Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/122

108 bustibles, such as resin, turpentine, &c. which were in cellars under the shore-house, the largest and most valuable of any belonging to the navy; so that from a loss of these stores, with the disappointment that must have naturally followed, the damage done to the service would have been very great; but all this was happily prevented by the great vigilance of the officers, and the uncommon readiness and activity of the workmen of the yard, who on this occasion performed wonders, by removing almost instantaneously great pieces of timber, &c. and in separating and rolling off large coils of cordage, several of which were then on fire; so that in less than an hour the whole was extinguished, to the inexpressible joy of 3000 spectators.The commissioners of the navy have since promised 500l. reward to any person concerned in this wicked affair, who shall make discovery thereof, except the person who set the said place on fire.

A fire broke out in the Amsterdam galley, a new ship of 250 tons burthen, in the port of Limerick in Ireland, by which she was immediately consumed, and by the explosion of some gunpowder, the sails and rigging were blown upon a cottage upon the shore, and burnt it to the ground. She had some bale goods on board, and was to have taken in a lading of beef and pork for St. Eustatia.

Whitehall. The King having been pleased to order the colours taken at Louisbourg, which were lately brought to the palace at Kensington, to be deposited in the cathedral church of St. Paul; proper detachments of horse and foot grenadiers were ordered to parade at Kensington at ten o'clock, and marched before his majesty in the following order:

A serjeant, and twelve horse grenadiers.

A field officer, and officers in proportion.

A detachment of fourscore of the horse grenadier guards.

Then eighty of the life-guards, with officers in proportion, with their standard, kettle drums and trumpets.

Then a serjeant and twelve grenadiers of the foot guards.

Then eleven serjeants of the foot guards, carrying the eleven French colours, advanced.

Then the four companies of grenadiers of the foot guards closed the march.

In this manner they proceeded from Kensington through Hyde-Park, into St. James's Park, and through the Stable-yard St. James's, into Pall-mall, and so on to the west gate of St. Paul's, where the colours were received by the dean and chapter, attended by the choir; about which time the guns at the Tower, and in St. James's Park, were fired.

These colours are put up near the west door of the cathedral, as a lasting memorial of the success of his majesty's arms, in the reduction of the important fortress of Louisbourg, and the islands of Cape Breton and St. John.

Two bricklayers labourers in digging at the back of Mr. Pearson's house in Broad-street, discovered two vessels with ancient coins to a considerable value.