The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-01-27 00:00:00

SEVERE EXPLOSIONS AT GLASGOW.

On Saturday night an alarming explosion took place
in a gasometer measuring 160 ft. in diameter by 60ft.in
depth at the Tradeston Gas Works of the Glasgow
Corporation.
Attention was first attracted by a large volume of
flame towering high in the air, which was followed im-
mediately by an explosion, the effects of which were
felt for miles round. On investigation it was found
that the holder had exploded on the south-west side, a
portion of the plating measuring 12ft. square being
torn and twisted and thrown outwards, while several
large apertures were discovered in the roof, from
which the gas blazed fiercely. Fortunately no one
inside the works was hurt, but a number of single
story houses which immediately adjoin were almost
totally wrecked and scarcely one of the inmates
escaped injury. In one house where the full force of
the explosion seemed to have been felt the walls were
cracked, the plaster of the roof all thrown down, and
the windows in the front blown out, while the five
inmates, who formed one family, were all burnt about
the head, neck, and bands, the father and a girl suffer-
ing severely.
The windows in a large number of houses at a con,
siderable distance were blown in, and, as an instance
of the curious effect of the concussion, one gentleman
who was walking along the street was observed to sway
backwards and forwards and then to be violently
thrown on his face.
None of the cases are likely to prove fatal.

Various theories have been started as to the ause of
the explosion, but the authorities think it is not due
to mischief. It is possible that the gasometer had
leaked, that the gas had reached the houses of the
persons iujured, and then caught the flame of their
fires and produced the explosion.

• The Times of Wednesday said: The explosion is
still occupying a considerable share of public atten.
tion. Mr. Hawksley, of London, who was tele-
graphed for on Monday afternoon, left by the night
mail for Glasgow, reaching the city yesterday
morning. He at once put himself in communication
with Mr. Poulin and accompanied by that gentle-
man, went out to the works early in the day to ex-
amine the gasometer and its surroundings. After
making an inspection, lasting several hours, of the
gasometer, Mr. Hawksley had an interview at the
Council Charnbers with the Lord Provost, Mr. J. L. K.
Jamieson, convener of the gas committee, and Mr.
Foulis, and after hearing all the information that
could be furnished regarding the matter, he gave it as
his opinion that the explosion was the result of some
explosive substance applied to the outside of the
gasometer. He is convinced that either dynamite
or nitro-glycerine was used, but from the appearance
of the injuries to the holder, he is inclined to the
belief that dynamite was employed. The theory was
suggested to him that it might have been caused by a
flow of gas escaping from the holder and getting
ignited, but he thinks that the disaster could not have
resulted in that way. In fact, he has no doubt that it
was caused, as already mentioned, by an explosive
applied to the onteide of the tank....l„az

Three hours after the above explosion, and before
the anxiety caused by the explosion had been allayed,
another terrific report was heard in a north-westerly
direction. It was found that arwther explosion had
occurred on the premises of the Caledonian Railway
Company, in a abed at the railway bridge crossing

Dobbies Loan. The shed was an open one, about twenty-
four feet long and twenty broad. It was constructed
of bricks, and had at one time been used for loading
coals. Lately it had not been made use of, and on
Saturday there was not a single article, explosive or
otherwise, under the shed. On the watchmen and a
number of policemen running to the place, the shed
was found to be a total wreck. There were no signs of
fire about the place, and as no gas was used in the
shed, the explosion must have been caused by dyna-
mite, gunpowder, or some similar substance. An
engine-shed adjoining the coal-shed was slightly
damaged by the force of the explosion, as was also a
kiln of the Canal-street Bottle Works, a quarter of a
mile distant.

On Saturday night, as a number of people were
returning from Glasgow to Springburn, one of the
suburbs of that city, they disoovered on the Keppoch-
hill-bridge, which carries the Forth and Clyde Canal
over the highway, a small oval tin box lying on the
parapet. One of the company, a gunner belonging to
the Royal Artillery named Adam Barr, opened the
lid of the box, which he found was full of sand. He
pushed his hand in among .the sand, when the con-
tents exploded and began to burn. Barr and four
others were injured, thought not seriously. As the
box was destroyed by the fire, it is not known what
the explosive substance was. It may be mentioned
that had the bridge been destroyed the canal for a
distance of sixteen miles would have been drained into
the city.