Grosvenor Hotel, London
1865, June: 'THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE GROSVENOR HOTEL
On Monday afternoon, Mr. Bedford, coroner, resumed, at the Grosvenor Hotel, the inquiry respecting the giving way of the lift at that establishment, by which Ambrose Rosebrook, aged 34 years, and Emile Coussement, aged 24, lost their lives, and two other persons were injured. The proceedings lasted three hours, and a mass of scientific evidence was taken. Mr. E. Easton, of the firm of Easton, Amos, and Sons, Southwark-street, the constructors of the lift, and Mr. W. Mills, C. E., stated that the lift was erected in 1861; it was a hydraulic lift; the shaft was 100 feet high, and it was calculated to raise seven persons with their luggage. There was a counterbalancing weight but no safety breaks, such not being use in London as a rule, though they are in use in Manchester and elsewhere. Major Murray, the chairman of the Grosvenor Hotel Company, stated that no expense should be spared to get the best and safest machine for the public. They paid constant attention to the late lift, and it was not believed to be in any way dangerous. The jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental death," and handed in the following addendum :—" The jury, deploring the loss of human life by the accident, desire to express to the directors a strong opinion as to the necessity — human life constantly depending on it — that the machinery of the descending room should be of the best material and construction, that the girders should be of wrought iron, and the counter weight secured in a box to hold it in its proper place." [1]
1865, December, advert: 'GROSVENOR HOTEL, Victoria Station, Belgravia, London.
The NEW ASCENDING ROOM, constructed by the eminent Hydraulic Engineers, Messrs. Easton, Amos, and Sons, with all the recent improvements, to secure strength and safety, is now COMPLETED and in daily use. This machine makes every floor of the Hotel conveniently accessible to all its Visitors.
Applications for Apartments, addressed to Frederic Smith, the Manager, will receive the most prompt attention.'[2]