The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-13 00:00:00

4-11 E FIRE AT MESSRS. SCOTT RUSSELL'S.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE EXTENT OF
LOSS.—ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
It is almost impossible to convey an adequate idea of
_lO,O magnitude of the havoc occasioned by the fire which
happened at the establishment of Messrs. Scott Russell
ct Co., steam-ship builders, on Saturday morning.
Zince the formation of the London Fire Brigade, now
More than 20 years, no event of the kind has occurred
d 1 the banks of the Thames which involved so great a
destruction of machinery as this truly unfortunate disas-
ter. It has been most devastating in every respect ; and
that which will most seriously affect the firm is the loss
of their valuable collection of models, patterns, designs,
theTu work of years to collect, and which no money
can
Throw bout yesterday the surveyors of the various
Insurance offices which are affected by the fire, were
the
in inspecting the ruins. From them we gather
knowledge
annexed report, which will furnish a more accurate
knowledge of the extent of the conflagration than has
Yet been given.
re "The works destroyed comprised, first, the boiler-
in alters' and forging-shops, which contained large punch-
g and cutting machines worked by steam, powerful
travelling cranes, six forges, and other ponderous ma-
chinery and iron-work. The roof, which rested on iron
i:4ltans was formed of weather boarding, covered with
,„ePattlin'g, and to that inflammable character of shelter
may be attributed the rapid progress of the flames.
"It was in this department that the fire originated,
and before the workpeople had an opportunity of sup-
Pressing it, the flames travelled along the covering with
41113241 g rapidity and the whole place, in a minute or
So,
was in a blaze. The best part of the machinery is
destroyed.
withuaw-mills underneath, were filled with partly
finished work and materials. All were consumed. It
was a building 80 feet by 25, two stories in height run-
jning between the boiler and forging-houses and the main
n!story, the whole of which, with its contents, has been
laid ruins.
e "The engine-house adjoined ;it was 30 feet by 16,
tntirely distinct from the other buildings, and contained
driving
of 25-horse power, which were employed in
the machinery in different parts of the works.
All destroyed.
er "The main building or factory was a massive brick
„ action, 120 feet long and 80 wide, four stories high,
'eeuPied as fitters' shops, turning and driving rooms,
‘!lould lofts, pattern stores, &c. It is stated that it
could have contained little short of 50,000/. of machinery.
khe ground or basement floor was filled with the ma-
ch commonly employed in factories of this kind
,huge lathes for boring large cylinders, drilling, slotting,
rand Paring machines, with other machinery of an elabo-
-'s character. The first story was also a fitting-shop,
i°„ntaining a large amount of machinery of a more minute
Stores were used as moulding, designing, and pattern-
-L(3°ls) all of which were almost filleSwith the most
cuoice and valuable work of the firm. The loss will be
severely felt. There were plans and models of a com-
plete fleet of steamers, many for foreign governments,
and their destruction as a reference, in case of accident,
must involve most serious inconvenience. The whole of
this building was gutted, not a vestige was saved, the
contents being either melted or shattered.
"The erecting-shop had been recently formed, and
was a brick building, 100 feet by 40, and 30 feet high,
..."411 a glass kind of transept roof, the whole of the in-
wrier being open up to the roof. It contained a new
Patent punching-machine, for punching three holes at
„,°°°o. There were three sets of engines completed for as
many screw-colliers, intended to run between Lowestoft
25d the Tyne, and another, with oscillating cylinders, of
0 horse-power, for one of her Majesty's steamers, which
was also finished. Some large machinery ready for ex-
Portation to the West Indies, for a sugar-crushing mill,
largest
also in the building, together with probably the
i rolling-machine in the kingdo,n numerous
°Ydriders, propellers, &c., besides three havellers (cranes)
for shifting machinery. The bulk of this valuable mass
Is broken and otherwise damaged.
h Another brick building, intended for an erecting-
house, but used as carpenters', painters', and joiners'
workshops 50 feet by 25 feet, was entirely destroyed,
With contents.
"The coal-store in a shed, with 80 tons of coal, was
Partly consumed, and the timber-yard adjoining, and
stretching nearly down to the water's edge, burnt out.
It contained one unbroken line of stacked timber, known
as deck planting, the computed quantity being about
1,000 tons.
" The two iron steamers, for the North of Europe
Steam Navigation Company to run between Lowestoft
,2441 Denmark and other northern ports, which were
building on the slips on the west side of the factory,
Were all but completed. It is the practice at this yard
to launch steamers almost fit for immediate sea service,
With engines, masts; and stores in them—as was the case
With the Adelaide Royal Australian mail steam-ship.
Such was the case with the two in this instance, and,
considering the quantity of timber which surrounded
them, and the great body of fire that they were exposed
to, it is almost a miracle how they escaped. Their pre-
servation is entirely owing to the important aid ren-
dered by the floating engine from the Dockyard at
Deptford, and the Royal Marines who worked it. As
it is, one of them is so damaged that nearly the whole
of her bow will have to be removed."
In addition to this serious mischief must be mentioned
the damage to the works of Messrs. Napier, which 1
abutted on the western wall of Scott Russell's factory.
They were some 160 feet long and 40 feet broad, con-
taining a number of punching, drilling, and other ma-
chines. All were destroyed.
The above forms one-half of Messrs. Scott Russell's
Yard, the other portion, although exposed to much peril,
having escaped injury. This, fortunately, will enable
the firm to continue labour, as the works, although
somewhat reduced as compared with previous operations,
on the eastern or preserved side of the establishment,
Where other vessels which were building were not hurt.
Never, perhaps, did a fire rage with such violence, as
had swept
be inferred from the fact, that within two hours it
swept over the entire portion of the works destroyed.
-Notwithstanding the most searching investigation by the
firm, the origin of the fire remains a complete mystery.
It has been mentioned that the steam floating fire-
Nine, belonging to the brigade, was brought into re-
quisition during the fire. It was the first outbreak of
any moment that the capabilities of the machine were
brought to bear upon, and it certainly proved a most
brluable auxiliary. Upon whatever point it was
ought into play, it succeeded in stopping the progress
sf the destructive element. It possesses the power of
nearly eight ordinary land engines, and when in full
°Aeration the force of the water was tremendous, lite-
rally sweeping before it walls and whatever obstacles
,'l'esented itself. Owing to its not being supplied with
v.roPellinc, • the shape of screw or paddle, con-
fect power, to
erahie loss of time occurred in conveying it from its
manrin gs, at Southwark-bridge, to Mill-wall, a circum-
4lue much to be deplored. It appears that it was un-
-11-ir Stearn in accordance with the regulation, and would,
had it been provided with efficient propelling power,
,a've gained the scene long before the land engines, and
Zsequently have preserved, in all probability, much
triable property. Through the mistake which most of
rent side of the Thames, more than an hour elapsed
itefore many of the engines reached Mill-wall ; some,
it is travelled 12 miles before they gained it. When
etlis known that these errors are not of infrequent oc-
teirreuce? it is somewhat surprising that the electric
oilegraph is not made the source of communicating ac-
Theratnteigece.
an regretted,
total loss has not been overrated; and, what is to
a".l.srpetted, we understand that Messrs. Scott Russell
prDre ‘-'0• are not insured to the extent that has been re-
esented. A meeting is about to be held for the pur-
ar e of affording some relief to the many workmen, who
e severe sufferers by the loss of their tools.

ttIIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.—The departuredsufrrionmg the
Port of London for the Australian colonies Past week have greatly increased, and
dearearctaulrceuslafrteorill,i
rhen coupled with the accounts of the p
ZilejerPt;oal
Et and
h their elsewhere
so lts,. to
ncireeyatheavtoh. thecomprised
serious.
w an aggregate
tether 15 vessels it
to Port Philip, with an aggregate
tOrden of 5,215 tons ; two to Sydney, with
burden °f
of 1,593 tons ; four to Adelaide, with an aggre"
.tate burden of 1,515 tons • one to_9Hotobnasrt;Taonwdn
I,?orre ; one to Portland Bay oonfe2Btol
segue rt Fairey of 367 tons. Theirof 6to°talcaepfaicuiat
ntly 9,930 tone. The shipmentsvery
extensive, and
con-
and ordinary merchandise continue capacity
manufactures
un °rens'
SonTR g s The act to extend the p
'''`e rates of freight have been supported with steadiness.rovisions
Of th RA TOOL-
-1 last act of the late
the e act (16 Vict., c. 28) for redeeming or commuting
ii—e South Sea stock, was nearly the a
e'lBi°ll. The South Sea Company
at . .
gent witlam the period allowed, an
act i had not signified any
s_. sto extend the same, and to give proprietorsthe
t oo
ff
otehre.
'llla stock the right of voting. The
Southmute on their
le/aOY, under the present act,
t°elr belonging to proprietors rndiasyablnendmfrom vtootuinngdeart. gelieral courts. The company, if authorised
of
lake private trusts, may commute for the purposenowem.
ocl„inint a guarantee fund. The Treasury is
i-Werd, before the 25th December next, to appoint
to corn-
'lrre within Which the assents of the company
the
mute are to be signified, and are to fix the terms ofis
.e.
the
ei_°rornutation. On the Exchequer bonds given, it d
`'lred that on their becoming redeemable, the interest
re to be
tedernptionon
paid the half-yearly days until the actual
the ARISTOCRATIC VISITORS TO AUSTRALIA.—Amongst
ti recent fa-hionable arrivals in Australia may be men-
And-"ord Henr Scott, son of the Duke of Buccleuch,
01. Lord Schornbyerg Kerr, son of the Marquis of Lo-
t lan, with their chaplain, the Rev. Hugh Stobart, and
Vvr,,a,lling companion, the Rev, Thomas Bowles. These
ll`int noblemen stayed about ten days in Bathurst,
lo v9l. they spent partly in social intercourse, and partly
icliat:esitin the few sights worth seeing.. Among other
a they have inspected the Summerhill Copper Mine,
p4l.°odeeteli4e.n started for the Turon, whence they purpose
with thong
ton Newcastle, and afterwards to Morton bay,
Iliac .ue intion of spending the winter at the latter
1,,,
a_ e. A visit from gentlemen of their rank and station
the
Improved sign of the times, and if undertaken with
vivtliPractical purpose of making themselves acquainted
With the wants, necessities, and natural advantages of
littlritrY, may ultimately be productive of good. A
,_ e more ti
devoted to travelling in the colonies and
Zeendencies of the 13ritisli crown, by those who are
to _ (.1a)- to
themebeco legislators of the empire, would tend
4ctmitigate evils arising out of an ignorance of their
4,4141 position, and would often prevent the blunders in
te-ejortiment Which have first planted the seeds of disaf-
eiurn, and afterwards ripened them into rebellion,—
ci/i" and Nolo Zealand azette.