The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-16
EXPLOSION IN LONDON
The GunpOwder Disaster in the
Regents Canal.
A Suburb of the Metropolis
Laid in Ruins.
Loss of Life---Immense Destruc-
ton of Property.

Yesterday morning, at I'VE minutes TO hye
O'Clock was awakened by o tremendous roar
and shock which not merely shook me In my
bed but made the whole house culver. Being very
sleepy merely said to myself, 'rhat must be an
explosion somewhere" and resumed my nap.
had little idea that what was in itself q most
serious calamity, and what might have
been the destruction OF London, had just
occurred. IL was not until went
down TO breakfast, some three hours
afterward that l learned that Q barge, con-
tanning Jour tons OF blasting powaer had ex-
ploded on the Regents Canal immediately under
the North Bridge OF the Regents Park, causing
loss OF HE and enormous damage TO property l
speedily made my way to the spot-about mile
distant from my mousse. But before l describe
what I saw 1 will give you some idea OF the
locality.
THE REGENTS CANAL
starts from the Grand Junction Canal at Pad
dlngton and empties itself into the River Thames
at LmehOuse. 1t Is nearly nine miles long and is
much used for the conveyance OF coal, bricks,
&C., though its Importance has been much dimin-
isned by the formation OF the network OF Metro
potan railways. Between st. Johns Wood and
Camden Town 1t skirts the Regents Park, lowing
in deep hollow between two high banks thickly
clad with trees. On the top Of one OF these banks,
extending for a considerable distance, are the
Geological Gardens, while the other is fringed
with terraces OF charming suburban houses.
THE REGENT'S PARK
is an immense open space OF greensward and inc
old trees, pretty plan tations and broad, gravel
walks. 1t was named alter the Prince Regent,
who originally intended to have a house built for
him within il, but abandoned the idea. There are,
however, two or three lovely villas within what is
known as the 'inner CIRCLE" One Of them, st.
Johns Lodge, is the seat of Baron Goldsmid, over
hpnu Of tn
which are the grounds Of the Toxophilite
Society. Near by Is st. Dunstan's villa
built for the late Marquis of HertiOrd. In the
gardens OF this villa are placed the identical clock
and automatOn figures, strikers OF the hour,
which once adorned st. Dunstan's church in Fleet
street. What Is called the 'outer circle' is formed
by broad, well kept roads, frlnged by terraces OF
imposing houses, finely built and high rented,
named after some OF the titles OF the principal
members OF the royal family-Sussex, York, Clar.
ence, Cornwall, Kent Ulster, Chester, &c.
- THE DAMAGE DONE
to these splendid houses is comparatively slight
They at some little distance from the scene OF
the explosion, and their strong plate glass win
dows. though In some instances blown in, were
toerably well able resist the shock II Is In the
pretty suburban houses which have already men,
toned as ringing the northern bank OF the canal
that the havoc has been terrific. The houses In
Portland, Bentinck ana Titchfed terraces pre-
sented when visited them yesterday a most
CHASTITY and torlorn appearance. There is
not whole pane OF glass in one OF
them, and the majority have had their win
dows and doors blown bodily in, all interior
ornaments thrown from the shelves and smashed
upon the moor. the Venetian blinds torn OF and
twisted into fantastic torms the choice little con-
servatores mere masses oil broken glass and hang
ing leaden framework. The scene was an extraor-
binary one, and the aspect more resembled that
Of bombarded city than OF peaceful suburb in
which twelve hours before everything had been in
its normal neat state. The windows and doors
denuded OF their usual protection, sau been ~oughiy
boarded up, not merely to Keep out the rain,
which during the morning poured in torrents, and
the wind, but the
CROWD OF ROUGHs
which all day long was loanng round the spot
seeking what 1t might devour IN the general
aaeleo These fellows seemed to look upon the
sight as one which had been specially provided for
their delight; and their remarks upon the poor
servant girls. many OF whom were in the little
'front.' gardens sweeping out the broken glass md
general DEBRIS were OF the coarses. kind. To LOOK
after these gentry force OF o hundred policemen
had been distributed ov6r the spot, and this body
will be greatly increased during To-day and to.
morrow, when the trough" element has more
time at its command. The greatest interest
centred in
THE BROKEN BRIDGE
This had been brick edifce fity feet long, sur
mounted on each side Of the roadway with iron
palisadlngs and supported by two sets Of cast.ron
pillars. 1t was blown bodily into the air and fell
q crumbllng mass into the bed of the canal. The
park keepers LODGE which stands within q few
yards of the bridge facing the canal, was blown to
pieces, the walls demolished and the nooring torn
up, and yet the park Keeper and his family,
consisting OF his wife, three sons, daughter
and servant, actually managed to crawl out
OF the falling ruins, unhurt with the exception OF
q lew bruises. Close by, less than 200 yards on,
North House, a remarkably handsome house in
lovely garden, the residence OF Mr.. Ochse,
German gentleman who has settled in England,
was a complete wreck. Not merely are all the
windows smashed, but every ceiling has fallen
in. every looking glass and ornament is broken,
the furniture is ruined, and there were Two OF
thrc narrow escapes OF death from contact With
falling articles.
AUTHORS AND ARTISTS SUFFERERS.
The northwestern district OF London, In which
this terrible calamity occurred, is quarter much
favored by authors and artists, and some OF them
l regret TO say, have been sad sufferers. So Tar
as property Is concerned, there is no one, prob
ably, who Will be greater loser than Mr.. Alma
Tadema. whose name probably will be familiar to
you as that OF French artist OF the first rank,
who has domesticated himself with US In London,
where he Is appreciated not merely by the
wealthy, who purchase his pictures, but by
nous autres brethren Of the pencil and the
pen, who have found In him most charming
conrrere. You cannot fancy anything more per-
feet than his house, which Is situated on The Itch
field road, and which, but snort time ago, he
looked upon as finished. The hall was Pompeian.
with the word ''salve" painted on the door post.
Each room was decorated in a special style, the
wall paper furnished by Mr.. Morris, the author of
the Earthly Paradise" whose profession is deco
ratve art, and the other decorations by
Mr. Tadema himself. The ceilings were
painted, the staircases lined with photo
graphs, drawings and pictures man OF the
severest taste, 1T had taken MIN years to get his
little bjou residence into the perfect state In