The Express.
London, England, 1847-03-15 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 1847.

water was thrown from the engines the flames rose as high
and were drifted by the wind half way over the River
Thames. The scene as viewed from the opposite shore was
awfully grand • the roar of the fire was like numerous fur-
naces en full plity, the rush and crackling of the flames, and
the occasional bursting of tent, and the falling of wells
were quite deafening. The firemen, however, kept to their
Irate until they were driven back by the intense heat, The
engines were kept in full operation until past six o'clock,
when it at length became apparent that the firemen had ob-
tained the mastery over the flames, but they were far front
being entirely extinguished. At th,t time Mr. Bethel's
engine-house was destroyed, the extensive building termed
the saw-mill and its valuable machinery were consumed, the
rectifying-house and all it coatained were burned, and the
whole of the 14,000 sleepers reduced to a/Ms—the latter
property was of great value, each sleeper it is stated
was worth 6s. Sd. Mr. Robins, the timber-merchant,
and Messrs. Pass, together with sundry other persona in
the neiglibourbood, will be serious losers by the calamity.
Mr. Bethell's manager informed the reporter that his em-
ployer's lea alone would be between 10,0001. and 12,0001.
Mr. Bethell was uninsured. Throughout the whole of yes-
terday immense volumes of smoke kept ascending from the
smouldering ruins, and at noon the engines were still en-
gaged discharg;ng water upon the same. An engine will be
kept on the spot for some time yet, in case of another out-
break. Mr. Superintendent Bicknell, Inspector Creed. and
Iderjeant Emenervon were alternately engaged the whole of
the night and day in keeping, with the aid of a strong muster
of police constables, the immense crowd out of danger.
During the raging of the fire the several bridges were crowded,
and numerous boats were engaged conveying people on the
water to obtain a view of the conflagration. The metropo-
litan churches and the abbey were completely illumined,
and the streets, for miles round, were rendered as light as
at moon-day.
FIRE AT ORAVESEND.—On Saturday, shortly after
12, this town was again aroused to a state of alarm end dis-
may by the outbreak of another fire, which, though not of
so serious a character as the recent calamity in West-street
and the Town Pier, was attended with considerable loss of
property. Its locality was in Harmer-street, in a line with
the Terrace Pier, originating on the premises No. 13, aitante
ou the east side, occupied by Mr. Powis, fancy toy ware-
house. It appears to have been discovered by a person pus-
ing up the street, sod who, on arriving in front of Mr.
Fowls 's premises, was attracted by a great light over the
fan-light window of the shop-door. Being positive the house
was on fire he lost not a moment in giving an alacm, and,
obtaining the speedy Resistance of some constables, proceeded
to arouse the inmates, who were in bed, and evidently un-
conscious of their imminent danger. No one making their
appearance in the front of the house, fears were entertained
they had been suffocated ; but in the course of half an hour it
was ascertained they were safe, having escaped byjumping out
of the windows at the back. On the arrival of the Town Corpo-
ration engines, which they did very quickly, the same scene
was enacted am at the fire in West-street. No one seemed to have

any knowledge of their proper management, and the greeted
contention prevailed among the firemen as to who should
have priority over their operations. To render the confusion
worse, no water wu procurable until the were in
flames from the buement to the roof. _ eaatem-house

engine was brought to the spot with equal = asserted
by a strong detachment of soldien from Ora
who, throughout, exerted themselves most creditably. The
inhabitants, fearing the conflagration would extend
adjacent houses, which at the height of the firep
very probable, despatched messengers to Chatham and Dart-
ford for the assistance of the Brigade fonts and engines be-
longing to there towns, which succeeded in reaching
Gravesend in about au hour. Luckily, in the mean time,
water was obtained, when the Custom-house engine was
brought to bear on the adjoining houses. It was impossible
to save any portion of that of Mr. Powis ; it was compare.
lively speaking, gutted, aid every article of property within
it was consumed. The fire was not finally got under tall 4
o'clock. The damage to the houses adjoining Mr. Pods%
was not considerable. As regards the origin, not the slighteet
information could be obtained. Only s portion of the
premises is insured.

'ICE COLLISION ON THE
BODIIIB.—OHAVVI IN D. SUNDAY.—By Mr.C.C. Lewis, Satur-
day, at the World's End Tavern, Tilbury Fort, to Meer.
tigata the circumstances attending the deaths of James
Emmett, aged 30, and Henry Shillebeer, aged 60, who, with
two others were killed in the Rose schooner, which was run
down by the Royal Victoria, Leith stun-ship, off Hole Haven.
Edward Webber, master mariner, of Topsham, said, I was
captain of the hooner Rose, of Exeter ; she was 100 tons
burthen. The bodies were those a James Emmett
and Henry Shillebeer, who formed part ef the mew.
There were two other lost; their bodies have net
as yet been found. On the night of the 27th
February last, we sailed from 'Topping's-wharf, Loa-
don-brialge for Exeter, and reached Hole Havea about
two o'clock on the following morning. Hole Hama is off
the Essex shore, westward of the Camay Islands, and is
about fourteen miles from Gravesend. Here we brought
to an anchor, owing to the strong easterly winds, and re-
admit there that day sad night. The mate'smese Wtn.
Hillman, who, with the boy, slept in the altcabia. The de-
eassed4oforward in the forecastle. On Saturday might,
about o'clock, I tamed ia, leaving watch on deck.
Did sot correctly who bad charge of the wileh—it
was arranged omega the men. Nothing occurred more
them *edam ea the Night to my keewledge till between;
those awl ken Iniollll the following morning, when I wasi
awed by • esediel malt. I jumped out el my berth ant '
ram epos desk, when I taw that a steamer hod run into the
vele& I mile ell baste forward with Ur mate and boy
so as toast held Otis steamer's heir-stay, laid thus get on
board; bet amid net do so, for the schooner's formula had
hem marbail away, while thesteamer was backing morn from
oldie vessel. f noticedthe mate andboy then ninnies op the
malaassat rigging. I remained fora few moments forward,
sad anammared te extricate some one who seemed to hem
beea area by the steamer, and was groaning : be was
firmly Seed, however, in the wreck, sad could not be la-
mmed. Fading, then, that the schemer bad filled and me
going down, I tailed out to those on the steamer, "Far
God's sake send your boats sad save us, fir we ass sinking."
The words were scarcely out of my lips when she sank, aid
carried me with her. I recollect out little afterwards. I re-
member, on sinking with the schooaer, that I managodto
lay hold of a spar, which partially kept me idea till I was
picked up by • Mat. I law no boat seat from the steamer
until after I was picked up. My life was nearly
gone. I was taken m board of the steamer,
and, on recovering my senses, found theytrere conveying me
to Leith. When picked up had only • night shirt on. lam
much indebted to one of the pas edgers for furnishing me
with clothes.—At the desire of the Jury, Mr. Webber, the
master, sketched the position of the schooner at the time of
the collision. By it, it appeared that, besides a number of
small craft, such as smacks, that were lying close in Aare,
there were several larger vessels of the haven. Of dim
the schooner was nearest in shore. There were two to the
southward, on one side of her, and three astern of her, or to
the eastward.—By the Coroner The schooner war moored
about 200 fathoms from the shore at low water. She exhi-
bited no lights ; it ma not usual to do so on board mall
vessels. I was not aware that it was the Royal Victoria
steamer that had struck the Rose until I was taken on board
of her. Sbe bad part of her cat-head and stanchions car-
ried away. The mptain of her, Mr. Micklereid, told as it
was • bad job, and that it bad occurred through a bugs
being in his way. The barge he said, was realdni
over her bows.—Coroner: Whit is your opinion as
to the course the steamer was pursuing when the
collision happened Witness : That she was not
in her proper one. If she had not run into the schooner she
would have gone ashore. Her right course was more in mid-
channel.—Coroner. What kind of weather was it at the
time ?—Witness : It was blowing strong up the river, but
the morning was as light as noonday. The moon was up,
and vessels could be seen for miles distant.—Coroner
Hole Haven a proper place for yawls anchoring in such
numbers?—Witness: Yes it is; it's a small bay. My vessel
was lying out of the track of larger ones, especially
steamers.—A Juror: Have you any idea of the speed of the
steamer when she ran down your vessel ?—Witness . I be-
lieve her engines were at full speed, for so great was her
force against the schooner that in less than three minutes
after she was struck she went down.—There being no other
witnesses in attendance, the Royal Victoria being on her
passage to Leith, the inquiry was adjourned until she re-
turned, and to allow several important witnesses who made
in distant parts of the country to be summoned.

' ON THE

PLAN OF EDUCATION.

.
The following official correepondenoe explains some
important points mmpiring the governart pay of educa-
tion
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