Editing Regent's Canal (section)

====Damage and aftermath====
All the people on board died; captain Charles Baxton, a labourer named William Taylor, a third man and a young boy. The Macclesfield Bridge was destroyed and rebuilt in 1876 reusing the cast iron pillars (made in [[Coalbrookdale]] according to an inscription at their top), but turning them by 180° (canal side towards tow path side) so tow rope grooves that were created before the incident can be seen on the outer side of the columns.

The explosion was heard 20 miles away. Debris flew in all directions; the roofs of surrounding houses blew off; windows were smashed and trees uprooted; and dead fish rained down on the West End. The tugboat's [[keel]] was found embedded in a house 300 yards away.<ref name="waterfront" /> The bridge was nick-named the 'Blow-Up Bridge'.<ref name="londonist" />

The damage would have been far worse had the barge exploded in the highly populated areas of [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]] and [[Islington]], which the convoy had passed through earlier that morning.

The canal company that owned ''Tilbury'' was condemned for gross negligence in permitting the “highly imprudent and improper” practice of carrying petroleum and gunpowder aboard the same barge.

The incident accelerated the passing of the [[Explosives Act 1875]],<ref>[https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/38-39/17/contents Explosives Act 1875]</ref> which regulates the manufacture and carriage of dangerous substances.<ref name="waterfront" />