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17
The whole is surrounded by a wall varying from eleven to twenty feet
high, the base of which for three feet high is three feet thick. Upon this
area are constructed eighteen warehouses, varying in cubic capacity from
6,000 to 144,000 feet. The walls are fourteen inches thick, and arc all
so constructed as to form tanks of themselves ; so that if all the barrels
were to burst, there is sufficient space to hold their contents.
The aggregate cubic capacity of these warehouses is 1,300,941 feet,
besides which there are four tanks having a cubic capacity of 6,144 feet
each, or capable of containing altogether 150,000 gallons: these it is
intended when complete to imbed in the ground.
There are four hydrants laid on from the main provided with hose, so
that the premises can be readily flushed in case of fire.
The ground has been hollowed about five feet in the centre, so that the
flow should be that way, and the drainage is constructed with a view of
preventing any of the petroleum flowing into the sewer. I fear the
arrangements here are a little defective, but I am assured that steps are
being taken to rectify all defects in a few days.
Gas is only used in the office, and no business is transacted after dark.
You will doubtless remember that, at the last Vestry meeting, Messrs.
Ingall & Phillips attended to explain this most important matter, and
stated that the whole of the stock was unexplosive, and that it was fully
in accordance with the requirements of the " Petroleum Act" that the
whole of the buildings had been executed under the superintendence of
the Metropolitan Board of Works (by whom they were licensed), and the
Surveyor of the Associated Fire Offices, and that they were insured at 21s.
per cent. This at the time was considered quite satisfactory, but is was
afterwards thought that as the fear of an explosion or great conflagration
was felt by many, a further investigation should be made, and it was
resolved to visit and examine the premises. This was done on the 27th
ultimo., whem Messrs. Jacobs, "Wentzell, Paterson, Norris, Drake,
Smither, Payne, Engleburtt, Hall, Kippin, our Surveyor (Mr. Mundy),
and the Sanitary Inspectors, met on the premises, by appointment, one of
the partners (Mr. Phillips) who courteously showed the whole of the
premises, and explained the nature of the stock, that there were some
barrels of tar, but it mainly consisted of petroleum or rock oil, not a spirit.