Yesterday the despatches ...
The Times, 1824-06-12T00:00:00

Yesterday the despatches for Bengal, by the chartered ! ship Claudine,were Closed at the East India House, and delivered to the Master of that ship. EXPLOSION AT SIB VILLIAs! COxGRrVERS ROcKET AIANUFACTonY._OD Thursday afternoon, a tremendous explo- sion and discharginF of rockets, shells, &c.i took place from the factory of Sir William Congrevej at West Han, Essex. which thrcw the neighbourhooa into a state of the 'reatast alarmn The shock only lasted three minutes, but the effect was awful. it *as at first imagined the powder magazine had blown up ; however, the shock not being repeated, several of the inhabitants of Stratford, Blackwall, and the workmen of other manufactories in the vicinity, flocked to the place, and found aU in a state of the utmost confusion. The rocket factory is situate in the marshes between Blackwall and i West Ham, and is composed of a cluster of detached wooden build- ings, the s ore for the combustible materials being about 300 yards i from the workshop. The explosion took place in the following manner:-NeiU, one of the workmen, had only a few minutes before it happened deposited some rockets in the finishing room, where two men were finishing the rockets, and one of them, in nailing up a case, struck a blow whbich caused a Bpark of firc, which instantlysgnited therocket,and communicated to a number of others, which blew up aud forced the toofoff the house. The two men who were at work were horribly scorched, and the ruins of the building fell upon them. The roofs of the adjoining buildings were shook ofr, and tne shock v4s so violent, that the wotlznen (of whom there are 15) at first imagined it to proceed from the powder and rocket magazines: they were obliged to remain under the sheds while the roecets were burning in the air, us the utmost danger was appre- hended trom the failing shells. &c. Neill, who was outside the buildings, was struck on the arms and body by a rocket, and was very severely injured. On the two men being taken from the ruins, they were found to bein a state of insensibility ; their heads were scorched and swollen in a shocking manne:: they vere in- stantly carried to Strattrd, and from thence removed in a cart to the l,ondon iospital. The rockets fortunately burst in the air, as, had they fallen on the buildings, the whole would have been de- stroyed. One rocket ploughed up the ground te a very considerable depth. The rocets that exploded were principally signals. Such an accident had not occurred since the establishment of the works, and the alarm it created was so great that expresses were sent to London for the fire-engines, and before seven o'clock in the even. ing three arrived at the factory, btut their services were not re- quired. The works are still goiItg on, and have not been in the least checked. It may be necessary to state that every precaution has been adopted to prevent accident and the explosion or powder; and, from the systematic method of working, it was supposed such an accident was impossible. - Advertisement. 1 Vltairare'i Philso:ophical .Dicfonary* the only English translation. The third volume of this interesting worl t is publiahed this day, by John and H. L. Htnt, Tavistock-strets, Govent.garden. WVe were very sorry, late last nigh%, to recelie the, -fiollowing communication from a correspondent respecting 1Dirs. Hughes BlL. We hope however, that the account of lher decease Is not correct:_-" MDrs. Hughes Ball, formerly M ladeinoiselle Mter. candotti, went to the races last week, and from romaining too long upon, the ground was attacked by a disor der, the violence of which increasing almost houtly. readered it very doubtful whether she would survive the close of yesterday; and a report of her death was very generally circulated at night. At ten o'clock (last night) she was attended by Sir Henry Halford, and it was understood that her symptoms were not improved since the morning. I have just heard from a person who has reason to bedieve the truth bf the report, that she died this day" (Trhursday.)Morn;ng paper. The above re- port, we are happy to find, is unfountled- her- rAedical attendantts .zonslder her out of danger-._Even{n,gpaper-. C'ONVesUE SIT COURAGE.-A certain Earl having beaten Antonv HIenley, at Tunbridge, for some impertinence, the next day .ound Elenley beating ;nother person. The peer congr-tulated Henley on that acquiiitiortof spirit. " Oh, nly Lord" eplied Henley, " yoar Lordship and I know whom to beat." [Advertisement.-l:e Imonthly numbers, price Is., TheFamiry Oracle of HBealth, fconony andgood Livi.g, by Dr. Crell and Mr. WVallace.-No.. ll contnins iqervous indiesotion, Lw Spirits - and Face.fJlushings, with Sir H. 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