The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-20 00:00:00

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r PRICE SD.

BREAD RIOTS IN LIVERPOOL.

LIVERPOOL, Feb. 19.—This morning a large mob, composed-
of the dregs of the population, and swelled by women and
girls, paraded Shaw's-brow, Scotland-road, Vauxhall-road,
and Dale-street, entering all the bread-shops, with the ex-
ception of Mr. Lester's, opposite St. Anthony's Chapel, Scot-
land-yard, and demanding bread, helping themselves freely
to the loaves if repulsed. The shops in Scotland-road suffered
the most, being almost entirely 'cleared of their stocks of
bread. The riotous demonstrations have caused the greatest
consternation in the town. Shops have been closed in every
direction, and an entire stop has been put to trade. Some of
the rioters asked for bread only, but small gangs of despe-
rate-looking fellows have entered a number of shops and
houses and demanded money, which in many cases was given
to them.
About half-past ten o'clock the inhabitants of the neigh-
bourhood of Islington and Brunswick-road were alarmed by
seeing a mob, to the inumber of about 500, proceeding along
Shaw-street towards Moss-street, through which they passed
It was noticed that in the main the mob consisted of boys and
youths, apparently from 16 to 17 years of age, led on by some
half-dozen rough-looking men, whose appearance indicated a
determination for mischief and riot rather than hunger or star-
vation. As is usual in these lawless acts, the mob included a
number of women, who seemed to take a kind of fiendish
interest in the depredations on which the mob seemed most
ferociously intent. On arriving at the corner of Moss-street
and London-road, about 30 or 40 of the mob, headed by a
man who seemed to be the ringleader, and who cried out,
" Come on, here's a d—l who's got what we want," made a
rush towards the door of a provision dealer's shop, kept by
Mr. Allen. It would appear that Mr. Allen had been ap-
priged of what was going on in other parts of the town, for
the shutters of the shop were all up, but the door was only
partially closed. On the mob getting to -the door they de-
manded food, one man shouting out that they had been starving
for weeks, and that if he did not supply them with what
they wanted they would break open and destroy the pre-
mises. At this time there were no policemen about, but their
absence may well be excused at the moment when it is knows
these lawless proceedings were going forward in every part of
the town. The person in charge of the premises was evidently
much alarmed by the nienaces and threats of the men, and,
retiring from the shop door fora moment or two, he returnedi
with a number of loaves and other articles of provisions,
which he threw miscellaneously among the crowd for some
quarter of an hour or 20 minutes, and when his stock of
loaves was exhausted he closed the door, and the mob retired,
some of the men carrying as many as three or four loaves
away, and running away in various directions. The main body
of the mob, however, remained united, their numbers indeed
being augmented by another body, which appeared to come
through Boundary-street, from the neighbourhood of Brown-
lew-hill and Paddington. From this point the snob proceeded
up Prescot-street to another bread and provision-shop at the
corner of Epworth-street, kept by Mr. Charnock. On arriving
at these premises they found them entirely closed, but success
at Mr. Allen's would seem to have increased the furious de-
termination of their demands, and made them utterly regard-
less of consequences. Finding admittance at Mr. Charnock's
denied to them, they made an attack upon the door, and
broke it almost instantly. They then entered the premises in
large numbers, and stripped the shop of all its contents,
taking not only all the breadlupon the shelves, but, in addi-
tion, helping themselves to flour and other articles at hand.
Having got all on the premises, they emerged from the place
in quick succession, carrying with them the contents of their
plunder. One man had no less than six loaves under one arm
and a bag of flour under the other and others had two, three,
and four loaves, with flour and other articles ; and in this in-
stance our reporter particularly noticed that the men in pos-
session of the stolen property were stalwart strong-looking
desperadoes, while the bulk of the lads who had evidently been
secured for the purpose of terrifying the different shopkeepers
into submission bad no provisions with them. As the mob
were leaving Mr. Charnock's premises,.two of the ringleaders
were pointed out, and, the police being now at band, they
were taken into custody; and just as they were being secured
a woman, who was evidently associated with them, made use
of several vile epithets towards the police, and, endeavouring
to excite an attack upon the officers, commenced throwing
stones at them. She was, however, immediately pointed out,
and taken to Bridewell along with the two men.
About half-past 11 the mob, in large numbers, visited the
different shops in Paddington and Brownlow-hill. They en-
tirely stripped the premises of Mr. Lunt and Mr. Lloyd, bread
and provision dealers, and likewise attempted other premises,
but they were not equally successful, the different shops hav-
ing been closed and firmly secured. On entering Mr. Lmit's
premises a few of the ringleaders deliberately walked round
the counter, and having forcibly ejected the man in charge of
the premises, telling him at the time that "they wanted bread
and would have it," they commenced their work of plunder,
and in an incredibly short space of time the shop was emptied
of its contents; and here a proofof the destructive and riotous
character of the mob was exhibited. Not content with getting
everything on the premises they afterwards threw stones
through the upper part of the shop windows which wore not
protected by the shutters, and did considerable damage.
At the corner of Springfield, St. Anne-street, one of Mr.
Lightbound's shops was surrounded by the mob, and all its
contents, including bread and flour, taken away. The conduct
of the mob was here also most disgraceful. The man in charge
of the premises was anxious to give them all there was on the
spot, in order that the premises themselves might not be at-
tacked, and with this view he threw out into the street from
one of the windows a large quantity of soda biscuits, which
were in an apartment adjoining the shop. Notwithstanding
that ho thus endeavoured to meet their demands, they after-
wards smashed the shutters and shop-windows.
The mob met with an effectual reception at the pre.
mises of Mr. Phillips, at the corner of Seymour-street,
Copperas-hill. Mr. Phillips bad heard of what was going
forward, and prepared for them. On the mob making their
appearance at his shop and demanding provisions, he stood
near the shop door with a loaded pistol firmly grasped in
each hand, and declared that he would shoot the first man
who attempted to enter. Perceiving the fixed determination
of Mr. Phillips the fellows made a hasty retreat, having failed
in their demands.

Shortly after 12 o'clock a mob paraded Great Howard-
street and the adjacent thoroughfares, and forcibly took
bread, flour, and provisions from the shops containing them.
There was only one policeman ♦isible at the time, but several
were ordered to come to his assistance from the nearest docks.
The police succeeded in apprehending about a dozen of the
ringleaders, ferocious-looking fellows, evidently prepared to
initiate any act of violence, and about 20 boys.
A number of special constables have been sworn in ;
strong detachment of mounted police has been formed ; and
every step has been taken to secure the peace.
About half-past one o'clock the mob went to St. John's-
market, evidently with the intention of committing further
depredations, but, on arriving in Parker-street, they found,
to their disappointment, that the market had been closed.
They then moved off in the direction of Lime-street.
Major Greig went to different streets in which the people
were forming themselves into crowds, and addressed them
upon the folly of their attempting to gain by force what the
merchants and other inhabitants of the town were willing to
afford them of their own free will. He said that if they
would be quiet every suffering person would be relieved. He
felt sure that no one would suffer the pangs of hunger long.
He was frequently interrupted with cries of, " They should
have done it before," " We're clamming," " Lots of us have
died of hunger." One woman threw a reaper's sickle at him,
which, fortunately, missed his head, though it passed within
an inch or two. It was noticed that the really suffering poor
were quiet, and willing to take their chance of procuring the
relief given to them, the noisy ringleaders of the nobs who
paraded the streets being well-known thieves and bad charac-
ters. One who was takes into custody was found to have
four new loaves and 21. hi his possession. Among other places
where the mob called was Mr. Hutchins's, bread and biscuit
baker, opposite St. George's-hall. He, fortunately, had put
his shop shutters up, and he managed to get rid of his trou-
blesome customers by throwing biscuits and loaves to then.
The leaders then consulted together for a few minutes, and
ran off in the direction of Lime-street.
A man dropped down in Crooked-lane, South Castle-street,
about half-past one o'clock. It was said that he had died from
starvation. He was carried to the Northern Hospital by
policemen, an immense crowd following them.

8.15r.m

The town has resumed its ordinary evening appearance,
and all apprehension of further outbreak has ceased. Strong
bodies of mounted police patrol the streets, and the effective
measures organised by the mayor (Mr. J. A. Tobin) are
deemed sufficient to keep the peace and preserve the pro-
perty of the inhabitants.

/

DOCKYARD.

COURT-MARTIAL.

bit; Raiiiilia a ibi 10111414 of ibi Cot
SO, from illehealtho he has served as private seersialitj hie
relative the Earl of Auckland, then as captain huperintendoti,
of Woolwich Dockyard, and for a short time, during the ab-
sence of Rear-Admiral Seymour, as admiral supoliatendout of
Devonport Dockyard.

THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF DEVONPORT

As we anticipated, Rear-Admiral Pluraridge has been
Appointed superintendent of Devonport Dockyard, vice
Seymour, appointed second in command of the Baltic
fleet. The early services of Rear-Admiral Plumridge vfere
well known as most active in a subordinate position..
As a captain he commanded the Magicienne, and as commo-
dore the Cambrian, 40, in the East Indies, where he was act-
ing
commauder-in-chief on two occasions; and, by the way,
his acting captain is, still a commander. At 48 hours' notice
he was on board the Leopard, 18, paddle, last year, as One
of the flag officers in the Baltic fleet ; and it is well known
that of that remarkable campaign the gallant admiral was tho
most energetic, and would have done much more damage to
the enemy had Sir C. Napier given himthe necessary force.

Rear-Admiral Chads, C. 8,, Rear-Admiral Plumridge, and
Rear-Admiral Eden had interviews with the First Lord yea•
terday, at the Admiralty.

A court-martial was held yesterday on board the Vietory
to try Sergeant Robert Reed, of the Royal Marine detachment
serving on board her Majesty's steam-ship, Edinburgh, '5B,
Captain Hewlett, on charges on having absented himself with-
out leave, while the ship was at Leith, from the 31st of Jan.
to the 13th of Feb.;• and also for having defrauded several
Marines of various sums of money intrusted to him to pay
them, amounting to 601., which he would give no account of.
The charges were declared fully proved, and the prisoner Iva
sentenced to be reduced to the ranks as a private, to be mulct
of all time, pay, and allowances due to him in the Royal Ma-
rine Corps, and to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour in
the county gaol of Winchester for 12 calendar months.