The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-26 00:00:00

rHE SUN, LO NEON, SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 26, 1864.

Great Conflagration at Dockhead, Ber.

mondsey.

Yesterday evening a terrific fire, only to be paralleled by
that which destroyed Fennings' and Toppings' wharfs on
the river side, broke out upon the premises of Messrs Barry
Brothers, who:fingers and saltpetre merchants, Mill-street,
Dockhead, Bermondsey, lately in the occupation of Messrs
Meriton and Hagen, and known as the Sufferance Wharfs,
Bermondsey. These wharfs are situated in one of the most
confined but busiest localities on the waterside. The factory
in which the fire broke out contained many thousand tons
of saltpetre, and as the coLfligrition gained an ascendancy
between seven aid eight o'clock, the effect of it, both as a
spectacle and as a destructive agency, was fearful. A
strong wind was blowing from the south-east to the south
west' aud as the powder piles and blocks of saltpetre caught
fire from interval to interval, there arose immense volumes
of liquid fire, now rod, now white, now blue, and then
blending into one, burst into all the colours of the rain-
bow, illuminating the air round about, and scattering smoke,
ashes, and FpArks upon the factories and buildings in the
immediate neighbourhood, The outbreak having been
telegraphed to the eLfilrent fi,e stations in the metropolis,
several engines arrived shortly in successior, but such was
the combustible character of the contents of the building
they had to play upon, thst all their efforts were incffec:ual
in subduing the flames, and operations were almost solely
directed towards preventing the devastating element ex-
tending itself to the adjicaut wharves and premises. Up to
midnight the fire had only been partially got under, and the
general opinion appeared to be that it must burn itself out—
the scream fire engines, as well as the manual engines,
although well officered, being apparently powerless. The
greatest excitement prevailed throughout the metropolis,
and thousands passed over London-bridge, which was
thronged with people, a clear view of the conflagration be-
ing obtained d cwn the river ; and the entire neighbourhood
of Dockhead was perfectly impassable, owing to the crowds
of spectators,

damage done, it is only necessary to state that the immense
G warehouse, consisting of six floors, has been entirely
burned out. The many tons of jute (still burning) partially
destroyed. The costly stock of seeds and sugar is con-
sumed.

The H extensive warehouse, 70feet long and 60 feet deep,
has been burned down. The immense quantity of jute still
remaining was burning at 1 p.m.
The 11 warehouse proper is destroyed. The saltpetre, it
is supposed, has spent its violence, so that no further ex-
plosions may be apprehended, but the jute and wheat is
still burning, and is likely to do so for several hours to
come.

The C warehouse is also considerably damaged by
water, &o.

Tne Tackle-douse and carpenter's workshops are de-
stroyed, and the contents consumed.

The Counting-house and the dwelling-house are also
greatly damaged by fire, water, &:.
The police, under Mr Superintendent Bradford and In.
spcctors More, Manson, &0., had a most difficult task to
perform, by keeping at least 100,000 persons back from the
scene of danger.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

CHERTSEY STEEPLECHASES-FRIDAY,

This pleasant little meetirg was favoured with delightful
weather, and attracted a fair attendance. Consequent upon
the success of the Spring gathering, the promoters have been
induced to arrange an autumn fixture, and the able Clerk
of the Course, Mr W. H. Biddlecombe, was duly rewarded on
the present occasion, as although there were only four races
set for the day, they brought together numerous fields. The
favourite won the opening event, beating ten others. The
Selling Steeplechase, which brought out ten runners, was
won by White Stockings, who was not backed. The
favourite Corkscrew, fell, but Mr Wood was not injured;
only the first three passed the post. The Hunt race was
won by Confederate by a length from Swindler, but only
four passed the post in this race. Ben Land, who rode
Leah, had a severe fall during the race, and was much cut
about the face. Diadem carried off the Mili:ary Steeple-
chase, beating the only other competitor.
The Woburn Park Plate (Handicap) :of 40 sovs ; winners
after the publication of the weights 71b extra. About
two miles and a half.
Mr B. Land, jun.'s '[he Don, aged, lOst 71b.... (Owner) I
Mr Nugent's Sir Bobby, aged, 1 Ist-31b.... (Mr Barry) 2
Mr Thumwood's SMite, 5 yrs, lOst 31b (T. Barton) 3
The following also ran:—lronsides, 13a'lycasey, Surbiton,
Storm, Polly Hopkins, Irish Boy, The Idea, and Ned on
the Hille.

Betting—Even on The Don, 5 to 1 agst Polly Hopkins,
Bto 1 agst Sir Bobby, 10 to 1 each agst Ironsides, The
Idea, and Ned of the Hills.

Ballycasey made play for the first half mile, when The
Don assumed the command, and carried on the running till
clearing the fence into the straight, where Surbiton (who
had been gradually improving his position) took the lead,
followed past the stand by the Don, Siuite, Storm, and
Sir Bobby, in the order named. Little change took place till
opposite the stand on the far side of the course, where The
Don again went to the front, and cleared the last fence
but one in advance of Sir Bobby, who, never getting up,
up, was beaten cleverly by a length; four lengths divided
the second and third; Storm was fourth, Surbiton fifth,
Irish Boy sixth, closely followed by Polly Hopkins, and
Ned of the Hills was last.

The Selling Steeplechase of 3 soya each, with 25 added,
list 71b each; the winner to be sold for 50 sous; with
selling allowances. About two miles and a half.
Mr Thompson's White Stockings, aged, Oat 1 llb (£26)
(J. Nirey) 1
Mr J. Watson's Lord Stanley, 5 yrs, lOst 71b (£3o)
(W. J3r ,zier) 2
Mr Chase's Scots Grey, age 1, Oat 1 llb (£2O) .... (Page) 3
The following also ran :—Stays, Southdown, Corkscrew,
The Cure, Light of Other Days, Milverton, and Betsy
Baker.

Betting-2 to 1 agst Corkscrew, sto 2 agst Milverton, 5
to 1 each agst Light of Other Days and Southdown, 6 to 1
agst Star.

Corkscrew made play, followed by White StockiEgs, Scots
Grey, Milverton, and Betsy Baker. They ran without any
material change till after clearing the brook on the far side,
but at the succeeding fence Corkscrew fell, throwing Mr
Wood heavily. From this point White Stockings (who
was left with the lead) improved his position, and won by
20 lengths ; Scots Grey a bad third. Nothing else passed
the post.

A Hunt Race of 2 eovs each, with 30 added ; weight for

age; winners extra. About three miles.

Mr G. R. Cross's Confederate, aged, 12st 71b (Inc 71b ex)
(Owner) 1
Mr Aldridge's Swindler, aged, 12st 71b (inc 71b extra)
(Mr R. C. Rickards) 2
Mr Pullen's The Sailor, 6 yre, 12st (Owner) 3
The following also ran :--Coronet, Blondin, Prince of
\Vales, Ace of Trumps, Ellen, Leah, and The Sprat.
Betting-3 to 1 each agst Confederate and Ace of Trumps,
4 to 1 agst Prince of Wales, 6 to 1 agst Swindler.
Leah made the running, followed by Confederate and
Sprat. Upon entering the ploughed land opposite the stand
Leah fell, throwing Ben Land, whereupon Sprat carried on
the running, followed by Confederate and Prince of Wales.
After passing the brook Coronet went to the front and led
into the straight, followed by Confederate, Prince of Wales
third, Swindler fourth, and Sailor fifth. They ran thus till
within a third of a mile from home, where Swindler passed
Confederate, but half way up the straight Confederate came
again, and overhauling Swindler won by a length ; The
Sailor a bad third; Leah walked in, and nothing else passed
the post.

A Military Steeplechase of 5 soya each, with 25 added; list
71b each, with winning penalties and selling allowances.
About three miles.

Captain Harford's Diadem, aged (£5O), list (inc 71b ex)
(Owner) 1
Captain Sewall's (105th Regiment) Kelly (£5O), 11st
(Owner) 2

Betting-7 to 4on Diadem.

The non-fivoutite made play until within half a mile of
home, where Diadem went to the front and won by three
lengths.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER-FRIDAY.

There was a moderate attendance at the Rooms, and some
sound speculation took place on the Waterloo Cup and
Derby, but nothing transpired calling for special comment
Closing prices :

WATERLOO COURSING CUP.
25 to lon the field (offered)
28 to 1 agst Mr H. Ha) wood's nomination (taken)
30 to 1 agst Dr Richardson's nomination (taken)
30 to 1 agst Mr Gavin Steel's nomination (taken)
30 to 1 agst Mr G. A. Thompson's nomination (taken)
30 to 1 agst Mr Ivie Campbell's nomination (taken)
100 to 3 agst Mr Lloyd's nomination (taken)
100 to 3 agst Mr J. Johnstone's nomination (taken)
100 to 3 aget Mr Gibson's nomination (taken)
100 to 3 agst Mr Lister's nomination (taken)
100 to 3 aget Mr Deighton's nomination (taken)

THE DERBY.
5 to lon the field (offered)
12 to 1 agst The Duke (offered)
100 to 8 agst Breadalbane (taken)
14 to 1 agst Chattanooga (offered)
100 to 3 agst Oppressor (wanted)
100 to 3 agst Brother to Minnie (taken)
100 to 3 agst Broomielaw (taken)
100 to 3 agst Ariel (taken)
50;to 1 agst Zephyr (taken)

Km.so.—The two disputed races at this meeting have
been decided as follows :—Bowmont Stakes—An objection
to Tam Glen, as not being half bred, is found valid ; his
dam having al ways been described as by Rasselas, dam's
pedigree unknown. The stakes, therefore, go to the second
horse. Amateur Stakes—Au objection to Tam Glen, for
being described as half bred, and having run as thorough
bred, is overruled ; his owner having declared to carry 7tb
extra, and posted up a notice to that effect at the telegraph
a sufficient time before starting.—By order of the stewards,
Joint USHER, Clerk of the Course.

THE LATE EDINBURGH RACE MEETING.—The stewards
having taken into consideration the objections made to
Gayous, who came in first for the Volunteer Stakes, and
Honest John, who came in first for Her Majesty's Plate,
have awarded' the Stakes and Plato to the horses named.

Bradshaw's Handbooks to Madras, Bombay,
and Bengal.

The three illustrated handbooks, viz., to the Madras Pre-
sidency and the central provinces of India ; to the Bengal
Presidency and the western provinces ; and to the Bombay
Presidency and the north-western provinces, are certainly
the most astonishing literary compilations we have seen for
years. The labour, research, and calculations to produce
either of the volumes must have been enormous, as they
each form a complete and certain guide for the Anglo--
Indian traveller. The volumes are profusely illustrated
with modern maps, which will be found of incalculable
service in arranging matters for a comfortable journey
through either Bombay, Madras, or Bengal. Not only have
we all the usual charg,s for accommodation set plainly
forth, but we have also certain valuable " Hints to Travel-
lers," which will enable all our " Griffins" (as Europeans
are designated on their first appearance on India► soil), to
take particular good care of "number ono." We cannot
speak too highly of the handbooks—they are certainly, as
far as our experience goes, the best we have ever seen ; and
every traveller who may arm himself with one ere he sets
out on his long and perilous journey will find he possesses
a little treasure absolutely worth its weight in gold.

TUE GALE..—BLARENET, Norfolk, Friday Night.
—I have to report (says the Rev. R. Fillard) that the
Blakeney lifeboat went out yesterday morning to take off the
crew of five men from a French vessel. The ship came on
shore about three o'clock in the morning of Wednesday,
and might have been got off at high water in the afternoon
it the captain would have accepted the help of the steam
tug. During the night it came on to blow very heavily,
and on Thursday morning at seven o'clock the sea was so
strong and the wind so high that it was considered advis-
able to send the lifeboat of the National Institution to take
off the crew, who had remained on board. The lifeboat did
not return from the wreck till 12 o'clock,