Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive

Chemical Hazards 8 ed. Eighth Edition

Urben P.G. (Ed.)
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How to use the Handbook

To seek
1. Stability data on single specific compounds: look in Section 1 using either the chemical name index (Appendix 4) or the empirical
molecular formula at right of second title line (Carbon; then Hydrogen if present; other elements follow alphabetically) to locate the
page. Membership of a general group is shown by a See other . . . cross-reference.
2. Data on possible violent interaction between two or more compounds: determine which appears “more reactive” and find it as in 1
above. Then look down the subentry titles for the other compound(s) involved which may be given as a single compound or as one of a
group The latter are listed in Appendix 6.
3. General data on a class or group of compounds, or information on identity of individuals in a known hazardous group: refer to
the Alphabetical Section 2. There is a classified index in Appendix 6.
4. Structure associated with explosive instability: See EXPLOSIBILITY
5. Information on general topics: use the indexes in Appendix 6.
6. Fire-related data: this is tabulated in Appendix 2.
7. Information on a compound identified by its CAS Registry number: there is a numerical index of CAS numbers vs Serial numbers
in Appendix 5.
Do not assume that lack of information means that no hazard exists. Look further at related structures, using Appendix 6.
See rear end paper for What the handbook provides.
Readers are encouraged to submit details of new reactive hazards for inclusion in later editions. There is a page you can copy for this
purpose at the end of book.
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Bretherick’s Handbook of
Reactive Chemical Hazards
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AN INDEXED GUIDE TO PUBLISHED DATA

Bretherick’s Handbook of

Reactive Chemical
Hazards
Eighth Edition

Edited by
P G Urben

Assisted by
M J Pitt
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
University of Sheffield
Elsevier
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Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding,
changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any
information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be
mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

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Preface to the Eighth Edition
Chemical safety studies mostly concentrate on toxicity. But acci-
dental poisoning is rare, and, when it happens, as at Bhopal, the
poison was often broadcast by a violent reaction. Explosion and
fire, the latter also frequently preceded by loss of containment,
are more often what kill and injure chemical workers, even if
not as often as the roads to and from work.
Explosion hazards, though well-demonstrated, may be for-
gotten over the decades - so, a century after its explosivity was
shown, an explosive comparable with TNT may be regarded as
just another solvent.
Fifty years ago, the late Leslie Bretherick, a working chemist
in industry, resolved to assemble a compendium of known violent
and explosive reaction hazards, leavened by occasional touches of
humour. This he later organised by empirical formulae, for
chemical nomenclature changes, but formulae do not.
Twenty-five years since, his sight failing, he handed over
responsibility to me, also an industrial chemist, ably assisted
by Dr. Martin Pitt covering Chemical and Biological Engineering
material. Leslie Bretherick wished to uphold the insights of prac-
titioners, not the fears of Safety Professionals. Even now, he is
still responsible for half of the content, and oversaw my
contributions until his death. Now myself of declining sight,
and some years retired thus losing contact with chemical reality,
this will be my last edition. It is hoped that a successor can be
found, or will present themselves.
Originally, Bretherick attempted to cover all aspects of hazard
by reaction, except explosive, propellant and pyrotechnic formu-
lations in their intended use, but proliferating theoretical safety
publications have caused us to focus more on the “undoctored inci-
dents that actually occurred.”
Much of the evidence is anecdotal and empirical so (re)
searchers are warned that, although a reported explosion
undoubtedly happened, the given explanation may not be correct.
In particular, attribution to minor components or impurities is
suspect, these may catalyse reaction, but do not provide major
energies. Neither should it be assumed that all listed components
of a mix contributed to the mishap.
You, reader, remain ultimately responsible for your safety:
Search, read and think, before experimenting, to avoid present
harm to yourself and others. And, to protect future others, please
report any mishaps you may have, and any errors and omissions
you may find in this compendium.
v
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Contents
INTRODUCTION ix Section 2
REACTIVE CHEMICAL HAZARDS xiii
CLASS, GROUP AND TOPIC 1155
Basics xiii (Entries Arranged in Alphabetical Order)
Kinetic Factors xiii
Adiabatic Systems xiv APPENDIX 1 Source Title Abbreviations used
Reactivity vs. Composition and Structure xiv in Handbook References 1403
Reaction Mixtures xv
Protective Measures xv APPENDIX 2 Tabulated Fire-related Data 1409

APPENDIX 3 Glossary of Abbreviations and

Section 1 Technical Terms 1427

SPECIFIC CHEMICALS 1 APPENDIX 4 Index of Chemical Names and

(Elements and Compounds Arranged in Formula Order) Synonyms used in Section 1 1431

APPENDIX 5 Index of CAS Registry

Numbers vs Serial Numbers in Section 1 1477

APPENDIX 6 Index of Section 2 Titles

Classified by Type 1493

vii
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Introduction
THIS SHOULD BE READ THROUGH CAREFULLY TO GAIN FULL BENEFIT FROM WHAT FOLLOWS
Aims of the Handbook
This compilation has been prepared and revised to give access to a
wide and up-to-date selection of documented information to
research students, practising chemists, safety officers and others
concerned with the safe handling and use of reactive chemicals.
This will allow ready assessment of the likely potential for
reaction hazards which may be associated with an existing or pro-
posed chemical compound or reaction system.
A secondary, longer-term purpose is to present the information
in a way which will, as far as possible, bring out the causes of, and
interrelationships between, apparently disconnected facts and inci-
dents. This is designed to encourage an increased awareness of
potential chemical reactivity hazards in school, college and uni-
versity teaching laboratories, and to help to dispel the relative
ignorance of such matters which is still in evidence in this
important area of safety training during the formative years of
technical education.
Others involved in a more general way with the storage,
handling, packing, transport and distribution of chemicals, or
emergencies related thereto, are likely to find information of rel-
evance to their activities.
Scope and source coverage
This Handbook includes all information which had become
available to the Editor by early 2014 on the reactivity hazards
of individual elements or compounds, either alone or in combi-
nation. Appropriate source references are included to give access
to more expansive information than that compressed into the nec-
essarily abbreviated text entries.
A wide variety of possible sources of published information
has been scanned to ensure maximum coverage. Primary sources
have largely been restricted to journals known to favour or spe-
cialise in publication of safety matters, and the textbook series spe-
cialising in synthetic and preparative procedures.
Secondary sources have been a fairly wide variety of both
specialised and general textbooks and encyclopaedic collections
(notably those of Mellor, Sidgwick, Pascal and Bailar in the
inorganic area, Houben-Weyl in the organic and organometallic
areas, and both Kirk-Othmer and Ullmann in the industrial area).
Section 50 of Chemical Abstracts, the CAS selection Chemical
Hazards, Health, & Safety, the Universities’ Safety Association
Safety News (now lapsed), the CIA CISHC Chemical Safety
Summary, (publication of which ceased in 1986 after 56 years),
and the IChemE Loss Prevention Bulletin have been rich sources,
together with the later recent RSC Laboratory Hazards Bulletin
and Chemical Hazards in Industry. Additionally, various safety
manuals, compilations, summaries, data sheets and case histories
have been used, and fuller details of the sources used are set out
in Appendix 1. References in the text to textbooks listed in
Appendix 1 are characterised by absence of the author’s initials
after the surname.
Data taken from the Internet has been included when it fulfills
two of the following three criteria: The Editor finds it credible; the
source is authoritative; the hazard or incident was not previously
included.
Information on toxic hazards has been specifically excluded
because it is available elsewhere in many well-ordered and readily
usable forms. However it should be remembered that many of the
compounds included in this Handbook show high reactivity of one
sort or another toward other materials, so may in general terms be
expected to be reactive even in brief contact with animal
organisms or tissue (including yours), with possible toxic effects,
either acute or chronic. Toxicity has, however, been considered
when a chemical reaction not forseeable by the average student
generates a volatile poison – there is no warning that sulfides
and acids generate hydrogen sulfide, frequent cause of fatality
though that is, but generation of carbon monoxide by interaction
of alkali and dried milk is covered.
No attempt has been made to include details of all flammable
or combustible materials capable of burning explosively when
mixed with air and ignited, nor of most incidents related to this
most frequent cause of accidents, such information again being
available elsewhere. However, to focus attention on the potential
hazards always associated with the use of flammable and espe-
cially highly flammable substances, some 560 gases and liquids
with flash points below 25°C and/or autoignition temperature
below 225°C have been included in the text, their names prefixed
with a dagger. The numerical values of the fire hazard-related
properties of flash point, autoignition temperature and explosive
(flammability) limits in air where known are given in the tabular
Appendix 2. Those elements or compounds which ignite on
exposure to air are included in the text, but not in the Table.
General arrangement
The information presented on reactive hazards is of two main
types, specific or general, and these types of information have been
arranged differently in their respective separate Sections 1 and 2.
Specific information on instability of individual chemical
compounds, and on hazardous interactions of elements and/or
ix
x Introduction
compounds, is contained in the main formula-based Section 1 of
the Handbook. For an example of an unstable compound,
see Ethyl perchlorate, p. 208
For an example of a hazardous interaction between 2 compounds,
see Nitric acid: Acetone, p. 926
or 2 separate examples involving the same compound,
see Nitric acid: Acetone, or: Ethanol, pp. 926, 927
and one involving 3 compounds,
see Hydrogen peroxide: Nitric acid, Thiourea, p. 126
General information relating to classes or groups of ele-
ments or compounds possessing similar structural or hazardous
characteristics is contained in the smaller alphabetically based
Section 2.
See ACYL NITRATES, p. 1161
PYROPHORIC METALS, p. 1354
References in the text to these general classes or groups of mate-
rials is always in small capitals to differentiate them from refer-
ences to specific chemicals, the names of which are given in
normal roman typeface.
Some individual materials of variable composition (sub-
stances) and materials which cannot conveniently be formulated
and placed in Section 1 are also included in this general section.
See BLEACHING POWDER, CELLULOSE NITRATE, pp. 1186, 1192
Both theoretical and practical hazard topics, some indirectly
related to the main theme of this book, are also included.
See DISPOSAL, EXPLOSIBILITY, pp. 1216, 1228
GAS CYLINDERS, OXYGEN ENRICHMENT, pp. 1241, 1329
Several topics which bring together incidents involving a
common physical cause or effect but different types of chemicals
are now included in Section 2.
See CATALYTIC IMPURITY INCIDENTS, p. 1190
GAS EVOLUTION INCIDENTS, p. 1241
Specific chemical entries (Section 1)
A single unstable compound of known composition is placed in the
main first section and is located on the basis of its empirical
molecular formula expressed in the Hill system used by Chemical
Abstracts (C and H if present, then all other element symbols
alphabetically). The use of this indexing basis permits a compound
to be located if its structure can be drawn, irrespective of whether a
valid name is known for it. A representation of the structure of
each compound is given on the third bold title line while the name
of the compound appears as the first bold title line. References to
the information source are given, followed by a statement of the
observed hazard, with any relevant explanation. Cross-reference
to similar compounds, often in a group entry, completes the entry.
See Trifluoroacetyl nitrite, p. 156
Where two or more elements or compounds are involved in a
reactive hazard, and an intermediate or product of reaction is iden-
tifiable as being responsible for the hazard, both reacting sub-
stances are normally cross-referred to the identified product.
The well-known reaction of ammonia and iodine to give explosive
nitrogen triodide-ammonia is an example of this type. The two
entries
Ammonia: Halogens, p. 980
Iodine: Ammonia, p. 1016
are referred back to the main entry under the identified material
Nitrogen triiodide-ammonia, p. 1019
No attempt has been made, however, to list all combinations of
reactants which can lead to the formation of a particular main entry
compound.
In a multi-reactant system where no identification of an
unstable product was possible, one of the reactants had to be
selected as primary reactant to prepare and index the main entry,
with the other material(s) as secondary reactant(s). No strictly
logical basis of choice for this is obvious.
However, it emerged during the compilation phase that most
two component reaction hazard systems of this type involve a
fairly obvious oxidant material as one of the reactants. Where this
situation was recognised, the oxidant has normally been selected
as primary (indexing) reactant, with the other as secondary
reactant, following the colon.
See Potassium permanganate: Acetic acid, etc., p. 1026
In the markedly fewer cases where an obvious reducant has
been involved as one reactant, that was normally selected as
primary reactant.
See Lithium tetrahydroaluminate: 3,5-Dibromocyclopentene,
p. 29
In the relatively few cases where neither (or none) of the reac-
tants can be recognised as an oxidant or reducant, the choice was
made which appeared to give the more informative main entry
text.
See Chloroform: Acetone, etc., p. 97
Where some hazard has been noted during the preparation of a
specific compound, but without it being possible to identify a spe-
cific cause, an entry for that compound states ‘Preparative hazard’,
and back-refers to the reactants involved in the preparation.
See Sulfur dioxide, p. 1106
Occasionally, departures from these considerations have been
made where such action appeared advantageous in bringing out a
relationship between formally unrelated compounds or hazards. In
all multi-component cases, however, the secondary reactants
(except air and water) appear as formula entries back-referred to
the main entry text, so that the latter is accessible from either
primary or secondary reactants.
See Dimethyl sulfoxide: Acyl halides (main entry), p. 220
Acetyl chloride: Dimethyl sulfoxide (back reference), p. 180
Grouping of reactants
There are advantages to be gained in grouping together elements
or compounds showing similar structure or reactivity, because this
tends to bring out the relationships between structure and activity
more clearly than separate treatment. This course has been adopted
widely for primary reactants in Section 2, and for secondary reac-
tants where one primary reactant has been involved separately
with a large number of secondary materials. Where possible, the
latter have been collected together under a suitable general group
title indicative of the composition or characteristics of those
materials.
See Chlorine: Hydrocarbons, p. 820
Hydrogen peroxide: Metals, Metal oxides, Metal salts, p. 966
Hydrogen sulfide: Oxidants, p. 976
This arrangement means, however, that some practice will
be necessary on the user’s part in deciding into what group
an individual secondary reactant falls before the longer-term
advantages of the groupings become apparent. The formal group
titles in Section 2, classified in Appendix 6, will be of use in

this connection. However, it should be noted that sometimes
informal group titles are used which do not appear in these
Appendices.
General group entries (Section 2)
In some cases literature references relating to well-defined groups
of hazardous compounds or to hazard topics have been found, and
these are given, with a condensed version of relevant information
at the beginning of the topic or group entry, under a suitable bold
title, the latter being arranged in alphabetical order in Section 2.
Cross references to related group or sub-group entries are also
included, with a group list of the names and serial (not page)
numbers of the chemicals appearing in Section 1 which lie within
the structural or functional scope of the group entry title. Com-
pounds which are closely similar to, but not in strict conformity
with, the group definition are indicated by a prefixed asterisk.
The group entries thus serve as sub-indexes for each struc-
turally based group of hazardous compounds. Conversely, each
individual compound entry is back-referred to the group entry,
and thence to all its strict structural analogues and related con-
geners included in Section 1 of this Handbook. Note that these
group lists of chemicals are now in alphabetical (not formula)
order, and give the serial number (not page number) for the
chemical.
These features should be useful in attempts to estimate the sta-
bility or reactivity of a compound or reaction system which does
not appear in this Handbook. The effects on stability or reactivity
of changes in the molecular structure to which the destabilising or
reactive group(s) is attached are in some cases discussed in the
group entry. Otherwise such information may be gained from com-
parison of the information available from the individual compound
entries listed collectively (now in alphabetical order, with serial
number) in the group entry.
Care is, however, necessary in extrapolating from the
described properties of compounds to others in which the user
of this Handbook may be interested. Due allowance must be made
for changes in elemental reactivity up or down the columns of the
Periodic Table, and for the effects of variation in chain length,
branching and point of group-attachment in organic systems.
Purity of materials, possible catalytic effects (positive or neg-
ative) of impurities, and scale of operations may all have a direct
bearing upon a particular reaction rate. These and other related
matters are dealt with in more detail in the following Introductory
Chapter.
Nomenclature
With the direct encouragement and assistance of the Publishers, an
attempt has been made to use chemical names which conform to
recent recommendations of IUPAC. While this has not been an
essential part of the compilation, because each title name has
the corresponding structural and molecular formula adjacent, it
seems nonetheless desirable to minimise possible confusion by
adopting the unambiguous system of nomenclature presented in
the IUPAC publications.
Where the IUPAC name for a compound is very different from
a previously used recent trivial name, the latter is included as a
synonym in parentheses (and in single quotes where no longer
an acceptable name). Generally, retained trivial names have not
Introduction xi
been used as main entry titles, but they have often been included
in the entry texts. Rarely, on the grounds of brevity, names not con-
forming strictly to IUPAC principles but recommended for che-
micals used in industry in BS 2474: 1983 have been used. The
prefix mixo-, to represent the mixtures of isomers sometimes used
as industrial materials, is a case in point.
Some of the rigidly systematic names selected by the Associ-
ation for Science Education for their nomenclature list in 1985
from the IUPAC possibilities, and some of the systematic indexing
names used by Chemical Abstracts since 1972, are given as syn-
onyms in the Index of Chemical Names. This should assist those
coming into industry and research with a command of those
nomenclature systems but who may be unfamiliar with the current
variety of names used for chemicals. The inclusion, where pos-
sible, of the CAS Registry Number for each title compound should
now simplify the clarification of any chemical name or synonym
problems, by reference to the Registry Handbook or other CAS
source. An index of CAS numbers is given in Appendix 5.
In connection with the group titles adopted for the alphabeti-
cally ordered Section 2, it has been necessary in some cases to
devise group names (particularly in the inorganic field) to indicate
in a very general way the chemical structures involved in various
classes, groups or sub-groups of compounds. For this purpose, all
elements have been considered either as METALS or NON-METALS,
and of the latter, HALOGENS, HYDROGEN, NITROGEN, OXYGEN, and
SULFUR were selected as specially important. Group names have
then been coined from suitable combinations of these, such as
the simple
METAL OXIDES, NON-METAL SULFIDES
N-HALOGEN COMPOUNDS, NON-METAL HYDRIDES
METAL NON-METALLIDES, COMPLEX HYDRIDES
or the more complex
METAL OXOHALOGENATES
AMMINECHROMIUM PEROXOCOMPLEXES
OXOSALTS OF NITROGENOUS BASES
METAL OXONON-METALLATES
Organic group entries are fairly conventional, such as
HALOALKENES
NITROARL COMPOUNDS
DIAZONIUM SALTS
Where necessary, such group names are explained in the
appropriate Section 2 group entry, of which a classified listing
is found in the Appendix 6.
Cross reference system
The cross-reference system adopted in this Handbook plays a
large part in providing maximum access to, and use of, the rather
heterogeneous collection of information herein. The significance
of the five types of cross-reference which have been used is as
follows.
See … refers to a directly related item.
See also … refers to an indirectly related item.
See other … refers to listed strict analogues of the compound etc.
See related … refers to listed related compounds (congeners) or
groups not strictly analogous structurally.
See entry … points to a or the relevant reference in Section 2.
CROSS REFERENCES IN CAPITALS REFER TO
SECTION 2
xii Introduction

Information content of individual entries One aspect which, although it is absent from most entry texts,
is nevertheless of vital importance, is that of the potential for
A conscious effort has been made throughout this compilation to
damage, injury or death associated with the various materials
exclude much fringe information not directly relevant to the
and reaction systems dealt with in this Handbook.
involvement of chemical reactivity in the various incidents or
Though some of the incidents have involved little or no
observations, while giving enough detail to allow the reader to
damage (see CAN OF BEANS, p. 1189), others have involved personal
judge the relevance or otherwise of the quoted reference(s) to
injuries, often of unexpected severity (see SODIUM PRESS, p. 1371),
his or her particular reactivity problems or interests.
and material damage is often immense. For example, the incident
It must be stressed that this book can do no more than to serve
given under Perchloric acid: Cellulose derivatives, (reference 1,
as a guide to much more detailed information available via the
p. 1191) involved damage to 116 buildings and a loss approaching
quoted references. In all but a few cases it cannot relieve the
3M dollars at 1947 values. The death-roll associated with reactive
student or chemist of their moral and now legal obligation to them-
chemical hazards has ranged from 1 or 2 (see Tetrafluoroethylene:
selves and to their co-workers, to equip themselves with the fullest
Iodine pentafluoride, p. 906) to some 600 with 2000 injured in the
possible information from the technical literature resources which
incident at Oppau in 1921 (see Ammonium nitrate, reference 4,
are widely available, before attempting any experimental work
pp. 990, 991), and now to several thousand, with more than
with materials known, or suspected, to be hazardous or potentially
100,000 injured, by methyl isocyanate fumes at Bhopal in 1984
so. It could be impossible for you after the event.
(reference 7, p. 1320).
THE ABSENCE OF A MATERIAL OR A COMBINATION This sometimes vast potential for destruction again empha-
OF MATERIALS FROM THIS HANDBOOK CANNOT BE sises the need to gain the maximum of detailed knowledge before
TAKEN TO IMPLY THAT NO HAZARD EXISTS. LOOK starting to use an unfamiliar chemical or reaction system.
THEN FOR ANALOGOUS MATERIALS USING THE GROUP
ENTRY SYSTEM AND THE INDEXES THERETO.
Reactive Chemical Hazards
This introductory chapter seeks to present an overview
of the complex subject of reactive chemical hazards,
drawing attention to the underlying principles and to
some practical aspects of minimising such hazards. It
also serves in some measure to correlate some of the topic
entries in the alphabetically arranged Section 2 of the
Handbook.
BASICS
All chemical reactions implicitly involve energy changes
(energy of activation + energy of reaction), for these are
the driving force. The majority of reactions liberate energy
as heat (occasionally as light or sound) and are termed exo-
thermic. In a minority of reactions, the reaction energy is
absorbed into the products, when both the reaction and its
products are described as endothermic.
All reactive hazards involve the release of energy in
quantities or at rates too high to be absorbed by the imme-
diate environment of the reacting system, and material
damage results. The source of the energy may be an exo-
thermic multi-component reaction, or the exothermic
decomposition of a single unstable (often endothermic)
compound.
All measures to minimise the possibility of occurrence
of reactive chemical hazards are therefore directed at con-
trolling the extent and rate of release of energy in a reacting
system. In an industrial context, such measures are central
to modern chemical engineering practice. Some of the
factors which contribute to the possibility of excessive
energy release, and appropriate means for their control,
are now outlined briefly, with references to examples in
the text.
KINETIC FACTORS
The rate of an exothermic chemical reaction determines the
rate of energy release, so factors which affect reaction
kinetics are important in relation to possible reaction
hazards. The effects of proportions and concentrations of
reactants upon reaction rate are governed by the Law of
Mass Action, and there are many examples where changes
in proportion and/or concentration of reagents have
transformed an established uneventful procedure into a
violent incident. For examples of the effect of increase in
proportion,
see 2-Chloronitrobenzene: Ammonia Sodium 4-
nitrophenoxide
For the effect of increase in concentration upon reaction
velocity, see Dimethyl sulfate: Ammonia
Nitrobenzene: Alkali (reference 2)
The effects of catalysts (which effectively reduce the
energy of activation), either intentional or unsuspected, is
also relevant in this context. Increase in the concentration
of a catalyst (normally used at 1-2%) may have a dramatic
effect on reaction velocity.
See Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid: Acyl chlorides, etc
2-Nitroanisole: Hydrogen
HYDROGENATION CATALYSTS
The presence of an unsuspected contaminant or catalytic
impurity may affect the velocity or change the course of
reaction. For several examples,
see CATALYTIC IMPURITY INCIDENTS
In the same context, but in opposite sense, the presence
of inhibitors (negative catalysts, increasing energy of acti-
vation) may seriously interfere with the smooth progress of
a reaction. An inhibitor may initiate an induction period
which can lead to problems in establishing and controlling
a desired reaction. For further details and examples,
see INDUCTION PERIOD INCIDENTS
Undoubtedly the most important factor affecting
reaction rates is that of temperature. It follows from the
Arrhenius equation that the rate of reaction will increase
exponentially with temperature. Practically, it is found
that an increase of 10°C in reaction temperature often
doubles or trebles the reaction velocity.
Because most reactions are exothermic, they will tend to
accelerate as reaction proceeds unless the available cooling
capacity is sufficient to prevent rise in temperature. Note
that the exponential temperature effect accelerating the
reaction will exceed the (usually) linear effect of falling
reactant concentration in decelerating the reaction. When
the exotherm is large and cooling capacity is inadequate,
the resulting accelerating reaction may proceed to the point
of loss of control (runaway), and decomposition, fire or
explosion may ensue.
xiii
xiv Reactive Chemical Hazards
The great majority of incidents described in the text may
be attributed to this primary cause of thermal runaway reac-
tions. The scale of the damage produced is related directly
to the size, and more particularly to the rate, of energy
release.
See RUNAWAY REACTIONS
Reactions at high pressure may be exceptionally haz-
ardous owing to the enhanced kinetic energy content of
the system.
See HIGH-PRESSURE REACTION TECHNIQUES
Although detailed consideration of explosions is outside
the scope of this Handbook, three levels of intensity of
explosion (i.e. rates of fast energy release) can be discerned
and roughly equated to the material damage potential.
Deflagration involves combustion of a material, usually
in presence of air. In a normal liquid pool fire, combustion
in an open situation will normally proceed without
explosion. Mixtures of gases or vapours with air within
the explosive limits which are subsequently ignited will
burn at normal flame velocity (a few m/s) to produce a ‘soft’
explosion, with minor material damage, often limited to
scorching by the moving flame front. Injuries to personnel
may well be more severe.
If the mixture (or a dust cloud) is confined, even if only
by surface irregularities or local partial obstructions, signif-
icant pressure effects can occur. Fuel-air mixtures near to
stoicheiometric composition and closely confined will
develop pressures of several bar within milliseconds, and
material damage will be severe. Unconfined vapour explo-
sions of large dimensions may involve higher flame veloc-
ities and significant pressure effects, as shown in the
Flixborough disaster.
See DUST EXPLOSION INCIDENTS
PRESSURE INCREASE IN EXOTHERMIC DECOMPOSITION
VAPOUR CLOUD EXPLOSIONS
Detonation is an extreme form of explosion where the
propagation velocity becomes supersonic in gaseous, liquid
or solid states. The temperatures and particularly pressures
associated with detonation are higher by orders of mag-
nitude than in deflagration. Energy release occurs in a
few microseconds and the resulting shattering effects are
characteristic of detonation. Deflagration may accelerate
to detonation if the burning material and geometry of con-
finement are appropriate (endothermic compounds, long
narrow vessels or pipelines).
See Acetylene (reference 9)
ENDOTHERMIC COMPOUNDS
EXPLOSIONS
UNIT PROCESS INCIDENTS
Factors of importance in preventing such thermal
runaway reactions are mainly related to the control of
reaction velocity and temperature within suitable limits.
These may involve such considerations as adequate heating
and particularly cooling capacity in both liquid and vapour
phases of a reaction system; proportions of reactants and
rates of addition (allowing for an induction period); use
of solvents as diluents and to reduce viscosity of the
reaction medium; adequate agitation and mixing in the
reactor; control of reaction or distillation pressure; use of
an inert atmosphere.
See AGITATION INCIDENTS
In some cases it is important not to overcool a reaction
system, so that the energy of activation is maintained.
See Acetylene: Halogens (reference 1)
ADIABATIC SYSTEMS
Because process heating is expensive, lagging is invariably
applied to heated process vessels to minimise heat loss,
particularly during long-term hot storage. Such adiabatic
or near-adiabatic systems are potentially hazardous if
materials of limited thermal stability, or which possess
self-heating capability, are used in them. Insufficiently sta-
bilised bulk-stored monomers come into the latter category.
See 1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene: Sodium hydroxide,
Solvent
POLYMERISATION INCIDENTS
SELF-HEATING AND IGNITION INCIDENTS
THERMAL STABILITY OF REACTION MIXTURES
VIOLENT POLYMERISATION
REACTIVITY VS. COMPOSITION AND
STRUCTURE
The ability to predict reactivity and stability of chemical
compounds from their composition and structure is as yet
limited, so the ability accurately to foresee potential hazards
during preparation, handling and processing of chemicals
and their mixtures is also restricted. Although some consid-
erable progress has been made in the use of computer pro-
grams to predict hazards, the best available approach for
many practical purposes appears to be an initial appraisal
based on analogy with, or extrapolation from, data for
existing compounds and processes. This preliminary
assessment can be supplemented with calorimetric instru-
mental examination, then bench-scale testing procedures
for thermal stability applied to realistic reaction mixtures
and processing conditions, should any doubt of safety
persist. A wide range of equipment and techniques is
now available for this purpose.
See ACCELERATING RATE CALORIMETRY
ASSESSMENT OF REACTIVE CHEMICAL HAZARDS
COMPUTATION OF REACTIVE CHEMICAL HAZARDS
DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY
DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL ANALYSIS
MAXIMUM REACTION HEAT
REACTION SAFETY CALORIMETRY

It has long been recognised that instability in single
compounds, or high reactivity in combinations of different
materials, is usually associated with particular groupings of
atoms or other features of molecular structure, such as high
proportions or local concentrations of oxygen or nitrogen.
Details of such features associated with explosive insta-
bility are collected under the heading EXPLOSIBILITY.
An approximate indication of likely instability in a com-
pound may be gained from inspection of the empirical
molecular formula to establish stoicheiometry.
See HIGH-NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN BALANCE
Endothermic compounds, formed as the energy-rich
products of endothermic reactions, are thermodynamically
unstable and may be liable to energetic decomposition with
low energy of activation.
See ENDOTHERMIC COMPOUNDS
REACTION MIXTURES
So far as reactivity between different compounds is con-
cerned, some subdivision can be made on the basis of the
chemical types involved. Oxidants (electron sinks) are
undoubtedly the most common chemical type to be
involved in hazardous incidents, the other components
functioning as fuels or other electron sources. Air (21%
oxygen) is the most widely dispersed oxidant, and air-
reactivity may lead to either short- or long-term hazards.
Where reactivity of a compound is very high, oxidation
may proceed so fast in air that ignition occurs.
See PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
Slow reaction with air may lead to the longer-term
hazard of peroxide formation.
See AUTOXIDATION
PEROXIDATION INCIDENTS
PEROXIDES IN SOLVENTS
PEROXIDISABLE COMPOUNDS
Oxidants more concentrated than air are of greater
hazard potential, and the extent of involvement of the
common oxidants
Perchloric acid
Chlorine
Nitric acid
Hydrogen peroxide
Sulfuric acid
METAL CHLORATES
may be judged from the large number of incidents in the
text involving each of them, as well as other OXIDANTS.
At the practical level, experimental oxidation reactions
should be conducted to maintain in the reacting system a
minimum oxygen balance consistent with other processing
requirements. This may involve adding the oxidant slowly
with appropriate mixing and cooling to the other reaction
materials to maintain the minimum effective concentration
Reactive Chemical Hazards xv
of oxidant for the particular reaction. It will be essential to
determine by a suitable diagnostic procedure that the
desired reaction has become established, to prevent build-
up of unused oxidant and a possible approach to the oxygen
balance point.
See OXYGEN BALANCE
Reducants (rich electron sources) in conjunction with
reducible materials (electron acceptors) feature rather less
frequently than oxidants in hazardous incidents.
See REDUCANTS
Interaction of potent oxidants and reducants is
invariably highly energetic and of high hazard potential.
See Dibenzoyl peroxide: Lithium tetrahydroaluminate
Hydrazine: Oxidants
REDOX REACTIONS
ROCKET PROPELLANTS
Similar considerations apply to those compounds which
contain both oxidising and reducing functions in the same
molecular structure.
See REDOX COMPOUNDS
Water is, after air, one of the most common reagents
likely to come into contact with reactive materials, and
several classes of compounds will react violently, particu-
larly with restricted amounts of water.
See WATER-REACTIVE COMPOUNDS
Most of the above has been written with deliberate pro-
cessing conditions in mind, but it must be remembered that
the same considerations will apply, and perhaps to a greater
degree, under the uncontrolled reaction conditions pre-
vailing when accidental contact of reactive chemicals
occurs in storage or transit.
Adequate planning is therefore necessary in storage
arrangements to segregate oxidants from fuels and redu-
cants, and fuels and combustible materials from com-
pressed gases and water-reactive compounds. This will
minimise the possibility of accidental contact and violent
reaction arising from faulty containers or handling opera-
tions, and will prevent intractable problems in the event
of fire in the storage areas.
See STORAGE OF CHEMICALS
Unexpected sources of ignition may lead to ignition of
flammable materials during chemical processing or han-
dling operations.
See FRICTIONAL IGNITION OF GASES
IGNITION SOURCES
SELF-HEATING AND IGNITION INCIDENTS
STATIC INITIATION INCIDENTS
PROTECTIVE MEASURES
The need to provide protective measures will be directly
related to the level of potential hazards which may be
assessed from the procedures outlined above. Measures
concerned with reaction control are frequently mentioned
xvi Reactive Chemical Hazards
in the following text, but details of techniques and
equipment for personal protection, though usually excluded
from the scope of this work, are obviously of great
importance.
Careful attention to such detail is necessary as a second
line of defence against the effects of reactive hazards. The
level of protection considered necessary may range from
the essential and absolute minimum of effective eye pro-
tection, via the safety screen, fume cupboard or enclosed
reactor, up to the ultimate of a remotely controlled and
blast-resistant isolation cell (usually for high-pressure oper-
ations). In the absence of facilities appropriate to the
assessed level of hazard, operations must be deferred until
such facilities are available.
Section 1
Specific Chemicals
(Elements and Compounds arranged in formula order)
EXPLANATORY NOTES
This section gives detailed information on the hazardous prop-
erties of individual chemicals, either alone or in combination
with other compounds. The items are arranged in order of
the empirical formula (at right of second bold title line) which
corresponds to the chemical name, or a synonym within paren-
theses, used as the first line bold title of each main entry;
(nomenclature is now rather promiscuous since the systema-
tisers have contrived to give many materials two or even three
new names since the first edition was published, while the
name used where chemicals are handled, as opposed to in
lecture rooms, will be something else again). The 3 part
number within square brackets at the left of the second title line
is the CAS registry number, now being widely used to provide
a reliable basis for establishing equivalence between differing
chemical names and trade names for the same chemical com-
pound (but note that one compound, within the terms of this
work, may have numerous CAS numbers by virtue of isotopic
composition, undefined stereo- and regio-chemistry or variant
solvation levels). Lack of content within the square brackets
indicates that a registry number has not yet been located, (or
may not exist if CAS considers the compound insufficiently
characterised, which is highly probable for materials which
exploded during analysis) and (ion) after the number indicates
that the main ion only has been located, rather than the specific
title salt. Where possible, an alpahanumeric representation of
the structure of the title compound is given at the centre of
the third title line, otherwise a drawn structure.
A † prefixed to the chemical name indicates the existence
of tabulated information on fire-related properties in
Appendix 2. The † prefix is also appended to the entry
(and any synonym) in the index in Appendix 4 of the che-
micals appearing as title lines. Immediately under the title
lines some references to sources of general safetyrelated data
concerning use and handling precautions for the title chemical
are given. The references to the series of MCA Safety Data
Sheets are given in parentheses because the whole series
was withdrawn in 1980, apparently on grounds other than
obsolescence of the technical content. Since these data sheets
are no longer available, alternative references are given where
possible to the Data Sheets available from the National Safety
Council (NSC), Chicago; the Fire Protection Association
(FPA), London; to the appropriate page of ’Handling Che-
micals Safely 1980’ (HCS 1980), published in Holland; or
to the new Laboratory Hazard Data Sheet series being pub-
lished by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), now in Cam-
bridge. No new datasheets have been included since 1990,
since distinction between the proliferation of sources would
be invidious, most appear to have ben compiled my (mis)
information (ne)scientists at their computers, connected to
the world wide web, but not to a practised chemist who is
familiar with the material in question. Fortunately, the manu-
facturer’s data sheets, now supplied even by laboratory supply
houses, are steadily improving and mean that reference to
other similar sources is less needful
The first reference(s) and data given under the title lines
refer to the hazards of the title material alone, or in the presence
of air, unless stated otherwise. Where other (secondary) che-
micals are involved with the title compound in a reactive
incident, the name(s) follows in roman characters under the
bold title entry. As in previous editions of this Handbook,
where these secondary chemicals are described in group terms
(e.g. Polynitroaryl compounds), reference to the alphabetical
group entries now in Section 2 may suggest other analogous
possibilities of hazards. References to original or abstract liter-
ature then follow, and sufficient of the relevant information
content is given to allow a general picture of the nature and
degree of hazard to be seen.
Two features relevant to entries for pairs of reactive che-
micals arise from the work of Prof. T. Yoshida in developing
a method for the calculation of maximum reaction heats
(MRH) possible for binary (or ternary) mixtures of chemicals,
and the publication of his tabulated results. Where available for
combinations existing in this text, these data are given opposite
the name of the secondary chemical in the form MRH 2.9/22.
This means that the calculated reaction heat is maximal at
2.9 kJ/g in a mixture containing 22% wt of the secondary
reactant with 78% of the main (bold title) compound. The
second feature is the inclusion of the secondary entry ‘Other
reactants’ under which the extent of the information available
in Yoshida’s book for some 240 title compounds is given. More
detail on the origin of these figures is given in Section 2 under
the entry MAXIMUM REACTION HEAT.
All temperatures in the text are expressed in degrees
Celsius; pressures in bars, mbars or Pa; volumes in m3, litres
or ml; and energy as joules, kJ or MJ. Where appropriate,
attention is drawn to closely similar or related materials or
events by See or See also cross-references. Finally, if a title
compound is a member of one of the general classes or
groups in Section 2, it is related to those by a See other
cross-reference. If the compound is not strictly classifiable, a
See related cross-reference establishes a less direct link to
the group compound index lists in Section 2, such compounds
being prefixed in the lists by an asterisk. In relatively few cases,
literature references (or further references) for individual
1
2
compounds are in the alphabetical entries in Section 2, and a
See entry cross-reference leads to that entry with the literature
reference. An alphabetical index of the chemical names used as
bold titles in Section 1, together with synonyms, is given in
Appendix 4.
Details of corrections of typographical or factual errors, or
of further items for inclusion in the text, will be welcomed, and
a page which can be photocopied for this purpose will be found
at the back of the book.
0001 Silver Iodoform
[7440-22-4] Ag In contact with finely divided (reduced) silver, incandes-
cence occurs.
Ag Grignard, 1935, Vol. 3, 320

Other reactants
Acetylenic compounds MRH Acetylene 8.70/99+ MRH values for seven combinations, largely with catalyt-
See ACETYLENIC COMPOUNDS ically susceptible materials, are given.
Yoshida, 1980, 103
Aziridine
See Aziridine: Silver Ozonides
See OZONIDES
Bromine azide
See Bromine azide
Peroxymonosulfuric acid
See Peroxymonosulfuric acid: Catalysts
3-Bromopropyne
See 3-Bromopropyne: Metals
Peroxyformic acid MRH 5.69/100
See Peroxyformic acid: Metals
Carboxylic acids
See other METALS
Silver is incompatible with oxalic or tartaric acids, since the
silver salts decompose upon heating. Silver oxalate explodes
at 140°C, and silver tartrate loses carbon dioxide. 0002 Silver—aluminium alloy
Koffolt, J.H., private comm., 1965 [11144-29-9] Ag—Al
See other METAL OXALATES
Ag Al
Chlorine trifluoride MRH 1.42/36
See Chlorine trifluoride: Metals Combustion and explosion hazards of the powdered alloy
used in batteries were studied. Increase in silver content
leads to higher values of the ignition temperature and
Copper, Ethylene glycol COI [1][2].
See Ethylene glycol: Silvered copper wire
1. Popov, E. I. et al., Chem. Abs., 1977, 87, 205143
2. Popov, E. I. et al., Chem. Abs., 1980, 94, 35622
Electrolytes, Zinc
See other ALLOYS
Causes of spontaneous combustion and other hazards of
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
silver—zinc batteries were investigated.
Britz, W. K. et al., Chem. Abs., 1975, 83, 150293
0003 Silvered copper
Ethanol, Nitric acid [37218-25-0] Ag—Cu
Action of silver on nitric acid in the presence of ethanol
may form the readily detonable silver fulminate. Ag Cu
Luchs, J. K., Photog. Sci. Eng., 1966, 10, 334
See Nitric acid: Alcohols
See also SILVER-CONTAINING EXPLOSIVES Ethylene glycol
See Ethylene glycol: Silvered copper wire
Ethyl hydroperoxide See related ALLOYS
See Ethyl hydroperoxide: Silver
0004 Silver—thorium alloy
Ethylene oxide MRH 3.72/99+ [12785-36-3] (1:2) Ag—Th
See Ethylene oxide: Reference 4
Ag Th
Hydrogen peroxide MRH 1.59/99+
See Hydrogen peroxide: Metals See PYROPHORIC ALLOYS

3
4

0005 Silver tetrafluoroborate 1. Taradoire, F., Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr., 1945, 12, 94–95
[14104-20-2] AgBF4 2. Pascal, 1960, Vol. 13.1, 1004
See other METAL OXOHALOGENATES
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
F
+ −
Ag F B F 0008 Silver chloride
F [7783-90-6] AgCl

+ −
Ag Cl
Preparative hazard
Experimental directions must be followed exactly to
prevent violent, spontaneous explosions during prepa- Aluminium
ration of the salt from silver oxide and boron trifluoride See Aluminium: Silver chloride
etherate in nitromethane, according to the earlier method
[1]. The later method [3] is generally safer than that Ammonia
in [2]. Exposure of ammoniacal silver chloride solutions to air or
1. Meerwein, H. et al., Arch. Pharm., 1958, 291, 541–544 heat produces a black crystalline deposit of “fulminating
2. Lemal, D. M. et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1961, 776–777 silver” (mainly silver nitride), with silver diimide and silver
3. Olah, G. A. et al., J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem., 1960, 14, amide also possibly present [1]. Attention is drawn [2] to
295–296 the possible explosion hazard of a method of recovering
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS silver from chloride by passing an ammoniacal solution
of the chloride through an ion exchange column to separate
the Ag(NH3)+ ion, prior to elution as the nitrate [3]. It is
essential to avoid letting the ammoniacal solution stand
0006 Silver tetrafluorobromate
for several hours, either alone or on the column [2].
[35967-89-6] AgBrF4
1. Mellor, 1941, Vol. 3, 382
2. Kauffmann, G. B., J. Chem. Educ., 1977, 54, 132
F 3. Ranganathan, S. et al., J. Chem. Educ., 1976, 53, 347
+ −
Ag F Br F See Silver nitride
See other METAL HALIDES
F See other SILVER COMPOUNDS

See METAL POLYHALOHALOGENATES 0009 Silver azide chloride

See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
[67880-13-1] AgClN3

0007 Silver bromate − 2+ − +

Cl Ag N N N
[7783-89-3] AgBrO3
It is shock sensitive when dry.
+ O O
Ag Br Frierson, W. J. et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1943, 65, 1698
O− See other METAL AZIDE HALIDES
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS

0010 Silver chlorite

Other reactants
MRH values for 16 combinations with oxidizable materials [7783-91-7] AgClO2
are given.
+ –
Yoshida, 1980, 133 Ag O O
Cl
Sulfur compounds MRH Sulfur 2.0/12
The bromate is a powerful oxidant, and unstable mixtures
with sulfur ignite at 73°C–75°C, and with disulfur Alone, or Iodoalkanes
dibromide on contact [1]. Hydrogen sulfide ignites on The salt is impact-sensitive, cannot be finely ground, and
contact with the bromate [2]. explodes at 105°C. Attempts to react silver chlorite with
 5

iodo-methane or -ethane caused explosions, immediately in Acetic acid MRH 2.80/22

the absence of solvents, or delayed in their presence. The salt solvated with acetic acid is impact sensitive.
Levi, G. R., Gazz. Chim. Ital. [2], 1923, 53, 40 Mellor, 1956, Vol.2, Suppl.1, 616
See Aromatic compounds, below
Hydrochloric acid, or Sulfur
It explodes in contact with hydrochloric acid or upon Alkynes, Mercury
rubbing with sulfur. Concentrated solutions of the perchlorate in 2-pentyne or
3-hexyne (where complexes are formed) explode on
Mellor, 1941, Vol. 2, 284 contact with mercury.
Comyns, A. E. et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1957, 79, 4324
Nonmetals See METAL ACETYLIDES
Finely divided carbon, sulfur, or red phosphorus are oxi-
dized violently by silver chlorite.
Aromatic compounds MRH Aniline 3.47/11,
Pascal, 1960, Vol. 16, 264 toluene 3.51/9
See other CHLORITE SALTS Silver perchlorate forms solid complexes with aniline, pyr-
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS idine, toluene, benzene, and many other aromatic hydro-
carbons [1]. A sample of the benzene complex exploded
0011 Silver chlorate violently upon crushing in a mortar. The ethanol complex
also exploded similarly, and unspecified perchlorates dis-
[7783-92-8] AgClO3 solved in organic solvents were observed to explode as well
[2]. Solutions of the perchlorate in benzene are said to be
−
Ag+ O O dangerously explosive [3], but this may be in error for
Cl the solid benzene complex. The energy released upon
O decomposition of the benzene complex has been calculated
as 3.4 kJ/g, some 75% of that for TNT [4].
An explosive compound and powerful oxidant. 1. Sidgwick, 1950, 1234
2. Brinkley, S. R., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1940, 62, 3524
Sorbe, 1968, 126
3. Peone, J. et al., Inorg. Synth., 1974, 15, 69
4. Stull, 1977, 22
Ethylene glycol MRH 2.68/17
See Ethylene glycol: Oxidants
Carbon tetrachloride, Hydrochloric acid
Silver perchlorate and carbon tetrachloride, in the presence
Other reactants of a little hydrochloric acid, produce trichloromethyl per-
MRH values for 17 combinations, largely with oxidizable chlorate, which explodes at 40°C.
materials, are given. 491M, 1975, 368
Yoshida, 1980, 69 See Trichloromethyl perchlorate
See other METAL CHLORATES
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
1,2-Diaminoethane
Dropwise addition of the amine to the salt led to an
0012 Silver perchlorate explosion (possibly initiated by heat liberated by complex
formation).
[7783-93-9] AgClO4
491M, 1975, 368
O
−
Ag + O Cl O Diethyl ether
After crystallization from ether, the material exploded vio-
O
lently upon crushing in a mortar. It had previously been
considered stable since it melts without decomposition [1].
It melts without decomposition, although the enthalpy of
the conversion to silver chloride and oxygen appears to Heim, F., Angew. Chem., 1957, 69, 274
be about
0.5kJ/g. An explosion while grinding the salt
(which had not been in contact with organic materials)
Dimethyl sulfoxide
has been reported. A powerful oxidant.
The crystalline complex solvated with 2DMSO explodes
Anon., Angew. Chem. (Nachr.), 1962, 10, 2 with extreme violence if rubbed or scratched.
6

Ahrland, S. et al., Acta. Chem. Scand. A, 1974, 28, 825 0014 Silver difluoride
See Dimethyl sulfoxide: Metal oxosalts [7783-95-1] AgF2

Ethanol MRH 3.30/13 – 2+ –

F Ag F
See Aromatic compounds, above

Other reactants
MRH values for 20 combinations with oxidizable materials Boron, Water
are given. Mixtures of boron and silver difluoride function as deto-
nators when in contact with water.
Yoshida, 1980, 81
Tulis, A. J. et al., Proc. 7th Symp. Explos. Pyrotechnics,
1971, 3(4), 1–12
1,4-Oxathiane
The perchlorate forms complexes with 2, 3, or 4 mols of
oxathiane, which explode upon heating. Dimethyl sulfoxide
See Iodine pentafluoride: Dimethyl sulfoxide
Barnes, J. C. et al., J. Chem. Soc. Pak., 1982, 4, 103–113

Tetrachlorosilane, or Tetrabromosilane, or Titanium Hydrocarbons, or Water

tetrachloride, and Diethyl ether It reacts even more vigorously with most substances than
Reaction gives explosive volatile organic perchlorates, does cobalt fluoride.
probably ethyl perchlorate. Priest, H. F. Inorg. Synth., 1950, 3, 176
Schmeisser, M., Angew. Chem., 1955, 67, 499 See other METAL HALIDES
See ALKYL PERCHLORATES See other SILVER COMPOUNDS

Tetrasulfur tetraimide 0015 Silver amide

See Tetrasulfurtetraimide–silver(I) perchlorate [65235-79-2] AgH2N
See other METAL PERCHLORATES
See other OXIDANTS
See other SOLVATED OXOSALT INCIDENTS +
H
Ag N
0013 Silver fluoride H
[7775-41-9] AgF
Extraordinarily explosive when dry.

+ −
Brauer, 1965, Vol. 2, 1045
Ag F See Nitrogen triiodide—silver amide
See other N-METAL DERIVATIVES
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
Calcium hydride
See Calcium hydride: Silver halides 0016 Silver N-nitrosulfuric diamidate
[] AgH2N3O4S
Nonmetals
Boron reacts explosively when ground with silver fluoride; –
silicon reacts violently. O
+ +
Mellor, 1941, Vol. 3, 389 O N –
Ag
N
O
Titanium S
Interaction at 320°C is incandescent. N H
O
Mellor, 1941, Vol. 7, 20 H
See other METAL HALIDES
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS The silver salt of the nitroamide is explosive.
 7

Sorbe, 1968, 120 0020 Silver iodate

See other N-METAL DERIVATIVES [7783-97-3] AgIO3
See other N—NITRO COMPOUNDS
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
Ag
+ O O
I
−
O
0017 Silver phosphinate
[] AgH2O2P Metals MRH Potassium 1.50/25, sodium 1.92/35
Sodium: Iodates
See Potassium: Oxidants
O
+
Ag P Other reactants
H O H MRH values for 16 combinations with oxidizable materials
are given.
Explosive, but less sensitive than the azide or fulminate. Yoshida, 1980, 194
Luchs, J. K., Photog. Sci. Eng., 1966, 10, 335 Tellurium
See other METAL PHOSPHINATES Interaction is violent.
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
Pascal, 1960, Vol. 13.2, 1961
See other METAL HALOGENATES
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
0018 Diamminesilver permanganate
[] AgH6MnN2O4 0021 Silver permanganate
[7783-98-4] AgMnO4
O
O
H O Mn O +
+ Ag O Mn O
H N Ag
O O−
H N H
H
H
Sulfuric acid
It may explode upon impact or shock. The moist salt exploded during drying over the concen-
trated acid in a vacuum desiccator (presumably owing to
Pascal, 1960, Vol. 16, 1062 the formation of traces of manganese heptoxide from
See other AMMINEMETAL OXOSALTS reaction with sulfuric acid vapor).
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
491M, 1975, 369
See other OXIDANTS
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
0019 Dihydrazinesilver nitrate
0022 Silver nitrate
[31247-72-0] AgH8N5O3
[7761-88-8] AgNO3
H H H H
N N O− O
Ag
+ O
N
+ O Ag+ N+
N N O O−
H H H H
HCS 1980, 822
The salt explodes at
1.5°C.
A potent oxidant, forming explosive mixtures with many
Gall, H. et al., Z. Anorg. Chem., 1932, 206, 376 combustibles.
See other AMMINEMETAL OXOSALTS See also METAL NITRATES
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
8
Acetaldehyde
Aqueous silver nitrate reacts with acetaldehyde to produce
explosive silver fulminate.
Luchs, J. K., Photog. Sci. Eng., 1966, 10, 336
Acetylene and derivatives
Silver nitrate (or other soluble salt) reacts with acetylene
in the presence of ammonia to form silver acetylide, a
sensitive and powerful detonator when dry. In the
absence of ammonia, or when calcium acetylide is added
to silver nitrate solution, explosive double salts of silver
acetylide and silver nitrate are produced. Mercury(I)
acetylide precipitates silver acetylide from aqueous
nitrate.
Mellor, 1946, Vol. 5, 854
See 1,3-Butadiyne, below
See Buten-3-yne, below
See METAL ACETYLIDES
Acrylonitrile
See Acrylonitrile: Silver nitrate
Aluminium
Be warned that a mixture of aluminium powder and silver
nitrate is potentially as dangerous as silver nitrate mixed
with magnesium, both being capable of producing >8 kJ/g.
Laing, M., J. Chem. Educ., 1994, 71, 270
See Magnesium, Water; below
Ammonia MRH 1.46/29
A bottle containing Gomari tissue staining solution
(ammoniacal silver nitrate) prepared two weeks previ-
ously exploded when disturbed. The solution must be pre-
pared fresh each day and discarded immediately after use,
with appropriate precautions [1]. A large quantity of
ammoniacal silver nitrate solution exploded violently
when disturbed by removing a glass rod [2]. However,
it has now been shown that neither the solid precipitated
during addition of ammonia to the nitrate, nor the redis-
solved complex, is sensitive to initiation by very severe
shocks. This was so for fresh or aged solutions. The solids
produced by total evaporation at 95°C or higher would
explode only at above 100 kg cm shock force. A pH value
above 12.9 is essential for separation of explosive precip-
itates, and this cannot be attained by the addition of
ammonia alone [3].
1. MCA Case History No. 2116
2. CISHC Chem. Safety Summ., 1976, 47, 31
3. MacWilliam, E. A. et al., Photogr. Sci. Eng., 1977, 21,
221–224
See SILVER-CONTAINING EXPLOSIVES (reference 2)
Silver(I) oxide: Ammonia, etc.
Ammonia, Ethanol
A silvering solution exploded when disturbed. This is a par-
ticularly dangerous mixture because both silver nitride and
silver fulminate could be formed.
MCA Case History No. 1733
See Ethanol, below
Ammonia, Sodium carbonate
A mixture of the components in gum arabic solution
(marking ink) exploded when warmed.
Vasbinder, H., Pharm. Weekblad, 1952, 87, 861–865
Ammonia, Sodium hydroxide
During preparation of an oxidizing agent on a larger scale
than described [1], addition of warm sodium hydroxide
solution to warm ammoniacal silver nitrate with stirring
caused an immediate precipitation of black silver nitride,
which exploded [2]. Similar incidents had been reported
previously [3], including one where explosion appeared
to be initiated by the addition of Devarda’s alloy (Al—
Cu—Zn) [4].The explosive species separates at pH values
above 12.9, only produced when alkali is added to ammo-
niacal silver solutions or when silver oxide is dissolved
with ammonia [5]. The Sommer and Market reagent
mixture used to identify cellulose derivatives led to a
severe explosion [6].
1. Milligan, T. W. et al., J. Org. Chem., 1962, 27, 4663
2. MCA Case History No. 1554
3. Morse, J. R., School Sci. Rev., 1955, 37(131), 147
4. Baldwin, J., School Sci. Rev., 1967, 48(165), 586
5. MacWilliam, E. A. et al., Photogr. Sci. Eng., 1977, 21,
221–224
6. Anon., Univ. Safety Assoc. Safety News, 1977, (8),
15–16
See Silver nitride
See also Ammonia: Silver compounds
See also SILVERING SOLUTIONS
See also TOLLENS’ REAGENT
Arsenic
A finely divided mixture with excess nitrate ignited when
shaken out onto paper.
Mellor, 1941, Vol. 3, 470
1,3-Butadiyne
See 1,3-Butadiyne: Silver nitrate
Buten-3-yne
See Buten-3-yne: Silver nitrate
Chlorine trifluoride
See Chlorine trifluoride: Metals, etc.

Chlorosulfuric acid
Interaction is violent, with nitrosulfuric acid being formed.
Mellor, 1941, Vol. 3, 470
Disilver ketenide
See Disilver ketenide—silver nitrate
Ethanol MRH 2.55/12
Reclaimed silver nitrate crystals, damp with the alcohol
used for washing, exploded violently when touched with
a spatula, generating a strong smell of ethyl nitrate [1].
The explosion was attributed to the formation of silver ful-
minate (which is produced upon the addition of ethanol to
silver nitrate solutions). Ethyl nitrate may also have been
involved. Alternatives to avoid ethanol washing of
recovered silver nitrate are discussed [2], including the
use of 2-propanol [3]. Another case of explosion during fil-
tration of silver nitrate purified by progressive dilution
with ethanol of its aqueous solution has been reported. Ini-
tiation was by agitation of the slurry on a glass frit with a
spatula [4].
1. Tully, J. P., Ind. Eng. Chem. (News Ed.), 1941, 19, 250
2. Luchs, J. K., Photog. Sci. Eng., 1966, 10, 334
3. Garin, D. L. et al., J. Chem. Educ., 1970, 47, 741
4. Perrin, D. D. et al., Chem. Brit., 1986, 22, 1084; Chem.
Eng. News, 1987, 65(2), 2
See Silver fulminate
Magnesium, Water MRH 6.94/30
An intimate mixture of dry powdered magnesium and
silver nitrate may ignite explosively on contact with a drop
of water [1][2].
1. Marsden, F., private comm., 1973
2. Lyness, D. J. et al., School Sci. Rev., 1953, 35
(125), 139
See other REDOX REACTIONS
Nonmetals MRH Carbon 2.46/10, phosphorus (y) 3.89/
18, sulfur 1.67/16
Under a hammer blow, a mixture with charcoal ignites,
while mixtures with phosphorus or sulfur explode—the
latter violently.
Mellor, 1941, Vol. 3, 469–473
Olefins
Ag+ complexes C¼C bonds (which include aromatic and
acetylenic bonds). It is sometimes possible to isolate silver
nitrate thus complexed by organic ligands. If approaching
oxygen balance, such complexes will be explosive. There
could presumably be a hazard here if silver nitrate-doped
silica were used for preparative, and not just analytical,
chromatography.
9
Organic materials
The vent lines of a reactor in a chemical plant handling
silver nitrate and many other chemicals exploded after a
hammer blow. It was concluded that an oxidation by silver
nitrate was the most probable cause. Ammonium citrate
and sodium dithionite were each shown capable of forming
shock-sensitive explosive mixtures with the nitrate.
U.S. Chem. Safety & Hazard Invest. Board, Report 2003-
08-I-RI, 2004
See Sodium dithionite, below
Other reactants
MRH values for 19 combinations with oxidizable materials
are given.
Yoshida, 1980, 194
Phosphine
Rapid passage of gas into a conc. nitrate solution caused an
explosion, or ignition of a slower gas stream. The explosion
may have been caused by rapid oxidation of the precipi-
tated silver phosphide derivative by the coproduced nitric
acid or dinitrogen tetraoxide.
Mellor, 1941, Vol. 3, 471
Phosphonium iodide
See Phosphonium iodide: Oxidants
Polymers
To assess the suitability of plastic storage containers for
distribution of silver nitrate, behavior under fire exposure
conditions of various polymers in contact with the salt
was examined. All the tested polymers burned vigorously.
491M, 1975, 366
Silver acetylide
See Silver acetylide—silver nitrate
Sodium dithionite
An explosion and fire was initiated by tapping a vent line. It
was concluded that silver nitrate almost certainly was the
initiating oxidant, reacting with other materials that would
have passed as dust into the vent. These included
ammonium citrate, sodium dithionite, various organics,
and ammonia. Although reaction with ammonia, producing
fulminating silver or silver azide, could not be precluded,
sodium dithionite showed the easiest initiation of any
unstable mixture tested, self-heating from about room tem-
perature. This mixture and the thermally more stable one
with ammonium citrate both proved shock sensitive.
U.S. Chemical Safety and Investigation Board, Report No
2003-08-I-RI, 2004
10

Thiophene Mellor, 1940, Vol. 8, 336

A black solid is produced from these two reagents under the See Silver azide chloride
influence of ultrasound (but not otherwise), which explodes
violently upon warming. It is apparently not silver acetylide.
Southern, T., private communication, 1990 Metal oxides or Metal sulfides
Pure silver azide explodes at 340°C, but the presence of
Titanium less than 10% of copper(I) or (II) oxides or sulfides,
A titanium-containing sludge from a nitric acid bath was copper(I) selenide, or bismuth(III) sulfide reduces the det-
separated; before it was completely dry, it exploded, killing onation temperature to 235°C. Concentrations of 10% of
a worker. Investigation showed the dry sludge to be a pow- copper(II) oxide, copper(I) selenide, or sulfide further
erful explosive sensitive to heat, friction, and impact, com- reduced it to 200, 190, and 170°C, respectively.
posed of a ratio of about 60:40 silver nitrate:titanium. Kurochin, E. S. et al., Chem. Abs., 1974, 83, 201390
Shanley, E. S., Chem. Eng. News, 1990, 68(16), 2
See Titanium: Nitric acid
Photosensitizing dyes
0023 Silver azide In a study of dye-sensitized silver azide, it was found that
many dyes caused explosions in the initial stages.
[13863-88-2] AgN3
Aleksandrov, E. et al., Chem. Abs., 1974, 81, 31755
+ – + –
Ag N N N
Sulfur dioxide
As a heavy metal azide, it is considerably endothermic
Mixtures of the slightly soluble azide with liquid sulfur
(DHf° +279.5 kJ/mol, 1.86 kJ/g). While pure silver azide
dioxide became explosive at elevated temperatures.
explodes at 340°C [1], the presence of impurities may
cause explosion at 270°C. It is also impact sensitive, and Mellor, 1940, Vol. 8, 349
explosions are usually violent [2]. Its use as a detonator See other ENDOTHERMIC COMPOUNDS
has been proposed. Application of an electric field to See other METAL AZIDES
crystals of the azide will detonate them at down to –100° See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
C [3], and it may be initiated by irradiation with electron
pulses of nanosecond duration [4].
1. Mellor, 1940, Vol. 8, 349; 1967, Vol. 8, Suppl. 2, 47 0024 Silver trisulfurpentanitridate
2. Gray, P. et al., Chem. & Ind., 1955, 1255 [] AgN5S3
3. Kabanov, A. A. et al., Russ. Chem. Rev., 1975, 44, 538
4. Ryabykh, S. M. et al., Chem. Abs., 1984, 100, 194549 Structure unknown.
See other CATALYTIC IMPURITY INCIDENTS
See other IRRADIATION DECOMPOSITION See 1,3,5-Trichlorotrithiahexahydro-1,3,5-triazine:
INCIDENTS Ammonia
See other N—S COMPOUNDS
See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
Ammonia
Solutions in aqueous ammonia become explosive around
100°C.
Mellor, 1940, Vol. 8, 349 0025 Silver(II) oxide
[1301-96-8] AgO
Chlorine azide
2+ 2−
See Chlorine azide: Ammonia, etc. Ag O

Halogens
Silver azide, itself a sensitive compound, is converted by
ethereal iodine into the less stable and explosive compound Hydrogen sulfide
known as iodine azide. Similarly, contact with nitrogen- See Hydrogen sulfide: Metal oxides
diluted bromine vapor gives bromine azide, often causing See other METAL OXIDES
explosions. See other SILVER COMPOUNDS
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
large room originally used for breakfasting parties, continued in
existence for many years, and was not pulled down till 1865.
[Walford, v. 45., ff.; Walpole’s Letters, ii. 212, 23 June, 1750; The
Connoisseur, No. 68, 15 May, 1755; Low Life, 1764; Davis’s
Knightsbridge, 253, ff.; Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. viii. 166; Angelo’s
Picnic (1834), s.v.]

VIEWS.
1. The north front of Jenny’s Whim Bridge and the Old Public
House at the foot of the Bridge, water colour drawing, 1761. Crace,
Cat. p. 311, No. 58.
2. “A west view of Chelsea Bridge” (showing Jenny’s Whim).
Boreman pinx. Lodge sculp. (1761), W. Coll.; Crace, Cat. p. 311, No.
59 (cp. Walford, v. 43).
 CROMWELL’S GARDENS,
Afterwards FLORIDA GARDENS, BROMPTON

Cromwell’s Gardens consisted of grounds immediately adjoining

(and perhaps at one time belonging to) Hale House, Brompton, a
mansion popularly known as Cromwell House from a tradition,
seemingly unfounded, that the Protector or his family had once
resided there. Some of the entrance tickets of Cromwell’s Gardens
consisted of rude imitations of Oliver’s pattern-shillings, and had his
effigy on the obverse.
The Gardens were in existence at least as early as 1762,[248] and
in 1776 they are described as frequented by fashionable gentlemen
of Kensington and the West End, and by various ladies who were
apparently not always of irreproachable character. Brompton was
then and long afterwards in the midst of gardens and nurseries, and
was noted for its salubrious air. Cromwell’s Gardens were within a
pleasant rural walk from the Park, Chelsea and Knightsbridge. The
grounds were neatly kept: there were “agreeable” arbours for
drinking tea and coffee, and in one part of the garden trees, curiously
cut, surrounded an elevated grass plat. Their retired situation
rendered them (in the opinion of the “Sunday Rambler”) “well
adapted for gallantry and intrigue.”
Music of some kind seems to have been provided, and at one
time equestrian performances in the open air were exhibited by
Charles Hughes, the well-known rider, who in 1782 founded with
Dibdin the Royal Circus, afterwards the Surrey Theatre. The
admission was sixpence,[249] and the gardens were open at least as
late as nine at night.[250]
In 1781 (or 1780) the gardens were in the hands of Mr. R. Hiem, a
German florist, who grew his cherries, strawberries, and flowers
there. About that time he changed the name to Florida Gardens,[251]
erected a great room for dining in the centre of the gardens, and
opened the place to the public at a charge of sixpence. A bowling-
green was formed and a band (said to be subscribed for by the
nobility and gentry) played twice a week during the summer. An air-
balloon and fireworks were announced for 10 September, 1784. It
was a pleasant place where visitors could gather flowers, and fruit
“fresh every hour in the day,” and take the light refreshment of tea,
coffee, and ice creams, or wine and cyder if they preferred it. Hiem
specially recommended his Bern Veckley as “an elegant
succedaneum for bread and butter, and eat by the Noblesse of
Switzerland.” However, like many proprietors of pleasure-gardens,
he subsequently became bankrupt, between 1787 and 1797 (?).
Maria, Duchess of Gloucester, having procured a lease (before
September 1797)[252] of the place, built there a villa, at first called
Maria Lodge, then Orford Lodge, at which she died in 1807. Shortly
after 1807 the premises consisting of about six acres were
purchased by the Rt. Hon. George Canning, who changed the name
of the house to Gloucester Lodge, and lived there for many years.
The house was pulled down about 1850 and the ground let on
building leases. Part of Courtfield Road, Ashburn Place, and perhaps
other streets, occupy the site of Gloucester Lodge which stood
immediately south of the present Cromwell Road, and west of
Gloucester Road near the point where the Gloucester Road
intersects Cromwell Road.
[Sunday Ramble (1776); A Modern Sabbath (1797), chap. vii.;
Faulkner’s Kensington (1820), pp. 438, 441; Lysons’s Environs,
supplement to first ed. (1811), p. 215; Wheatley, London P. and P. s.v.
“Cromwell House” and “Gloucester Lodge”; Fores’s New Guide
(1789), preface, p. vi.; The Public Advertiser, 10 July, 1789; The
Morning Herald, 7 July, 1786; and newspaper cuttings in W. Coll.]

VIEWS.
There seem to be no views of the Cromwell and Florida Gardens.
There is a view of the garden front of Gloucester Lodge in Jerdan’s
Autobiography (1852), vol. ii. frontispiece.
 VI

SOUTH LONDON GROUP

 BERMONDSEY SPA GARDENS

The Bermondsey Spa Gardens owe such celebrity as they

attained to the enterprise of their founder and proprietor, Thomas
Keyse, a self-taught artist, born in 1722, who painted skilful
imitations of still life and exhibited pictures at the Royal Academy.
About 1765 he purchased the Waterman’s Arms, a tavern in
Bermondsey, together with some waste ground adjoining, and
opened the place as a tea-garden, exhibiting there a collection of his
own pictures. At that time, and for several years in the present
century, Bermondsey was surrounded by open country.
About 1770 a chalybeate spring was discovered in the grounds,
and Keyse’s establishment thereupon acquired the name of the
Bermondsey Spa Gardens. Keyse was a cheery, ingenious landlord,
remarkable among other things for his preparation of cherry-brandy.
In 1784 he obtained a license for music from the Surrey magistrates,
and spent £4,000 in improvements. The gardens (covering not less
than four acres) were opened during the summer months on week-
day evenings and Sundays, and the price of admission on week-
days was a shilling. Each visitor was, however, given on entering a
metal check,[253] which was exchanged for refreshments to the
extent of sixpence. On special occasions the admission was half-a-
crown or three shillings.
In the gardens were the usual arbours and benches for tea-
drinking. The space before the orchestra was about a quarter of the
size of that at Vauxhall, and on the north-east of the garden was a
lawn of about three acres. A row of trees leading from the entrance
to the picture gallery was hung at night with lamps of red, blue,
green, and white, in humble imitation of the Grand Walk at Vauxhall.
[254]

Jonas Blewitt, one of the most distinguished organists of the latter

half of the eighteenth century, composed the music of many songs
for the entertainments at the Spa.[255] The Spa poets were Mr. J.
Oakman and Mr. Harriss. Songs of hunting, drinking, and seafaring
took their turn with ditties full of what may be described as sprightly
sentiment. The other music[256] consisted of burlettas, duets, and
interludes, performed by vocalists of only local fame. In a burletta
called the ‘Friars,’ certain nuns who had been forced by wicked
guardians to take the veil, make their escape with the assistance of
two friars. These reverend men, after singing an anacreontic song,
divide the gold which the ladies have given them as their reward,
and the whole concludes with a chorus. The words of the burlettas
and songs were printed in little books, sold for sixpence at the bar
and in the exhibition room.[257]
An occasional display of fireworks took place, and the gardens
and a cascade (introduced about 1792) were illuminated.[258] From
time to time there was a representation of the Siege of Gibraltar by
means of fireworks, transparencies and bomb shells.[259] The
apparatus for the Siege, which was designed by Keyse himself, was
set up in a field divided from the lawn by a sunk fence, the rock
being fifty feet high and two hundred feet long. The blowing up of the
floating batteries and the sinking of boats in ‘fictitious water’ were
(we are assured) ‘so truly represented as to give a very strong idea
of the real Siege.’
A permanent attraction was the Gallery of Paintings, an oblong
room described as being about the same size as W. M. Turner’s
studio in Queen Anne’s Street. Here were exhibited Keyse’s pictorial
reproductions of a Butcher’s Shop and a Greengrocer’s Stall and
many other paintings, including a Vesuvius, and a candle that looked
as if it were really lighted.
On the whole, the Bermondsey Spa appears to have been a
respectable, though hardly fashionable, resort, which brought its
proprietor a moderate income and supplied harmless, if not very
exalted, means of recreation.
It being not unnecessary to provide for the safe convoy of the
visitors after nightfall, Keyse inserted the following advertisement in
the newspapers:—“The Spa Gardens, in Grange Road,
Bermondsey, one mile [the distance is rather understated] from
London Bridge; for the security of the public the road is lighted and
watched by patroles every night, at the sole expense of the
proprietor.” The lighting and patrolling were probably somewhat
mythical, but no doubt the announcement served to reassure the
timid.
J. T. Smith, the author of A Book for a Rainy Day, has left a
graphic description of a visit that he paid on a bright July evening of
1795. The popularity of the gardens was then waning, and on
entering he found no one there but three idle waiters. A board with a
ruffled hand within a sky-blue painted sleeve directed him to the
staircase which led “To the Gallery of Paintings,” and he made a
solitary tour of the room.
The rest of the visit may be described in Smith’s own words.
“Stepping back to study the picture of the ‘Greenstall,’ I ask your
pardon,’ said I, for I had trodden upon some one’s toes. ‘Sir, it is
granted,’ replied a little, thick-set man, with a round face, arch look,
and closely-curled wig, surmounted by a small three-cornered hat
put very knowingly on one side, not unlike Hogarth’s head in his print
of the ‘Gates of Calais.’ ‘You are an artist, I presume; I noticed you
from the end of the gallery, when you first stepped back to look at my
best picture. I painted all the objects in this room from nature and still
life.’ ‘Your Greengrocer’s Shop,’ said I, ‘is inimitable; the drops of
water on that savoy appear as if they had just fallen from the
element. Van Huysum could not have pencilled them with greater
delicacy.’ ‘What do you think,’ said he, ‘of my Butcher’s Shop?’ ‘Your
pluck is bleeding fresh, and your sweetbread is in a clean plate.’
‘How do you like my bull’s eye?’ ‘Why, it would be a most excellent
one for Adams or Dollond to lecture upon. Your knuckle of veal is the
finest I ever saw.’ ‘It’s young meat,’ replied he; ‘anyone who is a
judge of meat can tell that from the blueness of its bone.’ ‘What a
beautiful white you have used on the fat of that Southdown leg! or is
it Bagshot?’ ‘Yes,’ said he, ‘my solitary visitor, it is Bagshot: and as
for my white, that is the best Nottingham, which you or any artist can
procure at Stone & Puncheon’s, in Bishopsgate Street Within.’ ‘Sir
Joshua Reynolds,’ continued Mr. Keyse, ‘paid me two visits. On the
second, he asked me what white I had used; and when I told him, he
observed, ‘It’s very extraordinary, sir, how it keeps so bright. I use the
same.’ ‘Not at all, sir,’ I rejoined: ‘the doors of this gallery are open
day and night; and the admission of fresh air, together with the great
expansion of light from the sashes above, will never suffer the white
to turn yellow. Have you not observed, Sir Joshua, how white the
posts and rails on the public roads are, though they have not been
repainted for years; that arises from constant air and bleaching.’
‘Come,’ said Mr. Keyse, putting his hand upon my shoulder, ‘the bell
rings, not for prayers, nor for dinner, but for the song.’
“As soon as we had reached the orchestra, the singer curtsied to
us, for we were the only persons in the gardens. ‘This is sad work,’
said he, ‘but the woman must sing, according to our contract.’ I
recollect that the singer was handsome, most dashingly dressed,
immensely plumed, and villainously rouged; she smiled as she sang,
but it was not the bewitching smile of Mrs. Wrighten, then applauded
by thousands at Vauxhall Gardens. As soon as the Spa lady had
ended her song, Keyse, after joining me in applause, apologised for
doing so, by observing that as he never suffered his servants to
applaud, and as the people in the road (whose ears were close to
the cracks in the paling to hear the song) would make a bad report if
they had not heard more than the clapping of one pair of hands, he
had in this instance expressed his reluctant feelings. As the lady
retired from the front of the orchestra, she, to keep herself in
practice, curtsied to me with as much respect as she would had
Colonel Topham been the patron of a gala-night. ‘This is too bad,’
again observed Mr. Keyse, ‘and I am sure you cannot expect
fireworks!’ However, he politely asked me to partake of a bottle of
Lisbon, which upon my refusing, he pressed me to accept of a
catalogue of his pictures.”
Keyse died in his house at the Gardens on 8 February, 1800[260]
and his pictures were subsequently sold by auction. His successors
in the management of the Bermondsey Spa failed to make it pay,[261]
and it was closed about 1804.[262] The Site, now in Spa Road, was
afterwards built upon.
[Lysons’s Environs, vol. i. (1792), p. 558; Smith’s Book for a Rainy
Day, p. 135, ff. under “1795”; G. W. Phillips’s History and Antiquities of
Bermondsey, 1841, pp. 84, 85; Dict. Nat. Biog. art. “Keyse”; Walford,
vi. 128, 129; Histories of Surrey; E. L. Blanchard in the Era Almanack
for 1870, p. 18; Rendle and Norman’s Inns of Old Southwark, pp.
394–396; A Modern Sabbath (1797), chap. ix.; Kearsley’s Strangers’
Guide to London (1793?); Fores’s New Guide (1789), preface, p. vi.;
Picture of London, 1802, p. 370, where “the pictures of the late Mr.
Keys” are mentioned; “Public Gardens” Coll. in Guildhall Library,
London; Description of some of the Paintings in the Perpetual
Exhibition at Bermondsey Spa, Horselydown (circ. 1785?) 8vo. (W.
Coll.). Song-books (words only) of Bermondsey Spa, W. Coll.]

VIEWS.
A pen and ink sketch of Bermondsey Spa and a portrait of Keyse
were in J. H. Burn’s Collection, and at his sale at Puttick’s were
bought by Mr. Gardner (Notes and Queries, 6th ser. i. 506).
 ST. HELENA GARDENS, ROTHERHITHE

These gardens were opened in 1770, and in May 1776 music and
dancing were advertised to take place there in the evenings.
Towards the close of the century the Prince of Wales (George IV.)
and various fashionable people are said to have occasionally visited
the place. St. Helena’s was a good deal frequented as a tea-garden
during the first thirty years of the nineteenth century,[263] chiefly by
the dockyard population of the neighbourhood. In 1831 fireworks and
other entertainments were introduced on the week-day evenings and
the place was for some years styled the Eastern Vauxhall. In 1832
the gardens occupied about five acres and a half, and in this year
the performers advertised included Mr. G. R. Chapman “from the
Adelphi and Astley’s” as organist and musical director, Mrs. Venning,
“from the Nobility’s Concerts,” Miss Wood, “the Infant Prodigy, only
six years of age,” and Miss Taylor who performed “many difficult airs
on that delightful instrument, the Musical Glasses.” Concerts,
dancing and other amusements continued till about 1869 when the
gardens appear to have been closed.
 St. Helena Tavern and Tea Gardens.
Rotherhithe.
In 1874, the gardens passed into the hands of Messrs. W. H. and
J. R. Carter who erected an orchestra and a dancing platform, and
provided music and fireworks for an admission of sixpence. The
gardens had fallen into a neglected state, but the walks were once
more well laid out, and the old chestnut trees, the elms and planes
were still standing.
ORCHESTRA AND DANCING-PLATFORM, ST. HELENA GARDENS, circ. 1875.
The gardens ceased to exist in 1881 and were eventually built
over.[264] The site was to the west of Deptford Lower Road, and just
south of Corbett’s Lane and the present St. Helena Road. St.
Katharine’s Church (consecrated 18 October, 1884) in Eugenia Road
(south of St. Helena Road) stands on part of the site.
[Newspaper cuttings, W. Coll.; and see notes.]

VIEWS.
1. The entrance to the St. Helena Tavern and tea-garden, water-
colour drawing, signed R. B. 7 June, 1839 (W. Coll.).
2. Admission ticket in white metal. Size 1·5 inch. Nineteenth
century, circ. 1839? (British Museum). Obverse: View of the entrance
to the tavern and gardens (similar to No. 1); in foreground, two posts
supporting semi-circular board inscribed “St. Helena Tavern and Tea
Gardens. Dinners dress’d”: in exergue, “Rotherhithe.” Reverse:
“Refreshment to the value of sixpence” within floral wreath.
3. Lithographed poster of the St. Helena Gardens, circ. 1875,
showing the orchestra, dancing-platform, and gardens illuminated at
night (W. Coll.).
 FINCH’S GROTTO GARDENS

Finch’s Grotto Gardens situated on the western side of St.

George’s Street, Southwark, near St. George’s Fields,[265] derived
their name from Thomas Finch, a Herald Painter, who, having
inherited from a relation a house and garden, opened both for the
entertainment of the public in the spring of 1760. The garden
possessed some lofty trees, and was planted with evergreens and
shrubs. In the centre was a medicinal spring over which Finch
constructed a grotto, wherein a fountain played over artificial
embankments and formed “a natural and beautiful cascade.” The
spring enjoyed some local celebrity, and was recommended to his
patients by a doctor named Townshend, who resided in the
Haymarket and afterwards in St. George’s Fields. In our own time Dr.
Rendle has described the water as “merely the filtered soakage of a
supersaturated soil,” which could be obtained almost anywhere in
Southwark.
A subscription ticket of a guinea entitled the holder to such
benefits, as Finch’s spring conferred and gave admission to the
evening entertainments that were introduced from about 1764. The
ordinary admission was a shilling, raised on special nights to two
shillings. The gardens were open on Sunday when sixpence was
charged, though the visitor was entitled for his money to tea, half a
pint of wine, cakes, jelly or cyder.
 ADMISSION TICKET, FINCH’S
GROTTO.
An orchestra containing an organ by Pike, of Bloomsbury, stood in
the garden, and there was another orchestra attached to a large
octagonal music-room decorated with paintings and festoons of
flowers. This Octagon Room was used for occasional balls and for
the promenade and concert on wet evenings.
The place appears to have been respectably conducted, but there
is little evidence that it was ever a modish resort, in spite of the
assertion of the country-bred Mrs. Hardcastle[266] that no one could
“have a manner that has never seen the Pantheon, the Grotto
Gardens, the Borough and such places where the nobility chiefly
resort.”[267]
The vocal and instrumental concerts which took place every
evening in the season (May-September) were of a creditable though
not very ambitious character. About fifteen hundred persons are said
to have been present on some of the Freemasons’ nights and on the
benefit nights of the performers.
 Mrs. Baddely.
Numerous singers and instrumentalists were engaged,[268] of
whom the best known are Robert Hudson the organist, Miss Snow
and Thomas Lowe. Sophia Snow, the daughter of Valentine Snow,
sergeant trumpeter to the King, married Robert Baddeley the
comedian, who introduced her to the stage at Drury Lane in 1765. As
Mrs. Baddeley, she became notorious for her beauty and intrigues.
She had some powers as an actress in genteel comedy and her
melodious voice made her popular at Ranelagh (from 1770) and
Vauxhall.
Lowe was the well-known tenor singer of Vauxhall and lessee of
Marylebone Gardens from 1763 to 1768. Becoming bankrupt in
1768, he was glad to accept engagements at the humbler Finch’s
Grotto. He was announced to sing in August 1769, and appeared
under the designation of Brother Lowe at one of the Freemasons’
Concerts at the Grotto.
Finch died on October 23, 1770, and his successor, a Mr.
Williams, advertised the place as Williams’s Grotto Gardens. The
concerts were continued and among the musical entertainments
were Bates’s “The Gamester” (1771) and Barnshaw’s “Linco’s
Travels.”[269]
The programmes of entertainments under Finch and Williams
included concertos on the organ, pieces for horns and clarionets,
Handel’s Coronation Anthem, an Ode to Summer with music by
Brewster, and songs, such as “Thro’ the Wood, Laddie”; “Water
parted from the Sea”; “Oh what a charming thing is a Battle”; “British
Wives”; “O’er Mountains and Moorlands”; “Cupid’s Recruiting
Sergeant” (with drum and fife accompaniment); “Swift Wing’d
Vengeance,” from Bates’s Pharnaces; “Shepherds cease your soft
complainings;” a satirical song on Garrick’s Stratford Jubilee; “Hark,
hark, the joy inspiring horn”; “The Season of Love,” sung by Mr.
Dearle, (1765):—
Bright Sol is return’d and the Winter is o’er,
O come then, Philander, with Sylvia away.[270]

Fireworks were occasionally displayed, and when a ball was

given, the place was illuminated at a cost of about five pounds, and
horns and clarionets played till twelve in the garden. In 1771 and
1772 a grand transparent painting forty feet wide and thirty high, with
illuminations, was displayed. Over the centre arch of this
masterpiece was a medallion of Neptune supported by Tritons: on
each side were two fountains “with serpents jetting water,
representing different coloured crystal.” On one wing was Neptune
drawn by sea-horses; on the other, Venus rising from the sea; and
the back arches showed a distant prospect of the sea. In June 1771
a representation was given “of the famous Fall of Water call’d Pystill
Rhiader near the seat of Sir Watkin Williams Wynne, Bart., in
Denbighshire.”
Apparently these entertainments failed to pay the proprietor and in
1773 (?) he pulled down the grotto over the spring and rooted up the
shrubs to form a skittle ground in connection with the tavern, which
still continued to be carried on.
About 1777 the “messuages and lands known as the Grotto
Gardens” were purchased for the parish of St. Saviour’s, Southwark,
part of the ground being used for the erection of a workhouse and
part for a Burial Ground (consecrated in 1780). In 1799 the
Workhouse was sold to Mr. John Harris, hat manufacturer, and M.P.
for Southwark in 1830, who used it as his manufactory and
residence. Some relics of the old Grotto were to be found many
years after the closing of the Gardens, notably the Octagon Room,
which was converted into a mill and at one time used as the armoury
of the Southwark Volunteers.
In 1824 “a very large and old mulberry tree” was standing at the
end of a long range of wooden tea-rooms formerly belonging to the
gardens and converted into inferior cottages. Behind the cottages
was a water-course derived from Loman’s Pond dividing them from a
field, once part of the gardens, though only occupied at that time by
dust and rubbish.
The tavern attached to the Gardens continued to be carried on
under the sign of the Grotto till 28 May, 1795, when it was destroyed
by fire. The new tavern erected in its place bore the sign of The
Goldsmith’s Arms, and afterwards of the “Old Grotto new reviv’d.”
In the front of this house was inserted a stone bearing the
inscription:—
Here Herbs did grow
And Flowers sweet,
But now ’tis call’d
 Saint George’s Street.[271]

This building was removed for the formation of the present

Southwark Bridge Road in 1825 and a public house named The
Goldsmith’s Arms—still standing—was built on the western side of
the new road, more upon the site of the old Grotto Gardens. The
main site of the gardens is now occupied by the large red-brick
building, which forms the headquarters of the Metropolitan Fire
Brigade.
[Wilkinson’s Londina Illustrata, vol. ii., “Finch’s Grotto Gardens”;
Manning and Bray’s Surrey, iii. 591; Brayley and Mantell’s Surrey, v.
371; Rendle and Norman’s Inns of Old Southwark, 360–364; Walford,
vi. 64; newspaper cuttings, W. Coll.]

VIEWS.
The only view is one of the second tavern published in Wilkinson’s
Londina Illustrata, 1825:—
“South-east view of the Grotto, now the Goldsmith’s Arms in the
Parish of St. George’s, Southwark.” This shows the inscription: “Here
Herbs did grow.”
 CUPER’S GARDENS

Cuper’s Gardens, a notable resort during the first half of the last
century, owe their name and origin to Boyder Cuper, who rented, in
the parish of Lambeth on the south side of the Thames opposite
Somerset House, a narrow strip of meadow land surrounded by
water-courses.
About 1691 or earlier he opened the place as a pleasure garden
with agreeable walks and arbours and some good bowling-greens.
As an old servant of the Howard family he obtained the gift of some
of the statues that had been removed when Arundel House in the
Strand was pulled down. These, though mutilated and headless,
appeared to the proprietor to give classic distinction to his garden,
and they remained there till 1717, when his successor, a John
Cuper, sold these ‘Arundel Marbles’ for £75.[272]
During the first twenty or thirty years of the last century, Cuper’s
was a good deal frequented in the summer-time. A tavern by the
waterside, called The Feathers, was connected with the grounds.
It is not certain that music and dancing were provided at this
period, and the company appears to have consisted chiefly of young
attorneys’ clerks and Fleet Street sempstresses, with a few City
dames, escorted by their husbands’ ’prentices, who (perhaps after
paying a visit to the floating ‘Folly’) sat in the arbours singing,
laughing, and regaling themselves with bottle-ale.[273]
The place was popularly known as Cupid’s Gardens, and is even
thus denominated in maps of the last century. This name is
preserved in the traditional song, once very popular, “’Twas down in
Cupid’s Garden”:—
’Twas down in Cupid’s Garden
For pleasure I did go,
To see the fairest flowers
That in that garden grow:
The first it was the jessamine,
The lily, pink and rose,
 And surely they’re the fairest flowers
That in that garden grows.[274]

In 1738 the tavern and gardens were taken by Ephraim Evans, a

publican who had kept the Hercules Pillars opposite St. Dunstan’s
Church, Fleet Street. During his tenancy (1738–1740) he improved
the gardens and erected an orchestra in which was set up an organ
by Bridge. A band played from six till ten and Jones, the blind Welsh
harper, was engaged to perform selections from Handel and Corelli.
The admission was then and thenceforward one shilling, and the
gardens were opened on Sunday free of charge.[275] It was
announced that care would be taken to keep out bad company and
that no servant in livery would be admitted to walk in the garden.
 View of the Savoy, Somerset House and the Water entrance to
Cuper’s Garden.
From a picture in the Collection of
The Revd. Philip Duval, D.D. & F.A.S.
There was a back way to the gardens leading from St. George’s
Fields, and watchmen were appointed “to guard those who go over
the fields late at night.” The favourite approach, however, was by
water, and the visitors landed at Cuper’s Stairs, a few yards east of
the present Waterloo Bridge. The season lasted from April or May till
the beginning of September.
Evans died on 14 October, 1740,[276] but the tavern and gardens
were carried on by his widow. It was under the spirited management
of the widow Evans that Cuper’s Gardens especially flourished, and
her advertisements figure frequently in the newspapers (1741–
1759). ‘The Widow,’ as she was called, presided at the bar during
the evening and complimentary visitors described her as “a woman
of discretion” and “a well-looking comely person.” By providing good
music and elaborate fireworks, she attracted a good deal of
fashionable patronage. The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the
place and some of Horace Walpole’s friends,[277] Lord Bath and Lord
Sandys, for instance, both of whom had their pockets picked there.
The well-dressed sharper was, in fact, by no means unknown at
Cuper’s. One night in 1743 a man was caught stealing from a young
lady a purse containing four guineas, and while being taken by a
constable to Lambeth was rescued by a gang of thieves in St.
George’s Fields. On the whole, Cuper’s was looked upon as a
decidedly rakish place at which a prudent young lady was not to be
seen alone with a gentleman.[278]
For the evening concert of 16 June, 1741, Mrs. Evans announced
“a new grand concerto for the organ by the author, Mr. Henry
Burgess, junior, of whom it may be said without ostentation that he is
of as promising a genius and as neat a performer as any of the age.”
Composers better known to fame than Mr. Henry Burgess, junior,
were also represented. The programme, for instance, of one July
evening in 1741 consisted of “The Overture in Saul, with several
grand choruses composed by Mr. Handel”; the eighth concerto of
Corelli; a hautboy concerto by Sig. Hasse; “Blow, blow thou wintry
wind,” and other favourite songs composed by the ingenious Mr.
Arne, and the whole concluded with a new grand piece of music, an
original composition by Handel, called ‘Portobello,’ in honour of the
popular hero, Admiral Vernon, “who took Portobello with six ships
only.” On other occasions there were vocal performances (1748–
1750) by Signora Sibilla and by Master Mattocks. The Signora was
Sibilla Gronamann, daughter of a German pastor and the first wife of
Thomas Pinto, the violinist. She died in or before 1766. Mattocks,
who had “a sweet and soft voice,” was afterwards an operatic actor
at Covent Garden. Mrs. Mattocks sang at the gardens in 1750.
After the concert, at half-past nine or ten, a gun gave the signal
for the fireworks for which the place was renowned.
 On 18 July, 1741, the Fire Music from Handel’s opera, “Atalanta,”
was given, the fireworks consisting of wheels, fountains, large sky-
rockets, “with an addition of the fire-pump, &c., made by the
ingenious Mr. Worman, who originally projected it for the opera”
when performed in 1736. The Daily Advertiser for 28 June, 1743,
announced that “this night will be burnt the Gorgon’s head ... in
history said to have snakes on her hair and to kill men by her looks,
such a thing as was never known to be done in England before.” For
another night (4 September, 1749) the entertainment was
announced to conclude with “a curious and magnificent firework,
which has given great satisfaction to the nobility, wherein Neptune
will be drawn on the canal by sea-horses and set fire to an
Archimedan (sic) worm and return to the Grotto.”
In 1746 (August 14) there was a special display to celebrate “the
glorious victory obtained over the rebels” by the Duke of
Cumberland, consisting of emblematic figures and magnificent
fireworks, with “triumphant arches burning in various colours.” In
1749 (May) there was a miniature reproduction with transparencies
and fireworks of the Allegorical Temple that had been displayed in
the Green Park on 27 April, 1749, to commemorate the peace of Aix-
la-Chapelle. At the opening of the gardens on April 30 for the season
of 1750, the edifice from which the fireworks were displayed was
altered “into an exact model of that at the Hague, made on account
of the General Peace.”
The season of 1752, practically the last at Cuper’s, lasted from
May till near the end of September. The principal vocalist was Miss
Maria Bennett.[279] The fireworks and scenic effects were novel and
elaborate. A song commemorating the Prince of Wales’s birthday
was “shown curiously in fireworks in the front of the machine.” The
fireworks building, when the curtain was withdrawn, disclosed a
perspective view of the city of Rhodes—sea, buildings, and
landscape, with a model of the Colossus, from under which Neptune
issued forth and set fire to a grand pyramid in the middle of the
canal. Dolphins spouted water; water-wheels and rockets threw up
air-balloons and suns blazed on the summit of the building.
 On one occasion the crowd near the fireworks was so great that a
gentleman took up his position in a tree, and when St. George and
the Dragon came to a close engagement and the clockwork began to
move the arms of St. George to pierce the Dragon, he let go his
hands to clap like the rest and fell headlong upon the bystanders.
[280]

The ‘Inspector’ of the London Daily Advertiser took his friend the
old Major, to Cupid’s Gardens (as they were still called) on a
pleasant August evening in this year. The Major was delighted with
all he saw. “Now I like this. I am always pleased when I see other
people happy: the folks that are rambling about among the trees
there; the jovial countenances of them delight me ... here’s all the
festivity and all the harmless indulgence of a country wake.”[281]
The country wake element was in evidence late in the evening,
and constables stationed at the gate had occasionally to interfere.
One night, for instance, a pretty young woman, accompanied by a
friend, promenaded the gardens dressed as a man wearing a long
sword. No small sensation was caused in the miscellaneous
company, which included a physician, a templar, a berouged old lady
and her granddaughter, and the sedate wife of a Cheapside fur-
seller. “A spirited young thing with a lively air and smart cock of her
hat” passed by. “Gad,” said she, as she tripped along, “I don’t see
there’s anything in it; give us their cloathes and we shall look as
sharp and as rakish as they do.” “What an air! what a gate! what a
tread the baggage has!” exclaimed another.
But the days of Cuper’s were numbered. In the early part of 1752
the statute-book had been dignified by the addition of 25 George II.,
cap. 36, entitled, “An Act for the better preventing thefts and
robberies and for regulating places of public entertainment and
punishing persons keeping disorderly houses.” By section 2 of this
enactment it was required that every house, room, garden, or other
place kept for public dancing or music, &c., within the cities of
London and Westminster, or twenty miles thereof, should be under a
licence. The Act took effect from December 1, 1752, and the
necessary licence for the season of 1753 was refused to the
management of Cuper’s Gardens. The widow Evans complained
bitterly that she was denied the liberty of opening her gardens, a
misfortune attributed by her to the malicious representations of ill-
meaning persons, but which was really owing, no doubt, to the
circumstance that Cuper’s was degenerating into the place which
Pennant says he remembered as the scene of low dissipation.
Meanwhile Mrs. Evans threw open the grounds (June 1753) as a
tea-garden in connection with the Feathers, and the walks were
“kept in pleasant order.”
In the summer of 1755 entertainments of the old character were
revived, but they were advertised as fifteen private evening concerts
and fireworks, open only to subscribers, a one guinea ticket
admitting two persons. It is to be suspected that the subscription was
mythical, and was a mere device to evade the Act. However, a band
was engaged, and on June 23 loyal visitors to Cuper’s
commemorated the accession of King George to the throne by a
concert and fireworks. Clitherow, who had been the engineer of
Cuper’s fireworks from 1750 (or earlier), was again employed, but
had to publish in the newspapers a lame apology for the failure of
the Engagement on the Water on the night of August 2 (1755), a
failure which he explained was not due to his want of skill but “owing
to part of the machinery for moving the shipping being clogg’d by
some unaccountable accident, and the powder in the ships having
unfortunately got a little damp.”
From 1756–1759 Cuper’s Gardens were again used as the tea-
garden of the Feathers. There was no longer a Band of Musick but
(as the advertisements express it) “there still remains some harmony
from the sweet enchanting sounds of rural warblers.”
The last recorded entertainment at the place was a special
concert given on August 30, 1759 by “a select number of gentlemen
for their own private diversion,” who had “composed an ode alluding
to the late decisive action of Prince Ferdinand.” Any lady or
gentleman inspired by Prussian glory was admitted to this
entertainment on payment of a shilling.
 For several years the gardens remained unoccupied, but from
about 1768 three acres of them were leased to the firm of Beaufoy,
the producers of British wines and vinegar. The orchestra, or rather
the edifice used from 1750 for the fireworks, was utilised for the
distillery. Dr. Johnson once passed by the gardens: “Beauclerk, I,
and Langton, and Lady Sydney Beauclerk, mother to our friend,
were one day driving in a coach by Cuper’s Gardens which were
then unoccupied. I, in sport, proposed that Beauclerk, and Langton,
and myself, should take them, and we amused ourselves with
scheming how we should all do our parts. Lady Sydney grew angry
and said, ‘An old man should not put such things in young people’s
heads.’ She had no notion of a joke, sir; had come late into life, and
had a mighty unpliable understanding.”[282]

PLAN OF CUPER’S GARDENS.

J. T. Smith[283] tells us that he walked over the place when

occupied by the Beaufoys, and saw many of the old lamp-irons along
the paling of the gardens, humble reminders of the days when the
walks of Cuper’s Gardens were “beautifully illuminated with lamp-
trees in a grand taste, disposed in proper order.” In 1814 part of the
ground was required for making the south approach to Waterloo
Bridge. The “fireworks” building and the rest of Messrs. Beaufoys’
works were then taken down and the Waterloo Road, sixty feet in
width, was cut through the three acres, thus passing through the
centre of Cuper’s Gardens which had extended up to the site of the
present St. John’s Church (built in 1823) opposite Waterloo Station.
The Royal Infirmary for Children and Women erected in 1823 on
the eastern side of the Waterloo Road stands on (or rather over) the
centre of the site of the gardens. The Feathers was used during the
building of the bridge for the pay-table of the labourers, and when it
was taken down (about 1818?) its site was occupied by a timber-
yard, close to the eastern side of the first land-arch of the Waterloo
Bridge.
The public-house now called the Feathers, standing near the
Bridge and rising two stories above the level of the Waterloo Road
was built by the proprietor of the old Feathers in 1818.
[Wilkinson’s Londina Illustrata, vol. ii. “Cuper’s Gardens,” Public
Gardens Coll. in Guildhall Library, London (newspaper cuttings, &c.);
Charles Howard’s Historical Anecdotes of the Howard Family (1769),
98, ff.; Pennant’s Account of London, 3rd ed. 1793, 32–34; Musical
Times, February 1894, 84, ff.; Hone’s Every Day Book, i. 603; E.
Hatton’s New View of London, 1708, ii. 785; Lysons’s Environs, 1792,
i. 319, 320; Walford, vi. 388, 389; The Observator, March 10, 1702-3;
newspaper cuttings, W. Coll.]

VIEWS.
1. View of the Savoy, Somerset House, and the water entrance to
Cuper’s Gardens, engraved by W. M. Fellows, 1808, in J. T. Smith’s
Antiquities of Westminster, from a painting (done in 1770, according to
Crace, Cat. 188, No. 219) by Samuel Scott.
2. Woodcuts in Walford, vi. 391, showing entrance to the gardens
(the back entrance) and the “orchestra” during the demolition of the
buildings; cp. ib. 390. Walford also mentions, ib. p. 388, a view
showing the grove, statues, and alcoves, of the gardens.
 3. Water-colour drawings of Beaufoys’ and Cuper’s in 1798 and in
1809 (Crace, Cat. 648, Nos. 49, 50).
4. Wilkinson, Lond. Illust. (1825), vol. ii. gives three views, Pl. 155,
view of the Great Room as occupied for Beaufoys’ manufactory, with a
plan of the gardens; Pl. 156, another similar view; Pl. 157, view of the
old Feathers Tavern.