Page 6 Advertisements Column 2

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 438, 18 November 1863, Page 6

The Blockade Runners.— lt is reported i a the American advices received by the last mail, that the commanders of the blockading fleet off Charlestown have announced their determination to sink all blockade runners without waiting to capture them, and three "vessels — namely, the Herald, of Charleston, the "Isaac Smith, the Beauregard and Britannia I—have1 — have been sunk while .attempting to enter or leave that port. The blockading squadron is at liberty to sink, burn, or destroy the vessels of the' enemy wherever they are found, and any vessel found attempting to run the blockade, and resisting capture, may be sunk or otherwise destroyed. t; But we can hardly suppose that the^officers of the blockading squadron have received instructions to treat all ships found running the blockade alike, and sink them indiscriminately. This would be to abolish all distinctions between the property of neutrals and belligerents, and convert neutrals at once into enemies. The penalty recognised by international law as incurred by neutrals for violating a legally established blockade is the capture and confiscation of the offending ship and her cargo. It is for the Prize Court of the captors to decide upon the facts connected with the capture, and to say whether they constitute good ground for condemnation. It never could be the intention, even of the Government of Washington, to supersede the jurisdiction of the Federal Prize Courts, in all that relates to the '-offence of running the blockade, and confer upon 'the commanders of the blockading squadron summary jurisdiction, by virtue of which they are at liberty to destroy not only the property, but the lives of neutrals. To take this course would be to invite, and not only to invite, but to induce hostilities with every neutral maritime State. It is alleged that the resolution to destroy blockade runners indiscriminately has been taken in consequence, amongst other things, of the frauds- committed in the Prize Courts, whereby the captors, it is asserted, have been deprived of their prize moneys. If this statement means anything it means this : that because all the seizures of the neutral ships made by the Federal cruisers are not upheld as good seiaures by the Federal Prize Courts, and the captors have occasionally failed to realise the profits they anticipated, they will not trouble themselves henceforth with, making captures of blockade runners, but will sink all vessels they fall in with, attempting to make for, or leave a blockaded port. We say that we cannot believe the Government of Washington has sanctioned any proceedings so illegal and'sohazardous, and, therefore, until we are in possession of more definite information on the subject, we must treat the report in question as one of those rumours which must be received at least with caution. — ■ Shipping Gazette. Sekious Railway Accident.— Carkiages thkown off the line by a bullock.— the Lynn and Wisbech train it appears, was to leave Hunstanton on its return at 7.45, Aug. 4, that being the hour named in. the time-tables. For convenience, however, two trains were made up, the first starting at the time named, and the other following in about a quarter of an hour. The first train reached Lynn safely, passing, on its way, a bullock in a dry dyke by the side of the line. The sight of this animal, in this position suggested to a surgeon, who Was in the first train, the possibility of an accident, and he made a remark to that effect. Unhappily, an accident did happen, and one, too, of a most fearful and fatal nature. The second train stopped twice on its journey, the last stoppage being at Walferton station, on the Saudringham estate. Leaving the station it went on to Wootton, which station it passed on its way directly to Lynn. When J about half a mile from Wootton, and about two miles from Lynn, the train came upon the bullock before mentioned. What occurred at that time cannot be precisely ascertained, nor how it was that the engine and tender and the three first carriages passed in safety. The evidence which will be given afc the inquest may possibly J throw more light upon these points. It is supposed, however, that the fourth carriage being a j first-class one, and so of broader make, caught j the animal's head and knocked it' down on to the rails. This first class carriage and the two next went at once off the line, and after being dragged upwards of 100 yards, they upset. ; The first-class carriage went completely over, and lay with its wheels upwards, but, singular to say, its occupants — three or four gentlemen aiid one if not more ladies— escaped unhurt. The occupants of the next carnage were not so fortunate. They j were third class carriages, and one of them was smashed utterly to pieces. In this carriage were some who have lost their lives ; but in this carriage, also, there were many who es- | caped with a shaking. The train was quickly pulled up, and the passengers who were unhurt I got out, and instant exertions were made to ascertain the extent of the damage. Sad to say, five persons were found to be killed, and numerous others wounded, four or five severely, and at least tweuty others slightly. The engine came on to Lynn to procuru assistance, and. several medical gentlemen, with au alacrity which is honorable to their profession, went at once, to the spot. Every attention *was paid to the/i njured, and J the dead were separated from the ruins. They I were five in number, and some of them so frightfully mutilated as to defy recognition for a time, j Novelty in River Mining.— A dredging machine, the property of a company, is now nearly ready .for. service, and great hopes are entertained respecting it. Its construction is as follows : A moderate-sized punt, built at the Wanaka Lake, and floated down the Clutba, is decked over flush, and a rail erected around it. A small crane, or derrick, projects over the side, the chain of which is made fast .'to a sort of scoop. This scoop; has a long wooden handle. The scoop.is .of iron, and with its; long handle forms a sort of spoon, whence this style of dredge "has received the name ; of the " spoon dredge." -The scoop or spoon is^jnerely a disk or ring of iron,, with a strong snout to it, and attached to the ring is a bag of bullock hide, to contain the stuff scooped up from the bottom. When in work, the scoop will bo directed from the punt by means or a long handle, and when 1 the bag is filled, it will be hoisted up by means of the derrick. It will then be emptied into a sluice-box on the punt, and at once washed by water, pumped up from, the xIvGY,T->otaga paper, ■■■ •'''■"- . .