The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-11 00:00:00

LAME.VTABLE ACCIDENT AT• THE COBURO
_ THEATRE.

trraTgilltS rairrlcut.alts.l
Filday morning, shortly before twelve o'clock, the inhabitants
nf Lambeth, residing in Cie vicinity of the Coburg Theatre, were
thrown into a state of eetreme terror by a gas explosion, which
shook the theatre and the houses in the neighbourhood, as Vaunted
by an certhquake. in the streets adjoining the theatre persons
we e scan rushing nut of their houses in a state of contusion and
alarm. Till within the last two years the Coburg Theatre was
lithtert with Fes, made on the premises ; but in consequence of the
effluvia arising from its manufacture, and Mr. Davidge, the mana-
ger, being fearful lbst some neeictent might accrue from the use of
the oil gas. lie determined upon discontinuing that mode of lighting
the Theatre, and entered into an engagement with the Phoenix
'online', of Ilankslde, by whom the Theatre has since been
supplied. The gasometer, belonging to the proprietors of the
Theatre. remained on the premises at the back part of the house.--
It was filled with water, sad no danger was appr,liended from it,
though it was known that it contained a considerable portion of ear.
buretted hydrogen gas. For the purpose of making more coon.
niodious dresslng.ramos for the company, Mr. Davidge recently
flitetniined to remove the tank, and for the last three days
}wraps here been employed in pumping out the water. Three
of the .men were named Duke, Webb, and Dawson ; and a
limp was placed on a hook near the rump, at some consider.
able distance from the aperture, called the well-hole," at the
top of the gasometer. Dawson imprudently took a lighted
candle to the well-hole. to enable him to look into the tank,
and see what quantity of water remained therein. The gas In-
side, coming in contact with the flame of the candle instantly
exploded, and the shock was so great that the chairs and tables in
houses adjoining the theatre were raised several inches from the
ground. The top of the gasometer was forced against the ceiling,
an I Dawson was forced through an 18-inch wall. The roof of die
gas-house was blown off, and eighteen painted scenes were carried
by the force of the explosion into the painting-room above, a great
height. The two men. Duke and Webb, were mutilated in a most
shocking manner; their bones were shattered to pieces, and their
brains protruded through their skulls. They were dug out of the
ruins ; one was dead, and the other in a dying state. The company
belonging to the theatre were tehearsing a piece on the stage at the
time of the accident, and the alarm depicted in their countenances
clearly proved that it was no feigned terror. No other part of the
house sustained any injury, and the performances will go on as
heretofore. Teo much praise cannot be given to Mr. Davidge
for his humane attention to the sufferers, and the promptitude with
thief' he endeavoured to prevent any unnecessary alarm, entitled
him to the confidence of the frequenters of the Coburg Theatre.
Saturday evening, before the commencement of the performance,
she liberal and spirited proprietor came forward, and addressed the
audience to the following effect:—
„ LADIES AND GENTLESIEN.—Lest any misrepresentation
should go forth to the public respecting the accident which has oe-
t'urred at this Theatre, I feel it a duty incumbent upon me to conic
tort/wl anti give some explanation of the circumstance. Some
sears ago a gasometer was attached to this Theatre; but as it did
not answer the purpose for which it was intended, about two years
ago I cut it away, and it remained on the premises quite useless.
At the time the gasometer was formed a well was sunk, which was
requirtd for the machinery, and it remained under the works half'
tilled with water. This morning some men were tinployed to empty
this water, when they incadtiously introdueed a lighted candle into
the well, and the bail air immediately exploded. The consequence
was, that one man lost his life Plr. Davidge, who seemed to be
much agitated, was unabie, far a few moments, to proceed!, another
man is much injured, and a third is hurt, but no. severely. I have
opened the Theatre this evening, not for emolument, but to eon-
iirce the public that there is now no danger. If the gasometer
had been filled with gas, it would not have injured this part of the
Theatre. (Applause.) This explanation I considered I was bound
to make to the public. I beg to state, that the gasometer has lain
perfectly useless, and was nut connected with the machinery now in
Use."

The following notice was pnsted at the theatre soon after the ac-
Ciil.:nt occurred :

" TO TOE PUBLIC.

ROTA!. CODE to Tut:lora C.—ln order to prevent misrepre-
,icatation with respect to the accident which occurred at this theatre
this morning. it becomes necessary most positively to state, that it
d;d not arise from any gas apparatus used in or connected with the
theatre. This accident occurred in a git,house contiguous, which
f.ad been formerly used fur the manutacture ot• oil-gas, but which
no' having been found to answer the purpose, the gasometer
ad not been used for two years, nor was any gas therein at the time
of the explosion.
The circumstance was occasioned by an accumulation of foul
N't, which had taken place front some water having found entrance
into this old gasometer, and from which the suilkrers, three carpen-
ters. were employed in pumping the water; when, front their in.
cautiously approaching with a lighted candle too near the machine,
Ole foul air exploded, and forced the top of the geometer against
the ceiling of the gas-house, by which the men were crushed be.
tween the iron plates and ceiling. The theatre was not in the
slightest degree, nor could possibly be, affected by this unfortunate
wetir-ence, toe will it interrupt the performance.
" 6. B. DAVIOGE.
" Friday, two o'clock. Sept. 8,
-TT
TEll UPON THE SAME SUBJECT.

TO TOE ZDITOR.

Phenix Gas Company. Bankside Sept. 8, 1828.
this.Gompany now supply the Coburg Theatre with
gas, 1 think it my duty to inform you, that the accident which took
plac.• there this morning arose from an ignition of a portion of the
oil gas with which that theatre was itsiiriee.y !i,-,tted; and which was
.repiaining in their gasometer. and that the same was not is the most
erfaate way connected with the pipes by which the theatre is now
'lighted. tile supply being ineariablv cut off during the day.
I ant, Sir, yours obediently,
H. Twrno.
CORONER'S INQUEST.—Saturday evening an inquest was tiled
the Committee.room of St. Thomas's hospital, High-street,
Borough, before TrinDIAS SHELTON' Esq. on the body of Henja-
re:n Harrison, aged 30, who was killed on Friday last, at the Co-
Lurg Thicte, in consequence of an explosion of foul air, being
it ;sited by a ugh ed candle. The case encited consideratle interest.
at d prio- to the arrival of Mr. Shelton, several persons connected
with the theatre were in attmdance.
h • jury being sworn, they viewed the body, which appeared to
beers dfully injured.
. Ott their return to the Jury.room, Mr. George Bolwell Da.
yidge. noprietor and mat'ager of the Coburg Theatre, deposed,
that on Friday moiling last, about 12 o'clock, he was on the stage
of the th ate, with several other performers, attending a rehearsal,
what his attention was attracted by a dreadful explosion, which
seemed to proceed from the alcove of the theatre; he ran imme-
diately from the stage towards the gasometer, when he found that
an explosion had taken piece, but the air was so excessively dense,
sad the smell so strong, that he was necessitated to return as quick
as passible. Witness afterwards went back, and discovered the de-
...teas,tl lying at the top of the gasameter, in a state of insensibility,
toes two other intlividuels. named Webb and Dawson, who were
employed in the theatre, mere lying close ky, unable to move, and
drytaltully injured, in consequence of the accident. 11'imess in.
tintly gave orders to the svorkoten in the establishment to have
them removed for medical assistance; sod they were as speedily as
I.os i de conveyed to this Hospital.
It appeared, from the statement of 31r. Mettler., that the gas-
ometer stood contiguous to the theatre, and IF Si originally used to
make oil-gas, when, it not being found to answer the purpose, it
Pad been discontinued for the last two years. The gasometer had
been in the water during that period, and no troice taken of it; it
vaa in the centre of the tank, and the deceased, with the other men,
were employed in pumping out the water ; hut one of the men
( Dawson), although repeatedly cautioned not to take a light near
tee place, unfortunately disobeyed the orders, or the fatal occur-
rence would not have happened. The gasometer had rebounded
against theeeding, and the trinities which the deceased received were
~alicTd by being crushed by die gasometer against the ceiling. 31r.
Dabitige further stated, that as the Coburg Theatre IV as a public
,atabbohnient, it was necessary to explain ; sod he wisited it to be
distiortly,enderstood that the gas was in no way connected with the
as they bad their supply from the regular gas works. but
,t proceeded only from the accumulation of foul air underneath the

gaisoeterer.
DFr..lsmea Al ley Ingateston, Assistant-surgeon to the nbove
linspinil, stated, that the deceased was brought to the hospital be-
s weer; or.e and two o'clock on Friday last. in n %rate of insensibility.
S.rtne of the brains were protruding through the right ear, and his
htir INS singed. fie died ;bunt half-prat two o'clock, in cone.
,4.301 Ce of the injuries he had received. Illinois did not open tine
bogy of the decenscO, as it was not all, wed without the consent of
the relatirrn.
Here a messenger entered the Jury-morn with the intelligence
•tat the unfortunate Irian, William Webb, had that moment
iereatherl his last.

On this being announced, a powerful sensation w,s felt through-
out tits roam. The Jury were again sworn, and Mr. Davidge re-
capitulated his evidence.
Mr. Ingatettone. the surgeon, stated, that the deceased man,
Web,t, wan hrougli• in at the same time with Harrison ; he had a
teatime of the collar bone, and a violent blow on the eye. The
01 the blows had injured the lungs on the left side. He
!allowed under symptoms usual to persons having received injury
n the brain,
11t. SHELTON remarked, that there did not appear from the
evidence they had received that any blame was attributable to the
INO;'Oethe of the theatre.
The Jury invantly retooled a verdict of " rcecitientsl Death."
During the inventiomion Mr. Davidge appeared to be deeply
afflicted for the fate of the relatives of the unfortunate men. liar-
ri!ton has a wife and one child, and Webb a wife and five children,
fatally destitute ; and it appears that 3lr. Davidge expects to be
aide to alleviate their affliction by raising a subscription.
'We are happy to state that Dawson, the other man injured, is in
a lair way of recovery.

PEMBROKE, SEPT. 6.—Sir Robert S,eppings is still at
Pembroke dock-yard, anperintenaing the building the Sa-
white, expesinit.ntal ship, intended to sail against those on
she plans of Captain Hay, R.N. The Satellite is not only
‘,o7,structed as a fast-sailing vessel, but also on a new plan
ni Sir Robert's, having keel and deadwotsl external to the
hull, so that, should she strike on a shoal or sunken rock,
both, with par of the rudder, will separate, leaving her
ntiterwise uninjured. She will be launched early in Oc-
tober. Sir Robert's health is greatly improved since his
roidance in th eighao thood.