The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-25 00:00:00

THAMES POLICE.

A poor woman, named Ann Ravell, came before Mr. Bro-
derip, on Tuesday, and stated that she had been suddenly re-
duced to great distress by a calamity which had recently
befallen her. Her son, who bad lately returned from sea, paid
her a visit, and she invited him to remain for a night in her
room, and made up a bed for him. During the night a box of
Lucifer matches in her boy's trousers' pocket exploded, and set
fire to the bed he was sleeping on, and before either of them
awoke the flames had communicated to the furniture in the
apartment, and they narrowly escaped being burnt alive. The
fire was extinguished by the inmates of the dwelling, but her
little stock of furniture was destroyed or rendered useless, and
she was reduced to great distress by the accident.
Mr. BRODERTP directed Blaby, the chief usher, to make in-
quiries, and if he found the applicant to be a deserving person,
he would apply some of the funds of the poor-box to relieve
the case.

Yesterday Blaby reported that the facts were as stated by the
applicant, and that she was a very industrious and deserving
woman.

Mr. BRODERIP directed the usher to re-furnish her apart-
ment and relieve her wants, and the poor woman departed with
expressions of the most grateful acknowledgment to the magis-
trate for his kindness.
GREENWICH.
_

Yesterday a fashionably attired man, about 31 years of age,
calling himself Captain Henry Pratt, was charged before
Mr. Jeremy with having obtained, by false pretences, one
sovereign from Captain John Parker, of Commercial-road
East, and a second sovereign from Mr. George Hay, a ship-
wright, residing in Hermitage-street, Wapping.
Captain Parker deposed that he met the prisoner by appoint-
ment on the 18th instant, in the Lower-road, Deptford, when
he (the pr:soner) made a promise to appoint him as master of
the ship Dryope, of Montreal, lying in the Commercial Docks,
Rotherhithe ; that he had the power to obtain two appoint-
ments ; he was acting as a sort of ship's husband far the
owners. The prisoner asked for a loan of money, and he ad-
vanced a sovereign on faith of prisoner's representations. Pri-
soner also stated that the owner's name was Davis, and wished
witness to see him. Witness had sine* learned that Davis was
not the owner nor captain, nor had he anything whatever to do
with the ship. Had been to Lloyd's, were he learnt that the
owner resided at Liverpool, and that the ship was for sale.
Mr. George Hay deposed that he is a shipwright at Wap-
ping. Saw the prisoner at Mr. Lawe's, the King of Den-
mark, at Wapping, en Thursday evening last. Had never
teen him before. The prisoner, addressing him, said he
understood that witness was a shipwright, and that he
had a nice little job for him. He (prisoner) said at the
time that he was captain of the Dryope, a ship lying in the
Ladyi Dock, Commercial Docks, Rotherhithe. Witness said
it is not usually in the captain's power to appoint masters to
vessels. Prisoner replied that it was in his power, as he was
more ship's-husband than master. He told witness the owner's
name was Davis, and said that he would be at Lloyd's Coffee-
house next day at eleven o'clock, and begged witness to at-
tend then and there. Prisoner after this borrowed a sovereign;
the prisoner also told witness that he should have 301. by
cheque on the following day, from Mr. Davis, which would
clear him out of present difficulties. Witness waited until
nearly twelve next day at Lloyd's ; at last prisoner came, and
said that Mr. Davis, the owner, was gone away, and requested
witness to go on to the ship. They went together on board
the ship. Witness made an estimate to strip and copper her,
&c., at 271., but ultimately agreed to do it for 251. Prisoner
went to witness's house in the evening to tea, and said Davies,
the owner, would give 251., and that he must dock and strip
her, and begin on Monday. Had since ascertained that the
prisoner had nothing to do with the ship, and that the prisoner
had also imposed on the ship-keeper, to whom he said that he
had command of the ship.
. . _

A tailor had been o;, board and measured him for a snit of
clothes as the captain of the ship. These charges and ethers
would be sustained if time was allowed.

Mr. JEREMY said that he would remand the prisoner for
further examination; in the meantime Mr. Davis, the alleged
owner, must be summoned. He should hold the prisoner to
bail for the misdemeanour himself in 801., and two sureties of
401. each. In default of bail, the prisoner was remanded to
Horsemonger-lane gaol until Friday next.