Kentish Gazette, 5 October 1852.

Sheerness. Serious Fire and Loss of Two Lives.

At eleven o'clock on Wednesday night a fire broke out in the "Duke of Clarence" public-house, situated nearly at the extreme east end of Blue Town, and immediately opposite her Majesty's dockyard wall and the Naval-terrace. Before a sufficient supply of water could be obtained the shops of Mr. Tyler, bootmaker, and Mr. G. Fife, chemist, with a number of wood tenements in the court adjoining, occupied by Mr. W. Thompson and others, were all on fire.

The Artillery from the barracks, under the command of Lieut. Colonel England, attempted to make a breach by pulling down four brick houses. By this time a party of seamen from her Majesty's ship Waterloo, Captain the Hon. Montague Stopford (who was present), under the command of Commander John B. Marsh and Lieut. Thomas B. Christopher; also a party of seamen from her Majesty's ship London, Captain George R. Mundy, with Mr. Nodell, the master; Commander Pryce, of the Monarch, with a strong muster from that ship; and a boat's crew from her Majesty's ship Horatio, got the yard engines and fireplug branch hose into full play on the fire, and succeeded after some time in confining the fire within the range it had then extended to. The highest credit is due to Captain Superintendent Charles Hope, the Hon. Montague Stopford, Jonathan Aylen, Esq , master attendant; Mr. Blaxland, C. E., Commanders Marsh and Pryce; also Lieut. Christopher and Moore, and Mr. Flynn, boatswain of her Majesty's dockyard, for the efficient services rendered by them, and the seamen under their command. One marine was burnt to death in bed in the "Duke of Clarence," and one artilleryman was killed by the fall of a chimney. It is reported there are four other marines missing but it is hoped they will turn up again. The cause of the fire has not been yet discovered, but there is very little doubt it originated in carelessness in turning off the gas. The post-office and stationer's shop, occupied by Mr. Batcheldor, was repeatedly on fire, and every time subdued by the well-directed play of water from Lieut. Christopher's party, who were stationed on her Majesty's dockyard wall. We regret to say Captain the Hon. Montague Stopford received an injury to one of his eyes by the falling fire, to which he subjected himself whilst giving directions to the seamen. The principal portion of the property is insured.

From the East Kent, Faversham and Sittingbourne Gazette, Saturday 13 August, 1870.

Sudden Death.

On Saturday morning last and elderly man, named Robert Bridges, a superannuated joiner from the dockyard, whilst reading a paper in front of the bar at the "Duke of Clarence Tavern," suddenly fell off the seat, and when he was picked up life was found to be extinct. A medical man examined the body, and gave it as his opinion that the cause of death was disease of the heart.

The coroner felt satisfied with the medical testimony, and did not think it necessary to hold an inquest.