DOI Heft:
March 6, 1875
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16940#0105
March 6, 1875.] PUNCH, OP THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 97
A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.
[E loss of the emigrant ship,
Crossbones, which took fire on
the voyage to Australia, and
was burned to the water’s
edge, all hands being either
burnt or drowned, with the
exception of one man and a
boy, was the subject of an
inquiry held yesterday.
The Court was composed
exclusively of Shipowners.
Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz repre-
sented the Board of Trade
and the charterers, while Mr.
Phunky attended on behalf
of the relatives of the lost
passengers and crew.
Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz, in
opening the matter, said that
they were met to inquire into
the loss of the ship Crossbones,
by fire, together with nearly
five hundred lives. No doubt
such untoward events would
occur; but, in order to meet
the requirements of the Board
of Trade, certain witnesses,
including the survivors—one
man and a boy—would be called to prove that no blame could be
attached to anyone, and that the vessel was all that could be
desired.
The survivors, who had been spending the morning at the owners’
office, were then brought into Court. They looked still very ill.
James Jonah, able seaman, deposed that he was one of the crew
of the Crossbones; he had been so ever since she was launched. She
was then called the Death's Head. She went ashore on her first
voyage, and strained herself. Was afterwards lengthened and re-
! christened. Everything went well till the fire broke out. Couldn’t
imagine how she could possibly have taken fire. The cargo was
composed of pitch, tar, resin, oil, paraffin, petroleum, rum, brandy,
I spirits of wine, fireworks, gunpowder, &c. Did not consider that an
inflammable cargo. Thought the fire must have originated in one of
| the water-tanks. There were quite enough boats. None of ’em were
| any use. Was saved by clinging to a bit of a raft with the boy.
Serjeant Buzfuz.—And that is how you were buoyed up.
[Laughter.)
Witness.—Was rescued by the Peruvian barque, Pick-me-Up,
the Captain of which treated us most kindly. Hit everybody but us
over the head with belaying-pins.
Serjeant Buzfuz was most happy to inform the Court that it
had been intimated to him that Her Majesty’s Government intended
presenting the Captain, in the course of a year or two, with a
kaleidoscope and a tin speaking-trumpet.
Examination resumed: Considered the Crossbones one of the
safest ships afloat until she was lost. Would not have the slightest
| objection to have gone to sea in her again, with the same cargo, pro-
vided he was saved, and it was made worth his while. Considered
lucifer matches on the top of a powder barrel, or petroleum cask,
| rather ornamental than otherwise.
Mr. Phunky was proceeding to cross-examine the Witness, when
the Court adjourned for lnnch.
On its re-assembling, Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz submitted to the
i Court that Mr. Phunky had no locus standi.
Mr. Phunky said that he appeared for certain persons who were
not quite satisfied.
Serjeant Buzfuz.—Some people are never satisfied.
Mr. Phunky.—I mean to say that they are not satisfied that the
vessel was well found.
Serjeant Buzfuz.—How could she have been well “found”
when she was lost ? [Much laughter, which was not suppressed.)
The boy who was saved was then called, and corroborated in every
particular the evidence of the former Witness. Thought the fire
might have originated in the fore-top-gallant mast. Felt very hot
after climbing up there.
An experienced Stevedore was then called by Mr. Phunky, and
said that he considered the cargo a most dangerous one,
When he was stopped by Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz, who called the
attention of the Court to the fact that Witness dropped his “ H’s,”
and was evidently a most objectionable and untrustworthy person.
The Court allowed the objection, and the Witness was ordered to
stand down.
The learned Serjeant then said that it appeared to him quite
unnecessary to address the Court any further.
1_;_ '_
The Court, after consulting for two minutes and three quar-
ters, said that it was certainly most unfortunate that the majo-
rity, in fact, a large majority, of the passengers and crew of the
Crossbones should have met with such a disagreeable fate, but
it could not be helped. Everything that science, experience, and
skill, as well as petroleum, pitch, tar, gunpowder, spirits, and other
powerful agents, could do, had been done, and the Court only hoped
that the owners were fully insured. If the unfortunate Captain
were before them, the Court would have immediately granted him a
new certificate, in case his old one should have been burnt. The
Court were unanimously of opinion that the cargo was of a most
harmless description, and properly stowed. They would, however,
recommend that in future the boats should not be launched keel-
upwards, and that when Captain Shaw returns from Egypt he
should be consulted upon the best method of suddenly extinguishing
ignited spirits and petroleum, as well as fireworks.
Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz entirely concurred with the Court, and was
happy to say that the owners were more than fully insured.
The inquiry then terminated.
THE LATE LIGHT OE THE BAB.
Air—“ Young Lochinvar.”
Choice of Stoke-upon-Trent, lo, Kenealy confest,
Pledged to see the foul wrongs of Sir Roger redressed !
Save his grievance and gingham he weapons had none ;
He went unabashed, and he went all alone,
As though stainless in ’scutcheon, in fame without scar,—
Who e’er equalled for brass this late Light of the Bar ?
He stayed not for scoff, and he stopped not for groan ;
What were “ Orders ” to him, who takes orders from none ?
But ere he alighted at Westminster Gate,
The House was well-filled, though the Doctor came late ;
For the night’s blushing honours were shared, and at par,
’Twixt John Mitchee and him, this late Light of the Bar.
So boldly he entered the High Commons’ hall,
Among Whigs, Rads, Conservatives, alien all,
While calm, cold, and cutting, the Speaker was heard,
Through the silence, unbroken by cheer or by word,
“ In breach of the House-Standing-Order you are,
Without introducers thus passing our Bar ! ”
“ I stuck to the Claimant: his claims were denied :
Bench might beard me and Bar ; Bar and Bench I defied !
And now I am come, with this lost cause of mine.
Like Cromwell, to bid hence that ‘ bauble ’ of thine :
Learn how wide-spread my fame, whom the much-wronged
Gaikwar
Had retained,* had there not been that sinister Bar.”
Dropped by all like hot poker, John Bright took him up—
“Not e’en from such lips should this House dash the cup.
If Whalley has spirit to lend me a hand,
By Stoke-upon-Trent’s new-made Member I’ll stand.”
But Disraeli moved, “ Waive the rule, better far :
Some will force their way over, some under, the Bar.”
So the Order was waived, and unblushing in face
He shook hands with the Speaker, swore, scowled at the Mace :
’Twas some time e’er the House could its business resume,
What with Decency’s fret and Propriety’s fume:
While an old stager whispered, “ We ’re best as we are ;
Stick to Orders, that serve, now and then, as a Bar.”
He touched Whalley’s hand, who fought shy, it was clear,
And he reached the Hall-door, with the cabs standing near;
So light in the air his green gingham he swung;
So light to his faithful four-wheeler he sprung—
“I have won ! The trick’s done ! To the knife it is war !
See The Englishman ! ”—quoth this ex-Light of the Bar.
There were posters (four-sheet) on The Englishman’s van:
With its damp quires the newsboys they roared and they ran :
Yollied dirt at M.P.’s, as at Judges, there flew,
But the lost case of Orton they would not review!
So persistent to pelt, from the mark though so far,
Was e’er Member like this late Light of the Bar !
* So says the Englishman. It is true the Gaikwar’s agents in this oountry
deny the assertion point-blank, but that is nothing in the Doctor’s way.
Cook’s “ Earthly Paradise.”—A thick Wood in a thaw, when
every tree is Dripping.
Vol. 68.
4
A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.
[E loss of the emigrant ship,
Crossbones, which took fire on
the voyage to Australia, and
was burned to the water’s
edge, all hands being either
burnt or drowned, with the
exception of one man and a
boy, was the subject of an
inquiry held yesterday.
The Court was composed
exclusively of Shipowners.
Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz repre-
sented the Board of Trade
and the charterers, while Mr.
Phunky attended on behalf
of the relatives of the lost
passengers and crew.
Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz, in
opening the matter, said that
they were met to inquire into
the loss of the ship Crossbones,
by fire, together with nearly
five hundred lives. No doubt
such untoward events would
occur; but, in order to meet
the requirements of the Board
of Trade, certain witnesses,
including the survivors—one
man and a boy—would be called to prove that no blame could be
attached to anyone, and that the vessel was all that could be
desired.
The survivors, who had been spending the morning at the owners’
office, were then brought into Court. They looked still very ill.
James Jonah, able seaman, deposed that he was one of the crew
of the Crossbones; he had been so ever since she was launched. She
was then called the Death's Head. She went ashore on her first
voyage, and strained herself. Was afterwards lengthened and re-
! christened. Everything went well till the fire broke out. Couldn’t
imagine how she could possibly have taken fire. The cargo was
composed of pitch, tar, resin, oil, paraffin, petroleum, rum, brandy,
I spirits of wine, fireworks, gunpowder, &c. Did not consider that an
inflammable cargo. Thought the fire must have originated in one of
| the water-tanks. There were quite enough boats. None of ’em were
| any use. Was saved by clinging to a bit of a raft with the boy.
Serjeant Buzfuz.—And that is how you were buoyed up.
[Laughter.)
Witness.—Was rescued by the Peruvian barque, Pick-me-Up,
the Captain of which treated us most kindly. Hit everybody but us
over the head with belaying-pins.
Serjeant Buzfuz was most happy to inform the Court that it
had been intimated to him that Her Majesty’s Government intended
presenting the Captain, in the course of a year or two, with a
kaleidoscope and a tin speaking-trumpet.
Examination resumed: Considered the Crossbones one of the
safest ships afloat until she was lost. Would not have the slightest
| objection to have gone to sea in her again, with the same cargo, pro-
vided he was saved, and it was made worth his while. Considered
lucifer matches on the top of a powder barrel, or petroleum cask,
| rather ornamental than otherwise.
Mr. Phunky was proceeding to cross-examine the Witness, when
the Court adjourned for lnnch.
On its re-assembling, Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz submitted to the
i Court that Mr. Phunky had no locus standi.
Mr. Phunky said that he appeared for certain persons who were
not quite satisfied.
Serjeant Buzfuz.—Some people are never satisfied.
Mr. Phunky.—I mean to say that they are not satisfied that the
vessel was well found.
Serjeant Buzfuz.—How could she have been well “found”
when she was lost ? [Much laughter, which was not suppressed.)
The boy who was saved was then called, and corroborated in every
particular the evidence of the former Witness. Thought the fire
might have originated in the fore-top-gallant mast. Felt very hot
after climbing up there.
An experienced Stevedore was then called by Mr. Phunky, and
said that he considered the cargo a most dangerous one,
When he was stopped by Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz, who called the
attention of the Court to the fact that Witness dropped his “ H’s,”
and was evidently a most objectionable and untrustworthy person.
The Court allowed the objection, and the Witness was ordered to
stand down.
The learned Serjeant then said that it appeared to him quite
unnecessary to address the Court any further.
1_;_ '_
The Court, after consulting for two minutes and three quar-
ters, said that it was certainly most unfortunate that the majo-
rity, in fact, a large majority, of the passengers and crew of the
Crossbones should have met with such a disagreeable fate, but
it could not be helped. Everything that science, experience, and
skill, as well as petroleum, pitch, tar, gunpowder, spirits, and other
powerful agents, could do, had been done, and the Court only hoped
that the owners were fully insured. If the unfortunate Captain
were before them, the Court would have immediately granted him a
new certificate, in case his old one should have been burnt. The
Court were unanimously of opinion that the cargo was of a most
harmless description, and properly stowed. They would, however,
recommend that in future the boats should not be launched keel-
upwards, and that when Captain Shaw returns from Egypt he
should be consulted upon the best method of suddenly extinguishing
ignited spirits and petroleum, as well as fireworks.
Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz entirely concurred with the Court, and was
happy to say that the owners were more than fully insured.
The inquiry then terminated.
THE LATE LIGHT OE THE BAB.
Air—“ Young Lochinvar.”
Choice of Stoke-upon-Trent, lo, Kenealy confest,
Pledged to see the foul wrongs of Sir Roger redressed !
Save his grievance and gingham he weapons had none ;
He went unabashed, and he went all alone,
As though stainless in ’scutcheon, in fame without scar,—
Who e’er equalled for brass this late Light of the Bar ?
He stayed not for scoff, and he stopped not for groan ;
What were “ Orders ” to him, who takes orders from none ?
But ere he alighted at Westminster Gate,
The House was well-filled, though the Doctor came late ;
For the night’s blushing honours were shared, and at par,
’Twixt John Mitchee and him, this late Light of the Bar.
So boldly he entered the High Commons’ hall,
Among Whigs, Rads, Conservatives, alien all,
While calm, cold, and cutting, the Speaker was heard,
Through the silence, unbroken by cheer or by word,
“ In breach of the House-Standing-Order you are,
Without introducers thus passing our Bar ! ”
“ I stuck to the Claimant: his claims were denied :
Bench might beard me and Bar ; Bar and Bench I defied !
And now I am come, with this lost cause of mine.
Like Cromwell, to bid hence that ‘ bauble ’ of thine :
Learn how wide-spread my fame, whom the much-wronged
Gaikwar
Had retained,* had there not been that sinister Bar.”
Dropped by all like hot poker, John Bright took him up—
“Not e’en from such lips should this House dash the cup.
If Whalley has spirit to lend me a hand,
By Stoke-upon-Trent’s new-made Member I’ll stand.”
But Disraeli moved, “ Waive the rule, better far :
Some will force their way over, some under, the Bar.”
So the Order was waived, and unblushing in face
He shook hands with the Speaker, swore, scowled at the Mace :
’Twas some time e’er the House could its business resume,
What with Decency’s fret and Propriety’s fume:
While an old stager whispered, “ We ’re best as we are ;
Stick to Orders, that serve, now and then, as a Bar.”
He touched Whalley’s hand, who fought shy, it was clear,
And he reached the Hall-door, with the cabs standing near;
So light in the air his green gingham he swung;
So light to his faithful four-wheeler he sprung—
“I have won ! The trick’s done ! To the knife it is war !
See The Englishman ! ”—quoth this ex-Light of the Bar.
There were posters (four-sheet) on The Englishman’s van:
With its damp quires the newsboys they roared and they ran :
Yollied dirt at M.P.’s, as at Judges, there flew,
But the lost case of Orton they would not review!
So persistent to pelt, from the mark though so far,
Was e’er Member like this late Light of the Bar !
* So says the Englishman. It is true the Gaikwar’s agents in this oountry
deny the assertion point-blank, but that is nothing in the Doctor’s way.
Cook’s “ Earthly Paradise.”—A thick Wood in a thaw, when
every tree is Dripping.
Vol. 68.
4