Despatches have at last been received from Captain Thrupp, of
the Megtera, dated St. Paul's Island, June 17th, and fully explain- ing the causes of the wreck. The Megmra was unseaworthy. When the leak which had compelled the Captain to run for the island was.examined, it was found to exist iu a plate worn by time and sea-water to one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness, and further examination showed that large rust-holes had eaten through the• plates, that many of the girders were eaten through at the bottom, that the bilge pumps were constantly being choked, and that pieces of iron a quarter of an inch thick and an inch and a half long were taken out of the valve-boxes. All this means that the Mega3rn was not in a fit state to be sent to sea, and indicates gross neglect. on the part of the officials, whoever they were, who deluded the Admiralty into believing that she might be employed. The whole question will, of course, be rigidly investigated, and mean- time, it is clear that the system at the Admiralty has broken down upon a most important point.
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