The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-09-27 00:00:00

FATAL EXPLOSION OF A STEAM ENGINE.

LEten, Sept. 21.
An appalling accident occurred yesterday afternoon at
the Lewes Great Sheep Fair, by which four persons have
lost their lives, and at the time of which we write two
others are lying in a dangerous state. It is customary at
these fairs for the agricultural implement makers of the
town and neighbourhood to exhibit their machines and
engines for the inspection of the agriculturists ill attend-
ance. In accordance with their usual practice (*heal°
and Sons, of Sonthover, had a number of implements on
the ground, and, in order to show the operation of some
of them, a steam-engine, of four horse power, manufac-
tured by Hensman, of Woburn, Beds, was being got in
readiness, when by some at present unexplained cause a
terrific explosion took place, and a SCCIIe of great havoc,
excitement, and anxiety ensued. So far as we have been
able to glean the particulars on the spot—amid many in-
coherent and conflicting statements that have been cur-
rent—the following seem to be the facts attending this
dreadful catastrophe
. .

Cheales's enginieer was attending the engine and gett-
ing it in readiness to work a chaff-cutting machine, and
was altering its level, when suddenly there was a tre-
mendous report, said by bystanders greatly to exceed
that of the largest of the CAIIIIIMA at the .Irtillery Militia
Devi!. Instantly the engine rose from the ground I
a cloud of steam and smoke, ashes and water, ant dashed
a distance of about:SO yards, in the direction of the sheep
pens, when it struck the ground, and turning over, was
forced with terrific violence for a further space of ten
yards, finally alighting in a corner of a pen of sheep.
Alarmed ay the noise, a crowd of persons from all quar-
ters of the fair rushed to the spot, and and a most horri-
fying scene presented itself. John t:uld, the engineer,
was lying near the engine, in a lifeless condition. Near
him were three other men in a similar state ; others were
thrown down and more or less injured or contused. The
engine in its impetuous course had swept all before it,
crushing everything in its progress, and, in addition to
the unfortunate men whose lives have fallen a sacrifice,
a colt belonging to Mr. Hader, of Hunted Keynes, which
was being exhibited for sale by his eon, was struck and
the animal as well as the young man killed. There were
also two sheep killed and several others injured, the
boiler part of the engine having fallen on them.
A mounted messenger was nliately despatched
into the town for medical assistance, and Dr. Smythe
arrived at the scene within a quarter of an hour, but by
this time three out of four omen were dead, and the
fourth expired shortly after. The dead bodies were at
once renioved to the Elephant and Camille Inn, whither
also was conveyed a lad who was very dangerou :ly
scalded about the head, neck, and face, and bruised
about the body. Among others who were wounded
was a man who was driven by the force of the con-
cussion a distance of 50 yards from where the engine
stood, but in a direction entirely opposite to the course
which the engine took. He was most severely injured,
and was conveyed to the Sussex County Hospital, at
Brighton, in a fly. Another wan was forced in the
same direction, but not quite to so great a distance,
and sustained injuries of a slighter character.
Mr. Murrell, surgeon, hearing of the accident,
promptly mounted his horse, and rode towards the scene
of the calamity, ready to render his services if required.
On his way Ile was, however, met and requested tore-
turn to the Elephant and Castle, hut the unfortunate
sufferers were beyond all human aid. Mr. Murrell,
however, received the lad Woodliall, and directed him
to be placed in a warm bed, and otherwise attended to
him. .

Mr. Tribe, of Hoi!shove, with several other persons,
was knocked down, but not much injured. Mr. David
('heir, one of the firm, who was superintending the
general business arrangements in the field, was thrown
down with great violence, and there is little doubt his
life was spared from the simple circumstance that he
fell behind the chaff-cutting machine which was about
to be tried, and which he was placing in a proper posi-
tion to receive the drawing strap of the steam engine.
This chaff-cutter was turned completely round, and
struck Mr. Cheat° in its passage, pitching him aside, and
thus, All it appears, providentially saving him from
destruction. Mr. T. Milian, of Beddinghain, and Mr.
Boys, of Eastbourne, and others had a most narrow
escale, the engine passing within a vary little distance
of where they were standing.
An examination of the remains of the engine abun-
dantly testified to the teriffic violence of the explosion ;
the cud of the fire-box was completely driven out, the
safety valve blown off; large pieces of iron were scat-
tev• about at a considerable distance, some of them,
it is states!, as far off as a quarter of a mile. The
skid pan was found ro yards from the spot. The
upper portion of the funnel was thrown to a great
height.

-'fl4-following ix list of the killed :
Albert Hader, farmer. Horded Keynes.
John Gold, engineer, Southorer, Lewes.
Reuben Landport, labourer, Minion.
Jesse Upton, labourer, CM. Lewes.

The cause of the explosion of course can only he at
present a matter of conjecture. No doubt a strict in-
vestigation will take place before the pn.per authority.
Later particulars says that the lad who is mentioned
above as severely scalded is likely to do well, be having
rallied considerabiy oilier he was first taken to the inn.
He was attended by Mr. Murrell and Dr. Bulthe, who
have been unremitting in their care. The lad's name
is Thomas Wisidliall, and his father loin the employ of
Mr. Fuller, Norton-farm, Kingston.
A report has just reathed WI that the man who was
taken to the Brighton Hospital (and whose name we
have not yet ascertained) died before his arrival there.
We cannot, however, vouch for the truth of this state-
inent.—Siturx Atircrtiser.

llountrar's Occrumel.-Bwollen reins In the leg, cramps,
enlargement of the eland., white-swellings, ste., are wonder-
fully relieved by the application of this Ointment, after
fomentation with warm aster. The Ointment not only gives
local relit f, but rapbll3 entering the reeesses of the system
through the imn,i of the skim it purifies the blond, and im•
forts tone to the principal internal organs. But though so
roverful as a mariner and curative, it+ action is gentle and
benign. It is compoe.l of rare balsams, without one grain of
memory, or soy other injurious substance. It Is ee sae es It
Ia elllcactous.