The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-09-15 00:00:00

District 24i1n.

THE LATE GAS EXPLOSION AT
WEYMOUTH.

ADJOURNED MOUT.

The edjourned Inquiry touching the death ol Ifiss
Cooper, through injuries received at the ge
explosion in New Bond-street. was hold st the Guild-
hall, before Hairy Look, Esq., deputy-coroner, on
Thursday.
The ball was well filled.

George Howe said he was • whiteamith and pa atter'
residing In Oakley-strut, Weymouth, In the employ of
Mr. Seymour. He knew Hanoi premises. He wee
employed there when the house was first erected. He
aid on the gas from the meter. This was, he believed,
about five years ego. Then were two pa burners in the
shop, and three in the bakehouse. One light was on
one side of the window, and the other 00 the opposite
side. The window bench was over the gee pipes. It
was called a stall board. The pipes ranlibroegh to the
passage by • branch, and theme to the bakehouse.
There was • light over the bakehouse under the back
room. An iron pipe ran down to the bakehouse. The
oompo pipe was connected to the iron pipe. It was two
feet long. He went to the premises last tiaturdae week
about three o'clock in the afternoon. The pillar light
woe carried from the bakehouse. He was called by •
gas fitter named Frampton to tell him where the pipes
were laid. He told him as near as he could where they
were laid He remained about ten minutes on the
premises. His attention was not drawn to anything
particular. At that time he did not observe any emelt
of pa. The meter was under the stall board, but not
endued 0- boxed In. There was nothing under the stall
elto prevut thegeefrom reaching the other end.
itist not see the meter them on Saturday. He
looked under the stall and found the meter was not in
the same position as when placed br him. It might
have been purled on one Bide. Frampton came
to Mr. Seymour's work shop and asked him
Ii he laid the pipes on at Mr. Hann's shop, and whether
he would show him where they were laid. He went
with Frampton and pointed them out, and soon after
they left If IM went to work where another permm had
laid the pipes he should think it necessary to ask a
• person where the pipes were laid to save time. He
heard there had been an explosion on the previous
evening. He did not ask him any questions as he wee
too busy. The explosion at the meter would shake the
pipes for • abort distance. It depended whether the
piper were thoroughly tined when they were first laid
on. The meter was placed near the private door in the
shop under the stall board. The compo pipe led from
the bakehouse under the floor to the top of the shop
counter to supply the pillar light. That was the ouly
pipe under the shop floor. The bakehouse Is 4th below
the level of the for of the shop.

Mr. Marie. Frederick Arden, the magistrates' clerk,
of Weymouth, produced a oopy of the deposition of
Mary Cooper, which was taken on alit August, before
William Talbot, • borough magistrate, the rennin-
tendent of police Mr. Lidbury, and himself. Mr.
Howard complained of not being present, bat the
medical officer cave orders that no one but those present
should be admitted to hear the deceased's depositions.
He could not tell the name of the medical officer. He
was told by the superintendent
The Coroner then read the gamy of the depositions.
Examination continued : He took the deposition
down as near as be could from the deceased's own state-
ment, and naked as few questions as goesible, In eon-
sequence of her critical state. He told Mr. Howard
what he heard about the doetor's orders, and the reason
why he was not admitted whilst the deposition were
taken. He received a letter front Mr. Howard on
Tuesday morning relatioe to taking further evidence.
lie had the letter. (After some farther eonversation
the letter was handed to the coroner, who returned it to
the magistrates' clerk.) The letter ran as follows :
Sod September, 1868.
Bungs FarteniOs.—Dear estremeit regret you have
determined not to take any further attrition* from
ho Mi. Cooper, w, the doctors have nioruted toe,
cannot survive, and who is in pneression or her faculties
and willme to give it, eapeeMlly wbenJ hate made the request
on behalf of the relatives, also the insurance ronapany and Mr.
llama. The deptatti .0 already taken is almost silent as to
..hue the ate,, .11,7 4.11 Saturday after they acre at the premises
and it I* very inqs.rtant indeed this ohould be known. She
stated to me hi-day that they had some of the Sooring taken
up near the counter, and did something to the pipe which
lighted tbc gas at trio counter, anal also lusd a person to show
sawn it was. That they had a milledf aloof her, and Mr.
Hann raw the state they were in and told her not to
let them have anymore. and they offered half • .vercign; and
other matters .4 detail all .4 • hich must he important not only
a ci‘ii I.UI it May i.e in • criminal clew as to whether
or no ars) one is guilty of tuans'aughter. I would also mY,
you will only alter t our decision, and take the deposition, it
must be 41. MI to-day s the medical °Marrs are draid It would
tend to her injury toonorr..w, ant there too objection to it
being taken towlay.-1 am, yours truly,
Memo.. Arden and Son.

B. N. nOWAILD.

711sy.

Mr. Hann was sworn, end said he had resided at the
house in New Bond-street, where the explosion took
between five and six years. Nothieg had been
roti' to the gas pipes until the first explosion. The
meter was removed about a fortnight prior to Friday,
the iith August, when the fresh meter was fixed In the
same place as before. On Friday afternoon about five
o'clock he tried the pipes in the passage. He found no
escape. Mr. Frampton fixed the pipe to the meter on
Friday. He closed the shoo at nine o'clock, and want
for • walk as far as St. John's Church, and returned
shortly after ten o'clock. When he returned he smelt
the gas strong. He went into the shop and opened the
cupboard and tried the pipes under the stall board
where the explosion took place, and he was blown
berms to the other end of the shop. He could not
swear whether the stall board was air tight. His face
was scorched, and several things were smashed. He
got up as soon ea he could, and went out and cried
'fire." He could not get to the tap to turn off the
cioth, as there was a great flame 00131411 from the main
gas pipe. The meter was blown away from the °emacia-
tion. The fire was afterwards extinguished by the
police with the hose. On Saturday be went shoot three
o'clock in the afternoon to the gas company, and asked
them to give biro • light. He told them if they did not
be should tell Mr. Thomas, as he could not carry on his
business through the shop being in such a mess. Frampton
and Atkins came to fit the gas about au hour and • ball
afterwards, and commenced work in fining the pipe.
Both had been drinking. They did not bring a meter,
and the pipes were joined. They left shortly after six.
Before the men left he begged them to be very
particular. Frampton said everything was secure, and
he need not be &fret& They were quite tipsy when
they left. He bad seen • little of that in his time
—(laughter). He smelt the gas In the ph p after the
men left, and about nine o'clock he spoke to Miss
Cooper upon the ',abject. She toll him not to send
for the same man as they were not in • fit state to
attend to the gas, for fear of another explosion. He
gave them a glass of ale each when they came to the
shop, and they had not been there more than ten
minutes or a quarter of hour when he returned and told
Elias Cooper not to give them any ale without consult-
ing him. He went away again and on his return he
saw some pale ale in • glass, andd deeeued said they
had had a bottle of pale ale and paid for it, by changing
half • sovereign, lie told Miss Cooper not to let them
have anymore, whether they paid for it or not. On his
return at ten o'clock, be went tip to the kitchen sed
gave orders about Sunday's dinner, and afterwards he
went down into the bakehouse and lighted up them gas
burners, which he afterwards extinguished. The cae
was alight in the shop and in the kitchen over the
bekehouse. There were the only lights he had in the
house. In Doming up the kitchen stairs with • light,
and on reacting .hree or four steps from the top the
explosion took place. There were seven burnere in the
house. Howe put out all the lights in the house except
one, which he never lighted. He could not tall where
the servant was when the explosion took place. Mary
Cooper was in the shop at the time standing behind the
counter, which rune across the back of the shop. He
could not remember whether he put his foot oa the
floor when he fell. Everything was blown to atoms.
Could not tell whetter his light was extinguished or
not when the explosion occurred. Ile did not see any
light, but merely heard the noise of the explosion,
which took place in the shop. The hearthstone of the
drawine...—ro flour was blown right out. The counter
was blown towards the bakebouae wall. The flooring,
shop front, and plate glean, were blown into the street.
The men were at work in connecting tbe main pipe to
the service pipe. They were engaged on the pipe under
the stall board. Ho heard they also tried the pipes in
the bakehouse. He did not notice that the men mad*
use of his fire for the purpose of melting the load.
They never did anything to the pipe leading from the
bakehouse. Frampton sent • carpenter named Rose
after Howe had been there. The flooring was ant te
find out where the pipe led. No other person, meddled
with the pipes after the men left. The compo lead pips
was under the a yiring which was cut. Frampton ran
a chisel or screw driver under the floor, and said, "Oh
here is the OM" The flooring was not taken up, and
Frampton Nand out where the pipe was. He could
not tell whether it was a chisel or a serew-driver that
was thrust through the mating.
He could not tell
whether the pipe was at the top of the joints. He told
Miss Cooper not to giro the men any more ale for they
might get drunk. He could not swear the floor board
was blown through the drawing-room floor. Could not
tell whether the meter was damaged or not by the
explosion on Friday evening, or whether the meter was
soldered by the pipes. After the explosion he took
the meter out and placed it in the shop. The
was not eonnected to the pipe after the explosion It
was blown quite away. There gnu • hole in the ;um
board. It was pot Mopped up. There wee • Imp hem
In the partition which 'operated the passage from the
shop. The hole was midi for the purpose of extinguish.
ing the fire. They could not get at the gas in the
usual way because of the fire. The hole WAS about
eight inches in length, jest over where the meter was
Owed. The bole was five or six feet from the nearest
. _

light. He did not go round with Frampton or
Atkins whoa they had finished their work to examine
the pipe.. He was not positive he was in the shoe
when the men left their work. It was about six o'clock
when they left to the best of hie belief. He could not
tell to half an hour what time the men came to work.
He could not recollect whether he gave the men any-
thing to drink when they left off work. He had bad
the aontrol of the premises since the accident.
The ma wee placed over the InaM pip. on
Monde,. The mel was placed on by Mr. Woodcock.
Its (witness) did not have possession until Monday
morning.

Mary Hoddinott deposed she was in the service of
If. Hann. She m 00116004 the accident that took place
on Friday week. She saw the two gu men there on
Saturday about three o'clock, ends, they could not find
out where the EU pipes led they sent for another man
who had preriosely flied them. She saw them again
shortly sitar See o'clock, when the went into the shop.
One of the gas men and another gentleman asked Min
Coves-floe a bottle of pale she. It was the oilmen
who sailed for the ale. She did not know hie name. She
did not see them have the ale, but left the shop with a
pair of males. Stui heard Mr Coops: ratan them

having the sle, "Mr. Hann ordered her not to let them
have any without his leave. The man offered to pay
for the ale. Between six and semi o'clock the gas men
asked her lota candle, and they went into the bakehouse.
They asked her to light the candle end they went down
loto the bakehouse by themselves. She did not know
what they did with the light and sever saw them after.
Jest after ten o'ckok Mr. Hun mune into the kitchen
and said "Row stress the gas uroani." SU replied
"it did," He said "he would go and see whether the
tape In the bakehouse were turned'ol all right." He
took a light and went away. She stood at the kitchen
door and with her tau towards the shop, and soon after
she saw a Saab of light go through. and all at once she
went into the street, but she could not tell how she got
there. She knew blies Cooper was in the shop, as she
btord Mr. Hann speaking to her. She did not notice
anything particular with the men when they asked for
the candle, u she was in a hurry. She noticed when
she went tato the shop at du o'clock, the gas man who
asked for the pale ale was the worse for liquor. She pseud
the shop door several times whilst the men were at work
In the shop but she could not tell what they were doing.
During the evening she went out twice to perdue*
things for Sunday's dinner. She did not beg lb. Hann
to go down into the bakehouse when she told a
neighbour that she way frightened and did not know
what she wits saying. Her irm was cat slightly by the
explosion.

At ten minutes to two the enquiry was ndiournoi
half an hour for the jury to obtain refreshments.

Alfred Keynes said that he less • journeyman baker,
In the employ of Hr. Hann. if. wee not on the
premises at the time of the explosion. He went to
work on Saturday morning and remained at the house
until four in the afteraoon. He left at four o'clock in
the afternoon to take Jut bread, and returned at five.
At one o'clock on Satarday afternoon he was ordered to
fetch two gas men te put the pa on. They told him
they Gould not come. Mr. Hann went himself for the
men. He went again alter the men and found the office
dosed. It was betmen 0110 and two o'elock. On his
return he found the men were in the shop. They were
looking which way the pipes led. Mr. Hann told him
to fetch Mr. Seymotris man, when Frampton said he
would go as he oouldget him quicker. Frampton went
after the man and in a few mioutes after he returned
with Mr. Howe. They looked tatter the pipes in the
peonage and near the kitchen door. He did not descend
to the bakehouse. Howe, Frampton, and the other
gas man were examining the pipet. Howe could not
find out at first how the pipes ran. On his return at
five be bawd Framptcn asked Howe what he would
take, when Miss Cooper (the deceased) said "she could
not serve them until Hann returned." Frampton was
then very cheeky, and said "his money was as good as
any one else's." Shortly after six o'clock Frampton
and Atkins came down to the bakehotuie and said
"sow. then, let no try your lights." They tried the
light by turning the tape and light the gas by the flame
of the candle. Two of the lights burnt very well, but
the third would not —Frampton unserewed one of the
joint. and again replaced it, but it would not light.
He look the burner off with • pair of pincers, and
in doing Ito be broke the burner. The nipple was broken
sod upon turning the tap they were enabled to light it.
Both the gas men were very "beery." During the time
they were at work they began cursing about being no
late, and said they had worked up till seven o'clock
hut Saturday, and wanted to know who would pay
them for their ektra work. They also said his master
would not pay them. He (witness) said the pa company
would pay them. He said "that be—. the gas
company would Man them." They then left and said
the mis was all right. Atkins held the candle for
Frunptee. When they descended to the bakehouse the
candle was alight. One of the men nearly fell down
stairs, and the other could not hold the candle steady.
The staircase was rather dark, but they could see their
way very well as they had a candle. There was about
• dosen stairs leading to the bakehouse. He carried
many sacks of flour down the staircase. He left the
bakehouse about bull-an-boor alter the men left. Ho
did not smell the pa after the men left. He put the
bread in the oven at 10 minutes past 11 and took it out
at ball-past twelve. The men appeared to work very
carelessly. •

WIHUM Rose deposed he was a master carpenter and
jolnbr, residing at Weymouth. On Saturday week last
he was seat for at a quarter to three, to go to Mr.
Hann', shop, to take up a floor ham!. He partly sawed
It across, about three inches, when the gas men stopped
Aim and said "they did not want the board taken up as
they found the pipe ran in another direction." They
suppowd the lope which fed the shop ran under the
shop floor. He did not see Howe. After that he said
you have found out what you want and he then left.
He eould not say he raw anything amiss with the men
at that time, as he moon after left. Ile only made •
saw cut about three inches in width. It was quite lin.
po.ible to put a chi-el, a very thin one, through the
crevice. Frampton gave him the orders to saw the
floor board. He told him where to saw, and the ma
afterwards went up steins and then returned and toll
him to stop.
- • •

William Frampton we. tailed, and the coroner in-
formed him that he need not say anything that might im-
plicate him, and he was not bound to answer any gm stions
that he MOH be asked, as something else ,right art e
out of the inquiry. He said be was a gee fitter, in the
employ of the new Gas Consumer's Comp my. Ile fixed
meters and service pipes. On Friday, between two and
three o'clock, he fixed a meter at Mr. Hann'. shop.
He fixed it under the board in the window, between
six and nine inches inside the doorway. It was athree-
light dry meter. The pipe cune from the main pipe.
He did not fit it. On the 3rd of August he took the
meter away, as he would not pay the gas bill. He
fixed the screws on to the meter. It was also big
duty to attend to anything isonnected with the meter.
Ile tested the pipes with. candle; the two parts be
screwed on to the meter. The inlet and outlet screws
were tested, lie tested the main tap. There was not
muith room for him to teat the main tap, and he was
compelled to lay down to to it. After the meter was
attached the candle was lighted under the shop board
for about three-porters of an hour, and if there had
been any escape It would have ignited. Ile went back
to the office at three o'clock, and be did not hear of the
explosion until twelve o'clock, when be was In bed.
Sergeant Harvey esune for him and be went to the
premises WA met Mr. Lisibury. He saw Mr. Hann and
he said, "You have done a pretty thing, you have not
connected the main pipe to the meter." Ile went down
and uked where the meter was, as it was not
where he had fixed it. He saw the meter on
his left and said, "Leek here, you ma see
the meter was cionnected." He found the screws
were tight. Mr. Hann sell he pulled the meter
out. He placel the meter on the floor in an nprieht
position. The meter was not disfigured, in foot, the
punt was out seerched. There was no part of the pipe
on the meter. It appeared by the heat, the solder had
melted and the pipe had mite off. He shut off the main
tap, and then left. (The meter was produced and
Inspected by the wrote r, Mr. hiding, and the jury.)
About twenty minutes to one no Saturday, a MILD in
the employ of Mr. Hann came and told him his master
wanted him to some and put the gas on. lie told him
that he could not go directly as he was waiting for his
' money. Mr. Hann came for him and be went with him
to the house. He told Hann that he should not fix the
meter as Mr. Stone was not at home. Mr. Ilium said
be had seen Mr. Thomas, who said the gu was to be
put on in the shop and bakehouse. He took • piece of
the (Ape off and took it to the shop. He bad no solder-
ing tree ready to fix the pipe. He returned to Mr.
Huin's shop and looked about the passage, but could
not find out whether the pipe was attached to any
light above. He wept into the shop and asked Mr.
linen about the filings. He replied there was no gas
Is the upper rooms. He afterwerds eent for Mr.
Seymour's man. Howe returned with him, and he
showed him all be knew about the pipes he had fined.
Mr. Hann opened the door under the window.
The last witness was sent for and be told him to saw
across the Boor. He said if you feel a pipe step. lie
tried with the back of the saw and felt something, it
did not sound like an iron pipe. Witness went into
the pauses and blew down the pipe, when Henn held
his hand over the burner and felt eir. He said he would
then put on a pipe. lie went back to the Aloe and
put the cap and lining on. Alter he screwed the pipe
on to the three-quarter barrel, and on to the main tap,
he screwed on • pime of piping that he had, and after-
wards fixed the joints together. It took him up to half.
peat four to Jo the work at his shop. Ile turned the
main tap on about balfpast five. Some person mune
into the shop, and Mr. Hann said " that Church
had placed the meter in an awkward position." He
went down to the bakehouse and lighted two gar
burner& lie went into the passage and afterwards
tried the up and lining and threeomarter buret He
then went round to the shop. Atkim was under the
hood trying the joints to see whether there was any
emu.. He said ..oet of that, lot me 000341 there."
Mr. Hann was in the shop and held the candle. He
told Mr. (Hann -that he was in an awkward position
if an explorion was to take plaae. He tested
the joints with two matches, and found everything
secure. Ile tested five joint., that was all he bad to
test. He said he hoped they would have no mishap to.
night. Mr. Hann then left. He watched the light
and found the light on the mentor was stronger than
thine in the window. Ile smelt at the place where the
carpenter had out the door board, and if he had
detected any escape of gas he should have pulled
It up and not left the shop until all was
right. Ile told Atkins to pack up the tools, and they
both went away. The sin of the main pipe in Bend.
street is six inches. He did not know when the
pressure was put on. They could tell at the gas works
what pressure they had on by the gume. The manager
of the gas was absent when he was called to go to Mr.
Banns. In the absence of the manager he received his
orders from the boy. There were two men in the shop.
Frederick Spiller is the fitter. When Mr. Stone left he
told him if anything came in be was to attend to it.
Miss cooper hesitated before she served him with •
bottle of beer which be wanted for Howe, for his kind-
neu in showing him where the pipes were. When Ise
offered to pay for the beer sbe let them bays it. He
lead two glassee of pale ale, and the half of another.
Ile had a glees of beer at Muston's before he went to
Hann's. He had a pint of beer at twelve o'clock
at Mr. Busell's over the water. His mate had another
pint. Ile put in a new pipe at Mr. Mussell's.
He went to Mr. Swell.' on three occasions.
On Sunday morning hen went mein and
he told then: there was an explosion of gas. He
took off the Novice pipe and pluged up the main pipe.
The
cause of the escape was through the decayed pipes
leading from hie house. He cleaned out the service
pipe. Previa:tato being employed by Mr. Cisureh he
worked for biome', in Dorchester. He formerly wee
employed by the Dorchester Gas Company. He refused
to state whether he was discharged for drunkeness. He
also was diet:imaged from the Wareham Company,
bemuse they look on an old man that was formerly
engaged for lower wages. He YRS not discharged by Mr.
church for &linkmen. He had be., pa fitter for.
the past 30 years. He never saw • similar exnlosioe
plosion wee canned by the meter.
He did not think thee: .
When be fixed the meter there was a round box in the
coroner with a Idea of Opp attached, It is called a
,17ehon. He did not know the use of it. He had never
seen such boxes Wore attached to a teeter. He could
net amount ler the disruption of the meter by AL10:4a...
Mr. Hann told him he pulled it out. There was no
escape of gas from the meter when he left on Friday
afternoon. The work they did on Friday and Saturday
was all done above the floor of the shop. On Saturday
afternoon about half.past three he was called from Mr.
Haan's to go to Hr. .t'sbank,u there was an escape
of ps from the meter and the main tap did not turn
off. Mr. Hann gave theta a ghee of els each Alter the
week Tea all dam

a°ollll Atkins corroborated tko last witossine
evidence.

Charles John Torpsy, odd be was foreman at the gaol
works. His dudes were to superintend all the works
at the gas works. The day's praetors of gas was five
tenths ; when the lamps wereout the pressure was 18
tenths. There was more pressure put on Saturday' than
on other days. There was 18 tenths pressure on at the
Urns of the explosion. He remembered be tested the
, pressure image on that evening. They had 16 retorts
'at work on that day. The pressure was all on at seven
o'clock, the pressure would be greater nearer the gas
works than at a distance.

-
Mr. Robert Oakley,manager at Williams's Bank, said
on Saturday, the 25th if August, he had occasion to send
for Frampton, who was accompanied by Mr. Seymour's
man. lie asked him for • light, which he applied to
the meter, and the gas caught alight. Frampton was
perfectly sober at the time, and told him the meter
would have to be taken away. Frampton then went
away and Seymour's man took the meter away.
The meter was afterwards affixed by a roan named
Spiller. Frampton only remained five or six minutes.
At six o'clock the inquest was adjourned till half-put
seven o'clock.
On the sitting being resumed,

Mary Hood, wife of James Hood, was called. She
mid she lived next door to Hann's, and on Saturday,
August 29, between the hours of four and six in the
afternoon she saw the fpasfitters pus and repass several
times. One was named Frampton. They appeared to
be very much intoxicated. She told her daughter at
six o'clock that thaw men were at work in Hann's
house, but they were not fit to do so. She said the
mine thing to several people, but did not know she had
mentioned it to the police. She told Mr. Warren, Mr.
Howard's clerk.

James Russell, ironmonger, maafaeturer, and gas-
fitter, woe called on to examine the plum at Mr. Hann's
where the explosion occurred. He went there on Mon-
day about eleven or twelve. Saw Mr. Howard there
and many others. The gas meter appeared to have
been removed, and a pipe put in its place from the
inlet to the outlet. Where the connections had been
made he found the solder quite clear and bright, as
though it had been done properly. Found the pipes
tainted and beat • good deal by the explodon. Did
not tell Mr. Howard or Mr. 1111011 that he was
wane on kasha& of the gee °mummy. The tap wee
waled up and be ached Ur. Lidbary if it would not
be opened, and be rid it scald not be done. The
metal pipe wee still remaining, and the pieces inserted
in the place of the meter, were present. Had been em-
ployed in his Ueda) about 30 pars.
Dr. William (Balling : I am fellow of the Royal
Society and tuatara on chemistry at St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, London. I hays for several year. paid much
attention to gas matters. I have had my attention
drawn to explosions of gas and explosions of various
kinds. I have been eoneulted by the Government from
time to time in reference to explosions end other
matters. I was present at the view the jury made of
Mr. Ilanti's premiaes this morning, and I made a more
particular view myself about two o'clock. The witness
Howe wee with me. Gas by itself will not explode
it merely burns or takes fire. The most explosive
mixture consists of about one volume of gots and seven
of sir. Such a mixture is very explosive. I may say •
cubic foot of such a mixture containing an eight part of
• foot of gas is about equal in sepia:valve force to an
ounce of gunpowder, and the force of the explosion gets
very rapidly less as this proportion is departed from
either way. If there is a mach larger proportion of gaa
It simply burns without expiating, and if there is • much
larger proportion of air it neither burns nor exialoies.
Onexamining Hann's premises I found evidence that a
powerful explosion had taken place an his shop. Before
I made my partieuler examination I had beard Mr.
Hann's evidence, and my particular attention was
directed to where the most violent part of the explosion
took place, and I found the explosion had been most
violent in the front part of the shop and in the front
part of the passage near the shop. There had been an
explosion which had effected the whole shop, for all the
walls, floors, and ceilings bad been blown out, but
the damage to the ceiling was much more in front that
behind. This was still more evident on examining the
first floor. The flooring in front of the drieringeoom
TM shattered, while at the back of tho room it was
scarcely affected, except in contact with tlio hearth ;
also the flooring of the little room over the passe:no
was shattered in front. Tho brickwork behind the
counter was 'almost intact; but the stonework in front
under the show-board was in pieoes and had evidently
been blown away. I examined the tap and the service
main and found it leaked considerably. I had it taken
to pieces and found it was much worn. I asked Howe
to do his best with it, and he wiped it with a cloth and
put grease to it whilst it was in pieces. and when put
together it was no better then before. I noticed a piece
of composition pipe lying in front of the shop near the
passage. Two mew had been joined together, and the
junotiono appeared to have been very well made. I
heort Framptou's evidence this afternoon. What he
says he did was what won proper to be done. It must
have boon from somewhere that would Ulu*, an escape
either into the shop or the postage, and the explosion
took place in the shop end the ;rouge at the same time.
There is a piece of the shop flooring blown through the
drawing room in the front, and also through the little
room over the plumage at the back. The tap was a
faulty tap, uo doubt. The explosion no doubt might
have shaken the tap, but then in potting it together
again I should have expected it to be sound. Partly
from the fact of its not being sound when put together
again, and partly from its being worm I should
judge the tap required fresh grinding. I have heard
I 1 rempton'a evidence as to testing the tap. The tap
leaked to-day when it was turned off,and when fully on,
and the gas burning in the opening, it ignited at the
leak. I saw nothing to areourat for the leaking except
, the condition of the plug. I suppose that was the same
when I sew it as it was ten days ago. I am satisfied
that the tap was in a very unsound state, but I have
not wade up nay mind whether the leakage was the
cause of the exploeion. It might or might not be.
From what I saw to-day, I infer the tap leaked just as
much ten hays ago as it did now, and there was no evi-
deem., of straining. Straining would be produced by the
explosion ; but the wear would not. I believe if the
Lame tut had been applied ten days ago, it would have
shown the same results as it did to-day. The leakage
must have been somewhere &boat that spot for the gee
to get into the pasaage and front of the shop. If the
gas had escaped from or about the tan, it would have
escaped into thew two places. I have no idea bow long
• tip of that sort ought to last. Assuming the con-
dition of the tap was the same ten days ago, I think
the meta ought to have found it out, and that being so
it would be negligence in any workman not to have dis-
covered the leak. A tap of this sort not turned for •
year or two would get • certain amount of oorrision
upon it that would tend to prevent any leek. The
taking the meter might have slackened the pipe, and
displaced the corrosion. I consider the workmen
should have discovered the leak if it existed, each time
they went to the place—ten days ago. If Frampton
and Atkins have toll the truth, the tap then could not
have been in the some condition as it we, to-day. I can
conceive the pa might have come from any point under
the show-board. It did not neceesarily come from any
leakage from the tap. I have not at all made up mind
It dad.
Mr. Taxied Informed the coroner the tape belonged to
the consumer, and not to the company.
The witness I think the pressure of 18 tenths upon
the tap might hove occasioned the weape ; but I have
had no opportunity of examining the other joints. The
only joint I saw was one ins piece of composition pipe,
and the joint appeared to be perfectly well made. I
understood there were four joints where unions were
used, and I have not seen one of them. I have • strong
conviction that there was • great leakage under the
showboard, but where I cannot say. If the pressure
had been 18 tenths on Saturday evening the leakage of
the tap would be sufficient to amount for the explosion.
Either/Frampton's account of what he did is not correct,
or somebody meddled with the pipes after Frampton
left. I think the gas man must have left things not in •
proper state. The great force of the explosion was no
doubt near the floor, and would have blown the floor in
every direction. Some }of it would no doubt get under
the floor. When gas ea.:apes in any considerable volume
it rifts up at once, by the mere process of ascension or
difference of gravity. When gas is slowly secaping it
goes through the process tolled diffusion.
The witness Howe was once more recalled, and stated
that when he examined the tap with Dr. Oiling he saw
• lot of grit and dirt. As he turned the tap the grit feU
down. If any dirt was in • plug of a tap it would eat
it out, consequently there must have been grit in the
plug. The plug is a little worn. After he put it to- '
(ether he found then was • leak through the tap. The
leak was outwards through the plug. Had no converse-
lion with Mr. Stone or Frampton.
Mr. Howard stated that neither Hann's furniture nor
stook-in-trade woe insured. The house was partially
covered by insurance.
Charles Lidbory, superintendent of police of the
borough, stated that he went to Hann's,premises on the
night of the explosion, found the service pipe, end
turned the gas off from the tap with the &metopes of
Mr. Webb anal others. Saw Mr. 111100. Took posses-
sion of the premises and continued it until between ten
and eleven on Monday morning.
The Coroner then said: Gentlemen—lt now becomes
your duty to give your decision upon the evidence. You
have only two simple questions to decide. The first is
one in which you will have no difficulty—the came of
the death of this poor woman. I think you will agree
with me that her death was entirely caused- by an ex-
plosion of gas. The second question is one of some
little importance, and that is whether it resulted from
the carelesseess and negligence of any parties at all
connected with the pe company. You have heard the
evidence upon that point. It is very simple, and con-
fined within &small compels, and if you are of opinion
there has been negligence or carelessness on the part of
anybody, it will be on the part of Frampton the person
employed by the gas company. We find he was em-
ployed on the Friday before on the premises, and on the
same day an explosion takes place, neat day he is again
called, and he makes certain repairs to the pipes and,
according to his own evidence, he does everything which
a careful and prudent man ought to do, and tested the
work in a proper way. In opposition to that, you have
the testimony of Dr. Odling, and I think he has brought
the cue within • narrow compass., and shown by his
evident)e clearly and distinctly that there must have
been on the part of Frampton on this occasion not that
crude& and care which persona enpged in his particular
trade and calling ought to have used. We know that
gas is 000 of the most awful inventions of modern times
and is row brought Welch perfection that, with ordinary
care and caution, there is no reason why an accident
should take place. I no not know that I need go through
the evidence at all. You have heard what Dr. Calling
has stated, and I must say lam bound to wpcur in his
opinion that thew bayonet been that careand attention
there should have been. If you think so you must
return • verdict accordingly; but if you are of opinion
that Frampton exercised proper care and caution, then
you must bring in a verdict that death as. caused by an
&widest, and that there is no (wit to find with Frampton
or anyone else.
The hall was then cleared at a quarter put ten for
the jury to deliberate. They were shut up till twenty
minutes past twelve. It was then announced that the
jury were agreed. When the public were admitted the
following verdict was given in :—" We fiud that the
deceaud, Muy Cooper, came to her death by accident,
and we wish our verdict to be woompanied with the
following expression of our opinioa—That the gas
company in future should be extremely careful to send
out weedier and more skilful workmen than we believe
'bon concerned in the present instance to have been.'

On Tuesday morning a boat accident occurred in
Portland Roads, through which viz MI6 were drowned
—five seamen and marines belonging to IL M.S. St.
t3eorge, ands waterman named OnnaleY affal BillSwn•
A number of men attached to the St. George were on
leave on Monday night, and spent their time in Wey-
mouth. It was there duty to arrive at Portland on
Tuesday morring in time to catch the "liberty bait"
which leaves the pier punctually at eight o'clock. But
they did not leave Weymouth till the 6.45 train, by
which they arrived at Portland just soon enough to nee
the boat put off, but too late to get into her. Upon
tkis they sought the services of two watermen, named ,
Simpson and Read, who hail • boat called The May-
flower. The fact that they would be punished on resch-
lug the ship aooording to the extent of their
absence beyond leave, naturally led them
anxious to get there quickly; while the circumstance
that they had to pay for their own conveyance thither,
made them desire to go as cheaply as possible. These
considerations led fourteen to croud into the boat, in addi-
tion to the two waterloos. Their weight rank the boat In
the water till only about eight imams of the gunwale was
visible, and the danger was increseed by there being a
"nasty slop" on, with &strong R.N.E. breeze. As they
started they were warned°, the risk they ran, but went
on heedless. The dash of the surf wetted some of the
men which led them to move about in the boat, and
whin 200 yards from the St. George the little craft
shipped a heavy see and wont down stern foremost. A
struggle for life amongst the hapless men ensued, and
various boats from vessels in the Roads were put off to
their rescue. Singularly enough, yet it is very common,
of the sixteen men—though all are constantly liable to
being espeisal in the ma—warmly one could swim.
The consequence was five hail sunk before they could be
reached, and the sixth it was found impossible to revive.
Four of the bodies were picked up during the morning,
and the filth (Lovell) has not yet been recovered.

THE MOM.
On Wednesday afternoon an inquiry was held at the
Breakwater hotel, before It. N. Howard, Esq., coroner,
touching the death of William Pratt 20, George Russell
35, Edwin Will, 24, Edward Pettis Zi, and John
Crossley alias Simpson 21, who met their death by the
upsetting of a boat on the previous day.
George Fisher said he was boatswain's mate on board
the St. George now lying in Portland Roads, lie had
belonged to it for the put twelve months, up to the 6th
of this month. On Tuesday morning he came down by
the train to catch the eight o'clock beat, at the lower
pier at the Breakwater, for liberty men. He had not
been in company with the other men. When he got
down to the pier the boat was shoved off. She was
about ten yards from the end of the pier when he got
there. He came beck by the road towards Castbston to
get a boat to take him off. He saw all the liberty men
who earns by train from Weymouth walking towards
him in threes and fours. He ran up the rod to catch •
boat and the men followed his ezereple, because they
were veryetevere on board if • man was behind his time
—they would be severely punished. Many of the men
would risk their lives to get off in time. He got on the
beach and saw the boat launched. He did not pass any
of the noen who were drowned. There were about five
in the boat when he jumped into her and they all
belonged to the ship. He did not notice whether
the boatmen were in the boat. He did not
know whether any of the deceased were
in the boat prior to his jumping in. He eottki
not tell until the boat was pushed off bow many
men where in her. After the boat was afloat, he
thought there were too many on board, but be did not
any anything as it was too dangerous to return through
the heavy surf caused by the strong wind. He thought
it was more dangerous to return than go on. He
cried out to the men to sit still, and they would
have 'fetched" the ship if they had kept still. The
steward, Edwin Pettk, had a new suit of clothes on,
and be kept shifting shout as the sea wet his clothes. It;
his shifting several of the other 'same did the same. He
never saw any danger until the boat went under. She
was about 40 or 50 yards from the ship when she
shipped the water, lie was standing at the bead
of the boat when she soddenly filled and he
found himeelf struggling in the water, lie did
not notice any of the other men in the water. He
did not remember anything until he found himself
alongside of a watermsn's boat, lie identified the bodies
of Edwin Wills, George Rowell, William Platt, and
Edwin Pettis. There wire two motorman in the boat.
The bodies the jury bad viewed were the deceased's.
The body of Charles Lovell had not yet been recovered.
He did not know the size of the boat or the name of the
watermsu who took him eff, lie knew what they had
to pay for conveying them to the ship. They proposed
they should pay 3d.. each for taking them off. He did
not order anyone out of the boat. At least he was not
aware that he did. lie was the last man that paid
his fare, and he hod the change of • shilling in his
hand when he found himself in the water as well as a
pipe. The gunwale of the boat at • rough guess was
ab tut a foot out of the water. Ho was not aware of the
position they were in until they had got some distance
from shore. If he had known the boat was as deep in
the water he would not have gone as lie did not consider
It was safe. He heard the boatman Reed tell the men
to remain quiet in their seats. No one in a boat told
them it was not safe. There W 555 "slop" on at the
time. He never knew the boatman before. lie did
not see any of the men or the waterman the worse for
liquor. The weterman used proper skill in rowing the
boat. Ile attributed the sinking of the boat to the
men shifting about. If there had only been PiZ in the
boat she "odd not have fillet. By the Foreman: He
could not tell how it was that the waterman did not
put off when there was eight in the boat. When they
got off into the breakers John Cenral, • quartermaster
on board the St George, celled' out, but he weld loot
hear what he said. Hy ctro motions he made he
gathered it was to put back, es there was too many in
the boat. It would have been dangerous to have
returned after he called out for them to return. The
boat was about eight yards from the beach. The flag
was hauled down on board the St. George, and the
boat returned to the ship. He could not tell how many
men there were on leave, lie had known the ship'.
boat to remain for the liberty men for an hour. By
the Foremen : The men nude a rush to the first boat
as every 'dilute they lost wu counted against them.
Robert Wills said he was a blacksmith, and was em-
ployed at Portland. On Tuesday morning last, • few
minutes after eight o'clock, he went on to the beach. Ile
saw the May Flower belonging to Joseph Ilansford.
William Reed and Simpson were in the boat. Reed is
about 47 years, and Simpson 21 years of age, there
were fourteen men in the boat, besides the watennan.
He saw • marine and a steward in the boat, and he
believed the rest were blue jackets. They belonged to
ILILS. fit. George. He called the coastguard on
watch to look at them. His name is Charles Monger.
He offered to bet him any money the boat would swamp
before they reached the St. George. Mr. Conelly tame
alongside directly afterwards and he saw him beckon
the men to come on shore. They did not come back.
There was a fresh breeze blowing at the time with a
sharp lop of the sea. There were several other persons
present who considered the boat in • dengerons situation.
He watched the boat till she arrived about half way to
the St. George, when he went in to have his breakfast.
He had not been in doors beyond two minute. before
seine one celled out that the boat had swamped. Ile
went off in a boat, and after some time he recovered
three bodies, the marine, steward, and • blue jacket.—
By • juryman : When Conelly called to the men in
the beat they were close on shore, and if they had
returned they would not have endangered their lives.
The boat was about 144 t., &addle was about two streaks
out of the water. The water was quite smooth where
the boat was Izanched.—By the Coroner: He would
not have gone off in the beat. Any boatman who
had known his duty would have considered it
unsafe to go off in so small a boat with so
many on board. No one prevented the watennen
from returning. The two watermen bad the entire
management of the boat. Theta were plenty of
other boats lying on the beach with men to attend to
them when the boat put off. He was with • man named
NVinter alias Squire, and they had • boat ready to have
taken some of the sailors off if they had applied to him.
At the some time Anthony took three sailors and
=other man took four to the ship
William Crossley, • labourer, said the deceased John
Crossley alias Simpson was his brother. The deceased
was • labourer. He wis 21 years on the 16th of last
month. He identified the body as his brother.
William Dudley Wadsworth deposed that he was
assistant surgeon on board ILM.S. St. Geom.,, On
Tuesday morning he W. on board when he heard that a
boat hail been eapsiged. Shortly afterwards he was
called to attend to several of tho men who had been
picked up. He saw George Russell. He examined him
and found he was painless and lifeless. He endeavoured
to restore life by means of fraction, and artificial reapirse
non but without @nevus after persisting about an hour.
The bodies. of Pratt, Wills, and Pellis, were brought on
board, between eleven and one o'clock, but they were
quite dead. They died apparently by drowning. Pratt
was about 20 years, and tarns from Bedbaropton,
Hampshire: George Russell, 35 St. Pancras, London;
Edwin Wells, 24, from Cornwall; Edwin Pettis, 23,
Blandford, Dorset; Charles Lovell.2o, Weymouth.
• Francis hntboruy said he was a whet-man residing at
Portland. On Tuesday morning he was engaged in taking
some sailors to the fit. George. He did not see the
accident. There were too many persons in the May
Flower according to the weather. There were plenty of
other boats that could have taken sailors to the St.
George. His boat was not quite so big as the May
Flower. On his return from the St. George he
saw the sailors all struggling in the water. The boat
was filled sth to her gunwale. He immediately rowed
to the beat, end managed to save three of the men and
he took them back to the ship. He did not know whose
, fault it wes that the boat capsized, but there were too
many in the boat. No waterman ought to have gone
off with so many on board. There was a fresh breeze
blowing from the N.N.E., with. nasty sea. In • calm
day there would not have been so much danger, but he
would not have gone off with so many. He would not
have liked to have taken in his boat more than six and
himself, taking into consideration the weather.
John West said he was • master mariner, and his
ship was named the Father and Son, now lying in
Portland Roads. She sails from Rochester. His atten-
tion was drawn to a boat that was about to leave the
beach with fourteen persons on board. He counted
them. He saw two more men jump into the boat, and
he walks remark to a man in the employ of Mr. Cox
that there were too many in the boat, and it was very
dangerous. lie would not have gone into the boat even
in smooth water, as there were too many men in her.
He said if the heat left the beach she would swamp.
Immediately she left the beach her fore quarters dipped
under the water, and the "slop" made a breach over
her. There would not have been any danger if they
bad returned except getting • little wet. No one pro-
fusing to be a watenvan, should have attempted to
have taken off so many persons. From ten to twelve
were quite sufficient to have taken off, but in so smell
a boat ten was sunk:dent
William Castin said he was yeoman of signal
on board •ILIL S. St. George. On Tuesday
morning be was on the poop when he saw
the raterman's boat coming off with the liberty men
on board. He first saw the boat under the stern of the
... . . .

Ferret. Ile thought the boat was rather crowded and
it was hls duty to look after her. lie watched her
because there was • heavy swell on at the time. aa she
might ship a sea which would swamp her. If there was
the least sign of danger he thought they would signal
the Ferret, but as they did not do so his opinion was
she would reach the ship in safety. When she got
about 150 yards from the Ferret she shipped • sea on
her opposite quarter, and she sank stern first. He
hailed the watch on deck for the boats to be celled away
to render amnatance. The men made along proper on

the chains and lowered the boat, and she was manned
and went off. The boat made for the men sod be saw
two of her crew jump from her and dive after. The
men who jumped over were Hawkins and Dodge, and
they brought up two of the men,
and they were got
the host and brought on board the St. George. He g lire
the signal for the liberty men's host to leave the chore
by order of the commanding offloer on board, who
ii
now on leave.
Henry Pouitt said he was the boatswain-mato on
board If .WS. St. George, from the time the boat was
upset every exertiou was made to save the men. They
strived where the accident took Pim" in 'lbw" to"
minutes after the boat capsized, and rescued severol of
the men.
The Coroner then 'unlined up,
observing that, for the
first time since his apoointment, he had to remark noon
what appeared to hie mind was • very serious case.
Before be profteded he would state generally, for the
information of the jury, as well OA for the information
of the people of Portlaud, that it was a great pity men
who plied as watermen could do so without a licence.
An Act of Parliament had been passed in reference
to the River Thames, that no man should ply for hire
unless he bad a license, stating bow many he was
allowed to carry in his boat, and if be exceeded his
number, and any one was drowned, it would be wades
misdemeanour. That was • very good Act of Parlia-
ment, and if he (the coroner) had power such a regula-
tion should be made and enforced to every place where
boats were used for hire. He then gave • summary of
the facts of the case, and obeerved that the reason the
men jumped in this particular boat, was that they
might fix their Own price ; it was certainly not for
speed, for Anthony had taken four men to the ship, and
was returning when the accident occurred. That wu
his opinion, because after they got into the boat three-
pence each was agreed on, and the bat was handed
round. When the men got into the boat, the water.
man, if he had acted right, should have refused to go,
when he saw how deep the boat was, and how many
were on board. They Lad in evidence that a man hailed
them from the shore, and be could not but think they
must have heard him. The jury were called upon to
give their opinion as to how these men came by their
deaths. That was a very simple matter; there was
no question they were Irowned by the sauteing of the
boat. There wu no evidence to contradict the feet
that the men used proper skill in the management of
the boat. The only question be thought they would
have to deal with, was whether or not the boat
swamped in consequence of being over-crowded. If they
considered that to be so, the next point would be was
any one liable, for that wee a serious point in this cue.
There bad lately been a very important coroner's
Inquest respecting the doath of 30 persons who were
destroyed ill • train, and there the assessor who was
called in laid down the law very clearly es to where •
person was legally liable to be taken upend tried as a
criminal. The assessor said that manslaughter was
divided into two branches, voluntary and involuntary.
Involantary manslaughter, with which they had DOW to
do, was when • man who was doing • lawful act might
neglect to UM proper precautions so that the act might
become dangerous for others. and death might ensue, in
which use he would be guilty of manslaughter. The
cause of the present , accident was the main issue they
had to consider, and whether any Torreon had been
guilty of a want of proper precaution. It did seem to
him before he went through the evidence that this boat.
man, professing to be a paid waterman, had been guilty
of negligence; but in justice) he was bound to say on
the other side as the boat started, and as the men
jumped in, noLe of them said to the watertnan that the
boat was too fall, and he had better go back. The
people on the beach also never told him to return.
Perhaps the boatman himself thought, alter be got off
and found so many on board, it was aa safe to go on as
to return. If the jury considered that to be so. all they
would have to do would be to content themselves with
the simple verdict that the men were drowned by the
swamping of the boat, at the same time giving a serious
revalued to the watermao, which he fully deserved.
Most of the men who jumped into the boat were sailors,
who were almait as much experienced an himself. They
must take all these facts into consideration, and if they
adopted the most serious view of the cue, that the
waterman knew he wa, doing wrong and neglected to
use proper precautions, they would have to return •
verdict of manslaughter. If they took the other view
they would have to return • verdict that these men
came to their deaths by drowning; and the waterman
ought to be reprimanded, and seine steps taken to
prevent so many men being crowded irate one small
beat. . _ .

The room was then cleared for • short space, and,
when admission was regained, a verdict was returned
to the 'Shot that the deceased men were drowned by the
upsetting of a boat in Portland Roads on Tuesday,
the Bth of September, and the jury were of opinion
that the boatman, William Reed, aionl,l be severely
reprimanded for taking so many men into no small
a boat.

Reed was then called in, and the Coroner, addressing
him, said this was a most serious matter for him, and he
had done very wrong in taking so many men in so small
a boat. He bad ran a risk of his own life, and he ought
to he thankful lie had been preserved. It he bad shown
a little more firmness, thole) who were now lying dead
might still have been in life. The jury requested hint
(the coroner) to state that if the deunsed had been any
other men than sailors they would have returned a
verdict of manslaughter. He had been informed that
he (Heed) had always borne • very good character, and
this occurrence should be a caution to him. Perhaps in
• moment of excitement be might have taken more on
board than he considered safe.

The oourt then closed at half-past six.
The funeral of the unfortunate men took place on
Thoroi., lest at the naval burying ground. It was
conducted with the usual eeremonies, the eorpees drawn
on gun-carriages draped with fisgs, and the bodies
accompanied to the grave by a large number of sailors.
while the cemetery wa, densely crowded by the inhabi-
tants of Portland. The interment wasmade in a single
large grave. end tbe customary military volley was ilr&I
over the body of the deceased marine Wills. The ship's
baud played the " Deed March in Said."