The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-12 00:00:00

COLLIERY

THE BARNSLEY

EXPLOSION.

BARNSLEY, FRIDAY.—At the conclusion of the evi-
dence, tile jury, after a consultation of one hour and a
half, returned the following written verdict:—
" We find a verdict of accidental death on the 75
bodies we have viewed, caused by one or more explosions
of carburetted hydrogen gas, or inflammable air, which
took place on the 24th of January last, in the Darley
Main Colliery, and wo most strongly recommend to the
proprietors that a better mode of ventilation be adopted
before they recommence working the mine, as a pre-
ventive against any future recurrence of a similar kind, and
we think, from the evidence given before us, that the re-
moving of the machinery used for drawing water out of
the upcast shaft is essentially necessary, so as to allow
the air passing out of the mine to have a better and
freer outlet. And we also express our desire that Mr.
Badger, the coroner, be requested to report to Sir George
Grey, and that he make such report known to her Ma-
jesty's Government, that we think it advisable that they
should appoint a scientific and practical person to oc-
casionally inspect the collieries in this district, and see
that there is proper ventilation, and hear any complaint
by the workpeople employed therein.
" JOSEPH POTTER, Foreman."

BODY OF A FEMALE FOUND IN A POND,—On
Saturday morning the body of an aged female of re-
spectable appearance was found lying in a small pond in
lteddin's brickfield, at the back or St. George's Church,
Camberwell, between the Surrey Canal and Peckham-
grove. The circumstances under which the deceased
was found are of a very suspicious and mysterious
character. The pond in question is in an enclosed
field several hundred yards away from the road, there
being no pathway or thoroughfare leading in any di-
rection, and, therefore, it would appear quite improbable
that tho deceased could have fallen into the pond by
accident. The pond does not contain more than three
feet of water, and the deceased could easily have extri-
cated herself, unless rendered perfectly helpless. No
marks of struggling or violence have been found near
the spot, or on her person, nor were any cries or noise
heard by any one in the neighbourhood. A boy at
work first saw an umbrella lying near the pond, and
discovering something heavy in thewater he immediately
called to a labourer who was passing, and the body was
got out quiet dead. It had the appearance of having
been in the water for several hours, and was immediately
conveyed to Camberwell workhouse ; but nothing was
found on her person calculated to give any clue as to
who or what she was; and up to last night (Sunday),
although the police have circulated the information of
the finding of the body, with a full description of
on
person, it has not been identified. The deceased had
straw
a black silk gown, also a striped cottona gown,
bonnet, trimmed with black ribbon, and
ts
wblhaictkveil.
brown stuff petticoat, two flannel pticoaas Ling five feet
stock-
iags, and laced boots rshe is described
five inches in height, of fair complexion,
false curls in front, and apparently
abgoruety
fifty hair,
yearswi with
of age.
—During
ROYAL ARTILLERY,
for and sent to the
itiO'RFR lEn:altt:lions being
Adjutant-General's ffi ""of°aLthe seniority list of the present week returneos,were called
- -t service, in April
afficifers,oprteap,oaratory, it is expected, to the
, twelve battalions
made in this branch of the next, to be
non-
commissioned
formation
termed the 3t
the troops of Royal
being a and 14th battalions
Artillery. troops of Royal Horse
Horse
already formed independent of
Artillery,
with four guns to each troop, and the four
field batteries with, four guns to each battery, assembled
the Lieutenan-
t
garrison, at teanndo calt half-pastock ten o'clo
, A.M., at the south-west gate of
c
Sir Thomas Downham, C,13 , • Com-
mandant, with Brigade-Major Bingham and 'Captain
Tylden, Deputy-Assistant-Quartermaster-General, ar-
rived and inspected the men, with their horses and ap-
pointments. The head of the column of troops and bat-
teries then marched across the common in the direction
of the veterinary establishment and down the Shooters'-
hill-road to the edge of Blackheath, and turned down
Myrtle-lane, where Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas
Downham and staff had taken up a position, and again
made a minute inspection of tho whole of the troops and
batteries. They then returned through old Charlton,
and entered the north-west gate of the garrison at twelve
o'clock, the dinner hour.
LAIINCII or A STEAMER.—The Ganges, a splendid
steam-vessel of 1,200 tons burden, built /ler the Penin-
sular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company by Mr.
Pitcher, was launched from hit dockyati at Northfieet
on Thursday la The day was remarkably propitious,
and a large nut or of visitors assembled to witness the
interesting spectacle. The vessel went off in magnifi-
cent style, and all the judges present were unanimous in
pronouncing the highest enlogiaims upon her. Two
steamers were in readiness to take the vessel at once to
the East India DOOkS, where she is to receive her en-
gines, which are, being constructed by Messrs. Miller,
Itavenhill, and Co., of Blackwall. After the launch the
visitors partook of a husdsome collation, providderalyb,:ptrhoe:
builder, at the Rosherville Hotel, and they returned to
town at an early hour, highly gratified by the
ceedings.