Shrapnel shells

The company of flying artillery, under the command of captain Smith, passed through Brighton, from Lewes, for Hive, for the purpose of practising with shot and shells, at a target, on the beach, nearly fronting that place. Several of the Shrapnel shells, loaded with musket-bullets, which were not intended for use that day, had been fixed, in boxes, to the carriages of the field-pieces, for the inspection of the general; and to one of these boxes, containing four shells, a spark, by some means, found its way, when three of the four shells were presently exploded, and their destructive contents dispersed in all directions. Major-general Hamond had his lip cut through; lieutenant T. Blaker, of the local militia, was stunned by a fragment of the gun-carriage striking him on the back part of the head; and two of the artillerymen were severely hurt, though neither had any bones broken.