Star.
London, England, 1829-06-12 00:00:00

RkPLO.SIOiI OF A POWDER MILL

-
• Wednesday morning. between the hours of 30 and
II the inhabitants of Hounslow. Hampton
Twickenham. and Hat:worth, were thrown into the ut-
most alarm by the blowing up of the corning house of,
the powder mill on Hounslow Heath, with the &strip.
tion of two of the workmen employed on the works.
The•names of the unfortunate men sacrificed are Robt.
Barrett. aged 37, and Henry Bird, aged 28.
• The mills are the property of Messrs. Curtis, Harvey,
and Co. and within the last three years no less than
three explosions have taken place on the site where the
present catastrophe occurred. So great was the shock,
that the whole of the premises, which are situate above
1,000 yards from the corning house, are more or less
injured. The olegant- mansion'of Lady Tollemache. at
Hanworth, suffered considerably. the windows bring
completely demolished. At the moment of the etplo.
sion her Ladyship's steward, an elderly man named
Stokes, was leaning out of a window, and was literally
knocked backwards, the fragments of glass sticking in
various parts of the body; the injuries he received, how-
ever, are but super ficial. Immediately on the calamity
taking place, Mr. Harvey, the junior partner, ordered
the whole orbit people to the scene of devastation. On
their arrival. a most appalling sight presented itself;
the corning house was blown to shivers, huge masses
of brick-work, portions of large wheels and planks of
timber, were lying in various directions. the whole of a
blackish hue, produced by the powder; the trees sur-
rounding the house demolished are quite destrilyed,
many of them being blown - into the dams in the vici•
nityi- Search was immediately made for the bodies of
the-onhappy men who had perished. -Barrett' was dit-
to:grid 'about 50 or 60 feet from ihe'dte of the Corning
house across some water; his body was similated io a
shocking degree; both his legs were blown off; his
death must have been instantaneous, from his head
being crushed fiat. Bird was found a short distance
from him, but in a much more horrid condition ; his
body was nearly severed just above the hips; both his
thighs and legs were laid open to the bones, the muscles
protruding; every other bone in the body was broken.
Both the bodies were removed to a shed near the mills.
preparatory to the Idqoest. Information having been
forwarded to Mr. Stirling, the Cormier; yesterday after.
noon was fixed for the inquiry.
Accordingly, at three o'clock, the Coroner arrived at
the mills, and a' respectable Jury having been empanel•
led, the following evidence was taken touching the
dreadful event:

Mr. Curtis and Mr. Harvey were preseat, and were
particularly anxious that every fict connected with the
melancholy transaction should be brought forward.
John Hanson, examined—l hive been employed at
the powder mills of Messrs. Curtis and Harvey for the,
last 26 years; the deceased men were in the same em-
ploy. Barrett bad held his situation for 20 years and I
upwards, and was thoroughly acquainted with the
busi-
ness; Bird has been wan us about six years; for the,
last six months Barrett and Bird have been engaged in
the corning house, where the powder is removed to from
I the press house in hard substantes ; it is then pounded
by mallets, and run through sieves. which are moved by
machinery. On Wedne.day morning last, .about seven
o'clock, I brood fasted with the deceased men and others.
at which time they were both sober, and in their usual
state ot health; atter breakfast they went to their work.
I was employed at the water-mill about half-past ten
o'ctifick, when I was alarmed by a tremendous explasion,
and on looking in the direct on of the corning-hone,
saw•smut* and large pieces of timber flying in the air;
I instantly knew the cause, and that the men were inc•
Ivitably 'sacrificed. After my alarm had subsided. I went
with( several other workmen to the spot, and found the
corning-house razed' to the ground, the heavy iron
wheels connected with the machinery were broken in
pieces and thrown in various directions. The witness
concluded his evidence by deposing to finding the bodies
in the situ 'iron ahead y described.
I. By the Coaourta-1 have never worked in the corn-
ing house.
• By a Juror— Every possible precaution is taken to
preient an accident.

Juror—Barett had worked 16 years in the corning
houses, and always conducted the machinery.
By the Cotton's—At the time of the accident there
were ten barrels of powder in the corning house, each
weighing one cwt.
Juror—The men are not allowed to wear buttons on
their clothes, or nails in their shoes.

Cowman—l cannot any way account Tor the accident.
By' a Juror--h is possible grit may have entered into
jhe wsachinery, which, producing frictiuu, caused the
powder to ignite.
Juror—The powder in the corning house was of the
finest quality, used expressly fnr shooting.
Mr. John Mathewson, engineer—l constructed the
whole of the machinery used in the mill which has ex-
ploded, and am employed by the proprietdrs to super-
intend the same; the machinery is on the best possible
•principle, so as to prevent accident: six days prior to
Ot.calamity I inspected the whole, and found that it
Was in as good condition as when.first made; I cannot
its any away account for the catastrophe.
ty a Juror—l certainly am of opinion that ignition
Nay litre been produced by friction caused by the in-
;tipdiiktion of some grit into the machinery.
Special other witnesses were essamined, 'ADM tSsti-
Armies, however, did not throw any light as fo tbe Wise
of the disaster.

7 Mi. Curds said, that since the last explosion, which
Stitifed on the 12th of August. 1827. every possible
sh7eap's basilseen adopted to prevent a recurrence of the
same, Nit unfortunately without the .desired effect.
• The Canova badly addressed the 'July, who re.'
-turned a' verdict, “That the deceased men were killed
by the accidental explosion of the corning house."
Barrett has left a widow and six childiea.aud Bird a
widow and four children.

At an early boor yesterday morning a ire broke out
ori thri premises of a greengrocer, named Hatchings,
Green's-yard, Peter-street. Berwick-street, which waa
subdued in about forty minutes without doing material
damage.
•
Tns BALLoos.--Mr. Green and his companion
alighted near . Kingston upon Thames, after a very
pleasant trip. The aeronauts returned to the point
whence they had set out about.eleven o'clock.
We understand that Government have resolved to
make a grant for re-building the edifices of Sc. Andrew's
College, which is now in a state of ruinous decay. The
suss we have heard named is 103,0001. The money,
rill, Of course, be paid out by annual instalments, like
the grant for building Edinburgh
The celebrated chesnut tree, the property of Lord
PACRE at.Tamworth, GloracesterOire, is the oldest, .if
not the largest tree in England, having -this year at.
coined the age of. 1,029 years, and being.fifty-two feet
round; and yet such vigour remains in a that it bore
nuts two years
.ago from which yowl trees are pow
Win raised.,

Si9RTING ItiTELUOWCZ.

TATTeas A 1.18.
•
The bitting yesterday was much brawler (ban We meld bay*
impacted so soon after the settling for the Derby. whiab seemed to
be quite forgotten. Zimmer wag backed for the Cep to • large
amesot. the Colonel and Idameleke being less in rower in come-
quence--.Cadland and Lamplighter also declined. The esgap.
meets on this Cup are unusually Beaty. Potties beim de nos
Sod many backers for the Bt. Leger. the betting on which was
chiefly on ostAders. 'llse prices at dining were sioft—s
ASCOT 50i..0 cur.
3 to I silt The Colonel (taken freely)
7to Mannish.
4 to 1 -- Zismosee
9 to I Lamplighter (taken)
10 to I Cadland (taken)
It to I Green Mande (taken)
11 to 1 Varna
SO to 1 &mem& (takes)
20 to 1 BobadUla
20 to 1 Merchant
20 to t Lady Zany
30 to 1 Lapdog

ST. Licosa.

9 to 1 apt &wenn
1 to 1 Sir Hercules
11 to 1 Frederic
111 to 1 Lawn Sleeves
13 to 1 Szipieite •
13 to I Vokalro
14 to 1 -- barsteriab
15 to 1 Apoi a
3o to 1 Pek (taken)
13 to I Wince Sops, (taken)
35 to 1 Fortitude
40 to 1 Sir IL Dodavrottles two (taken)
50 to 1 Libylow
1000. to 15 Netberby
1000 to 13
1000 to 15 Georgians (Lord Ketbornee)
Even between See and Geld.
. -

SAILING MATCH.
Yesterday the silver cup annually given by the 11untes Tula
Oub was tailed for by the following boats:
• Named. Tons. Owners. When of. Minis ish.
log F
Rasulatieo 19 A. Milne, Rasp Oneewith. • Yellow.Lgs.
Lady Louisa 13 T. Smith, EMI. Rotberbithe. Purple.
Greyhound, .it I.l.Hopwood, Re. Greenwich. Per. & Scar.
I Vixen l9 T. Groves, Rol. Ruthethithe, Red.
Mel and
lab Roy II W. Rua, Req. Milbank. I Scarlet die.
quered.
Royal Ragle 19 T. Stoke% Req. Rodierbithe. Pink.
Yda . 23 I. Forff, Req. Blackmail. White.
The boats maned from Greenwich a few minutes before eleven
o'clock, the Rob Roy taking the lead. OR Barking Creek the Lady
Louisa and the Zondation gained on the £rat boat. and se= came
demised* of her. Ikre the des was very {sweating, for the three
Mats, vrlth their mile fell of wind, eenthmed abreast Geese!' other
foe some time. At length Emuladoe get a heed, leaving Rob Roy,
however, bee at a abort diem* behind her. Ac North Omani
Rob Roy again obtaised the lead. and at one time left her comp,.
titers Nearly two miles behind het. It was originally settled that
the boats should all from Greenwich to Gravesend. ad heck aga}h
to Greenwich, but the wind being adverse, aid the tide not eerviag,
the boats went DO farther than Nortiilleer, and passing round a we-
eel proceeded back again to Greenwich. Rob Rey being first. Mew
lethal second, Lady Louise third, Yds fourth, and Royal Italie
fifth ; the other two vessels, we believe, having given up contending
for the prize Rub Roy, on returning. soon began to lose ground.
and she was
ation. passed eaceeesively by the Yds. the Lady Louisa. and
the Emul

•
At Greenwich, the boats came in in the following order-4.64y
Louisa. lit; Yds, Sd; Emulation, lid; Royal Eagle. 4th; sod
Rob Rey. al ; and the silver cup was presented, amidst the cheers
of the spectators, to Mr. Smith, the cotuntander of the soecessful
boat. This notch may be considered as good a ate as any that ha.
been seUed ref many years. The prise was m well contested. that
it was quite uncertain, till the boats got neer to Greenwich, which
would be the winner • and• it will be seen how much calculation
on this point was defed. when we state that the two boats which
were veep amisidevably behind going dowel the river. came in first
and second at Greenwich. The river presented a gay and animated
appearance, in consequence of the brighnesr of the day, and the
number of sailing boats which accompanied the match. and which
often presented the appearance, when crowded together. of a insail
lest advancing up the river.
GRAND ROWING MATCH.
• BETWEEN THE OXONIANS AND CANTABS.
This nsatch came 4 on Wednesday evening in Henley {teach.
The Oeford mem won easily. to the utter dismay of their opponents
sari th. r friends.
CONCLUSION OR THE HOLIDAY MATCHES OF
. • WRRSTLING AND SINGLE STICK.
Yesterday the amateurs again mastered in considerable numbers,
to witness the windup of Obese sports, which, in their prugress,
had Riven the most undivided satisfaction.
The triple play was commenced by Crocker, jun. and Seamy,
both men in miniature, but of superfine materials; and slier
very lengthy and interesting bout, the latter was thrown Surly.
Young Chapple nest disposed of LlUerup, summarily and sales
rectally.
Copp and Jaws nest played a doe turn. In which Jones earns
of second best.

Ge.mge Saunders and Middleton were nest called, mad bait an
hour's first•rateplay gave the company a high treat. The merits
of themes were so level, that it appeared anybody's back, Ott
Saunders was ultimately seccessfvL
aver and Pyle appeared determined to do something, hut in the
first foil Pyle was undermost, and seriously injured his baud,
whereby he was compelled to say " enough." and resign.
James Rook and Finney were the two last in this play; the
former anxious to recover the fall given hint by Finney at Chelsea,
and the latter doubly anakteato keep the honour he Mere achieved.
He was, however, fated to lose his laurels, bat nos disgracefully.
and was thrown finely after twenty minutes** sharp play.
' In the singlemick play, little Avery. the baker, appeared in a
new character, and actually gut the third prize, being wriest in
his career towards the first by coming in contact with the chem.
pion Stone. The second was awarded to Gabriel &one, who
broke the head of Webb, after a very spirited turn.
The six men left to contend fur the five prises at wrestling were
Rook. (neer, and Saunders. Cornish; and Crocker, ban. Copp,
and yews, Clap*, .Devoushire. On its being alliSolanesol that
the men would be matched according to their Menlo, and not
Devoe against Cornwall.considerable dissatisheikes was eapressed;
but a very sharp boot (in which some of the asses tremendous
kicking ass gives no both sides), between Crocker and Cha pie,
for a time restored good launnour. The former was successful.
Copp and Saunders played a pretty turn. hot the latter atm.
plaited of being hurt and resigned.
James Rook and Over. it pellet thee very late, t• 54.4 for the
back. and Giver was successful. lie afterwards threw Copp, and
became entitled to the het petite of ill; Copp received the
second ; Crocker the third; Rook the lour* ; and Sauedere
kbe fifth.
THE FANCY.
Frank Redmond and Barney Aaron are matched again to fight
for £lOO aside. within two months.

Lei lIRPOOL, Joss 10.—Ike sake of Cotton today aniesat to
1,000 bap, of Which 1,000 bags are • Brazils, and 400 Egyptians.
• '
There is Mess cones offering la the Market.
• CORN—EXCHANGE, HARK—LANE. Jeirs•ii. •
Altheash the weather is unfavourable for the Spring Cora. the
oenvery Is the ease as regards Wheat, the appearance of which is
RISK prondeings added to which, the geandty of this Grata In the
smantry is more than sulkies* to carry as beyond the harvest.—.
This eneralog Wheat was loffectaally offered at a redaction of it*.
per loaner. Barley was doff sale, bat not cheaper. Oau a brisk
sale, at Mooday'sprices.

USIMOSIG.I2IIIIIII UV= 1111101111. T.
Most, Eng,kb (vs.) . 11,1100 Foreign .
Iridt . .- oats. &gush
Foreign . . 8,100 Irish .
autisy. English . Lan Foreign .
, ; ldsli • . - Flew (sicks) ..

i.too
. 10,:co
3,200

11.11150
. 4.8C41

SMITHFIELD MARKET. Just If.
Ca T At MAIXIT.
Beasts US j Sheeg sod Lambe 9,700 Pigs lib I Calves X 74
Bee( . • 34 194 to 8s 441 Veal . . 4s 1141 to 54-'4d
Matta .41 04 de 84 Pork . . 4• 44 Ss, .44
Lomb • sr 04 is tod
Bay Per leads set Os- to 44 Os. Clover is Os. to 41
OL
Straw al 18s. to set ts.
COAL MARKET—Tins Mr at Out.
There was a very small supply of the different sons of Coal at
matte Way, wily elms new ships haying arrayed since Wed-
nesday isstotehitg a total on the. week's arrival 40 only 51 ships,
The wig*N Coal daring the moist Esau is kw been very imitcd.
awe I=l4 arrived frees Jose let to this day inclusive, 9$ ships.
Hit lirdelitolstso was doing at the Exchange to..isy.
int %limit Cods . sfs. od. au. Id.
Other sorts • . Ns. Od. 38s. 04.
sips at Market, LS.