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

Braxey

CHAMPAGNE STAKES
Brother to Mountain Deer
Domino.
Tadoaster ..... ..

Six ran. Won cleverly.
GREAT YORKSHIRE HANDICAP
liungerford

Fifteen ran.

ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS.--Jewess, and Lady Emily,
.....

TAE FIRE AT MESSRS. SCOTT RUSSELL'S.

°?PICIAL REPORT OF THE EXTENT OF
.LOSS.—ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
it It is almost impossible to convey an adequate idea of
-LllB magnitude of the havoc occasioned by the fire which
a'aPPened at the establishment of Messrs. Scott Russell
81.1dsteam-ship builders, on Saturday morning.
sine the formation of the London Fire Brigade, now
more than 20 years, no event of the kind has occurred
on the banks of the Thames which involved so great a
ILBretruction of machinery as this truly unfortunate disas-
IT • 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,
46°., the work of years to collect, and which no money
can replace.
Throughout yesterday the surveyors of the various
insurance offices which are affected by the fire, were
the
in inspecting the ruins. From them we gather
e annexed report, which will furnish a more accurate
kal
ewledge of the extent of the conflagration than has
Yet been given.
"The works destroyed comprised, first, the boiler-
and forging-shops, which contained large punch-
rig and cutting machines worked by steam, powerful
avellin cranes, six forges, and other ponderous
and ma-
chinery,s7 iron-work. The roof, which rested on iron
4.7,4ran5, was formed of weather boarding, covered with
"arPauling, and to that inflammable character of shelter
3118.3' 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
amazing rapidity, and the whole place, in a minute or
80, was in a blaze. The best part of the machinery is
destroyed.
"The joiners', carpenters', and painters' workshops,
'With saw-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-
Zing between the boiler and forging-houses and the main
factory, the whole of which, with its contents, has been
lsid in ruins.
"The engine-house adjoined ; it was 30 feet by 16,
entirely distinct from the other buildings, and contained
two engines of 25-horse power, which were employedin
driving the machinery in different parts of the works.
All destroyed.
"The main building or factory was a massive brick
erection, 120 feet long and 80 wide, four stories high,
occupied as fitters' shops, tarning and driving rooms,
Inould lofts, pattern stores, &c. It is stated that it
could have contained little short of 50,0001. of machinery.
The ground or basement floor was filled with the ma-
chineryi_ commonly employed in factories of this kind,
huge lathes for boring large cylinders, drilling, slotting,
and paring machines, with other machinery of an elabo-
rate character. The first story was also a fitting-shop,
Containing a large amount of machinery of a more minute
description than the floor beneath. The remaining
stores were used as moulding, designing, and pattern-
rooms, all of which were almost filled with the most
choice 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,
inust 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,
with a glass kind of transept roof, the whole of the in-
terior being open up to the roof. It contained a new
patent punching-machine, for punching three holes at
once. There were three sets of engines completed for as
many screw-colliers, intended to run between Lowestoft
and the Tyne, and another, with oscillating cylinders, of
250 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,
was also in the building, together with probably the
largest rolling-machine in the kingdom, numerous
Cyliriders, propellers, &c., besides three havellers (cranes)
for shifting machinery. The bulk of this valuable mass
ill broken and otherwise damaged.
"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
building
Denmark and other northern ports, which were
allilding 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
and the great body of fire that they were exposed
9, it is almost a miracle how they escaped. Their pre-
le'rvation 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
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
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
?lard, the other portion, although exposed to much peril,
the
escaped injury. This, fortunately, will enable
‘ue firm to continue °labour, as the works, although
oroewhat reduced as compared with previous operations,
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
ha
Y be inferred from the fact, that within two hours it
114_1 swept over the entire portion of the works destroyed.
firt.'.vcithstanding, the most searching investigation by the
rs, the origin of the fire remains a complete mystery.
It has been mentioned that the steam floating fire-
engine, belonging to the brigade, was brought into re-
quisition during the fire. It was the first outbreak of
Y moment that the capabilities of the machine were
vaght to bear upon, and it certainly proved a most
ofliable auxiliary. Upon whatever point it was
o
4.11,s ght into play, it succeeded in stopping the progress
t 'e destructive element. It possesses the power of
early eight ordinary land engines, and when in full
operation the force of the water was tremendous, lite-
rally
sweeping before it walls and whatever obstacles
Presented„ itself. Owing to its not being supplied with
pPelling power, in the shape of screw or paddle, con-
talaerable loss of time occurred in conveying it from its
tr rings, at Southwark-bridge, to Mill-wall, a eircum-
dae-rice much to be deplored. It appears that it was un-
ha steam accordance with the regulation, and would,
d it been provided with efficient propelling power,
Cove
gained the scene lon, before the land engines, and
✓aluable
have preserved, in all probability, much
the nable property Through the mistake which most of
brigade fell in'to, in supposing the fire to be on the
beeforit side of the Thames, more than an hour elapsed
many of the engines reached Mill-wall ; some,
it is7u, travelled 12 miles before they gained it. When
correTle awn
that these errors are not of infrequent oc-
telegr e,it is somewhat surprising that the electric
cur Th is not made the source of communicating ac-
atel intelligence.
The t
total loss has not been overrated; and, what is to
a.;arecgoretted, we understand that Messrs. Scott Russell
13resslitere not insured to the extent that has been re-
Pose of a • A meeting is about to be held for the pur-
at,
severe
affording some relief to the many workmen, who
sufferers by the loss of their tools.

4,
eARISTOCRATIC VISITORS TO AIISTRALIA.—Am ongst
171 recent fashionable arrivals in Australia may be men-
rdan Lord Henry Scott, son of the Duke of Buccleuc ,
Lord Schoenberg Kerr, son of the Marquis of Lo-
.,"iala, with their chaplain, the Rev. Hugh Stobart, and
travelling ompanion, the Rev, Thomas Bowles. These
37°111g noblemen stayed about ten days in Bathurst,
thiell they spent partly in social intercourse, and partly
t visiting the few rsights worth seeing. Among other
Plates they have inspected the Summerhill Copper Mine,
Vi?F,stld then started for the Turon, whence they purpose
eeding to Newcastle, and afterwards to Morton bay,
plate, with the intention of spending the winter at the latter
le A visit from gentlemen of their rank and station
the inlproved sign of the times, and if undertaken with
practical
thth, the Wan purpose of making themselves acquainted
e coil, necessities, and natural advantaes
Aof
tittle iltrY, may ultimately be productive of good..
more time devoted to travelling in the colonies and
toestoe
eof the British crown, by those who are
to '3•37 become legislators of the empire, would tend
anal the evils arising out of an ignorance of their
govtlal position, and would often prevent the blunders in
feett:4l4ellt which have first planted the seeds of disal-
-444n' and afterwards ripened them into rebellion.--
raiian, and New Zealand Gazette.