The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-24 00:00:00

THE LATE GALES.

PLYMOUTH, Nov. 21.—The storm continues with very
little abatement. A flag of distress has been exhibited
all day on the Eddystone lighthouse, and, in consequence
of the severity of the storm, Mr. Ditchem, the agent, has
not been able to hold communication with the keepers.
An attempt to approach was made this afternoon in the
Diligent tender, but the heavy Atlantic sea and rising
tide forced that vessel to put back as night approached.
Intelligence has reached here of the loss of the sloop
Ellen, Captain Beach, belonging to Mr. Clark, of Fare-
ham, Portsmouth. She was consigned from Perros, on
the coast of France, to Mr. Attril, of this port, with
about 35 head of cattle and some poultry, and unhappily
went ashore on Friday morning, in Bigbury-bay a little
to the west of Mothecombe. The ill-fated vessel was
quickly dashed to pieces, and all her crew perished. One
of the bullocks swam ashore, and the body of one of the
crew has been washed on 11 ) beech. The Ellgn was
not above 50 tons burden, and ,was consequently small
for this description of trade at the present season of the
year.
This morning Mr. Ditchem, the agent for lights, made
a more successful attempt to visit the Eddystone. There
is a tremendous sea in the Channel, and the wind is
blowing strong from the southward. After approaching
the lighthouse as near as the boisterous state of the
weather would permit, the lightkeepers were signalled
to throw out a letter in a sealed bottle; from this it was
ascertained that the distress flag had been kept hoisted
in consequence of the damaged state of the lower part
of the door of the basement-entrance, caused by the
great weight of the water, which had forced itself into
the lighthouse at the upper doorway during the storm.
Measures are to be immediately taken to repair the
damage.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT ON THE EAST LANCASHIRE
RAILWAY.—BURY, MONDAY, FOUR O'CLOCK.--This
afternoon a very serious accident occurred on this line
of rail to the train which left Rawtenstall at two o'clock
P.M. It appears the train was coming at a rapid speed
onits way to this town, and on reaching a bridge which
crosses the Irwell, at Spring-side, Ramsbottom, the en-
gine went off the rails. It is said that there is an acute
curve at this place, and there being pieces of wood fixed
along the rails to keep the engine on, one of them bad
given way, and consequently the flange of the engine-
wheels came in contact with it, and thre w the engine off
the line with fearful violence. There were only five
carriages attached to the engine, an of which were
thrown off the rails. Fortunately, horiTe ver, the accident
occurred in a deep cutting, or the re suit might have
been disastrous in the extreme. Several of the passen-
gers were severely injured. One ms uS had one of his
feet cut off near the arch of the foot., and the other
dreadfully lacerated. He is, however, alive, but in a
very weak state. A policeman, who was a passenger,
was also seriously injured ; it is said at le of his legs was
taken off, and the other much bruised. A third passen-
ger was al.e) much bruised, and a re pc )rt is circulated
that a fourth was killed. This report, however, is said
not to be correct. Three of the carri inges were broken
to pieces, and the engine and tender much damaged.
There happened at the time to be a p ilot engine on the
way to Bury, and the alarm was give t t in a very short
time, when a special train was dispatcl a ,d to the scene of
the accident, which brought the whole oof the passengers,
and some of the wounded, to Bury.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.—One of the •, -most destructive
fires witnessed in the metropolis fc ,r some time broke
out this morning, shortly before two o'clock, on the ex-
tensive premises occupied by Messrs. Palmer, the patent
candle manufacturers, in Great Comp ton-street, Clerken-
well; where, it will be remembered, a fire occurred of
great extent about three years ago. '1 'he premises, which
were considerably enlarged after the former destruction,
occupy the entire space of ground fr c St. John-street
to Compton-court, and from Compto a i-street to Sutton-
street. Upon an
alarm being given t several parochial
engines were quickly in attendance, b a t from the inflam-
mable nature of the contents of the 1 uilding the fire in
a few moments burst through the roc , and the exertions
of those persons who had hastened f, a the spot appeared
to be completely in vain. The er ig;ines from the fire-
brigade stations at last arrived, and Mr. Inspector
Penny, with a strong body of the' .1 division of police,
also promptly
_attended. An excel le of supply of water
was soon obtained, and the whole c 4 the engines were
set in operation, but instead of darer] ?ing the flames the
water as it fell upon the burning tall.° w and composition,
appeared to increase their fury. Li , appearing evident
that no means could save the prom)/ ;es, the attention of
the firemen was then directed to th a • preservation of the
adjoining buildings, which they sue ceeded in saving,
although some of them were parts;, lly damaged. An
immense stock of candles and raw i naterials were in
the building at the time, and the 3 oss, including the
valuable steam machinery, cannot b' less than 50,0001.
The proprietors are insured, but not ,it is believed, to
the amount.