The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-12 00:00:00

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TO CORRESPONDENTS.
Advertises:tests intended for *. The Express" London Evening
oranass:a bdeayaogf the Omee, 10. Boaverlegarsok, by Two

HAYMAUET.

Tam Strom MADEI6I3ILLISII BILLIZILL Messrs.
Rowe and Farrell : Mesdames Bealliceend AmseI—PAYANNTED
AT COICRT. Sanwa Buckstene, RACm and Braid : Mesdames
Snowdon, Orlditl, and BM.—AndCIICS AND ARIADNE

PILINCIeeI.

Tim Irma, BORN TO GOOD LUCK. Mr. D. Werra,.
AM THT statirrs OF LONDON. Mews. Mang, J. W. Ray,
D. Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nelson. H. Forrester, sad H. Mellon
Mn H.H. Must." Mum &melt sad Gwynn&

BRITANNIA,

TEM IrrEEMO. THE MOTHER'S DYING CHILD. Mn. S.
Line. - Muds( by Madame Mon sod Loa% Lbidesy.—Soeu•
from ROMEO AND JULLET.—And M.AID AND MAO7I.E.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON7DRIDOIL

Twat w.f= :tian7o;. Ilk Ws.
To-moaxow Mora n& O. 0.....A1ti0500n, Oh. Its.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12.

IT does not seem likely that we shall ever know
with certainty the cause of the terrible explosion
at Belvedere. It is in the nature of such cata-
strophes to destroy the evidence of their origin.
Bat the inquiry conducted by the Coroner discovers
a state of things which considerably reduces any
disposition to be surprised at such disasters, and
tends rather to foster the expectation of their re-
currence. We refer more particularly to the habit
of mind of the people who have the handling of
gunpowder, and upon whose continual vigihuice
and conscientious care our lives depend. The
loss of life and destruction of property
on Saturday week was mainly caused by the
explosion of Messrs. HALL'S magazine, and it is
as well established in evidence as such a fact can
be, that the magazine itself was fired from with-
out. The gunpowder barge exploded first, and
involved the stores on shore in its own destruction.
It is important, therefore, to inquire what security
the public have in the control and management of
these powder barges against accidents, the effects
of which are not confined to those on board. The
rules laid down for the guidance of the bargemen
seem to be such as would ensure safety if it were
certain that they would be carried out. And be-
yond enjoining them, and enforcing them within
the range of their observation, it is not easy to
see what the owners of gunpowder can do. Mr.
HALL stated at the inquest that no lights
are allowed in the magazines or barges.
When the barges are carrying powder, the food of
the men is cooked for them before they start.
Smoking is not permitted under any circumstances
on board the barges. These regulations are excel-
lent, and looking at them in connexion with the
material precautions taken to prevent the produc-
tion of sparks by concussion or collision, one won-
ders bow accidents are possible. But then it is
impossible to be sure that the rules will be ob-
served. Mr. Maas, of the Faversham Mills, after
detailing and explaining them, remarked se to the use
of fires and cooking appraratus in the barges when
loaded with powder ; " He could not may what
" the men did when they got away." So Mr.
MONs said yesterday, "I never allow a fire in the
" barge myself, but what they do after they get
" away I do not know."
But now let us hear evidence on the other side.
Mr. Jawrs, Harbour Master of the Port of Lon-
don, said yesterday " I have seen vessels loading
" and unloading, and I have seen men smoking ou
" board of them when they have their hatches
" down, and I do not see why they should not, they
" being vessels specially constructed for carrying
" powder." If a man of Mr. J.L.11E8.8 experience,
perfectly disinterested, sees no harm in smoking on
board a powder barge, it is not to be expected that
a bargeman will be more particular. We are not,
however, left to conjecture. ROBERT GRAY, of
Erith, who was on Erith pier-head when the ex-
plosion took place, deposed that he " had seen
" pipes smoked on the powder barges. People
" could not subsist without tire, because they
" could not cook their food."

Coroner—l suppose that. whether you had iron or powder
on hoard. you meat hare fire to 000 k your food !
Witness—Yes, I should.

Coroner—Yes, and that is the way in which these melan-
choly explosioas occur. I should think you very indiscreet,
and you would not be &servant I should like to employ on
• powder barge.

Witneon—Lord bless mn., when a man has been a few
months on the water he doesn't care what he has on hoard.

Is not that a word from the heart? Is not this
thorough recklessness the very quality which has
long been cultivated in our mariners—the one
niost celebrated in song and story—the one which
in our last great war gave us sailor' who defied
the world, while in these days of prudent fore-
sight and Post-office savings banks we can hardly
get men enough for the flagship Victoria? " When
a man has been a few months on the water he
" does not care what is on board." Mr. Hones,
foreman of the Government magazine at Plum-
stead Marshes, told the coroner's jury yesterday
that he has seen fires on the barges near Mr. Hsu.'s
works when the hatches were off. "He did not
" stay to see any more, but made his way off as fast
"as he could." Mr. Howe, of Cram and H•s-
vEr's powder magazine, told the jury that smoking
and fires on barges loaded with powder are objected
to when the barges lie off a magazine, but not when
they are out in the stream. This witness was
asked :

Have you ever found fault with the bargemen for smoking
or having fires on board the barges ?—No. They are allowed
to have ► fire when the barge is lying out in the Weans.
The Coroner—What, when there is powder on board?

_ .
Witness—Yee; the hatches are all battened down and
birpauling put over them. You cannot stop them from
baring a fire. If you deny them, and they do not light It
Immediately under your noes, they will the moment your
back Is turned.