The Express.
London, England, 1856-05-19 00:00:00

FATAL EXPLOSION IN WOOLWICH ARSENAL.

FOUR LIVES LOST.

On Saturday afternoon lut, at half-past 3 o'clock,
another expl'aion centred in the laboratory department of
Woolwich Antral, the result of which has sawed the
utmost excitement, and plunged m►ny hiniaes lets the
dupe's aft:Lotion. We are stabled, through the kindnees
of sever,l °facials connected with the department, to give
the following deistl of the accident.
- •

In the centre of the Labe Tatou-ignore are two weed's
sheds, each about 12 feet square, used for the purpose of
mixing the composition for Wittig percussion caps. This
composition contains a proportion of fulminating mercury,
and in consequence of its combustible nature it is conveyed
to other sheds for us fn gutta mobs bottles, and only two
persons ere allowed in each of the sheds where it is mixed.
Adjacent to these sheds is the carpenters' shop, and at the
time of the aecideut 1 carpenters and labouren were
employed in removing square boxes, made for the purpose
of packirg fireworks for Loneon. At the time mentioned
the sheds were blown up with a loud explosion, and twelve
men and boys were disown with terrific force into the air.
Tne utmost consternation prevailed in the establishment.
The gates were opted; and Captain Boxer, Superintendent
of the Royal Laboratories, with the police force, were in-
stantly on the spot to discover the extent of the accident,
and render evidence. The scene patented was most apptl-
Hog. The dead and maimed were found in ell directions at a
considerable distance from the sheds; and one poor fellow was
literally blown to stems—his limbs being entirely disjointed.
the following ere those killed on the spot : William Flack,
foreman of the seising sheds; Richard Taylor, John Read-
ing, and William Green, lobouren. The 6(.11611 principal
salmi, namely, John Andrews, a carpenter, Richard
Russell, Henry Gale, John Savage, John Richardson, and
two lads named Mulch and Webber, were conveyed to the
Royal Ordnance Houittl in ambulance waggons, under
the direction of the Royal Ordnance surgeon,. On in-
quiry at the hospital at eight o'clock lest evening, we steer-
Weed that all the sufferers were in • very precarious state,
and that Richardson mu not expected to survive. William
Powell, who was injured by the explosion in • rocket shed
ten dale since, died at the Royal Ordnance Hospital on
Friday lest. An inquest will be held on the deceased
before C. J. Center, Esq., coroner for West Kent, to-
morrow.

ANOTHER OFFICIAL LEFALLTER AT
PoRTSHOVIH.

In consequence of the lengthened inquiries result-
ing from the complaints made by the emaciate on board the
String Castle, cinvict invalid hulk, in this harbour, cir-
cumstance., have tranaplred of a somewhat serious character.
These complaints were made previous to the murder of the
late Mr. Hope, the surgeon of that ship, sod they were
repeated subsequently ; and it appears that sea inquiry was
instituted by three of the inspectors of primes under the
Rome-office. The exact result of these Liquifies has not, of
course, been pr:nin'gated, hut it sop- ears they have led to
the pm-plats departure of Mejor Shaw, the governor of
the Stirling Castle, who it is repotted bas spiropriated to
his own use 10111 E 6001. money, the property or the govern-
usent,and which was entru..td to him for payment of general
expenses,wages of wsrdera, &c. The salary of the governor is
350/. per annum, besides which be had apartments on board
the bulk, the whole of the poop being sppr,pristed to his
ace, far more ro..m and accommodation being Provided for
him than any admiral poeticises on hoard ship. Many other
perquisites and advantages were obtainable, and altogether
the value of the office could not be lees than 4001. a year.
We ars lorry to say that a warder, who of course could ill
off ,rd to spare the money, loses 61. by the governor's de.
parture, the latter having borrowed that sum of him a day
er two before leaving. Mr. John Shaw was formerly, we
hoar, a eel oar sergeant fis the British army; the title of
makior wail obtained in the Spanish service, in the contest
against the claims of Don Carlo-. He is an aged man, about
60, married, and has one son. It is impassible to cor,reeture
what could have induced him to sacrifice such a situation,
in such a manner at least. We are odd that his expeedi-
tun, personally, was hardly more than 1001. a year. With
regard to the charges brought by the convicts, so far as
iil-
treatnnnt are congenital, we believe they were unfounded ;
he sometimes used language that was rough, but not exces-
sively an. Captain J. S. AV , deputy governor of Mil-
bank Prime, was appsinted early in the week to succeed
Mr. Shaw in the guveraorehip of the Stirling Castle.—
Hotespalare Telagraph.

COTTON.—LTVIIPOOL. MAT 17.—The Woo of cottOs are INIM.
mated at 6,000 bides—Sue for export and 000 cm speculation—COM.
pei•ing, in addition to Araericane, 200 ggyptian, at 6id. to Bd.; and
1,000 Mutat, at Sid. to 20. per lb. Import sinus Yitursday 30,000
balm. Via market a osed dull, but quite strong, at the full rates t.l
Prielap.

COTTON GOODS.—Maxasissrus, MAT I7.—The butineas Itu beep
of a eery limited character this morning, bat pi lees are without
chance. Warehouses and all places of badness have been elitist
wb4lly closed, ur open only ior a few home per day since Tmeday,
And toe hole industrial populate,' of tbne districts have been
giving themselves up lo holiday making and pleasure seeking to an
extent almost beyond 'decedent. The consequctios is that we hare
not had enough doing fairly to tart the market, and all that can be
Feld Is thd, as on loinday. yarns and cloths are difficult of sale
witiout some c diention in pries. The great Impediment to bud.
ni el neat to the holidays iv, as obverted by Mr. 0. F. Yardley. in
' his Cirerilsr for India of today, "the disproportionate ratty of cotton,
which ranee nearly Id. per lb. higher than at this time last year.
and that, to., nutwitbstunding the supply appease likely to be greater
ban at any former period."

WOOLLEIVIEL—Loans, MAT 17. —There boa been rattier a
limited attendance of merchants M the cloth halls this moraing,
and the market has hada quiet aspect; but a larger quantity of cloth
was dears/ oat than. judging from appearances durum the market,
woe ezpegked. The bulk of the trasaactions have been in heavy
• cloths anilother good, suitable for the fall trade. The white market
kat bees Sat, and the sales have been within a limited compass. The
alinewliag kepis of oonvemation among the manufacturers la the ad.
ewe obtained In the price Ut wool at the London sales now pm:eve!.
lag. 1 t is viewed with much apprehension and an almost universal
deiermination is esprewed Mewed and limit operations to punitive
requirements.

11,,L11A11. MAT 17.—W00l dull sale, rather in favour of buyer.
Worsted and yarns as befogs.

MAT 17.—There has not been any
material Tarts:ion in the trade of this town Uwe our teat report; •
very healthy tone pervades business generally to a for greater exteat
:ban during walrus of • great premiere of orders, lb- effect of which
te oftentimes to derange bushier and rut down profits. At the pre-
sent time there are few brandies in which there con be said to be any
thing like depreerian, the manufacturer. generally are turning out
quite u many goods as usual, and in very few instance' only is there
any adding to 'tulip.. In fact, tie enly difficulty erne:inked is the
scarcity of saduey, but In the face of that prirscare which has now ex-
hoed for ieural months, the few failure., and those of a very trilling
character, which bare occurred, is the amt evidence that trade is on
• sound and health, burls. The factors' reports of the country trade
outlaw to be remarkab:y favoureble: and the export trade Is also
.readily improving, The orders from the Mediterranean are conaide-
' Fable at the preset time, with every prouret of their increasing;
the Autralian trade Is also looking up; ease good orders have beta
received within the tauten days, us thereharealso been from America.
There are • great number of orders from that quarter in the handa of
the manufeeturere, and we hove reason to beieve that the merchant,
have still a large number yet to give out. The military gun trade of
the town is alil betel ; indeed, not sly has the Department of Ord-
' Puce manifer ed no cirpoeition to rop any of the contract', except
one or two for eurendoiais guns, but the contractors are pressed to
keep up the regulii delivery of their number, and no change in that
respect iv antlelpared. From the district, the reports as to the elate
of the manufacturing trades are generally Livnurable. la the iron
trade there is a alight lull, and it I. reported that some while, of
pig iron may oe turnished • fraction cheaper; but the depression
will, in all probability, be but of temporary duration, for consumers
are working o; on low mocks, and will of neceesity be forced into the
market. The men have bea making holiday this week at the foun-
dries and some other of the works In the diarist; a large number of
the colliers have also been Idle. la the coal trade there Is no be-
nrenement; rake are versed, and In leveret Instances lower rates
have been aceepted. The bill now before parliament, having for its
object the rating of iron and other ores, is exalting th• attention of
Its trade in Otis district„ and a special meeting hoe been convened to
consider the measure.

TALLOW.
Ernwaran SVIPLT or TALLOW to )(M.—Tallow at St. Petersburg,
Month II (OA), 11,179 tads ; Kovno, 10,773; Archangel. 4,110; Nina
10,696 ; Terrr, ; Moscow. 4.000; Ukraine, 3,100; -Na-
mara, 31,426; Seterla, 29,490: lloreliank, 16,781; Itaxend, flarstrff,
te„ 29,761; birn welled, 3,600 ; total, 155,997 casks; deduct fur
local ecesnmption, 4,997 nuke; &Tellable far export, 151,000 wk..
Vor want of horse. and riperatora the mune quantity of tallow boo
Oat IVOIN ..'.t forward se formerly during the war, sod I. the cameo:
the large quantity remaining for export this year.

CORN.—remeatnos, WAY I7.—Wheat was *pin Is. to 7e. per qr.
cheaper, with a good supply; other corn dull. Wheat, red, Me. to
70e.; white, 745. Barley, SU. to 40e. Beans, 38e. to 42a Oats,
28. to Ma.

Carraaavay, MAT 17.—One market was Tory dull today; supply
abort; prima 00 last week. Wheat, brown, new. 56.. to Ns. ;
white. new, 70s. to 775. Barley, now, has. to 43a. Oats. new,
WM. to Sas. tit Beane, new, Jus. Peas, 400.

CA41.01.11, MAY I7.—Rali • were dull thin moraine at last week's
rates, yet there Ina no alterAion to note. A fair supply of all km&
of gram. Wisest. white, 3ta. 6d. to 30..; rod, 26.. Gd. to us.
Barley, 12e. ed. to les.. d. Oat,. potato, Ma. to lls. Id.; mar
mom, 9. to 6d. Rye, lc.. to Ms. Beers. Its. to 2a. Flour,
pse mime, 2. &L to 2.10 d. Oatmeal, le. id. to U. 4d. ilyermal,
I.94.—Carlisle Journal.
Colruisrou, MAT 17.—A Rood supply of wheat, the sale slow at
last week's prime. The malting 80111,1t1 has them aspired, and with
it the eupply of barley; the tow samples ob offer rallied full peter.
Other grain utaltered.

- - -
0i caroms, line I7.—There was a fair show of English wheat at
oar market this dsy, and lag week's prloes were only maintained to
the met maples; other parcels is. cheaper. k'oMedi was the tyre
lower. bat test (pantile beteg eaves, holders showed no ditooolties
to rove Wen newts are lees inquired for. Barley freely Petered at
Is. per qr. lees money. Oats mow •I 2 eteadliy. Imparts far the week
mediae iloy 17 :—Wloost. 7,171. Barley, 1,008; Oats, 4,618; Beau,
2,227 qrs.

. -
OULDIOID. 1110.7 11.—There was` 11l fair sap* of wheat, and II
brisk cernael for floe qualities at toll piton. Other torte, especially
red, were steamed, sad ealas could not be made except at a redo*.
ties. Wheat, $O.. to Sea Barley, 3to to Ws. Oita, no to Vie.
Sena 40s. to Ho Nos, its to its.

Ilairmoop, Kau 17.—The supply of wheat at market today goal.
The trod* ruled extremely don at Is. per load less roomy for the
Smut pawls; mane 6sosrlptloos almo t unsaleeble. Barley but
huts affrelall; last week's seises supported. Oat*, pou, and beam,
sold at/amer Worm Wbsat, 311 s. to Co par load. Wits, 26.. to 44a.
mew. Oato Us. to Sao per qr. Peas. 2ts. to Ho per bud. Boum
We. to a& per 1011 d. Ten.. $O.. to 3.15. Pro load.
INZIORIAITIA-VPOI,TTIM KAT 17.—n0 lumber this vast has
alidarlooe a favourable dump ; a good deal of rata has Callao. se&
al&sep W tamporaturo boo dam elose, It t. f from genial. The
trade dirks. the puree& meek Ms boss obaraderbed by great Imo.

Unity, and, although the receipts have been moderate, roach has ban
the apathy manifested by our millers, that sales oould only be pro.
muted by sutaittine to a eduction of la. per qr. For fine new Nor.
folk yellow 7 e. only could be pr cured, and 74a. fur fine hatch
not extra: whilst superior Dula has cou.readed 72e., and
Uoistein, 72.. 6d. to 735., all weighed 631 be. A few paroels of old
ratherspin been quitted for Scotland. Flour Irn been moment at
eisier rates. Is other articles earisuon ofhae
caw red. At our market this n, rider we bed a moderate show of
wheat from the greyer*, and choice qualities being wanted for giving
colourore rain our quotations is. per qr. upon extra white, whilst la
other sort. trasantions to • fair event revolted at the full ratesof this
day senuight. Fine Norfolk red realieed 741., and tamed 74. 6d.,wadat.
73a. woo reused for extra hcotch white. In fcreign the banes was
chiefly confined to Danish und llolatein red, which commanded
to 72n, accenifog to quality. Wolgant, welshing 58ylbe., was held
firmly at 725., but 7. s. only offered, which was refused. Flour sold
slowly,but in its value we quote little change. Rye neglected. A little
molting barley was quitted today at our previouseurriay, but pur-
chases were merely made to complete steep., ro that the demand may
be aid to have abated. For grinding acre I. lone inquiry. Sod.
lag peas have been gradually draping, until prices have fallen to
43e. for best qualities a point below ',MCI% It is not probable that Ibis
article will recede. Naas rather firmer. With oats we were scantily
applied by our growers, but the &mule from Reti.d still ket innq
equal to our weekly requirements, our buyers are enabled effectually
to foist any advance. but at recent rates a fair bvainess has Iran.
spired. For some vvy fine white coloured Ininieh weighing natur.
aliy 411b5., 24,. La ocen realie d. The arrivals Memel, ate—Wheat,
coastwise, aB9 qrs.; forma, 1,347 qre ; rye, ccesteise, IS; oa.a,
[solarise, ',la; pass, foreign, 38; beans, fortigo, 573; flour, 560
auks.

Noawien, NAT 17 —Our market was fairly ramified with wheat
today; prima ruled steady, at a trifle reduction, scarcely le. per qr.;
quality good, and tome very heavy. Flour was in slow demand, at
same prices as last week. Barley trade mall, malting °practices
being nearly at an c.d. prices rued precisely as Met week ; gritulirg
sort, offered more freely, but no charge in price could be roticeo.
Beans and i.e.. were a amall offer; priers fl, m, but no enbaccramat
was ohvervcbe. Oats were in fair request at rave rates. Wheat,
white, 7{e. to 73.. per qr.; red, 65.. to 70e. Barley, malting, 41e.
to 425.; grinding. 37e. to 30..; Bun., 44.. to 46a. Pass, 435. to
445. Oats, JO.. to 29e. Pine houecbold flour, tub., 47a. ter .3ek
of 25°119. nett, purchams. finding Backe, and claiming one month's
credit.

Prraanotovon, Wet 17.—Our eupplirs of wheat conl'inue good.
We have a elow trade to-day, awl rven Lot autup:es could be bought
lower. nee Galbe. yellow wheat, 74e, per yr. V. ry little apruig corn
of any decennium, and prices tonnually tact week.

RZADII4O, &lay 17.—An improved supply of wheat, but trade
cher.ked by the low prices offered, hence /aloe were effected at a re-
duction of le. to 2s, per qr. lower. Barley a limited quantity, without
say advance in price. Oats but little sought at late rotas. Beam, a
batter iequiry than of late, prim; unaltered. Trade us peas dim ted.
. . _

Want en, Mae I 7.—Wchare had fine rale the Idt two or three
dam ant much food hes been done by It. To-day the supply of
grain at all kinds Is smell, and the tureens arca in their demanda for
that week's prices. Where thee' could not be obtained they took
back their samples. There was a lair sale for all other drain at fully
forma rates Priam to growers i—Vitiset,new, fine. to 72e. per
quarter. Oats, 14d. to 121 d. per wane. Beans, 411. to 41%
Woacrmas, MAY • 7.--Ttere was a limited .apply of wLeat at
market today, which sold slowly at about the prima of this day week.
Barley unaltered. Oats only taken in retail, at previous rates. Beans
nucalaally uaalbred.

Toms, May I7.—We have a good show of wheat at this day's mar.
ket. Millers are ucwl ling purchasers, eleept at ► reduedon the
farmers would am eubait to, and the title business done wee at a de.
Mum of le. to le. per qr. No barley °Bering, and we discontinue our
quotations. 0111 s and beans wlttaiut alteration. Wheat, white, 22%
to 74e. per tmperial qr.; red, 675. to ads. Beans, 42*. to its.
Nall, 76e. to 78a. Oats, Is. 2d. to .is. 3d. per moss of .11114.
Flour, 10s. to 33a. per sack of 26ulhe.

)(HMOAnal*, 'CAT I7.—A good deal of rain has fallen during the
week, but the wind still continuing from the east, the temperature
has not Improved so mach as could be wished. Wt b genial weather
now vegetation would be rapid. At our country marketa this week
suppliee of all Wrote of grain were emelt, and the demand for local
coneumptiun being good, rates were eatily made at very lull trice&
Here, today, we had fair supplies of wheat olfd oats; but small of
barley. Wheat sold quickly at last week's rates; oats Monty, at ta.
ther leas money. Barley tame as last market day. Wheat, Hoe. to
73e. per qr. ISatley, 3Sa. to 13s. Oats, 25a. to Slits.
WATAI74IIIO, MAT 17.—Ne have had a fair arrival sfloreign wheat
this week. wah a few pilule of Indian corn from Liverpool; of all
other articles supple. have been ex.:Reda:gig I ruited. e. her, bcth
home grown and foreign, has me an native enquiry, from our neigh.
t ourirg elide. s. as well so from distant buyers, and a lair quantity of
the best samples has teen disposed of at the full prices of laid week—
stale paicels remain without the wighteat :Mention. Forbade-3'o*re
has been a renewed enquiry for expert, end a few sales have been
effected at rather beVer prices than could have been got last week.
Oats have been in active request for ehipment, but owing to the
paucity of our euperlh s, nisny of the orders count be e aecuted ; fresh
rumples hove advanced Ed. per barrel on the week. Indian co:n:
The count:lotus of this article is now large, and a further red-ution
has been made in our granary woeica, the demand however is resdl.y
met by buders. and no advance can be qiioted in prices. Fleur in
improved Ormard at the rates of lest week. Imports this week:
Wheat, 4,102 qrs.; Indian urn, 1,300 —Esporte : Wheat, 04 beds;
Barley. 1,122. Oath 3,441. Viour, 2,106 sacks. Indian corn, .5(0
barrels.