The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-05-30 00:00:00

ANOTHER TIRE AT THE DUKE'S WARE-

HOUSES

It is only three weeks since we had to record the particu-
lars of au alarming fire that occurred in the eastern wing of
the fine pile of warehouses situate between the Duke's and
King's Docks ; and we have now again to describe another
conflagration which broke out, on Saturday evening last. in
the western wing of the same pile, and has proved little less
extensive, while it has, perhaps, destroyed quite as lare an
amount of property. In the brief interval we have had two
other destructive fires in this town, one in Formby-street,
on Saturday fortnight, and one in J ackson' s-lane, on Friday
week.

The fire of Saturday evening last was discovered about
half-past five o'clock, shortly after the men had quitted
work, when flames were seen issuing from the roofs of the
second and third warehouses from the western end of the
range. The police-officers on duty at the docks immediately
passed the word to the Fire Police-station, and we need not
say that the active officers of that establishment attended
promptly with the necessary apparatus. Engines: and wa-
ter-carts were on the ground, and the proper dispositions
made for contending with the fire, before six o'clock.
Mr. Whitty lost not a moment in ascertaining the pre-
cise aspect and probable direction of the fire. The flames
which arose from the roofs of the second and third ware-
houses were blown, by a rather fresh breeze from the north-
west, across those of the fourth and fifth warehouses, to both
of which they had communicated. Water was supplied
plentifully from the docks, and nine engines were soon
disposed in proper positions to draw up the liquid and to
play upon the buildings. Mr. Hewitt, the superintend-
ent of engines, with his accustomed alacrity mounted
to the roof of the first warehouse, or that bounding the
pile to the westward, and thence directed the play of wa-
ter through tie burning roofs of the adjoining structures,
while Mr. Whitty and Superintendent Leveratt ascended the
staircase of Nos. 7 warehouse, and on reaching the jigger-
loft found the roof all in a blaze, the fire making fearful pro-
gress towards the centre warehouse. Leveratt, by the direc-
tion of Mr. Whitty, carried the branch of No. 7 engine into
the jigger-loft, but from the intense heat and smoke was
compelled to retire in an almost fainting state, but was
promptly relieved by police-constable 355, Dixon, who was
unable to remain until the fire was cut off; the police-con-
stable got one of his whiskers very much singed. The water,
which was poured from the rooms on each side, however,
with that from a very powerful engine in front, soon beat
down the flames, but, as the fire raged in the midst of a mass
of cotton, in the two rooms immediately below :the jigger-
rooms, it was only on its outer surface, so to speak, that any
visible effect could be produced, and even that was anything
but permanent. The fire, indeed, for some time bore a most
threatening aspect, and it was evident, at length, that it was
burning in the second warehouse, through the floor below that
of the jigger-room, into the fifth room from the basement.
At this juncture Mr. George Hewitt, brother to the super-
intendent of engines, an extremely active and courageous
young man, was employed in the room last alluded to. He
was informed that Mr. Whitty, who wished to employ him
in some other quarter, was inquiring for him. Instead of
following his informant down stairs, he observed Cant lie
would take the shortest way, and ran to the ladder which was
reared up to that room. Blinded with the smoke he missed
his footing, and was precipitated from that vast height to
the pavement below. He was immediately taken up and
sent home in a car. We hear that, though greatly shaken
and much cut and bruised, he was not so seriously injured as
might have been apprehended. No bones we understand,
were broken.
In spite of all the endeavours that were made, the fire de-
scended to the two rooms (also filled with cotton) of the fifth
story of the second and third warehouses, where its further
progress was arrested, the whole of the four stories below
being saved. When all the engines were in fall play, immense
quantities of water were thrown incessantly into the burning
rooms and over the adjoining warehouses; but it was long
past eight o'clock before the fire was so far on the wane as
to give any lively hope that an ultimate mastery would he ob-
tained over it. From this time it gradually sunk, overpow-
ered by the means employed for its subjugation; and, by
ten o'clock, but slight apprehension was entertained of fur-
ther danger, particularly as the engines continued to play
upon the still smoking and, in some places, sparkling embers
with unabated vigour. In another hour or two all was con-
sidered safe, though the quenching and cooling process was
particularly continued.
The entire damage is variously estimated at £15,000 to
£20,000. The cotton consumed in the four rooms belonged
to Messrs. Melly, Prevost, and Co., and was insured in the
Royal Exchange Office, which company will suffer, with what
they have on the buildings, to the extent of about £5,000.
The ten warehouses of the pile are insured in unequal pro-
portions amongst various offices. The chief sufferers on the
present occasion are the Liverpool, the Sun, and, as before
mentioned, the Royal Exchange. Much grain and other pro-
perty in the lower rooms of the warehouses principally
damaged, and of those on each side, have received great in-
jury from the water. The grain, we are informed, is insured
in the Alliance Office.
[A meeting of borough magistrates took place yesterday
for the purpose of investigating the circumstances as to the
origin of this fire, but publicity is not to be given to the
proceedings.]

CHINESE EXHIBITION.—The Chinese exhibition is de-
cidedly the cheapest, most amusing, and instructive, now in
town, and those who have not visited it yet ought not to lose
any time in doing so. The dissolving views attract much at-
tention, and never fail to delight the spectator.
-

THE. ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—The Zoological Gardens
were crowded last evening with a fashionable and highly
respectable company. The grand tableau of the Siege of
Amoy excited the utmost enthusiasm. The fireworks were
of the most brilliant description, and many novel and
startling effects were produced. Every effort appeared to be
made to give satisfaction. The coloured tires upon the view
of Amoy produced a splendid and remarkable appearance,
and was hailed with universal applause. We predict that the
gardens this year will have a successful season ; the proprietor
deserves patronage, the most extended, from the hands of the
public. There are few establishments in the country so well
managed, or so replete with interest and amusement. The
natural features of the garden are so extremely beautiful that
a stroll along its walks at any time is delightful, but, when
thronged with the gay, gallant and beautiful, its charms are
increased many fold. A capital band has been engaged, which
entertains the company through the evening with the newest
and most fashionable music. We sec the next fete is an-
nounced to take place on Friday next.
- -

THE CHEAP "TRIP TO LosunN.,"—The day fixed for the
starting of the railway trains, engaged by Messrs. Crisp and
Healey, from this and the neighbouring towns, we may re-
mind oar renders, is fixed for Saturday next; and those who
are desirous of enjoying a delightful out to the metropolis
and back at a very cheap rate, would do well to mail them-
selves of the occasion ere it be too late, as a great number of
the tickets have already been purchased, and the increasing
demand for them by parties who may find themselves at lei-
sure to visit the metropolis in a day or two may deprive par-
ties of an opportunity of obtaining them at the end of the week.
No one who has visited London of late years will deny that
its wonders are worthy of even a pilgrimage on foot; and
when it is considered that the passengers by these trains will
proceed with extraordinary speed, ease, and safety, (excel-
lent closed carriages being engaged,) and in the exhilarating
company, even from this port, of thousands of their towns-
men and fair townswomen, we need scarcely add snore as an
inducement. The trip may be prolonged, including, to those
who desire it, four clear days in Paris; or may be limited to
four or seven days' absence, to embrace London and its
neighbourhood. and, in addition, the proximate portions of
France. An excellent and well-digested directory to all the
lions in the British metropolis has been prepared expressly
for the use of the travellers, called " A Week in London,"
and containing concise and accurate directions for rides,
walks, and sails, of from one to seven days, to all that is
curious or interesting in the great city and its immediate
vicinity.

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE LATE FIRES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Siw,—ln consequence of the frequency of the late calami-
tous fires, the question has been very naturally asked, whether
shareholders in fire insurance companies are responsible for
the debts of the company to the full extent of their indi-
vidual property, or only to the amount of shares for which
they have severally subscribed ? A very general notion seems
to prevail that the responsibility is unlimited, whereas the
lawyers seem to say that the responsibility of the individual
is only in proportion to the number of shares he holds. Can
you throw any light on the subject ? if so, you would greatly
oblige a timid
May 29, 1843

INSURER

We understand that the Earl of Dalhousie has been ap-
pointed Vice-President of the Board of Trade.—Standard.
The Cambridge election committee have determined that
Fitzroy Kelly, Esq., was duly returned as member for Cam-
bridge at the last election.
The Duke of Beaufort's silver cups, annnally awarded by
his grace for the best foxhounds returned from his estates in
Monmouthshire, have been given to Mr. Gardiner, of Chep-
stowe, and Mr. Luff, of Trelleck.
CHRISTEKING OF THE INFANT PaiNcasg.--We have to
announce that Friday next, the 2nd of :Time, is appointed for
the christening of the infant Princess. The baptismal cere-
mony is to be performed at the new Chapel Royal at Buck-
ingham Palace; his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury
will officiate at the ceremony, assisted by the Bishop of Lon-
don. The Earl of Jersey, Master of the Horse; the Earl of
Liverpool, the Lord Steward, and the other leading officers
of the Royal Household, are commanded to be in attendance
at twelve o'clock on that day. Her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Gloucester is to be one of the sponsors, but who
the other sponsors are has not transpired. It has reached
us through a medium on which every reliance may be placed,
that the interesting event will be conducted as privately,as
possible, consistent with the illustrious birth of the Royal
infant. The Queen Dowager. their Royal Highnesses tfie
Duchess of Gloucester, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,
and Princess Au'gusta, Prince George, and the Grand Duke
of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, and the principal Ministers of
State, are invited to the solemnity. The cards of command
and invitation were issued from the Lord Chamberlain's
office on Saturday last.
SINKING OF A VESSEL NEAR GRAVESEND.—Between
two and three o'clock on Sunday morning a collision took
place on the river, in Gravesend Beach, between two vessels,
one of them going down in deep water almost instantly after,
and nearly carrying the crew with her. The vessels, it ap-
pears, were both colliers, deeply laden, from South Shields,
one named the Atlas, a brig about 180 tons burden, and the
other the Marion, of about the same tonnage. They were
wind being against
beatingtllem c
ounpvt
eh
lel
erdi r et
hr withem f r tehgeu
et indt
y, butto
Gravesend Beach some misunderstanding took
la'eck. On arriving in
place, which
resulted in the Marion running into the other vessel with
tremendous force, cutting the bulwarks down to the water's
edge. In an instant all was confusion, and the crew of the
Atlas had scarcely time to lower their stern boat into the
water before the vessel pitched forward, and went down
stem first. The crew, with her captain escaped, but were
unable to save any property whatever. The Marion not sus-
taining any material damage, except to her rigging, proceeded
up to London, and arrived in the Pool the same morning.
The wreck of .the Atlas is in mid-channel, and partly ob-
structs the navigation. Attempts have been made to raise
her, which have proved-unsuccessful, and it is feared it will
be necessary to blow her up, as in the cases of the colliers
Vesta and William, sunk a short time since off Gravesend.
The Atlas and cargo are stated to be worth £BOO.

"
POOR MAN OF MIITTON.—The blade bone of a shoulder
pofarmts not; o called
it is in
termedSc
n is
England otlltri a poor man," as in some
a
poor knight of Windsor,"
—in contrast, it must be presumed, to the baronial " Sir
Loin." It is said that, in the last age, an old Scottish peer,
whose conditions (none of the most gentle) were marked by
a strange and tierce-looking exaggeration of the Highland
countenance, chanced to be indisposed whilst he was in Lon-
don attending Parliament. The master of the hotel where
he lodged, anxious to show attention to his noble guest,
waited on him to enumerate the contents of his well-stocked
larder, so as to endeavour to hit on something which might
suit his appetite. " I think, landlord," said his lordship,
rising up from his couch, and throwing back the tartan plaid
with which be had screened his grim and ferocious visage,
—" I think I could cat a morsel of a door` man:" The
landlord fled in terror, having no doubt that his guest was a
cannibal, who might be in the habit of ontii-,1 a slice of a
toant, as ht food; Placa hi was undo a reilltam-ibiiir
Wane searti .