The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-27 00:00:00

GREeIT EIRR AT BERMONDSEY.

Yesterdaymorning the metropolis was visited by
a more serious fire than has occurred for sometime,
property valued at many thousand pounds sterling
being totally destroyed. The conflagration took
place shortly before four o'clock a.m., in the large
range of premises belonging to Mr. John Cook,
fur-dyer, White's-ground, Crucifix-lane, Bermond-
sey. The fire was discovered by Cutler, a watch-
man, who at once despatched messengers for the
engines. In a short time several engines arrived,
but by this time the flames had gained entire pos-
session of other buildings, belonging to Messrs.
thistle'. and Co., tanners, and to Mr. Joseph
Castle, cab proprietor. At the same time the fire
attacked with full vigour the backs of nine houses
in White's-row. After some time the engines were
got to work, but at first water was With difficulty
obtained, and though after a time copious streams
were thrown into the blazing premises, the fire
continued to progress with fearful power. The
flames rushed across the street, and the inmates of
the opposite houses fled in their nightclothes, carry-
ing their children in their arms. The firemen,
although exposed to imminent danger, kept to their
work, but whilst so engaged the walls and build-
ing fell in with a noise like thunder. As to the
origin of the misfortune, not the least information
could be obtained. The loss will fall on the Royal
Exchange, Sun, Globe, Phoenix, and other fire-
offices.
The following is Mr. Braidwood's official report
of the damage done, as far as can at present be
ascertained

Oct. 26,1839, 5 a.m.—A 6. re took place in White's-
ground, Bermondsey, which destroyed the timber
buildings used as workshops, the property of Mr. •
J. Cook, fur-dyer. Contents insured in the Sun
Fire-office—building unknown it insured or not.
Messrs. Oastler and Palmer--4.vather warehouse,
brick and timber built, with their contents destroyed.
The curriers' shops, drying shed, and back count-
ing-house, brick built, burned down. Building and
contents insured in the Atlas, Westminster, and
other fire-offices.

J. Sharp and Co., tanners, &c.—The drying-house
and stores on the left, side of the yard, timber built,
very seriously damaged by fire—the buildings end
Contents insured in he Royal Exchange Fire-office.
No. 5 to 13, Bruns wick-com t, let out in tenements
—back fronts seriou,ly damaged by fire—contents
not insured, the building ix the Hand-in-Hand
office.
Nos. 11 and 12, White's-ground—Two private
wooden houses ; owners not known—very severely
damaged by fire.
George leather-dresser—Drying-house
nearly destroyed—insured for contents in the
Northern Fire-office.
J. Castle, cabmaster—Stables and coach-houses
all. but destroyed, and front of d
severely damaged by fire—the.building end contents
were insured in the Royal Exchange Fire-office.

The following appointments were made yester-
day at the Admiralty :—Thomas Symons, promoted
to be chief engineer; George Robertson, chief en-
gineer, to the Ardent ; IV. Lowther, promoted to
be chief engineer of the Prometheus ; Richird
Sleeman, promoted to be chief engineer to the
Sphinx ; J. Sangster, promoted to be chief engineer
to the Spitfire ; John C. Gouchy, first-class assis-
tant-engineer, to the Wellington, from the Gold-
finch; William Sides and Thomas Wilson, third-
class assistant-engineers, to the Ardent ; James
Christie, acting third-class assistant-engineer,
,to
the Ardent; Philip Blanch, acting third-class as4is-
tant-engineer, to the Locust; and A. F. M'lntyre,
acting third-class assistant-engineer, to the Queen
Charlotte, from the Lizard.