The Sun.
London, England, 1845-09-18 00:00:00

DIABOLICAL ACT.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON THE SHEFFIELD BRANCH OF
THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.
Between the hours of six and seven o'clock on Saturday evening
last sOihe villain or villains in human form, with an object little short
of a desire for the wholesale massacre or mutilation of his or their
fellow-creatures, committed a most wicked and diabolical act, by
which a dreadful accident was caused on the Midland line of railway,
close by the Holmes station, where a short branch of about half a
mile in length connects the Sheffield and Rotherham Railway—now
amalgamated with the Midland—with the main line at Masborough.
At half-past seven o'clock a train left the Sheffield station, consisting
of three passenger carriages, containing between sixty and seventy
passengers, a parcel van, and eleven luggage waggons, to join the
down train from London, which was due at the Masborough station
at eight o'clock, and with which it was to proceed forward to Leeds.
The parcel van and luggage waggon were placed next the engine
and tender, and the passenger carriages at the tail of the train.
When the train arrived at the Holmes station, the engine driver in
conformity with the general orders from the superintendent of the
line, Mr. Somerville, slackened his speed, as in passing from the
Sheffield and Rotherham line there is a very sharp curve round
the corner of the station. At this place the train was not pro-
ceeding at a greater speed than ten or twelve miles an hour, and had
not passed the station more than fifty or sixty yards, when it was
suddenly stopped by some obstacle, and the engine and tender with
the force of the shock were completely lifted off the rails, and thrown
on their broadside across both up and down lines ; the engine-driver,
a man named John Edwards, and the fireman, named Hugh Tis-
sing ton, were thrown a distance of 10 or 12 yards, and lay insensible
for some minutes. Three of the luggage waggons and the parcel-
van were thrown off the line; and the guard, John Ducker, who was
seated on the last carriage but one with his back to the engine was
thrown with great violence upon the roof of the carriage in front of
him, and, fortunately, escaped injury by catching hold of the rails on
the top of the carriage. Two of the waggons were smashed to pieces,
and a third rendered useless by the concussion. The shock was felt
severely by all the passengers, who were thrown from their seats ;
but, providentially, from being at so great a distance from the
engine, none of them received any injury beyond the shock
and a few bruises. The guard immediately dismounted, and found
the engine-driver and fireman creeping as well as they could with
the contusions they had received to an edge bottom. The passen-
gers, as soon as possible, got out of the carriages, and search was then
made to ascertain the cause of the accident, when it was found that
a set of " points" used for putting waggons on a side line had been
wedged open with an iron chair and a piece of limestone, so that it
was impossible for a train to pass over without being thrown off the
line. The two men who were injured were, as soon as possible, con-
veyed to Sheffield, and surgical aid procured ; they are now fast re-
covering. The engine was removed soon after six o'clock, and it
required the assistance of three other engines to slide it on the line
to the engine-house at Masborough, as the wheels were quite
motionless.
The Midland Company, anxious for the public safety, have this
(Tuesday) morning issued placards offering a reward of 100 guineas
to any person who shall produce evidence to cause the conviction of
the perpetrators of this villanous act.

- -
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT SIR
CH ARLES PRICE'S.
Tuesday afternoon, about a quarter before two o'clock, an
alarming fire broke out in the warehouses belonging to Sir
Charles Price and Co., oil and colourmen, situate at the
bottom of William-street, New Bridge-street, the storehouse
abutting on the north-west side of the Thames, nearly
adjoining Blackfriars-bridge—at the right hand of which are
the City Chartered Gas Works—the only intervening build-
ing being that of Messrs. Hoppe, coal-merchants, the gaso-
meters being immediately contiguous. So large a body of
gas being in such near contact to the flames naturally caused
serious apprehensions in the neighbourhood—apprehensions
which were considerably increased when it became known
that several tuns of oil, vitriol, and turpentine were upon
the burning premises ; as well also, it was feared, a large
quantity of gunpowder. Scarcely a quarter of an hour
elapsed before sixteen or seventeen engines were upon the
spot, all of which were quickly supplied with water; and in
a few minutes more, the floating engine usually moored on
the eastern side of Southwark-bridge was brought up, and,
it fortunately being high water, placed almost close to the
burning pile. As this engine sent forth a volume of water
exceeding a ton per minute, the effect was speedily seen in
the partial subjugation of the flames, and it was hoped that
all danger would shortly be at an end. These hopes, how-
ever, were not realised; for the conflagration again burst
forth with redoubled fury, caused by the bursting of some
carboys containing vitriol and turpentine. The burning liquid
immediately spread the fire all around, and, running with the
greatest rapidity into the Thames, ignited some of the coal
barges, of which two were much injured and sunk. In its
progress the lighted vitriol came into contact with two tire-
engines which had been brought into the interior, the men
engaged on which were hastily compelled to make their
escape, but the whole of the woodwork was entirely
destroyed, leaving nothing but the iron behind. One of the
brigade establishment, however, we are sorry to state, was
not so fortunate as his companions—as the sudden irruption
of the flames scorched him so severely that he was carried
to St. Bartholomew's Hospital with but little expecta-
tion of surviving the injury. The lighted turpentine
then floated upon the river, and soon caught one por-
tion of the floating-engine, when those in the direction
caused her to be moored near the middle of the Thames ;
but the flames caused so much fright and consternation
among about fifty coal-men, who were engaged in work-
ing her, that the whole jumped pell-mell into the water.
This incident occasioned great confusion, and the efforts
of those who were near in boats were of course directed
to the extrication of the men who were in such immi-
nent peril, though we cannot state positively that some
unfortunate individual may not have perished. Indeed
it was said that two individuals are missing who were
known to have been assisting. The floating-engine
having thus become suddenly unmanned, the con-
flagration increased for a time, amd spread itself,
on the left to the premises of Messrs. Capel, coal-
merchants, which are partially destroyed—and on the
right, to those of Messrs. Hoppe, adjoining the gas-works,
the whole interior of which is levelled to the ground, leaving
only the outer wall facing the river standing. Now the
fears of the inhabitants were raised to a painful pitch, lest
there should be an explosion of gas—in which case there
must have been fearful devastation. However, when con-
sternation and apprehension were at their height, the flames
sensibly diminished, as the consequence of the very great and
well-directed exertions which were made by the firemen. At
four o'clock the fire was mastered, without further damage
than the destruction of the premises belonging to Messrs.
Price and Co., and Messrs. Hoppe, and considerable injury to
those of Messrs. Capel.
The origin ofthe fire is not known with accuracy ; but it is
generally supposed to have been occasioned by the running
over of some turpentine in the boiling-house.
Immediately that the directors of the gas-works became
aware of the imminent danger in which they were placed,
messengers were dispatched to all the shopkeepers and large
establishments in the vicinity to request that they would
instantly light up the gas in their various premises, and thus,
by lowering the quantity in the gasometer, considerably de-
crease the amount of damage that would have occurred had
an explosion taken place. This request was of course com-
plied with, and the shops in Fleet- street and neighbourhood
consequently presented the unusual appearance of being all
lighted up at mid-day. Gas was also withdrawn from the
gasometers. by being allowed to escape at a distance from the
scene of conflagration—the atmosphere thus becoming im-
pregnated with a strong gaseous odour. The promptitude of
the directors in adopting these precautionary measure is de-
serving of the highest commendation, whose forethought
might thus have been the means of preventing a much more
fearful calamity than even the fire itself.
FURTHER AND LATEST PARTICULARS.
The fire originated in that part of the premises termed the
turpentine warehouse, a large brick building, sixty feet long
and fifty feet wide, situate on the western side of the works,
and adjoining the property of Messrs. Hoppe.
The flames at one time ascended at least 100 feet above the
buildings ; they were seen at a great distance, and the smoke
spread over Bridge-street, Fleet-street, Chancery-lane, and
the river, in such dense masses, as to obscure the light of day,
and render respiration extremely difficult. The heat was
also insupportable where the engines were placed, and was
felt at a considerable distance. The man who lost his life is
supposed to have been working at the engine that was de-
stroyed ; in all probability he missed his way when he re-
treated, and, instead of jumping into the river, became fixed
against a wooden gate, and was compelled to remain in that
situation until the flames came upon him, and burnt him to
death. A very small portion of his body was found, which
was instantly conveyed to the bone-house to await a coroner's
inquest. He is supposed to be a man who was occasionally
employed about the wharfs.
The engine belonging to the Farringdon station is entirely
consumed, and the floating engine scorched.
The property and premises are insured in the West of Eng-
land and Alliance offices.
It will, perhaps, allay the alarm of those whose friends are
missing to state ;that, at the conclusion of an inquest, on
Tuesday, Mr. Payne, the City Coroner, said he had, up to that
time, received intimation of only one death.
The loss in the aggregate, it is of course at present impos-
sible to ascertain, but up to eight o'clock last night it was
thought to exceed 20,0001.
It is impossible to award too much praise to the gallant
men by whose efforts this most fearful fire was extinguished.
From the hour of three to sunset Blackfriars-bridge was
almost impassable, and strongly reminded several elderly
gentlemen of the terrific fire some fifty years since, at the
Albion Mills, on the Surrey side of the river, when, as a
subsequent distich ran :
" The fire blazed so fierce and fast,
Blackfriars-bridge could not be passed."

METROPOLITAN POOR-LAW ASYLUMS
FOR THE DESTITUTE AND HOUSELESS.
On Tuesday a meeting of the delegates appointed by thelparish of
St. Marylebone to wait upon the Poor-law Commissioners, took place
at the Court House, Marylebone-lane, for the purpose of arranging
the plan of opposition, and the grounds upon which they considered
themselves entitled to be exempted from the interference of the Com-
missioners.
Mr. Churchwarden Daniell presided, and the following were agreed
upon, as the premises upon which !the parish of St. Marylebone de-
mand exemption, from the order of the Commissioners forcing them
into union with other parishes for the erection and management of
metropolitan district asylums :
" 1. That the relief of the poor of the parish of St. Marylebone
has been hitherto administered by a Board of Directors and Guar-
dians elected under the provisions of a local Act of Parliament to the
satisfaction of the ratepayers of the parish.
" 2. That the 7th and Bth Victoria, under which the Commissioners
seek to exercise their power of uniting the parish in an asylum dis-
trict, distinctly recofrnises the unity and the sufficiency of the parish
and its existing government for the general purposes of relief. That
the power given to the Commissioners: of uniting parishes in
asylum districts is a discretionary power, and that its exercise, as
far as relates to including the parish of St. Marylebone in any such
district is both unnecessary and uncalled for, as destructive of the
unity of the local government, subversive of the independence of the
Board of Directors and Guardians, and calculated to excite the
greatest hostility on the part of the ratepayers, who are satisfied
with the existing regulations for the relief of the poor.
" 3. That the wants of the poor have been properly attended to
in the parish of St. Marylebone, and no inconvenience experienced
in providing for the class contemplated to be relieved in the district
asylums. That the extent of the North Western Metropolitan
Asylum district would expose destitute houseless poor persons to
great hardship, by being conveyed in the custody of the police to
many miles distant from the place where they may be found des-
titute. That if it is deemed essential that an asylum should be
provided! for this class of persons distinct from the workhouse, the
authorities of the parish of St. Marylebone will provide such
asylum for the poor found destitute in the parish, as they are em-
powered to do under the local Act, antheir local Independence being manage such asylum they
are fully capable of doing, without
subverted, or submitting to the injustice of having to contribute
nearly one-third of the expenses for the providing and maintaining
a district asylum, in which eight parishes are included."

THE ARMY.— STAFF.—Colonel Sir Charles O'Don-
nell is ordered to proceed from Waterford to Killeshandra, county
Cavan, there to be stationed in command of the troops in the coun-
ties of Fermanagh, Donegal, Antrim, Cavan, and Armagh, and acting
under Major-General Sir George H. F. Berkeley, K.C.8., command-
ing the Belfast district. Lieut.. General the Right Hon. Sir Edward
Blakeney, K,C.8., commanding the 'trees in Ireland, has left Dublin
cot a Om