The Times, Wednesday, Feb 07, 1866; pg. 12; Issue 25415; col G THE LOSS OF THE LONDON. ----------------------- OFFICIAL INQUIRY. [continued] James Edward WILSON, a passenger on board the ship London, was then examined. He said he was at present residing at No. 4, George-street, Tower-hill, and that he was connected with the gold diggings in Australia. The witness referred to a diary which he had prepared from the day the ship left Plymouth until the catastrophe occurred. He described the wind as increasing from the Sunday, but nothing particular occurred until about 6 o'clock on Monday evening, when the ship gave a considerable lurch, which upset everything. The water then for the first time came in through the skylights, and soon after a heavy sea came down the hatchway. About 10 a.m. of Tuesday the ship pitched considerably; the jibboom was swept away, and the foremast was broken down. The witness described other damage done to the ship; although the day was fine and clear, the sea was strong. The lids of the hatch were closed, but not being tight-fitting they did not prevent the water from coming in. The ladies in the second class showed much terror, the ship continuing to roll very much. During the lull of the sea the hatch was opened to give fresh air to the passengers. He said that the coals which had been put on deck had tumbled out of the sacks and were tumbling about the ship. On Wednesday he noticed a different motion of the ship, when he heard that she was being put about with the intention of going back to England. She was not running ahead on the sea; the motion was that of a ship being close hauled. The weather became worse. On Wednesday the water poured down the hatch incessantly. Everybody was terrified. About 10 o'clock the water on the starboard side of the state room was up to the knees. At 11 o'clock on Wednesday night some sailors came near his state room, and he heard one of them say, "Let us make haste and get a sail, or she will sink." Immediately after an order was given that all men were wanted aft on the poop. That he understood to apply to the passengers, and he went to the poop. The wind was then at its height. He went below into the cuddy. There was a minister praying at the time. All the first-class passengers were in the saloon. As soon as the prayers were over some of the passengers went to assist, and he then learnt that the fires were out in the engine-room. He assisted in getting up the sails. While he was holding a light to the men he saw Captain MARTIN and Mr. GREENHILL in conversation. The doctor and Mr. HARRIS were also present. On Thursday he was assisting in lading out water, when Captain MARTIN came and said, "Men, put down those buckets, and come and try and secure the engine-room hatch, for that is the only chance to save the ship. Secure that, and we may keep her up." We all left the buckets, and were going to the saloon, when orders were again given for the sails. Witness went up with a sail, and assisted in nailing it down over the hatch, where a large heap of other sails had been already nailed down. Soon after Mr. GRANT, one of the officers, asked witness to go to the pumps, and he worked at them till the morning. At about 9 or 10 o'clock they were all relieved by the donkey-engine. He met Captain MARTIN, and asked him whether ir was any use to continue baling out water, when he said "You may, but I think it is of no use." Witness then went to his cabin, and on coming back again he saw that a change had taken place, and that a great mass of water had come down. Nothing was done after that time. He then made up his mind that the ship would not last long, and immediately went to the poop and did not go down again. He saw the sailors preparing the boat, and he stood by waiting his chance of escaping in it, and when it was lowered he got into it, and soon after the ship went down. The inquiry was then adjourned till this day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ End of day 8 of the inquiry. Petra