Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1864-12-28
Powder Nlill Explosion.


WLxrNaroS, Del, Dec. 16.
have endeavored to gather the full de
tails Of the explosion at Dupont's powder
mills yesterday. 1t seems that there were
several explosions, of which the first was
the heaviest, and was probably the one
which was heard, and created so much
alarm, in your city. 1t occurred in the Hag-
ley yard, about 103 A. NJ, when all the
men were in the yard and at work. It is
hard to tell where the grand destruction
commenced, or what was its cause, but it is
supposed to have begun in the press-room.
The explosion communicated itself to three
Of the mills engaged in making government
powder, tearing them to atoms and scatter
ing their ruins far and wide. Other build
ings were very much injured-some of
them so much SO as to make them useless.
It may be cited, as an evidence Of the terri
bic force Of the explosion, that great heavy
beams were lifted up like rushes into the
air, whirlcd distances, sometimes of over
800 feet, and imbedded SO deep in the
ground, frozen hard as flint, as to stand
firmly on end. Great hollows were SCOOP
ed in the ground by the mere concussion,
seemingly, and timbers scattered in profu-
sion over the fields around. Not vestige
Of some Of the exploded mills remained,
save the foundation walls and SCARED earth.
The heat generated by the sudden ignition
of such large quantity Of powder was SO
sudden and 80 intense as to char great trees
in twinkling-the moist, green bark burn
ing as readily as finder, but ceasing to burn
when the last rumble of the roar Of the ex
plosion had died away. The windows in
the surrounding country were, of course,
damaged much. In Christ church, (Epis-
copal) every pane was crumbled, and in the
house Of Mrs. Elexis Dupont, which is sit
uated one hundred and fifty feet from the
scene of disaster, the glass was shattered SO
violently that some Of the family we've cut
by the flying fragments. The house was
shaken from roof to foundation, and Sc.
riously damaged. Immediately after the
explosion, and when the excitement had
spent itself, the yard was closed, and no ad.
mittance granted to the numerous persons
who were attracted from this city and the
country around to curiously view the havo,.
As usual. there is sad catalogue Of dca tbs
to write along with tho exhibit Of damages
to property, which are insignificant in com
parison. There were ten men killed.
have not seen any Of them, but hear that
some are torn to pieces, and only charred
and bleeding fragments remain, sickenina
and unacceptable.
As the risk Of explosion is always taker
into account in powder manufactures, thu
buildings are never made either ornamenta
or valuable. They are usually frame struc
lures, cheaply built, and easily replaces
when blown to pieces. The loss is therefor
not great, financially; it is only great, On,
properly SO, in the death that attends it.
believe. however, that the men, who 60 int
inc works With the probability Of suddei
death always in view, and thus show grea
moral courage, are very well remunefate,
for their labor, and their families, in case
their death BY accident are provided for b
!. the Acssrs. Dupont. The provision Il ri,
. to be ample to those in need.