The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-09 00:00:00

DREADFUL CONFLAGRATION.

On Saturday morning, about two o'clock, the whole of
th 3 southern part of London was thrown into a state of
the utmost excitement, in consequence of the outbreak
of a most extensive fire.

The premises in which the fire originated was in the
occupation of Mr. Cleave Hooper, an extensive tanner
and factor, situate in the Spa-road, Bermondsey. The
principal building was a warehouse, entirely constructed
of wood, termed a barkbarn, having an altitude of 80
feet. It was 60 feet in depth and 100 in length. This
was adjoined by the engine and boiling-house, extensive
drying lofts, also built of wood, the area in front forming
the tan-pits, being covered by an immense roofing.

The fire appears to have been discovered at a few mi-
nutes after two o'clock by the police, but before the con-
stables had time to communicate the discovery, the
flames burst out with frightful violence, encircling the
whole of that line of property in a general blaze.
In about ten minutes the parish engine of Bermondsey
arrived, but some time elapsed before it could be brought
into operation. Before then, however, an engine from
the brigade station in Southwark-bridge-road, under
the charge of Mr. Henderson, the foreman of the southern
division of the establishment, and was immediately fol.
lowed by the engine from Tooley-street station. In
addition to the boiling and engine-house, the fire had
extended along the wbole line of drying lofts and work-
shops, to contiguou. property of the same class belong-
also a tanner. The engines of the
ing to Mr. INV.",
brigade, the moment they arrived, were supplied by a
good stream of water from the plugs. The firemen
used the utmost expedition in getting to work, their
attention being wholly directed to the preservation of the
warehouse, or bark barn ; the flames, however, beat
over from the opposite direction, and attacked the gable
end of the building, which instantly ignited. By three
o'clock the whole body of the warehouse was one solid
mass of fire, and the flames rose, in a huge bulk, to an
amazing altitude. A number of other engines of the
brigade had by this time reached the scene of desolation,
and were arranged in the best possible positions by. Mr.
Braidwood, the superintendent. Unfortunately the sup-
ply of water was so diminished by the great number of
engines got early to work, that very few could even-
tually be kept in play. These were judiciously brought
to bear on the remaining portion of Mr. Hooper's pre-
mises. The flames in that direction were stopped without
doing much damage to the adjoining building.
The conflagration, however, had communicated to two
stacks of tan in the yard at the back of the tan-pits ;
thence to the stabling, and lastly to another large bark
warehouse at the back of Mr. Hooper's bark barn, then
burned down the property of Messrs. Easton, tanners and
factors, approached by the same inlet as that which led
to the premises of Mr. Hooper. Immediately the disco-
very was made, two engines were taken round and got to
work, and all possible exertions were made to stop the
further progress of the fire. This was accomplished as
far as had reference to the outside of the bark stored
there ; but the fire having penetrated the heart of the
immense pile, it still continues to burn, and it is sup..
posed that it will continue to do so for several days to
come.

Up to ten o'clock the fire was still raging, although it
had a considerable time previously been so far checked,
as to guarantee that it would extend no further.
The amount of property destroyed was currently re-
ported to be at least 20,0001., but at present, of course, we
have no means of obtaining a real estimate.

SIR ROBERT AND LADY SALE.—These distin-
guished individuals arrived in Londonderry on Tuesday.
Immediately on their debarkation they were received by
a large number of respectable persons on the quay with
cheers and other demonstrations of respectful welcome.
They had been accompanied from Portrush by Sir R.
Bateson, Castrues ; Col. Cairnes, KG., and other gen-
tlemen, who interested themselves in the cordial wel-
come so deservedly prepared for the gallant general and
his lady. The worshipful the mayor (William Haslett,
Esq.), accompanied Sir Robert Sale to the house of John
Dysart, Esq., in Shipquay-street, to whom the hero of
Jellalabad is on a visit. The joy-bells rang merrily
through the day, and successive peals of artillery re-
sounded from the walls at intervals. The vessels in
the harbour were decorated :with flags in honour of Sir
Robert Sale's arrival. Sir Robert Sale will be enter-
tained at as sumptuous a banquet as Derry can afford, on
Friday next, in Corporation Hall, where be will be met
by as many gentry of the district as the Hall will ac-
commodate, and a ball will be given in honour of Lady
Sale on the Tuesday evening following.
SIGNS WINTER.—On Sunday evening a large
flock of wild geese passed over Chesterfield, on their
way, it is supposed, to the fens of Lincolnshire. Such a
circumstance at this early period of the season was
hardly ever known ; and it is considered to forebode an
early and severe winter.—Notts Review.
It ia stated that the wheats in this county, where
they have been got up hard and dry, weigh from 63 to
651bs. per bushel, and the quality is bold and handsome.
—Chelmsford Chronicle.
VAUXHALL GARDENS.—The portals of the " Royal
Property" are to be opened once more, and for the last
time, ere this splendid and favourite place of entertain-
ment is razed to the ground, it having been decreed that
it shall yield to the " march of brick and mortar" now
proceeding at such a rapid pace in itsvicinity. A grand
Indian equestrian entertainment is to be produced on
Monday afternoon, under the direction of Mr. Catlin,
when the loways will be encamped in their " wigwams"
both night and day in the inclosure of the gardens known
as the " Waterloo Ground," and which, from its now
being covered with grass, and surrounded by trees and
shrubs, completely resemblil an Indian prairie. The
warriors and chiefs of the party will appear on horse-
back, in saddles and trappings of their own manufacture,
and give their mode of warfare by exhibiting a slim
fight, in which their actions delineate the mode of ap-
proaching an enemy by hunting their track, and in tracing
them up, skulking after them, and at last, when the war-
whoop is sounded, of rushing on the attack. They will
also give the war, eagle, scalp, and other dances--dis-
play their skill in shooting with the bow and arrow, and
exhibit their ball play, &c. In the event of unpropitious
weather, the entertainment will take place in the Ro-
tunda Theatre.
A REASON AGAINST A RAILWAT.—One of the
hotel keepers at Bowness, Windermere, declared that
they. did not want a railway to the Lakes, " because it
will increase the number of visitors, and they are already
so full they don't know what to do"—like the fat boy,
blubbering over his pudding, because he couldn't eat any
more !—Railway Record.
When Lord Nelson first appeared at the levee at
St. James's, after losing his arm, his Majesty, acknow-
ledging his great services, added, "but your country has
a claim for a bit more of you."—Life of Lord Eldon.