Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-14
AN EXPLOSION IN PHILADELPHIA.
The Terrible Power of steam.

The Terrible Power of Steam.
An account of the explosion of the steam
boiler at Merick & Co.. foundry, in Wash
ingtOn street. Philadelphia, a few days
since, has been published. Seven persons
were killed and q number wounded. The
following additional particulars Of the ca
tastrOphe we copy from the Philadelphia
papers:
The boiler, which for safety had been
placed in the centre Of the block, in low
building, outside Of and away from the
main buildings, was q new one, having
been in use but few days. Il stood close
to one Of the same size, which had been in
use for a long time, until recently, and
Was an ordinary tubular one, Of about "a
tons weight. The character of the explo-
sion may be judged by the fact that the
mass Of the boiler was lifted from its bed,
and carried over the top Of the other boil
er a distance Of from 35 to 40 feet, falling
through the roof Of the chipping shop a
frame building, which, with several Of the
neighboring shops, was nearly demolished.
The boiler-house, a small brick structure,
was totally demolished-not one brick be-
ing left standing upon another. The bricks
were thrown in all directions, some of
them being carried into Fifth street, 200
feet of, and not q few into Federal street,
a greater distance.
A piece Of iron girder passed through
the house Of Mr.. Jolly, standing back from
Fifth street, opposite the foundry The
fragment crossed the psrlor, treyersed the
house from the front to the rear, and land
ed in the yard. The front wall was fifteen
inches thick, and several partition walls
were also broken through. Mrs. Jolly was
in the room overhead, and was in the act
Of bringing her children down to let them
look cue of the front vvindovvs The tor
rife crash almost deprived the lady Of her
senses.
Another flying missile unceremoniously
entered the house Of Boyd Adams. It
passed through one Of the windows, mar
roWly missing his wife and child in her
arms.
The smokestsck was carried with great
force to the roof of the machine shop,
which is five stories in hight, and partially
buried itself there, half Of IL being forced
through the roof
A large brace, belonging to the boiler,
about six feet in length, was carried up
into the sir, and coming down near the
main entrance Of the establishment, bored
3 hole through the roof and fell to the
ground.
Amid the crash Of material, Of falling
beams, or splinters, 8 lad found himself on
the roof, and was so astonished at the un-
revealed method Of his elevation, that he
called down to Mr.. Richard Newsam, who
was yet in the shop. " Say, Mr.. Newsam,"
shouted the lad, how in the - did 1
get up here, anyhow ?" He Was not in
jured.
One Of the killed was standing at the
time Of the explosion in conversation with
9 felloW-workmsn, named Morris Agan.-
In a moment he disappeared, and yet Mr..
Agsn escaped without scratch.
The large windows Of st. Alphonsus'
church were wrecked in bsd manner
The gardens Of Mr.. Baxter, in Fifth street,
were well sprinkled with bricks, and 3
good deal Of dsmsge was done to his fine
orchard Of dwarf fruit trees. A single
brick went through second story window,
where it demolished handsome piece Of |
furniture sent home only day or two be-
fore.
A wild rush took place toward the build |
ing when the disster occurred. A fearful |
panic was the first result. The ruins might |
have served to illustrate an earthquake In !
Caracas, and among them lay the dead and |
the wounded.