The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-04 00:00:00

ANOTHER COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

We regret to record, two more accidents of a fatal
character in coal mines. The more serious one was that
which took place on Friday from an explosion of fire
damp at the Bowling Company's works, Softshaw-bot-
toms, near Bradford. It appears that a number of men
were at work as usual, when, some of them going into
a part of the pit where there was a quantity of foul air,
an explosion took place, attended with all its fearful
consequences. On searching the pit the bodies of two
boys, named respectively Wm. Lee and Thomas Gar-
side were found dead, the one from having been seri-
ously shaken and burnt, and the other from exhaustion
and suffocation. Three other men, who were working
in that part of the pit where the explosion occurred,
were also seriously injured ; but under skilful medical
treatment they are progressing favourably. Another
casualty occurred at the Park Pits, Worsbrougb, within
a short time of that which took place at Elsecar, on
Thursday last. The deceased, whose name was George
Earnshaw, was working in the pit as usual, when a
quantity of coal fell upon him and killed him on the
spot.

LAMBETH BATHS AND WASHOUSES.—This important
establishment in the Westminster-road is so far com-
pleted, that the two large swimming-baths were opened
to the public on Saturday last. They are the most ex-
tensive in England • and as they are supplied with tepid
water continually iowing, and as the comfort of visitors
has been especially studied, the inhabitants of Lambeth
parish—which is by far the most extensive in the metro-
politan district—may now congratulate themselves upon
the possession of advantages similar to those previously
enjoyed by other parishes in London, who had taken
the lead in this important sanitary movement. The
Archbishop of. Canterbury, and the Bishop of Winches-
ter, have taken great interest in the undertaking, which
enjoys also the personal support of many of the large
manufacturing and building firms in the neighbourhood,
among whom stand prominent Messrs. Mandalay, Baker,
Myers, Peto, Grissell, Haward and Nixon, and others.
The possession of good Swimming-baths is an advantage
not usually enjoyed by the frequenters of these establish.
ments, which will doubtless tend much to the popularity
of the Lambeth institution. Another feature peculiar
to it is the establishment of an infant school in connec-
tion with the laundries, where children will be taken
care of during the time the mothers are occupied in the
wash-houses, it having been found that the disinclination
of the parents to leave young children at home unat-
tended has often prevented the poorer classes from avail-
ing themselves of the facilities afforded by institutions
like the present. The peculiar adaptation of the situa-
tion has enabled this public improvement to be carried
out at a cost which it is expected will, considering the
advantages attained, be much below that of any similar
establishment.
FIRE AND SHIPWRECK.—Letters brought by the Mel-
bourne and 'other mail steamers, announce the loss of
three English ships, two by fire, and the other, from
Adelaide, on a reef of rocks some hundred miles west-
ward of the Cape of Good Hope. The latter was at-
tended with lamentably fatal results. The vessel was
the Barbara Gordon, belonging to Swansea, bound to
London, with a cargo, consisting of 181 bales of wool,
100 tons of copper, and other articles. She had on
board the following passengers :—Mr. and Mrs. Radish,
and son, of Liverpool ; Mrs. Hay, belonging to York.
shire ; and Mrs. Dalton, of Wansworth. On the night
of the sth of April last ';he got upon a reef near Cape St
Agulhas, arising, it was presumed, from a strong cur-
rent carrying her ashore. Her boats were carried away
the same night, by seas which swept the decks. Some
ten hours afterwards, the Captain, finding the weather
was moderating, had a raft formed, in order to
reach the shore. In the first attempt, the mate and
four of the crew succeeded in. gaining the land. On the
second, however, when the passengers got on it, the
heavy sea capsized it, and the whole of them perished, in
view of the master and remainder of the crew, who were
unable to render them the least possible aid. In the
course of the succeeding day the vessel became a total
wreck. She was fully insured. The other ships were
the Alciope, Captain Lewis, master, in the East India
trade, bound to Liver Pool, and the Gondar. The former
was from Calcutta, and when in lat. 11 N., long. 88 E.,
she was struck by lightning, which set fire to the cargo,
and became quickly in' flames. The crew escaped by
means of the boats, which were picked up by the brig
Genev?. The destruction of the Gondar took place at
Charlestown, on the 18th of last month, while she was
loading. She had on board at the time 1,800 bales of
cotton, and 373 barrels of resin. The crew all escaped.
NEWRY AND ENNISKILLEN.—A special general meet-
, ing of the sliareholderFi of the above company was held
on Saturday, at the Guildhall Coffee-house, Gresham-
street, City, for taking into consideration the draft of a
bill to enable the Newry and Enniskillen Company to
extend their landing quay to the Belfast Junction Rail-
way, and for other business; Mr. Spackman, sen., occu-
purely formal, and a
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