The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-04 00:00:00

DESTRUCTION OF WHITTINGTON CLUB The Sir James !loss (barque), from Pernambuco to Lon.
HOT TS E. don, Oct. IG, lat. 6 N., long. 24 W.
rn, S!* 1,1- ()clt fn. 14

The range of premises occupied by the members of
this club, extending from Arundel-street, into Milford-
lane, and running almost parallel with the church of St.
Clement's Danes, in the Strand, was totally destroyed by
a fire, which broke out in the kitchen of the establish-
ment. about halfspast five o'clock yesterday morning.
With this structure has fallen all that remained of the
once famous Crown and Anchor Tavern—the favourite
scene of metropolitan political meetings during the latter
part of the last and the early years of the present ceo-

tury.
The fire was of a mast destructive character, scarcely
allowing time for the escape of the few inmates sleep-
ing on the premises. Indeed, several female servants
would in all probability have perished had they net
succeeded in mounting the roof of the printing pre-
mises of the Illustrated London News, whence, after in-
curring great difficulty and danger, they at length des-
cended to the street in safety. The discovery was made
by Mr. Brace, secretary to the club, who, with his wile
and child, was sleeping in one of the first floor rooms
looking into Arundel-street. He was awoke about
10 minutes to 6 o'clock by a loud crackling noise as of
wood burning, and hastily arousing his wife, be ran up
to the upper floor and called the servants, nearly 20 in
number. The fire, which had evidently originated in
the kitchen department on the ground floor, made great
progress before Mr. Brace was aroused, and at this
time it advanced so rapidly up the staircase and through
the passages of the building, that before the servants
could descend the whole interior was in flames. Only
one man servant succeeded in following Mr. Brace down
stairs, and this person, with Mr. and Mrs. Brace and
their child, were the only parties who escaped by the
entrance door. All that the other servants could do was
to effect a rapid exit through one of the parapet win-
dows, and by making the circuit of the stone coping
round the building got on to the roof of the adjoining
warehouse, whence some were rescued by means of the
Royal Society's fire escape, and others were lowered by
the " lilt" attached to the premises. Scarcely one of
these parties saved a particle of their clothing, and seve-
ral were almost in a state of nudity.
The alarm having been given to the police, the engines
were soon upon the spot, but, before they could be got
into work, the fire had attained complete ascendancy
over the building, and threatened destruction to much
of the adjoining property, to the salvage of which the
efforts of the brigade were chiefly directed from the first.
The large premises lately re-erected by Mr. Ingram, and
known as the Milford-house Publishing Establishment,
on the east side of Milford-lane, directly faced the burn-
ing pile, and it was deemed necessary before 7 o'clock
to force an entrance into this building, for the purpose
of conveying hose to some of the upper storeys, so as to
command the flame, which at this period extended
across the narrow thoroughfare, and had a most alarm-
ing appearance. By this means a large volume of water
was directed upon the most dangerous parts of the fire,
and their virulence somewhat abated. A short time
later the steam-floating fire engine was brought up from
the station at Southwark-bridge to the bottom of
Arundel-street, and the machinery being in full work an
immense quantity of water was thrown upon the pre-
mises. But all the efforts of those engaged failed to
arrest the fire, and first the roof, and subsequently floor
after floor of the enormous building fell, carrying de-
struction with them, and ultimately leaving little more
than the bare walls standing.
Among the fire-engines, the officers of which particu-
larly distinguished themselves, was the little band in
charge of the West of England. The deputy-foreman of
this office, Barrow, and Wilkinson, an officer of the
brigade, narrowly escaped being killed by the unexpected
fall of a mass of ruins, beneath which they were engaged
in their arduous duties. For some time their brother
officers considered they were killed, and their escape
unhurt is described to have been miraculous.
The plate and money were dug out of the ruins about
mid-day yesterday. Nothing else can be said to have
been saved. Mr. Brace was very active in doing what
he could for the servants of the establishment, who have
lost everything, and are greatly to be pitied.
The inconvenience to the club, which is said to number
nearly one thousand members, will be very great.
They have lost an extensive library of modern books,
and some of the more polite members have also lost the
wardrobes," in which they were accustomed to disport
heinselves upon " gala nights" and "festive occasions,"
.or which this club has obtained a remarkable distinc-

Wild Craikshahk (barque), with part cif bulwarks washed.
away, Oct. 30, lat. 25 N., long. 31 W.
The Johaunah (barque), for New York with emigrants,
Oct. 29, lat. 43, long. 65.