The vapour not being evaporated

A very melancholy and distressing calamity occurred at Mr. Meux's brewhouse, in Liquorpond-street.

A porter vat having been emptied on Thursday, and kept open above the usual time of six-and-thirty hours before it was cleansed, one of the men was let down across a stick fastened to ropes, to perform that service; he unfortunately, letting go his hold, fell to the bottom, and the vapour not being evaporated, caused instant suffocation; his companion, seeing his situation, and having procured a joint ladder, went down into the vessel, where, on reaching the bottom, he fell lifeless.

Mr. Squires, acting clerk, imagining he could bring the unfortunate persons up, persisted also in going down, though intreated to desist, and accordingly being supplied with ropes, he put one round the neck and waist of one of the men; but being desired by the persons above to shift it under his arms, while performing this humane office the effluvia overpowered him, and he dropped down dead.

The bodies of all three, after some time, were drawn up by hooks.

His Royal Highness the Duke of York, who happened to be at Mr. Leader's, coach-maker, at the time of the accident, went immediately to the brewhouse, and ordered every medical assistance to be procured. Several gentlemen of the faculty attended, and used the means of resuscitation for near three hours, but without effect.

The coroner's jury sat at eight o'clock in the evening, and brought in their verdict Accidental Death.

Mr. Squires was only twenty-five years of age. They were all of them married, and one has left four children.