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Scene of the fire at Dockhead, Bermondsey, sketched on Saturday morning, 1864. Creator: Unknown
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Scene of the fire at Dockhead, Bermondsey, sketched on Saturday morning, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Scene of the fire at Dockhead, Bermondsey, [London], sketched on Saturday morning, 1864. a great fire broke out in the waterside premises of Messrs. Barry Brothers, wharfingers and saltpetre merchants...The warehouses...contained many thousand tons of saltpetre, and, as a strong wind was blowing...the piles and blocks of saltpetre caught fire one after another, sending forth immense volumes of brightly-coloured flame and scattering smoke, ashes, and sparks...Adjoining this capacious warehouse stood another...termed the H Extension Warehouse. This building was filled with several thousand bales of jute, and in less than a quarter of an hour it also was wrapped in flames...It was impossible...to prevent the fire from spreading...The steam fire-engine of Messrs. Roberts...was supported by two steam floating-engines...upon the floors becoming ignited in which the saltpetre was stored, loud and fearful explosions took place in rapid succession, which blew down heavy brick walls and lifted the tiles and roofs...The flames lighted up all the shipping in the Thames...the water itself shone like an immense stream of liquid gold...The damage, which was confined mainly to the warehouses just mentioned and their contents, is estimated at about £80, 000'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864
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Media ID 38074463
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Barge Burning Chemical Damage Damaged Danger Dangerous Destruction Dock Docks Dramatic Emergency Services Explosion Explosive Explosives Extinguishing Fire Brigade Firefighter Firefighters Firefighting Firefighting Equipment Fireman Firemen Flame Flames Hose Hoses Lumber On Fire Peril Saltpetre Steam Boat Steam Ship Steamboat Steamer Boat Steamship Thames Barge Timber Warehouse Warehouses Wharf Wind Windy
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the dramatic scene of a fire at Dockhead, Bermondsey in 1864. The unknown creator skillfully sketched the chaos and destruction that ensued when a great fire broke out at the waterside premises of Messrs. Barry Brothers, wharfingers and saltpetre merchants. The warehouses contained thousands of tons of saltpetre, which quickly caught fire due to strong winds, creating immense volumes of brightly-colored flames.
Adjacent to the warehouse was the H Extension Warehouse filled with thousands of bales of jute, which also became engulfed in flames within minutes. Despite efforts to contain the fire, it spread rapidly causing loud explosions and destruction throughout the area.
The image vividly depicts the intense heat and bright flames illuminating all surrounding ships on the Thames like liquid gold. The damage from this devastating fire is estimated at around £80,000 mainly affecting the warehouses and their contents.
This historical snapshot serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those working along London's bustling waterfront during this time period. It captures not only the destructive power of fire but also showcases human resilience in facing such catastrophic events.
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