The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-31 00:00:00

EXPLOSION AT THE HOUNSLOW:
POWDE.R MILLS.

Yesterday morning, at a quarter to 11 o'clock,
one of those fearful catastrophes—against which the
utmost caution seems impossible to provide—oc-
curred at the above extensive works, awakening
the most painful consternation, not only in the im-
mediate neighbourhood but for many miles round.
The first explosion took place in one of the corning-
houses, in which at the time many men were em-
ployed, and in which a large quantity of powder in
an unfinished state was stored. In a few seconds
another explosion in an adjoining building took
place, resulting in the death of seven men and
wounding many others, some it is feared mortally.
It is stated that as many as three hundred and
twenty hands, including men, women and children,
were engaged in the various departments at the
time of the accident, and the alarm and terror that
seized upon them, as they rushed frantically about,
it is impossible to describe. Messrs. Curtis, the pro- i
prietors of the mills, were not on the premises, but
Mr. Ashby, the manager, who lives in a villa ad-
joining, was promptly on the spot, and gave direc-
tions with a view to prevent further accidents and
to allay as much as possible the sufferings of those
injured. Messengers were instantly despatched to
the various surgeons ; but they were met on the
road hastening to the scene of the disaster. In the
erection of the corning-houses, from the known
danger that exists in the peculiar process the powder
undergoes in this stage of its manufacture, every
precaution is taken. They consist of extensive
wooden buildings; fastened with copper bolts and
copper nails ; not a vestige of iron being allowed.
The men employed in them are under the most
stringent regulations, and wear dresses and shoes of
a particular make and material, to provide, if pos-
sible, against accidents; and how the dreadful
calamity occurred that has snatched from life seven
unfortunate men is a mystery, and possibly will
ever remain so. Mr. May, the foreman, was so
seriously injured, that it was stated he had died
upon being removed to his house. Of the other
men killed, their bodies were hurled into frag-
ments and scattered with the debris of the build-
ings over many acres of ground. It was also reported
that two more persons were missing, and the gene-
ral opinion seemed to be that they had been lite-
rally blown to atoms. The most active search is
being made for a considerable distance from the
spot. A river that runs through the grounds, in
which large quantities of wood has been thrown,
was being dragged, with a view, if possible, to
ascertain the fate of these two poor fellows. The
repert of the explosion was heard for many miles
round, and some idea of the effect of its violence
may be formed from the fact of 109 panes of glass
being broken at Fortescue-house, Twickenham, a
distance of three miles. _ _

It was impossible in the confusion that prevailed
to ascertain the names of all the persons who fell
victims to this calamity, but among the bodies
which were identified were those of George Lucocks,
--- Crompton, Davis, and Thomas Allborn, who
were engaged at the moment in the premises where
the explosion took place. The bodies, when disco-
vered, although much injured by the action of the
fire, were still capable of being recognised. It may
be remembered that in the melancholy catastrophe
which occurred on the same premises 19 years ago,
and more recently eight years since, the bodies
Nvere so terribly mutilated that in many instances
identification was impossible.
It is a noteworthy circumstance in connection
with this melancholy occurrence that the poor fel-
low Compton, who has lost his life, was one of the
sufferers by the explosion which took place in 1852.
His mother and sister reside at Acton, some six
miles from the mills. Even there the report was
heard and windows shaken. Compton's mother,
who would seem to have had a presentiment of the
calamity, immediately exclaimed, " Oh, that is the
mill; my son is dead!" ller daughter immedi-
ately took the train, where she met her unfortunate
brother's wife, who had just returned from the
mills, -where she had ascertained the fate of her
husband.
A full investigation will take place before the
coroner, and a Government inquiry is also ex-
pected.

On the occasion of the Duke of Cambridge re-
viewing the troops at Chatham Garrison on Tues-
day, his Royal Highness paid a vist to St. Mary's
Casemate Barracks, which are occupied - ahnost
exclusively by the wounded and disabled troops, -
sent home from India andthe otherforeign stations,.
for the purpose of inspecting that establishment, and
witnessing• the improvements which have recently
been there Made.
Thd depots of thelOth Regiment, 32d Light In-
fantryi, and 84th (York and -Lancaster) Regiment; is
-
were separately inspected at Chatham by the Duke
of Canibridge, after .the review on Tuesday after-
noon.. Each of thege depots is 'Unusually strong,
owing to no reinforcements having been forwarded
to India for some time, in ' consequence of
the regiments , having been ordered home.
The 3d depot numbers about 600 men of all ranks,
andcontains a large number of men.-who have served
with this distinguished corps, at Lueknow and.
Cawnpore. • The head-quarters of the 16th Regi-
ment embarked* India,( in '1842, the S2d Light
Infantry- in f 846, and the 84th Regiment in 1842.
Each bf these regiments Will probably return to
England in. the course of the present year. •
The new rifled Ordnanee Department, in. the:-
course of . organisation in Woolwich _Arsenal for .'
manufacturing Sir 'W, Armstrong's gugs,iunder the • '
superintendence ref Mr. J. Anderson, Tecently ap-.
pointed Assistant-Engineer to .the Wiir Depart- •
ment for that purpose, according to: existing ar-
rangements,. will commence operations early in tho
month off'May. ' Sir W. 'Armstrong, it is said; has. .7;1
expended upwards .of £7,000 on the initiatory ex-
periments to test the efficiency of his invention.
4Noi. iq field battery of Royal Artiller , composed' of
18-pounder guns and roiaecTiainun 14.7
&c., complete for immediate service, yesterday left
Woolwich Arsenal for Brighton.
The question of adapting Sir Wm. Armstrong's
gun for naval service is now under the consideration
of a committee, consisting of Admiral Sir Thomas
Hastings, Chairman ; Capt. Caffin, C. 8., Secretary ;
Sir John Burgoyne, G.C.8., Inspector• General of
Fortifications ; and General Sir Howard Douglas.
The result of various experiments fully proves that
by means of an improved description of carriage or
platform, the gun can be so arranged on ship-board
as to be fired with the utmost accuracy; and it is
believed that the committee will recommend the
adoption of the weapon as an auxiliary to the con.
templated improvements with respect to the arma-
ment of the fleet. The committee has conferred
with the Ordnance Select Committee at Wool-
wich, of which Major-General Cator, C. 8., Royal
Artillery, is President; and Colonel Tullob, Super-
intendent of the Royal Carriage Department,
is now engaged in directing the construction
of various specimens of gun-carriages, which will
be tested with a view to enhance the efficiency of
Sir W. Armstrong's invention for the military and
naval services.

MILITIA.

The Royal North pown Rifles, under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel Montgomery, was inspected by
Lieut.-General Knollys before leaving Aldershot.
The General expressed his high satisfaction at their
soldierlike appearance, and said he had much satis-
faction in observing that no change had taken place
in their uniformly good conduct since the promulga-
tion of the order for their disembodiment. The
regiment, numbering about 650 men, has since
arrived at Belfast. General Knollys, in a
:on, to the
commu-
nication to the Marquis of Londonderry, the colonel
in command of the regiment, expresses his gratifica-
tion at its very satisfactory state on leaving Alder-
shot.ll: incum-
bentoßmi otuytcahyl
~
I a
inGaebnleertaoltelistnifoyl,lfyros
msaypserisnontahl iosblseetrtvearti
quiet, subordinate, and regular demeanour of the North
Down Rifles, their steadiness on parade, their attention. at
drill, and, above all, their ready and soldierlike manner of
performing their duty, whether under arms or without
arms. Under all these circumstances, it is with the highest
gratification that I feel called upon to notify to your lord-
shipvt aoru yr
oat their
Ipeleievrnr
eae
rpxm.
oe r
tie exemplary
_pct
eal aan
urbryreai
ectnoo
grnddi conduct,
fe conclude
undert
t,
haendhigh itt b we
withouti I len example
bsat Eeequallyetpilneegf hhhe
Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief and the Secre-
tary
is attributable, and how much my thanks are per-
sonally due, to Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomery and the
officers under him, for their enabling me to make this fa
the North Down Rifles to the Aldershot division."