prevision of Evil, by G. A. üeDGr.
Advertising
NEW SHORT STORY EVERY WKKK.—On Satur. day next will b published in the Cardif fTimes and South Wales Weekly Jfews a new short story (colmpete) «0*iUed, A.VyayiBion of Evil," hw Gt A Henty
REPORTED DISASTER OFF LUNDY.
REPORTED DISASTER OFF LUNDY. A SINKING ILFRACOMBE KETCH. RESCUE PARTY THROWN INTO THE SEA. STEAMER'S LIFEBOAT TWICE UPSET. A TERRIBLE NIGHT IN THE CHANNEL. GALLANTRY OF A "PIER- HEAD JUMPER." SEAMAN ADRIFT ON A DERELICT. Yesterday morning a telegram was received i tating"that thebrigHortensie,of France, arrived at Swansea with four of the crew of the steamer Boileau, belonging to Mr L. Gueret, Cardiff picked up in a small boat in the Channel last night." Thus far the telegram was consistent with what had actually occurred, but it was further stated that "the steamer Boileau, with the captain and the remainder of the crew, numbering 20 hands, are supposed to have been lost off Lundy." It, how- ever. transpired that the steamer Boileau, which belongs to Mr L Gueret, left Cardiff on Thursday morning about eleven o'clock, and when passing Bull Point a schooner in distress was sighted. The latter hoisted signals of distress, and the captain of the Boileau at once ordered the lifeboat out. There was a heavy sea. running at the time, but the boat was at once got out in charge of the second officer, Mr Martin, four of the seamen getting into the boat with him. They put off from the steamer, but owing to the heavy sea were unable to approach the schooner, and after repeated efforts were ultimately compelled to give up and to endeavour to get back to the steamer Suddenly, however, a tremendous wave struck the boat, which capsized, precipitating the occupants into the water. One of these—a seaman—man- aged to swim back to the steamer, where he was hauled safely on board. The others, including the second officer, were unable to get back to the steamer, but fortunately managed to right the lifeboat again and to climb into her. Later on in the day they were picked up by the schooner Jeune Charles, and landed in Swansea but little the worse for their adventure. The captain of the Boileau steamed back into the Barry Roads, and as he got into Barry Dock he picked up substitutes, under the impression at the time that the five men had been lost. Our Swansea correspondent writes Some excitement wa9 caused at Swansea just before noon on Friday by the arrival at the docks of the French brig Jeune Charles (Capt. Aioult), who reported having picked up off the Worms Head at 8.15 that morning the second mate and three seamen of the Cardiff steamer Boileau the pro- perty of Messrs Louis Gueret and Co. A rush was made to the dock-side, and on the brig were observed the four rescued men :— W. Martin, of Liverpool, the second mate. Jack Garner, or Gawler, A.B., of Bristol. Carl Lundin, of Stockholm. W. Doherty, of Belfast. It quickly transpired that they had been exposed in an open boat in the Channel during the terrific storm which prevailed the previous night for no less than 16 hours, and that the cause of this exposure was an attempt to render assistance to a vessel in distress. The facts are narrated at length in tho very clear account we give below from the second mate. It appears that while the Boileau was on her voyage from Cardiff to Bordeaux signals of distress were observed by her captain (Mr Robson) flying from a ketch named the Favourite, belonging, it is beheved, to Bideford. By this time the Boileau was off Bull Point. The steamer at once went as elose as was safe, and hailed the crew, which consisted of only two hands. From these it was understood that the Favourite was unmanageable, and that the crew wished to be taken off. V olun- teers were called for to man the lifeboat for the purpose, and the fonr whose names we have JI1eDt tioned, with another man, responded. They wem off to the ketch, but the sea was so rough and wind so strong that no headway could be made in the direction of the Favourite, and so the boat returned to the Boiler Then it was decided to attach a line to the lifeboat with the ob- ject of seeing whether the boat could not be towed into a more favourable position for reach- ing the ketch. The operation of towing was about to commence, when suddenly a tremendous wave struck the boat, which capsized, pre- cipitating the occupants into the water. One of these—a seaman—managed to swim back to the steamer, where he was hauled safely on board. The others, including the second officer, were unable to get back to the steamer, but fortunately managed to right the lifeboat again and to climb into her. It was pitch dark, and the men in the water lost sight of their steamer indeed, they were so engaged in their struggle to regain the lifeboat that they paid no heed to the Boileau. Eventually the four men managed to reach the lifeboat, which remained bottom-upwards, and for some time they clung to the life-lines. It was thought best'not to make any attempt to right the lifeboat, as the four men were all of opinion that she must have had a hole knocked in her by the steamer when she capsized, and if righted she would sink but as sight was lost of the steamer and the men saw they could not long survive the effects of the exposure they were being subject to, the question arose as to what should be done, and then a sea- man named Jack Garner, or Gawler, of Bristol, with great self-sacrifice volunteered to remain in the water and keep the boat right while his com- panions climbed on to the keel. This operation was safely accomplished, but even the three men as they clung on to the keel were in danger every moment of being swept among the great seas which washed over them every now and then. In these positions—the mate and two seamen on the keel and Garner holding on to the lifeline to steady the boat—the men remained nearly five hours till, Garner showing signs of succumbing to cramp, it was decided to haul him also on to the keel. This operation was accomplished with great difficulty and at no little risk, and then, a wave striking the boat, what had been feared occurred. The boat righted. It was, however, noted with delight that, instead of sinking, as had been anticipated, the boat remained afloat, though she was full of water and her gunwale on a level with the sea. The men got on board, and knocking out the head of a, fresh water barrel which was found on board, they improvised a bailer and succeeded in bailing out the boat. From this time they were in far less danger, especially after, by means of an anchor improvised from a couple of oars, they rendered the boat steady to some extent. Still, however, the posi- tion was, apart from the risk of serious conse- quences from exposure, a very perilous one, for now and again huge waves broke over the boat, and threatened to wash out its occupants During the night three sailing vessels were spoken, and attempts were made to rescue the men, but darkness of the night and inability of the sailing vessels prevented any success attending the efforts. The lifeboat drifted on at the mercy of the waves till about eight o'clock in the morning, when, after the Channel had been actually crossed, successful efforts were made to attract the attention of the captain of the French brig Jeune Charles, and the men were taken on board and brought into Swansea. These facts are spoken to in greater detail by the mate, whom ourSwansea representative interviewed, and whose narrative we give but we should not be doing justice to a brave man if we did not dwell on the bravery of the man Garner. This man only joined the Boileau as she was steaming out of Cardiff, but he has long been prominent for deeds of daring. He was the only survivor of 557 persons drowned seven years ago when the ship Fuzi Zima, of London, foundered off the Brazilian coast and when, later on, the Quebec, of Quebec, sank off Cape St. Paul's, he was one of the only two saved. On Thursday night he performed a piece of self-sacrifice his companions canDofc too highly praise. So as to at least save the lives of his comrades, he volunteered to remain in the water while they were on the keel of the up- turned lifeboat, as he believed that if the boat righted she would sink, and all four of the men would be drowned. For five hours, braving the wind, the sea, and the cold, he maintained this position, and, not content with this, every now and then as he saw an oar get loose, he succeeded in bringing it back to the boat. It was only when human endurance could stand this position no longer and cramp intervened that his com- panions succeeded in prevailing on him to join them on the upturned keel, and it is fortunate this course was adopted, for by this means the boat righted, the fears of the men as to the probability of the boat having a hole in her proved unfounded, and so the whole four were e "»«yijiually saved.
INTERVIEW WITH THE SECOND…
INTERVIEW WITH THE SECOND MATE. A THRILLING NARRATIVE. Details are now to hand which lead to a slight variation of the first account dispatched. The exact facts may be gleaned from the following interview with the second mate, Mr Martin, who is an exceptionally well-educated man, who readily complied with our representative's request for an interview. He said:—We left the Roath Dock, Cardiff, on Thursday morning, at 11 o'clock, with a cargo of coal for Bordeaux. The sea was rough, and the weather thick, but every- thing went all right till we reached a position about off Bull Point, when we saw a ketch named the Favourite in distress. We steamed up near to her to hail her, and we found that she had only two men on board, and as the vessel was unmanageable they asked us to take them aboard. Accordingly we decided to man a boat to take off the men. The lifeboat was lowered, and in it got myself, an able seaman named Carl Lundin, of Stockholm; Doherty of Belfast: and Jack Garner, of Bristol, who jumped on our vessel from the pierhead as she was leav- ing Cardiff Dock. The boat was put off, and we tried to get to the ketch, and although we continued our endeavours a long time we could not manage it, and had to return to the Boileau, which picked us up again. Then it was decided that an attempt should be made to cow us into a better position for render- ing the assistance we were anxious to g-ive, but soon after the attempt was commenced the head rope parted and we drifted astern, getting under- neath the counter of the Boileau, and owing to the terrific sea we capsized, and were all thrown into the water. After much difficulty we scrambled on the bottom of the boat. Jack Garner, to whom, bye-the- bye, we all pwe our lives, most bravely staying in the water to prevent the beat capsizing again, for we thought that perhaps the propeller had strucic her, and knocked a hole in her, and so, if she were allowed to right, she might sink. Garner held on in the position described for no less tb:1.l1 four or five hours, and at last had to give up through bell1g seized by cramp. We, with much difficulty, helped Garner on to the bottom of 1 the boat with u, the constant washing of the water over us rendering our position one of extreme danger. It was not many minutes after we had got Garner with us before the boat turned over throw, ng us all men the water. With much difficUlty we scrambled into her, and then we found that she was full of water and the gun whale level with the sea. We, however, were much relieved at finding that there was no hole in her, and therefore without loss of time we took one of the fresh water breakers,' knocked the bottom of it to make it a bailer, and in a short space of time had emptied the boat. We had long ago lost sight of our own steamer, owing to the intense darkness. We shouted to her. and she signalled all she could to u-, but was unable to find u. We have learnt this morning thai; she has gone to Barry to report the circumstances. Having the boat empty, save for the periodical tiding through the seas breaking Over us, we decided to rig a sea anchor, our ordmary one beiug lost and this we did with a couple of oars, with the aid of which we were able to keep the head of the ovat rnore to the wind, and 1':0 sav many seas from washing over us that had pre- viously put us m frequent risk of being washed overboard. The men took turn and turn at the bailing, and so kept her fairly free from water, save for a small quantity we kept in her to steady her. The night was dark and squally, and all through it we drifted along. We saw lights occasionally, and three sailing vessels bore down on us with the object of rendering assistance but although their commanders did everything they possibly couJd they were unable, in the heavy sea and the intense darkness, to come near us while we, by the loss of one row- lock, could not get near them. At daylight we fonnd we weri1 uff abreast of t he Worms Head. We rigged up an oar and tied some rags on it as I a signal, and sighting soon after the French brig Hortensie we attracted her attention. She made for us, and eventually we were taken on board." Mr Martin went on to say that he and his com- panions were treated with extraordinary kindness by the captain of the Hortensie, while his admira- tion of the bravery of Garner knew no bounds. How long had you been in the water ?" asked onr representative. Well, you see the accident must have happened soon after four, and it was at 8.15 that we were picked up." So you had been in the water about 16 hours ?" and a. terrible time we had." Mr Martin then got up and walked about, when it was remarked that he did not show much signs of tlH terrible exposure doing hIm much harm. Well," he replied, I t wi II take me some time to get right again. 1\I:v stiffness has gone to a certain extent, thanks to the kindness of the captain of the French boat, but when I got up the brig's side I so cramped that I could get no higher than the bulwarks, when I fell over it on to the deck. The captain and his crew came to my assistance, and helped me up. You see I am wearing some of his clothes." It was then noticed that Mr Martin wore a ^!air of wooden clog', and that in kicking out his Hoot to show how his cramp had gene one of the clogs fell off, which ltd to the jocular observa- tion that they were not made to fit him, and that though they might ordinarily be a good fit, he was used to them. Mr Martin continued— "Each gavejus dry, warm clothing, invited us into his cabin, had a fire lit there, and sent our wet clothes into galley to be dried. He also had coffee made, prepared a nice breakfast, and. indeed, exercised all the kindness a man possibly could. Nor would he allow our owner's property to suffer, for instead of sending the lifeboat adrift, as is often done, he took it in tow and so brought it into Swansea. Talk about kindness, I never saw anything like it. We had a most extraor- dinary attention from the captain while at sea, and when we reached Swan- sea it had not ceased. Indeed, everybody who came on board offered us every kindness, volunteering to lend clothing. The macintosh I am wearing was kindly lent me by a gentleman." During the interview several references were made to Jack Garner, and, as our representative was thanking Mr Martin for the unusual courtesy he had displayed and complimenting him on the consecutive and clear way in which he had given his account of the circumstances, the second mate desired to a special tribute to Garner, who, he said, displayed a spirit cf heroism and self- sacrifice he had never seen equalled. When, he said, it looked as though any of us would have difficulty in surviving he took no heed of the danger, and to keep us in a place of comparative safety on tho upturned keel of the boat he stayed in the water nearly five hours to steady her for our advantage. And not only did he do this, but he collected the oars as they got adrift, and kept them near the boat by placing them between his body and the boat. And look at this. (Here Mr Martin took from a packet a saturated pocket book, in which were his certificates and other important papers.) By some means this fell out of my pocket while I was on the keel of the boat, and yet, although it wa.s dark. Garner seemed to have discovered the book, aud he was able to hand it back 90 me."
Advertising
NEW SHORT STOUT EVERY WEEK.—On Satur day next will be published in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly Newc- F. new short story (complete) entitled, A Prevision of Evil, by G. A. Henty.