Ship Launch-On Friday last a large and handsome brig which whatever may be her register, will carry a cargo of 530 tons, was launched from the building yard of Mr. Wm Thomson at Glencaple Quay in the presence of as numerous a concourse of spectators as perhaps ever congregated at the same spot on any similar occasion. This beautiful vessel entered her native element in splendid style, and was named after the usual bottle salute, The Duchess of Buccleuch by Mr. Halliday of Blackyearn, amidst vivas long and continued.  The tide (one of our largest) was very nearly full, and the weather perfectly calm and fair at the time of the launch circumstances which gave additional zest to the pleasure of a scene which the poet Campbell has described in such glowing colours as to deter all ordinary writers from following, however elaborately in the same track.

  At two o'clock about 150 persons, including not a few ladies, the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Thomson sat down to an admirably served and cooked dinner in an upper apartment of their roomy dwelling at Glencaple Quay.  Mr. Halliday, chairman and Messrs Walker, Shortridge and Robert Thomson, croupiers.  While abundance crowned, elegance graced the board, toasts, speeches and songs went rapidly round, the distingues of the district, with many other persons absent and present were appropriately remembered and amidst native vocalists of no common talent the company were highly delighted with the notes, not certainly wild but highly cultivated of Mr. Elwell of Birmingham.  But as the younger portion of the party seemed impatient for the dance, the tables were removed at an early hour, waltzes, quadrilles, reels etc commenced and were kept up with great spirit the music was excellent and the meeting altogether was one of the happiest ever held at Glencaple or any other locality.

   But alas also a sad and heart rending accident followed, that must supercede, as out of keeping further description and when banished, it must be truly said from the moment it became generally known not only vivacity from every tongue and eye planted sadness on every brow.

Loss of the Duchess of Buccleuch.

This vessel the property of the late Mr. William Thomson of Glencaple,

which sailed in June last from Bristol with coals for Havannah, was

wrecked on the Jordanillos, certain rocky islands on the coast of Cuba.

The Captain and his wife, Mrs. Thomson, Mr. Carswell, the mate and the 

crew eleven in number escaped with difficulty. As they were among 

strangers, and in want of many things needful to their comfort, they 

endeavoured to go to some British settlement, which they effected.

At LA Grande Camaide their new abode they remained four months 

during which period they suffered many hardships and caught the infectious

fever of the climate, which cut the captain and mate.

Mrs. Thomson also was seized and owed her recovery under providence, 

to the affectionate attention of Thomas Johnston one of the crew, who

afterwards became a victim to the same disease.

Mrs. T and the remainder of the crew at last found the means

of conveyance to Jamaica where they met with kind treatment.

Mrs. T was taken into the house of Mr Wellwood Hyslop formerly

of Dumfries, where everything was done to alleviate her sufferings,and

after her health, had been restored, procured her a suitable passage home.

Most Lamentable Accident-Among those who attended the launch, dinner and dance at Glencaple on Friday last, appears Mrs. James Shortridge of Maxwelltown in excellent spirits, and to all appearances not the least happy of the throng, that gave animation to the ballroom.  Although naturally stout her agile movements were remarked by all and it was impossible to look on her countenance beaming with health without innately yielding to the impression that she seemed destined to share in no common degree, and extended length of happy days.  But the decrees of providence are so truly inscrutible that it may well be said 'in the midst of life we are in death' at the close of the ball or before it, Mrs. Shortridge in company with her husband and two daughters entered their covered phaeton, in front of which sat a steady and most trustworthy man servant.  The night by this time was dark, wet and boistreous and wild, the hour as near as may be 11 o'clock, the tide too had over flowed a portion of the road, to the depth probably of two feet, and particularly that part of itwhere a bridge without ledgings crosses a narrow burn a little way below Conheath House, the water we believe reached to the knees of the horse and Mr.Shortridge after observing the rolling of the tide called to his servant to keep to the right from and apprehension that the vehicle by deviating, might be over turned in an opposite direction.  The servant obeyed and in the absence of a protection which no bridge should want however tiny, the phaeton suddenly upset and precipitated all within it into a pool of water betwixt the burn and the bridge, of the extent of several yards.  The man servant after freeing himself rescued both the young ladies, frightened and drenched but not at all hurt and after repeated efforts got hold of his master at a moment when he seemed on the very edge of drowning.  But the situation of Mrs. Shortridge was still more unfortunate, so far as is known she uttered no cry and concealed as she was between the phaeton and the water she could not be found, amidst the greatest solicitude until assistance was procured from Glencaple Quay.

  The moment the alarm was given Mr. Halliday, Mr.Wm Thomson and many others, much to their credit were in prompt attention, all of whom dashed into the water careless of risk moved the phaeton so far and rescued with the greatest care and certainty the object of their most anxious solicitude.  But by this time about half an hour had elapsed and although the body was immediately removed to the nearest house and every means tried to restore animation, humanity we regret to say laboured in vain.  Mr. Halliday who possesses some surgical knowledge opened different veins from which blood partially flowed, warm water cloths blankets friction and everything else that could be thought of, were also perseveringly applied but all we regret to say without effect.  A more melancholy accident has not occured in this neighbourhood for a series of years or one that has called forth a deeper feeling of commiseration not unmingled with dismay arising from a sad contrast that so speedingly occured between the gaity of the ballroom and the scene at the fatal pool situated at so very short a distance, and above all the awfully sudden call, amidst health and happiness from time to eternity.