The Wreck of the "Royal Charter": Compiled from Authentic Sources, with Some Original MatterFowler, Frank
History
The Wreck of the "Royal Charter": Compiled from Authentic Sources, with Some Original Matter
Fowler, Frank
Royal Charter (Ship); Shipwrecks -- Wales -- Anglesey
'THE INQUEST.--The inquest on the bodies was commenced yesterday
(Friday) afternoon, at Llanallgo church, before Mr. William Jones,
coroner of Anglesea, and a jury who were sworn in Welsh. It was an
impressive sight when the coroner, standing at the communion table,
surrounded by the group of dead and mangled corpses, amid the
audible sobs of those who had recognized their friends, commenced
his melancholy task.
'Mr. Moore, solicitor of Warrington, before the opening of the
inquest, asked the coroner what course he intended to pursue.
'The coroner thought he should be satisfied, under the melancholy
circumstances, with the identification of the bodies.
'Mr. Bright, of the company owning the vessel, undertook to have any
of the surviving crew present who would be able to give any
information.
'Mr. James Russell, who said his father lived in Linlithgowshire,
and who was one of the passengers who escaped, recognized John
Smith, son of Edmund Smith, Mrs. Woodroff (companion to Mrs.
Forster, also in the vessel and lost), Catherine Margaret Russell,
and Richard Reed. Mr. Forster lives at Grindlow House, Manchester,
Mrs. Woodroff's husband is expected home by the "George Marshall."
Richard Walton, of 22 Duckworth Street, Brunswick Road, Liverpool,
identified his brother James, between 21 and 22. Thomas Outerside, 6
Clare Street, Liverpool, printer, identified John Emery, Stone,
Staffordshire.
'The coroner then proceeded to Penrhos church, where he also charged
the jury with the investigation into the circumstances of the death
of the bodies lying there. The inquests were adjourned until
Wednesday.' [Later proceedings before the coroner, will be found
elsewhere.] 'In reply to an application, the coroner undertook to
have an interpreter provided.
'Several parties were present who stated they were prepared to
vindicate the character and memory of Captain Taylor. The vessel it
was stated, made no water until it broke up. The ladies it was
arranged, should go first; but before opening the saloon doors, the
vessel parted in two and stopped all communication.
'Mr. Samuel Henry, a jeweller from Adelaide, who had been confined
on the ground that he was insane, was amongst the number in
Llanallgo church. Mr. Glover, a gentleman of fortune (from Adelaide,
it is said), who was coming to England for the purpose of consulting
some skilled oculist, is also amongst the number, and a large sum of
money was found on his person. Writing-desks, likenesses, letters, a
part of the post-office, and various other relics, have been washed
up.'
The touching allusion to the likenesses and letters leads naturally to
the following (further) particulars from the scene of the calamity:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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