The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-16

right When she thought II safe to strike light
she found that the windows had been blown in
and that glass in large and small
pieces was strewn over the place where
she had been lying. The houses OF Mr..
Hepwortn Dixon Iwho is PROBABLY just
about landing in New York at this moment
and OF Mr.. Joseph Hatton, which are in the I'M
mediate vicinity, have also greatly suffered. One
OF the pleasantest houses In the neighborhood-
North Understanding In Its own beautiful
grounds the banks OF the Canal, has also liter
airy association, having been for some years the
residence OF the late Frank Smedley. author OF
Frank Fariegh," &c. l do not know what
damage this sustained: but Its situation was ter
ribly exposed.
CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.
The actual cause OF the explosion will never be
correctly ascertained, as the men on board the
barge containing the powder are all dead. But
so far as can be gathered the story is this:-At
three O'Clock A. NJ five barges left the city basin
OF the canal company drawn By a steamtug.
They we're supposed to be laden with groceries;
but IN addition to the TIlbury, the barge on
which four tons OF blasting powder were stored,
aDother-the Dee-is now reported 10 have
been laden with petroleum, which fortunately did
not catch fire. The little procession went along
in silence and in safety until 1t reached the North
told in the words OF one OF the bargemen as COM
municated to the Daily Neacs thus
We left the Grand Junction canal wharf, at City
road, yesterday, ana after waiting about Tor q
belonging to the company, and we started with
four other barges up the canal. didn't know
were and didn't even know the name Of the tug
that was towing US. Those are thugs we are not
supposed to know anything about sn1w' ~ hon.
L0ughDorough and Nottingham, and can't I'M
derstand how 1t was she did not catch fire, loo. It
Snd tGat the oil slowed where the e and
sparkscouldn't reach y, or ! should have been
what's more, didn't Know her name was the Til.
each other. We had got no women on board OF
our barge; n fact barge captains ana men are
tS SUPPOSED S 10 carry tnes wives anors WIN
Captain Beckson tof the Tnburyl by sight, and
DON'T think INK ne mad MS vile on board. cant
but l don't think 1t was by = spark rom
the funnel Of the tug. as she was too far "orrad"
| for any OF the sparks to reach u.s. IL was light
ming early IN the morning, and II may have been
nash Of lightning Tor all ! know. Wen. when we
happened till We got to the bridge wnicn has
down below IN the cabin Just under me.
The first thing l heard Of the explosion
minute afterward there was great blaze OF light
and tremendous noise was thrown under the
tttler, ana lay luSenSDle Tor some minutes. cap
tain Edwards had put his head out OF the cabin,
and was just asking what the lrst bang was when
the second occurred When ! got up the barge
lgot our somehow, but don't remember how:
All my clothes were torn right on my back. and
ien &c me dnerent things should have mad to 20
Naked Captain Edwards was pitched overheard
OF the Dee or OF the other baraes. I never saw
the bridge, and didn't know then 1t had fallen into
the water. Twas brought here by somebody with
"
What am to do for my clothes aud other things
that lost don't KNOW am IN. not servant ,S OF
barge, and he pays me my wages. am IN great
pam, and don't own . single article OF clothing
In the world, so what am to do when ! get out L
don't know.
THE LOSS OF LIFE.
1t is at present impossible to ascertain the loss
of fe but 1t is certain that three OF the bargemen
are killed and several injured; that an old lady In
sussex died OF fright AZ the explosion, and
we may expect 10 hear OF many cases in which
the injury to delicate or sensitive persons has
been more or less severe. 1t was simply prov-
Dental that the Geological Gardens received such
comparatively small amount OF damage Many
Of the animals were greatly frightened, and the
large aviary was so much injured that some rare
birds new away. But had the dens been over
| thrown and the
WILD BEASTS ESCAPED
| you may imagine the panic which would have
spread throughout the Inhabitants OF London.
! The explosion has called forth much
POPULAR INDIGNATION
in regard to the laxity OF the regulations under
which explosive substances carried through our
midst. The Metropolitan Board OF Works has al
ready besttrred itselfin the matter, and there IS
no doubt that early In the next session the Home
Secretary VIII be compelled to bring in prohibi-
tive bill. In the meantime that Is to say between
October and February, the safety OF the whole Of
London Is at the mercy OF o careless cardriver or
bargeman who wishes TO smoke pIpel