The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-22 00:00:00

' 8,461 6,659
6,271 4,944
REAT

York and North Midland . ..... .....

THE FIRE ON THE
WESTERN RAILWAY,
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

FRIDAY NlGHT.—Notwithstanding that an immense
number of men have been, ever since the fire occurred
upon the Great Western Railway, actively engaged in
repairing the bridge at Hanwell, they have, up to the
present time, half-past eight P.M. Friday, been unable to
replace the structure. By one o'clock yesterday morn-
ing the workmen, under the superintendence of Mr.
Brunel, Mr. Seymour Clarke, and Mr. Sanders, had
succeeded in forming a temporary viaduct, at least so
far as the down line was concerned. To test its safety
a heavily-laden goods train was passed over it without
an engine, and being found sufficiently strung to bear the
weight of that train, which, it should be stated, was con-
siderably heavier than any ordinary train, it was pro-
nounced to be perfectly safe. The up line, however, is
not yet repaired, but from the rapid progress that is
being made, it is fully expected that it will be finished in
time for the express train to pass over at eleven o'clock
this forenoon (Saturday). An inquiry was yesterday
made by the chief officer of the line, to learn if possible
how the disaster occurred. The result still leaves the mat-
ter in doubt, it being considered most extraordinary that
the fire should have obtained such a strong hold before
discovered. Some idea of the fury of the flames may be
formed from the fact of the heat being so intense that
eight out of the ten iron girders that were supported by
cast iron columns, on which the timber was laid, ex-
panded to such a degree as to snap asunder principally
about the centre. They were also thrown out of the
perpendicular, and the stone-work into which they were
fastened by molten lead was rent in twain. Some of the
parties attribute the act to an incendiary, but the ma-
jority of the officials are of opinion that it was caused
solely by accident, tome hot cinders falling from the
engine of the train that left the Maidenhead station at
11.15 r.st. yesterday. They are also of opinion that
wooden bridges or viaducts ought not to be allowed on
the lines, and it is understood that all similar erections
will be either replaced by iron or covered with a fire-
proof substance, so as to guard against a similar casualty.
To some parties it may seem very remarkable that so
long a time has been spent in repairing the structure;
and it is, however, only necessary to state that the bridge,
although only twenty-five feet by eighteen, was an ela-
borate piece of workmanship, and was most peculiarly
constructed; it was carried over the Uxbridge-road at a
sharp angle, and it then stretched over the cross road.
The value of the bridge was considerably more than was
at first anticipated.

COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDEXT.)
THE POTATO BLIGHT.

We regret to have to state that the blight has again
appeared on the potatoes in the Isle of Wight. The Mal
spot was first observed in the gardens round Newport on
Thursday morning. This morning (Friday) the dew
appeared like a black drop on the leaves of the potatoes
at Westmill and in the neighbourhood of Carisbrook.
It was in this part it was first observed in 1845, and it
was not till nearly a month afterwards that it became
general in other parts of England.
The severe winter has induced persons to plant a much
greater breadth of potatoes this year than they did last;
indeed, even last year the grower was a gainer by the
blight, it was the consumer was the sufferer. About
one-third of the potatoes were spoiled by the blight—say
one bushel oat of three. Had there been no blight, the
three bushels would have sold for 4s. 6d.; in consequence
of the blight, the two bushels sold for Bs.
Wind and rain have at length left us, and summer set
in in earnest.