GREAT CASTLE BURNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 800, 22 October 1929, Page 11

GREAT CASTLE BURNED

KINGS' RESTING PLACE DESTROYED NO WATER TO FIGHT FIRE Lulworth Castle, one of the most perfect Elizabethan mansions in England. and the property of Mr. Herbert Weld, the explorer and yachtsman, was recently completely burnt out. Only the outer walls of the castle stand, the entire interior having collapsed into a smouldering heap. Owing to the lack of water the four tire brigades in attendance had to abaudou their efforts to extinguish the flames and concentrate on saving the valuable period furniture, tapestries and art treasures. As ihe tire ate its way downward from the upper storey where it started a party of 36 Bournemouth Girl Guides, who were camping in the castle grounds, dashed bravely into the lower rooms and assisted in the salvage work. Aid was also given to the firemeu by a party of men from the Royal Tank Corps camp at Bavington.

The alarm was raised shortly after breakfast one morning by a housemaid. who heard the cracking of glass in an upper room. The fire brigades from Dorchester, Swanage, Weymouth and Poole were early on the scene, and the tenants and villagers were summoned by the ringing of a mediaeval iron bell in one of the tow r ers. The firemen were able to get a cable hose nearly two miles long to the sea at Lulworth Cove. The pressure obtained was inadequate, however. and the brigades had to turn their attention to the rainwater reservoir in the gardens. It actually seemed as though the fire was being subdued, and that only one wing would be destroyed, when the water supply suddenly failed. After scouring the estate, which Is 640 acres iu extent, for further sui>plies, the firemen were compelled to end their efforts. Lulworth Castle had been visited by six English kings, and for a time, after 1836, was the residence of Charles X. of France. The “King’s Room.” one of the most complete apartments of period furniture in the world, was destroyed soon after the fire began. In it was lost the magnificent four-poster bed which for centuries had been kept for the exclusive use of visiting royalty. Mr. Weld, the owner, was in residence, and helped to superintend the carrying out of most of the contents to the law T n. He said that he believed the fire originated in the living room at the top of one of the four towers. “I think.” he said, “that an electric light wire fused. For many years the castle has had its own supply.” Lulworth Castle was begun in 1588 by Lord Howard of Bindon. who used for it the stones of Bindon Abbev. dismantled after the dissolution of tin monasteries. In the middle of the 17th century it was sold to the Weld family, who have held it ever since. The English monarchs who were guests at Lulworth were James 1.. Charles 11., James 11.. George 111 . George IV. and Edwa: d VII. The castle was used by James I. as a Place of refuge from the plague, and was occupied by each side in turn during the Great Rebellion.