The burning of the training-ship ' Goliath' at Grays was due
to the upsetting of a paraffin-lamp, which, contrary to the regula- tions, was allowed on board, but the inquest brought out facts most favourable to the superior officers and the boys themselves. The very boy who dropped the lamp flung his clothes on the fire, and then sat on them till the flame burnt him. On the alarm being given, the boys ran to their stations as steadily as seamen, and some of them who were in a barge by the side of the ship, and were frightened by the flames, were held to their duty by a lad of 13, named Bolton, who had just received a watch as a prize for being "the popular boy," and who insisted on keeping the barge fast till every boy was safe. Several other boys begged the captain, Staff Commander Bourchier, to escape, saying ho would be burnt, but he only told them, " That is not the way at sea," and was the last to leave the ship. The boys express the deepest dislike to return to the workhouses, and we are happy to perceive that the Admiralty have offered the ' Conqueror' to re- place her. Nearly £10,000 will, however, have to be found by subscription to fit her.
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