CHANNEL DISASTERS.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 84, 9 April 1889, Page 2

CHANNEL DISASTERS.

Prince Jerome appears to hava had a lively experience of the dangers of the Channel. He was visiting " perfidious Albion " on tho 30th March, to consult the ox-Emproso Eugenic on tho subject of the French elections, when the mail boat on whioh he was a passenger oatae into collision with a Belgian steamer, and was blown up, 14 of those on board being drowaad. He escapes, and after accomplishing his mission sets out on his return. But, as we see in to-day's cablo messages, this time the mail boat oomss into collision with a barque off Dover, and ho has another narrow escape Years ago persops who were afraid of making the trip aoross from England to France were the objects of general mii-th, if not ridicule, and their elaborate preparations and subsequent dibtress en route were the subject of comic illustrations in Punch and other journals. Now, however, the dangers are no longer imaginary, but real, and the terrors of sea-sickness havodwindledinto insignificance before the horrord of collision. The accidents which have taken place in the Channel during the last two or three years constitute one of the most mournful chapters of modern history. Week after week we hear of terrible disasters, and as time goes on their frequonoy and the loss of Hfo involved become more and moro appalling. In former years colonial passengers who, after the ordinary vicissitudes of a run Home, have been roused up from their slumbers by the welcome cry of "England in sight" have congratulated themselves upon having accomplished their voyage in safety, and have at once fallen to counting the hours whioh must elapse before their foet will once more stand on terra firma. Now, dismal experience tells them that when they arrive in sight of land their perils are only commencing 1 , that the run up Channel is beset with more chances of disaster than the whole of the rest of the passage. It is very evident that the great increase of traffic in the " silver streak" haß not been attended with commensurate precautions against acoident. The present general regulations as to the law of the road at sea do not meet the case of this crowded marine highway. How it is that the evil has not been made before this the subject of special legislation is very surprising, but we should imagine that tho most recent disasters, and more particularly tho extraordinary experience of Prince Jerome, will raise a public clamour which will have to be attended to.