The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-04-13 00:00:00

On Tuesdey afternoon an alarm was spread in Dow-
lais and Merthyr that a dreadful accident had happened
at the Dowlais Iron Works, by which a number of men
had lost their lives. Numbers hurried to the spot, and
found that there was too much reason for the report, as a
portion of one of the furnaces in what are called the old
works, at Dowlais, had given way and buried eight men
under the ruins, and had endangered the lives of six
more, who escaped with some slight injuries, but not
without much alarm. A gang of twelve volunteers was
immediately formed, who commenced the work of dig-
ging out the bodies without a moment's delay, and here
we cannot help expressing our admiration and respect for
the gallant fellows who volunteered in this service of

danger to rescue their fellow workmen from death, as it
is quite impossible to view the spot without acknow-
ledging that they were exposed to the most imminent
peril even by approaching the place, but much more so
when a moment's reflection might satisfy them that every
stone they loosened and removed from over the bodies of
their comrades might bring down sudden destruction on
their own heads. In order that the nature of the acci-
dent may be understood it is necessary to state that the
furnace is composed .of four square walls outside and a
circular wall in the inside, and that the space between the
inner and outer walls is filled up with loose stones and,
earth, which have become so closely compacted as to
form one solid mass. In consequence of decay in a por-

tion of the inner or circular wall the outer wall and the
intervening stones, &c., were pierced, that the necessary
repairs might be effected, and a space cleared for the men
to carry on the work. Aware, however, of the insecure
nature of this intervening mass, a scaffolding was raised
over the workmen to protect them in case of any of the
stones giving way. This having been done the men
commenced their labour s and went on with their work
till three o'clock on Tuesday, when an alarm was given
that the loose stones were giving way, but only one man
was able to leave the hole where they were at work when
the whole mass, to the weight, it is estimated, of 100
tons, came down on the scaffolding, smashing it to pieces
and burying eight men in a state that scarcely left a hope
for the escape of one of them. There were six men at
work on an external scaffold that ran along the front of
the furnace, one of whom was knocked down by a blow
from a stone, but he sustained but little injury from his
fall. Mr. John Evans had a narrow escape for his life,
being under the arch at the time. Hearing the crash he
ran to the corner of the furnace bottom. Every one on
the spot thought the whole front wall was coming down.
As soon as the persons present could collect their scat-
tered thoughts the work of removing the ruins began,
but in consequence of the space at which the men could
work being so small, only one could be engaged at a time
inside, and it was not until six that the first man, David
Jones, who was dug from the ruins, was taken out. He
was buried up to his neck, but was protected as he lay
by the fallen timber, so that his life was preserved, but
he was dreadfully crushed. He has a wife and children,
and is about 37 years of age. In another hour William
Price, aged 29, was dug out. He had been buried to the
middle, but his injuries are not great. He has a wife and
two children. At eight o'clock a third man named John
Jones, aged 33, and having a wife and family, was ex-
tricated, but in a shockingly bruised state. These three
have been able to speak all the time and thus their de-
liverers are cheered with the assurance that their labours
were not in vain in trying to safe life ; but after eight
o'clock all was silent, and every man felt the conviction
that the victims when rescued would only be taken from
one grave to be laid in another, and so it happened, for
after seven hours more additional labour through the
dreadful and anxious night, at three o'clock in the morn-
ing one of the sufferers was reached and found to be
quite dead ; at six two more were dug out, and about
eight two more, all dead, and mangled in the most fright-
ful manlier. We have examined the hole (a duty scarcely
free from danger) in' which these unfortunate men were
at work, and were surprised how they could find room
to move much more to work in so confined a space. The
conduct of a little boy, aged 10, sou of David Thomas,
one of those who was killed, was very affecting. He
remained by the ruins all night, and would not believe
for a long time that his father was among the slain.

ECCLESIASTICAL

AND UNIVERSITY

INTELLIGENCE

PROMOTIONS.
Rev. G. Pickard, M. A. to the Rectory of Warmwell,
with Pokeswell annexed, void by the death of the Rev. G.
Pickard, sen.; patrons, the representatives of the late J.
Trenchard, Esq.
Rev. R. Jeffreys, B. D. Fellow of St. John's College,
Cambridge, to the Rectory of Cockfield, Suffolk, vacant by
the death of the Rev. R. Bligh, B. D.; patrons, the Master
and Fellows of St. John's College.
Rev. Thomas Lund, B. D., Fellow of St. John's College,
Cambridge, to the Rectory of Morton, Derbyshire, vacant
by the death of the Rev. R. B. Turbutt ; patrons, the Mas-
ter and Fellows of St. John's College.
Rev. G. Cardew, M. A. to the Vicarage of North New-
ington with Little Knoyle, Wiltshire, void by the cession of
the Rev. Jos. Sam. Stockwell ; patron, the Rev. J. S. Stock-
well.

Rev. Chris. Alderson, Rector of Kirkheaton, Yorkshire,
:o be one of the Domestic Chaplains of the Duchess of

Leeds.
Rev. Frederick Teed, M.A. of Jesus College, Cambridge,
to the Rectory of Michael's, Lewes, void by the resignation
of the Rev. Dr. Proctor.
Rev. F. C. Cook, to be Secretary to the London Diocesan
Board, and Inspector of Church Schools in London and
Middlesex.
Rev. It. Eden, Rector of Leigh, Essex, to be the Inspector
of Schools in that county.
ReA. T. Hathornthwaite, to be Curate of Runcorn,
Cheshire.
Rev. G. A. E. Marsh, to be Rural Dean of Bangor.
Rev. F. Meade, to be Curate of Newton Purcell, in this
county.
Rev. A. Phillips, to be Head Master of Chelenhain Gram-
mar School.
Rev. C. K. Prescot; to be Rural Dean of Macclesfield.
Rev. J. S. Dunn, to the Perpetual Curacy of Manningtree,
Essex ; patron, the Rector of Mistley.
Rev. W. S. Hartley, to the Vicarage of Laughton-en•le-
Morthern ; patron, Rev. L. V. Harcourt.
Rev. F. Lloyd, to the Rectory of Great Hampden, with
the Vicarage of Great Kimble, Buckinghamshire ; patron,
the Earl of Buckinghamshire.

itAILWAY ACCIDENT.—EarIy on Wednesday morning
last an accident, unhappily attended with the loss of life of
one individual and the serious injury of others, occurred on
the Bristol & Gloucester railway, by the blowing out of a plug
from the boiler of one of the bank engines, on the inclined
plane near Brornsgrove station, by which Mr. Wm Creuze,
the engineer of locomotives, was so dreadfully scalded that
he died in about twenty four hours after. Two or three
other persons, who were on the engine and tender at the
time, were also more or less injured, but they are all in a fair
way of recovery.

About ten minutes before 2 o'clock on Wednesday morn-
ing the greatest •alarm was created in the vicinity of Clerk-
enwell by the outbreak of a fire, the most destructive that
has taken place in that portion of the metropolis for several
years, in Myddelton-street, near the end leading into St.
John-street-road. It commenced on the premises belonging
to Mr. Turner, floorcloth and table-cover manufacturer,
which occupied an area of considerable dimensions at the
back of the houses on the north side of the street above-
mentioned, and also those on the south of Lloyd's-row, op-
posite the well-known Islington Spa Wells.
The premises were extensive, consisting of three brick
buildings—the factory, between 50 and 60 feet long, 40 in
depth, and three stories high ; the japan and store-rooms (a
building two stories high and upwards of 60 feet in length) ;
and anothe building of the same dimensions, used for dry-
ing floorcloth after being manufactured. With respect to
the er gin of the fire, no idea can at present be formed.
It appear; that at six o'clock yesterday morning the work-
men came t 3 their work as usual, and at eight o'clock they
went to brea'cfast, and on their return to the manufactory,
at half-past eight o'clock, to all appearance it seemed safe.
Scarcely, however, had they commenced their labours before
a cry was raised that the japan-rooms were on fire ; and such
turned out to be too true, for the entire place was found to
be enveloped in flames.
Immediately that the alarm was raised in the neighbour-
hood, a scene of the greatest confusion and terror ensued
amongst the inhabitants. The burning premises being com-
pletely surrounded with dwelling-houses, the excitement of
the inmates, fearing that the flames would, extend to them,
was beyond all measure ; goods and furniture of all descrip-
tions were thrown out of windows into the street and carried
td•places of safety, and many of the inhabitants removed to
where the fire never could have reached. The police from
the stations in Clerkenwell soon came up in strong bodies,
and shortly after the engine belonging to the parish arrived.
There was an abundance of water to be had from the plugs,
but from some cause or other it was not got into operation.
This circumstance, as may be imagined, increased the excite-
ment, for by that time the flames were appearing over the tops
of the houses in huge volumes, and, although the sun was
shining with all its brilliancy, the fire showed a great light,
and could be observed from all parts of Clerkenwell. There
was an immense quantity of paint, japan, varnish, and
other ingredients of a highly inflammable description in
the various buildings, which added to the fury of the flames
and quickened the destruction of the numerous buildings
which was complete, as before stated, in an hour. By half-
past 10 o'clock the tire was considerably got under, and
there was no fear of further sacrifice of property taking
place. Five men in Mr. Turners's employ had a most mi-
raculous escape from a horrible death. They, it appears,
were at work in the paint-loft of the factory, which was on
the uppermost story, when the fire broke out, and were
not apprised of it until they saw the flames beating
against the factory windows from the roof of the ja-
pan rooms beneath. They one and all rushed to the
staircase, but on reaching the landing found it impos-
sible to descend, for the stairs were all alight, and the
fire was rushing up with great violence; they returned,
and slid down the pillars which supported the roof through
the centre of the building, where the floor-cloth is hung
for drying, but on arriving at the basement their escape
by the front of the factory was found also to be an impossi-
bility, as the devouring element was furiously raging on both
sides of the yard, and perish they thought they must.
Luckily one of them spied a blocked up door at the back of
the factory, which led to the backs of the houses in Myd-
delton-street. By this time the smoke had almost suffo-
cated them, but by a strong effort they burst the door open,
and they escaped in five minutes after the factory was in
flames.

The loss is between £3,000 and £3,500. There are w
many as 14 houses damaged by the fire in Myddelton-stree
and Lloyd's-row. The greater portion of the consume(
property is insured in the Sun and Union Fire Offices.

MINIATURE CARRIAGE FOR THE PRINCESS ROYAL.—
A most elegant little carriage has just been completed, for
the use of the Princess Royal, to enable the infant Princess
to take occasional airings with her Majesty through the walks
in the gardens of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
It is a tasteful little affair, the body resting within a few
inches of the ground, and admirably adapted to the purposes
for which it will be required. A pair of beautiful Shetland
ponies, in perfect keeping as to s►ze with the carriage, have
recently been purchased, and the whole " tur❑ out" will be
an attractive novelty. The ponies are so excedingly tracta-
ble and docile, that, it may be said, " even a child might
drive them." It is expected that this Lilliputian affair will
be used for the first time upon the arrival of the court at
Windsor at Easter.

EXTENSIVE FIRE AND NARROW ESCAPE OF THE FAMILY.
—Between one and two o'clock on Monday morning a most
alarming fire broke out in the Elephant and Castle public-
house, kept by Mr. Leidard, High-street, Whitechapei. The
family, it appears, had closed the house at the usual hour on
Sunday night, when, to all appearance, everything was per-
fectly safe, and in the course of half an hour afterwards the
whole of the inmates were in bed. At the above-named hour,
as police constable Beed, No. 50 of the H division, who was
on duty, was passing the house, he observed a very great
light in the place, which, not noticing before, excited his sus-
picions that the house was on fire, and upon a minute exa-
mination, he found his fears were realised. He directly
sprang his rattle, when police constables Nos. 14 and 98 came
to his aid. With a judgment which reflects great credit on
them they prevented the door and shutters from being forced
open by the neighbours, and thus saved the lives of the in-
mates. Some minutes elapsed before they were aroused, and
when they appeared at the windows it was ascertained by the
police that the stairs were on fire, and the only mode of es-
cape was from the windows. Unfortunately no ladders could
be obtained in the neighbourhood, and as the fire was assum-
ing a terrific aspect, the policemen saw that the only means
which was left to them to assist the inmates in their escape,
was to adopt the following plan. One stood close to the
front of the house, and the next one got upon his shoulders,
and thus reached the lead beneath the first floor window,

having fixed themselves firmly they then called to Mr. and
Mrs. Leidard, the maid servant, and pot-boy, who were at
the second floor window, to get out and lower themselves

down. The two females were accordingly assisted out by
Mr. Leidard and the boy, and were caught by the police and
lowered down in safety, the men following the example. The
police maintained their perilous position, although the smoke
which issued from the apertures in the shutters nearly suffo-
cated them, until they were certain that all had escaped.
Their heroic conduct was loudly cheered by the spectators.

A CHILD SOLD FOR A SOVEREIGN !—SODIe months back
a curious story appeared in a London paper, and was copied
into some of the Manchester papers, stating that a gentle-
man, in coming on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway,
had bantered a good-looking woman in one of the carriages
about selling her infant, and had taken the child into his
arms, and given her a sovereign for it, intending to return
his charge at the station, but where he found, to his surprise,
that the mother had taken him at his word, and left him to
make the best of his bargain. It was also stated that, hav-
ing a wife and a family at home, he was afraid to acquaint
them with his odd bargain, and had taken the child to the
police-office, leaving a sum of money for its maintenance,
till the mother should be found. Latterly, the child has
been placed in the workhouse, where a nurse was provided
for it, all inquiries after the mother proving fruitless. A
short time ago, a soldier's wife, named Jane Castleman, who
had been with the 79th Highlanders at Ashton-in-the-Wil-
lows, and had left that place with them, returned there to
take up her residence ; and on her acquaintances inquiring
about the child she had taken away with her, she gave an
account which did not gain credence, and ultimately she was
taken into custody by Sergeant Oakes, of the county consta-
bulary, on suspicion of having murdered the child. She
then confessed that she had parted with it to a gentleman on
the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, and had never heard
of it since.—On Friday week she was brought before Mr.
Maude, at the New Bailey, when the overseers of Manches-
ter preferred a charge of desertion against her. The guard
of the railway train, however, who had witnessed the sale
of the child, stated that Castleman had done everything she
could to get back her child all the way to Manchester, but
that the man refused to give it up, taking it into the omni-
bus when he got off the train, where she was afraid to follow
him, because she had no money beyond the sovereign, which
she expected he would reclaim. The prisoner herself stated
that the gentleman had said, during the journey, that he
should put up at a certain public-house, and that she after-
wards went there, but could not find him—On hearing this,
Mr. Maude discharged the prisoner, regretting that it was
joke too nt
oh his
o far, poawnedr compel bringhi them
t emareni
muhp, w
er
sehtoh
eh apd a carriedrish h
in theis
expense of keeping the child.— It appeared that the woman's
husband is a soldier in the 69th Infantry, which had gone to
Australia, whither sbe was not allowed to follow him. The
child was ordered to be given up to her.—Manchester Con.
rier.