The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-18 00:00:00

(.....,
(~ '''' ••••-•••" -•••-- - .•••••-`•••••-
.7• '1144,k4010
" 7
-.--
I*, •
Nil P.E It
c
~.:.,,,- s: ~
.7:,,,,,,,
.. ~ , ,
.., . 5
~, -17
,---7,.:,7 ' - . 7he7wful. Explosion at Liverpool. 7".---
- '
:, T., •• ~_ , ---- - , • -.:,"'*-7.--A. ...‘,,..,, .
........ 3.,--
~..:-, .
.
,-4,1",:, • ,
_ , ii,:-,., 4,,,,•4
• ./.-........• ~.... i, : 1.- ,1 !
- _-V,"4',!,4",i,q'!'
(4,6-: gitts7:;l•• .-tionv.f! 70 ,
...., ......
~...-. . -
I,
ii,,-,". .0,1.,::
~ An appalling noise, accompanied 14 dice. tvl., lc e \ ",4'
• • -,,.:.,,,,/••-:
. • Z ; iy,, ~. s 'kw ..
made the houses tremble, was hear:at Liverpool en.34,V6,
z 1:4i.-: 4 • -.0„4, -r*. • ' - „"ft, .
d0pir,0,,.......,..‘...5),,..H.:,!!!7.:,:.:4%,,. 4:14.T.., . te.,.st: .
if.:...... :13,tr.;:,, i--4..
; Frida- , ..9,- NA
:.. '! i-... -..,. ,•,.., • • ..„,-;,,,r,„ „....., ~,.: ..:__ ::.,?. v.,,,, . _ mniil7l.l.-:' -. 7---- .1414,r
•, : , ;.,-, \ i - et. ,nerait'••• ; ,1,-
i,:.: •-:.r, ;1.. dr,„1,....Ati..P 4w,-4 ...- _ Alt
.4 4•_ii,.7
f,
*7411 '-''' ' 'ka*l44NrVrj44:W 4tti.;;' iii , " ,-t. ~
-...
:.,
...
i,.,„..., ii- '4 1,, ---,loe7OC*l. ' DIE C . ::•,f44,14ii r .
, I

y evening last, at 7.20, and 6inse4:iikE
alarm. It was not the roar of arks
egtifikalr,
convulsion more like the combination't4iiiiiiri..../
quake and a distant thunder-clap. At len*, selit
appeared to residents in the upper part the town.
Lower down and near the Exchange the detonation
and convulsion were most alarming. A few secontls
after the shock frightened people could be seen at
every door endeavouring to ascertain the cause of
it; the gas in the streets had been extinguished,
and every corner had its knot of dismayed people
inquiring what had happened. A person resid-
ing in Huskisson street states that on going out
he met a boy, who calmly told him he sup-
posed a ship which had been on fire in the river
had blown up. Next he was informed that the
house of the " British Merchant" in Bedford-
street hod been destroyed by a gas explosion. En-
ceunterieg an oyeterm in, he asked him, and was
told that there had been an awful flash of lightning
and clap of thunder, and that the electric fluid had
played round the rim of his basket and frightened
him very much. He then came to a policeman,
surrounded by a crowd eager for information, but
he was as ignorant as the inquirers. Proceeding
towards town, he found the streets crowded with
people. Passing St. Luke's Church, a gust of air
smelling of gunpowder persuaded him that his first
informant was correct. Bold-street was thronged.
Opposite Messrs. Urquhart's, whose plate glass
windows had been blown in, was an anxious crowd,
all under the belief that an explosion of gas had
occurred. Again, at Gillham's (the bottom of Lord-
street), the same scene was witnessed. Every
person was asking his or her neighbour
for information, but few if any seemed to have
a correct idea of what had occured. Every
where the ground was covered with fragments of
glass. The shops by this time were being again
lighted up, but the streets were in partial darkness,
and it was somewhat difficult to thread your way
through the concourse of people. Bat now persons
coming up from the landing-stage spread the news
that the barque Lottie Sleigh, Captain Webster, had
blown up in the river. This vessel, which belongs
to Messrs. Hatton and Cookson, and bound for
Africa, was taking in powder from the magazine
boats off Tranmere, and had already stowed away
eleven tons, when, about 6 p.m., as the steward was
engaged in the cabin trimming the lamps with para-
fin oil, soma of it exploded and ignited the captain's
bed curtains. Prompt measures were taken to
suppress the flames, but they had already attained
the mastery. The knowledge that so much gun-
powder was on board doubtless, to some extent,
paralysed the exertions of the crew. At length,
despairing ofsuccess, they gathered together what-
ever they could lay their hands on, and were
taken off by the passing Rock ferry-boat
Wasp, and landed at the small stage. The maga-
zine boat also cleared off. A dog was left on board
which howled dismally. By this time the flames
had spread all over the vessel, and the news was
circulated on the pier-heads that the vessel would
soon blow up. Hundreds of persons awaited the
event, not, however, without mach trepidation.
When the explosion did come off the spectators
were panic-stricken, and rushed frantically off the
stage and pierheads. And yet the Lottie Sleigh
was at least a mile distant. The night being clerk
the explosion was all the more brilliant, the flames
rising to a great height. In the glare could be seen
the spars and fragments of the vessel upheaved.
Suddenly darkness settled upon the scene, and
nothing more could be observed from the shore.
The force of the explosion may be imagined when
we mention that bolts and fragments of the ship
were hurled into Tranmere; and it is even said
that one of her knees was driven through the
moulding-room of Mr. Clayton, shipbuilder. It is,
however, a remarkable fact that at Bromborough
and Eastham, on the Cheshire side, and nearer the
vessel, the explosion was unnoticed. At Rook Ferry
the shock was comparatively slight. The residents
in Fulwood-park, on the Lancashire side, nearly
opposite Tranmere, remained ignorant of what had
happened. At Birkenhead the damage to glass was
immense. Liverpool and its outskirts will afford
work for many hundreds of glaziers for weeks to
come. Perhaps Birkenhead suffered more severely
from the explosion than any other place. The
houses in Hamilton-square had a great part of their
windows blown in. At Gough's Hotel a great
number of panes were broken. The windows of
Mr. Rigby, wine and spirit merchant, nearly
opposite, were blown out, along with the stock
which was displayed in them. An iron bolt
from the ship fell through the roof of a
house in Sydney-street, and three children
narrowly escaped injury. In North-street a
long bar of iron also fell through a roof, occasion-
ing some damage. Other fragments fell on the land-
ing-stage and piers. The cabin windows of the
Woodside ferry steamer Cheshire were all broken.
The glass roof to the landing-stage bridges was
much injured. Tha windows of the Monks Ferry
Hotel suffered very much. Tranmore, opposite which
place the Lottie Sleigh was lying, did not suffer as
much as might have been anticipated, although the
destruction of glass was very considerable. A piece
of the anchor stock of the vessel is said to have fallen
on board the Tranmere ferry boat Birkenhead, doing
very slight damage. At Seacombe, Egremont, end
along the Cheshire shore to the mouth of the river
many windows were broken. On the Lancashire
side perhaps Messrs. Urquhart's premises, in Bold-
street, suffered most. Four large plate glass panes,
valued £6O, fell into the street, wounding, it is said,
a woman who was passing. By 11 a.m. on Saturday
the window frames were reglazed. Messrs. Shellard
and Hodgson's large windows also suffered, as did
those of Messrs. Anderson. In Lord-street Messrs.
Livingston had their windows shattered, as had
Messrs. Gillham, and Mr. Wood, hatter. Mr. Demp-
ster's shop, in Castle-street, had three large panes
smashed. Mr. G. Eastee, in the Crescent, had his
shop front entirely demolished. Some of the large
plate windows in the Exchange news rooms were
blown in, one piece of glass falling into the room.
In Berry-street and Great George-street the shock
was severely felt, and much damage done.
The
Custom-house had all the glass in the south front
broken. It would, however, require several columns
to particularise the premises which suffered from
the explosion. 'The alter window. of St. George's
Church was cracked. From the north, south,
east, and west portions of the town accounts have
been received of serious damage. Fortunately,
few, if any, cases of personal injury were sus-
tained. It is stated that the insurance offices
are not liable for the damage to property
under the terms of their policies. On Saturday,
however, the directors of the Royal Insurance Com-
pany came to the determination of making good the
loss suffered by their insurers. It was reported on
Saturday, but very probably the report is incorrect,
that a solicitor in Liverpool had been instructed by
some of the sufferers by the explosion to proceed
against the owners of the vessel.
The destruction of the Lottie Sleigh naturally
directs attention to the shipment of powder in the
Mersey. Several years ago powder was stored in
shore magazines at Liscard, Cheshire. The popu-
lation in that neighbourhood did not like the prox-
imity, and agitated for their removal, in which they
were successful. The powder for shipment is now
kept on board a couple of vessels specially con-
structed for the purpose, and anchored in the
broadest part of the river, near Eesthem. These
vessels are so arranged that in case of danger
they can be immediately scuttled. Unless the
shipment of gunpowder from the Mersey is to bo
prohibited entirely, we must run some risk. The
Thames has the quiet waters of Gravesend, where
ships can load and unload ; but Liverpool merchants
have only to choose between risking the loss of
their property in Bootle Bay, or removing ae!:
establishments elsewhere. The Mersey 1s a
of late
river, and the enormous increase of shipping nobl
t.
years already tasks its capabilities to the u
an if,. most
to
It would, however, be acting injudiciously
f he trade wic
avert a very slight risk, y on. e o t
weres inh terh-
conduce to the welfare of Liverpoo
fered with.

PRICE
STAMPED ....sd.

AMERICA.

QuEENsTowN, Jan 17.

The Royal Mail steamship Asia, from Boston on
the Gth and Halifax cn the Bth, arrived here at 4
p.m. to-day, with 70 passengers and 61,540 doll.
She landed 122 sacks of mails and 11 passengers,
and proceeded immediately. All well.
The Asia experienced very severe weather.
NEW YORK, Jan. 5 (Evening).

The Federal pickets at Winchester, Virginia,
were driven in on Friday, but the Confederates
have not continued any further movements. Gene-
rals Fitzhugh Lee, Early, and Imboden are still in
the vicinity of Winchester with 7,000 men, pro-
bably with the view of opening a long section of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
fedora'. accounts from Charleston on the 31st ult.
confirm the reported shelling of the city on Christ-
mas-day, having caused considerable damage. The
Confederates erected a battery on the Stono River,
firing upon the gunboat Marble Head, and seriously
injuring her. Two gunboats went to her assistance,
driving the Confederates from their batteries, which
were afterwards captured by an expedition from
the gunboats.
The Federals have occupied Lavacca and
Indianola in Texas. General Magruder has issued
a proclamation that Western Texas would be de-
fended, San Antonio and Austin were being for-

tified, And the Federals would be driven to their
ships.

Four regiments embarked on the 22d ultimo at
Port Hudson, it is supposed for the Red River.
The mutineers in Fort Jackson, below New
Orleans, are to be tried by court-martial.

The presence of coloured delegates at the Free
State Convention in New Orleans caused consi-
derable controversy, and several white delegates
withdrew.

The Federals have destroyed extensive saltworks
and private property at St. Andrew's Bay, and
burnt every house in St. Andrew's City.
General Butler has arrived at Washington to
confer concerning the exchange of prisoners. The
New York 7inies asserts that the Government will
insist upon the recognition of General Butler by the
Confederates, and will place all Confederate pri-
soners under his control.

It is reported that an appropriation for bounties
to soldiers will be passed in Congress. These ap-
propriations will necessitate a further issue of 150
million treasury notes.

The examination of three of the Chessapeake
pirates has been commenced at St. John's. The
counsel for the prisoners contended that the case
did not come within the province of the extradition
treaty, as the offence was committed at sea out of
American jurisdiction. The case was still proceeding.

The New York Police Commissioners have refused
to vacate their posts until the Governor's power to
remove them is legally decided and the charges
against them have beau investigated.
The New York Legislature assembled to-day,
The Governor's message recommends the adoption
of a system for the protection of the State banks in
consequence of the intention of General Grant to
create national banks. He denounces the draft as a
failure, and declares that President Lincoln's as-
suumption of power in his capacity of commander-
in.chief has wrought a revolution in the Govern-
ment, rendering the civil power under the State
laws and judicial decisions subordinate to military
authority. The country can only be saved from
national ruin by the Administration adhering to its
pledge to restore constitutional union.
Further developments of extensive shipments
from New York to the South have come to light,
and more arrests have been made.

The obsequies of Archbishop Hughes will be
conducted with imposing ceremonies.
Congress assembled today at Washington. A
bill was introduced to prevent military interference
in elections.

The Star and Golden City left San Francisco on
13e 4th for Panama, with 1,460,000 dols. for Eng-
,and.

The City of Baltimore was intercepted of Uapc
Race on the 2d,

COMMERCIAL.

Money easy but aetive, at 7 per cent. Gold, 511
per cent. prem. The market has been animated,
bnt the rate underwent very little fluctuation.

Exchange on London—Bankers' bills, 166; on
Paris, 3,45.

Stocks advancing. New York Centrals, 132,-I ;
Illinois Centrals, 118.1; Erie, 1091 ; Six per Cent,
United States Bonds, 105.

Cotton steady ; middling Upland, 81c, to 82c.

Petroleum, crude, 32c. to 33c, ; refined, 47c. to
48c.

JAPAN.

NEW YORK, Jan. 5 (Evening).
Advices ed here from Kanagawa to the
Ist December state that the city was still guarded
by Europeans. A peaceful solution between the
Tycoon and Europeans was expected. The Tycoon
was at war with the Daimios. Business was im-
proved. The Japanese had paid an indemnity of
10,000 dole. fur intercepting the American vessels
Star and Pembroke.

MEXICO.

NEW YORK, San. 5 (Evening).

Advices received here from Mexico to the 20th
ult., report that General Doblado has given in his
adhesion to the French.

A PERFECT PARIS.—Nine o'clock struck, and
hunger came with it. I proposed to my companion
to pursue our popular investigations while breakfasting. A
kind of restaurant was apparent just at that moment—if we
may so call the simple eating houses which are spread over
the colony. The servant, the knives and forks, and the
linen were of exquisite cleanliness; we seated ourselves and
continued our talk. It must not be imagined that the cite
which we are visiting is the only one of its kind. There
are many others around Paris, but this is the most com-
plete. Do not think, either, that every kind of help and aid
for the masses is centred here; it is not so. What you sco
hero you may behold grouped around the Mairie of each
arrondiseement. Paris is full of prerogatives for the people,
There does not exist, that I am aware of, one single public
establishment which in not its tributary. In all the theatres,
without exception, there are places reserved for the people ;
clean, convenient places, and at moderate prices. The
people, as a rule, represent one fourth of the audience.
It is forbidden to let the places in advance, and the
crowds patiently await the opening of the doors
under lighted and sheltered galleries. They no longer
take their ticket and a cold at the same moment. For all
national, political, and scientific ceremonies, their seats
await them—nothing is complete without them. As may be
imagined, however, they find it necessary to look about
them, if they would not be pushed out of their rights by
unceremonious officials. In railways, their carriages make
up for want of luxury by exquisite cleanliness. They have
feet-warmers in January, blinds in July, and cushions
always. The prices aro moderate, and, another good thing,
on the suburban lines the prices are lower on Sundays and
fete days. It is a happy and moral innovation which en-
ables the artisan to enjoy his holiday in fresh air, and in
the company of his wife and children. In all the Govern-
ment works, and throughout Paris, Sunday is a day of rest
for the workman—the veritable seventh day of Genesis.
Still, if he has answered to his call every day during the
give him a day's rest
week, he receives his salary for the seventh day. And this
i
dbaeys
a, farce
to
nourishment. To the glory
of the Parisians be it said, this example has spread as s without but just,
utte for
means it would
of a
ra-
pidly as that of the midwives. In great establishments, in
manufactories,
, large and small shops, everywhere the
Christian precept is welcomed; on the fete-day the work-
shop ,is quiet, the shutters are shut. Many shopkeepers
were rebellious, and only yielded after long struggles. But
Sunday is at last victorious. Monday is put to fiinlit.
What Paris wills God wills.—Paris en Souge par Jac;lics
Fabien.

The France Centrale of Blois has received a
" communicated" note for an article relative to the
question of the Government breeding-studs, That journal
without discussing the measure of which it has been the
object, remarks that the article to which the "communi-
cated" note refers was copied texually from the .Mmitteur
de l' bare of Chateauroux, designated by the Prefect of the
'wire for the publication of official notfficationB,

A grand ball was givoi on Frid.;present, the
de Ville, upwards of 3,000 persons being