The Sun.
London, England, 1833-01-23 00:00:00

THE INQUEST.

Mr. Pearce, the high-constable of Dartford, was
nut very early, and by the appointed hour (It)
o'clock) had a highly respectable Jury, consisting
of 25 of the principal tradesmen and gentlemen of
Dartford, in readiness at the Bull and George Inn.
The Coroner arrived about a quarter past ten;
the Jury and eight Foremen were then sworn, and
proceeded to view the scene of destruction. Having
viewed the whole of the premises, and every infor-
mation being afforded them by the head foreman, they
proceeded to the most painful part of their duty—
hat of viewing the bodies of the unfortunate suf-
ferers, which were all conveyed to a stable on the
premises. On the door being opened a look of
horror was pictured on every countenance, and it will
he some time ere those looks are forgotten by ull who
witnessed them. The bodies presented a most awful
appearance, some of them being as black as a coal,
others drawn up in a manner not be described ; one
of the hands of Sarah White was lying on her body ;
but the most horrid sight of all was the boy Bert-
hing, the whole of his inside being blown out :
part of his liver and heart was picked up on the pre-
mises. The Jury having concluded that part of
their unpleasant duty, now prcceeded to the village
of Hawley, to the residence of the millwright,
Powell, who died on Tuesday evening,at ten o'clock,
after suffering amputation of one of his legs. The
Jury having returned to the Bull and George, the
following witnesses were examined :

John'Fielding, of Dartford, in the employ of Mr.
Wilks, being sworn, deposed as follows :—I knew
all the deceased men and women. I was coming
out of one of the outhouses on Monday, when sud-
denly I observed a house, called the charge•house,
blow up. I saw the horse and cart standing at the
door, and the boy Edward Benning was with it.
The shock knocked me down twice. Something
stithl me on the head, but I am unable to say what
it was. I crawled under the work-bench until the
explosion ceased, but expecting every moment to
be my last. I then tan up to the gate and escaped
across the fields towards Dartford. I met several
persons coming in the direction of the mills; I cau-
tioned them not to go near the premises. I have
known and heard of similar accidents, but never
heard such a dreadful explosion. I cannot in any
way account fur the accident.

Joseph Hoare, of Dartford, carter to Messrs.
Wilks and Co., sworn—l knew the whole of the
parties who have lost their lives. I was standing
by the carpenter's shop, when suddenly I heard the
explosion and was knocked down. I made my way
out as soon as I came to my senses. Two of my
horses, which were standing close by me, were
killed instantaneously. I cannot in any way ac-
count for the accident.

James Cook, of Dartford, labourer, sworn—l was
at the charge-house about a minute before the ex-
plosion took place. Thomas Hawkins was against
the back door in the punt. Edward Benning was
turning the horse and cart round. I left to go to
the watch-house, which stands on the left of the
charge-house. I had not reached it above a minute
before the charge blew up. I heard three distinct
reports.

Francis Exeter, of Dartford, labourer—l was in
the magazine when the explosion took place; I ran
out and got into the boat, but the second report
knocked me into the river ; the bricks and large
pieces of timber fell on me in great numbers. It hat.
blown the tiles off the magazine-house, which I have
mo doubt was only preserved by the wind not be-
ing in that quarter.
Henry Hutt, of Dartford, clerk to Messrs. Wilks
and Co—l went to the packing-house with orders
letout five minute: past ten o'clock on Monday
moaning. I saw several women working in the
next room, and likewise the horse and cart at the
door. I then returned to the counting-house, situ-
ate at the back of Mr. Wilks' dwelling-house, but
had scarcely sat down on the stool when the explo-
sion took place; I wa+ thrown to the other end of
the room, but received no serious injury.
Thomas Pearce, of Dartford, head foreman to
Messrs. Wilks and Co.—! was on the premises in
the morning, and left to go up to the dusting-house,
distant about a quarter of a mile. I heard the report,
and hurried down to the place. I found the charging•
house blown to atoms. I saw the mills go. We had 9
mills; 6 ate destroyed. Williams was a packer, Hats.
klllB, the boatman, the lad Berthing was driver of th.
cart, Sarah Venus, Sarah Prescott, Maria Harding,
and Sarah White, were all employed in the packing
house, and also four other women, but they had nut
come to work that morning. Po.,‘ ell was the mill.
wright, and was vvoiking at the mill opposite th,
charge-house. The mill was blown up before I st-
rived. The lower charge-house went third; it cop-
tained 10 barrels of 100 lb. each. About I,ooolb
wa. in the upper chirge-houNe, and about .5001 b. ui
the mill Upwards of two hours elapsed Mori
any assistance could be rendered. The engine.
were soon on the spot, but they were nimble to b
used. The explosion from first to last was upward
of half an hour. I have worked 33 years on tti.
premises, during which time we have had two s.-
riot's explosions, but neither of them equaled tht
present one.

- By the CORONER—Cmi you in any way IiCCOUIV
for the accident ? if; Almost impos-
sible to account for the explosion, but in my opi-
nion it happened through liankin's unloading tilt
boat.

By the CORONER—Was Hawkins a steady man ?
Witness—He was.

By the Foreman of the Jury—Did not Hawkin
smoke a great deal ? Witness—He did, but wa.
never allowed 'to do so on the premises.
John Paitison, of Dartford, t•urgeon, sworn—l
was sent for to attend John Powell on Monday,