EMPRESS OF THE SEAS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 46, 8 January 1862, Page 2

EMPRESS OF THE SEAS.

On Wednesday an inquiry as to tlie cause of the fire which destroyed the ship the Empress of the Seas on tlie 12th instant, wo 3 commenced by Dr. Cl; indler, the district coroner, at tlie Quarantine ground, Point Napean. Tlie inquiry lasted until five o'clock yesterday evening, and a large mass of evidence was taken. A large number of gentlemen from Melbourne were sresent.5 resent. Mr. Aspinnll appeared on behalf of Messrs. ames Baines and Co., the owners of the vessel ; Mr. Read, for Captain Bragge, the master; Mr. Sandilands, for the salvors ofthe gold shipped by the vessel; Mr. Partou, on behalf ofthe Oriental Bank, as shippers of gold ; and Mr. Pavey, (representative of the firm of Duirdin, Bronchorst, and Co.), for the Bank of New South Wales and the underwriters. The evidence of Captain Bragge was the first taken. It was to the effect that he left Hobson's Bay in due course, and upon arriving at the Heads he went on shore for the purpose of engaging-some additional hands. He gave the vessel into the charge of Mr. Kennedy, the pilot. When he left the ship there did not appear to beany dissatisfaction amongst the sailors. He had discovered that there were two men on board who had not signed the ship's articles, and offrved to take them with him— an offer which was refused. All hands were sober when he went on shore except the third mate, who had been drunk for three days, and was suffering from delirium treinens. The next witness examined was James Fisher, tlie chief officer, who stated that he was on board the vessel when the captain went on shore, but received no special orders from Captain Bragge, and did not know where lie was going, or for what purpose. He turned in at about half-past twelve, leaving instructions with the watch to call him at half-past four o'clock. Goldman, tlie quartermaster, was in watch, and also a midshipman. The galley fire was out when he went to bed, and everything was perfectly quiet on board. He was called by the second officer at about half-past four, and heard that the vessel was on fire. He immediately got xip, and gave instructions for the force-pumps to; be rigged, and the hose to be carried along. He heard from the forecastle that the 'pump handles were not to be found, and he then ordered that buckets should be used. He also broke a window on the port side ofthe booby hatch, and had water poured down. In the meantime the passengers and gold were placed in the boats. The captain arrived on board at halfpast six o'clock. Tlie smell of the smoke was that of burned canvass, and there was no smell of burning wool until long after the commencement of the fire. Could the force pumps have been worked, the fire could have been extinguished, as for some time after it was discovered it did not get any strong hold. In cross-examination, it appeared that the witness had quarrelled with Goldman when going down the bay, and had kicked him, Goldman threatening to "knife" him afterwards. The second officer— Gifford—deposed to having been on watch ou the morning of the fire. Tlie pump handles were stowed in a conspicuous place, as ho had noticed them at an earlier hour of tho night. He believed, however, that they were thrown overboard. Goldman, the quartermaster, was subjected to a longexamination. He stated that he was sent by the officer in charge of the vessel to shift the lantern from the fore-rigging to the fore-yard. When going .forward he saw a man, whom ho believed to be a colored man, rush into the forecastle from near tho foremast, on the starboard side. Tlie man had no covering on his feet, and wore a red shirt. Tlie fore hatch was closed, and before it was the carpenter's tool or nail box. He had heard some of the crew say they would rather see the ship on fire than go to sea in her. He could not say who the men were who said so. They stated that they had not signed the articles, but had been hoocused and token on board when insensible. Several other witnesses were examined, but their evidence was not of a nature to throw any light upon the origin ofthe fire. The jury, after halt-an-hour's consultation, returned as a verdict—" That the Empress ofthe Sea was wilfully set on fire, but that there was not sufficient evidence to prove by whom.''— Argus, December 28.

'"'" Extraordinary Tale.—A child was deposited twenty-seven years ago at the Foundling Hospital at Brussels; having a flower tatooed on its arm. It was of the female sex, and was brought up by a countrywoman paid by the Philanthropic Society. The infant became a young woman ; : ' and little is known of her career for some time, ' except that she was in service for about ten years. Now comes the wonderful part of the story." An English family claims the paternity of the cliild, and a strict search is set on foot, which results in the future rich heiress being found in a most wretched place, in company with four soldiers, and she herself reduced to the last j degree of abject debauchery. It is to be hoped she is not a peeress in her own right.— Letter Jnm Paris. . , .