Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-04-29
Another Boiler Explosion in Philadelphia

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Another Boiler Explosion in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia U. s. Gazette, of Tuesday,
gives the following particulars of the explosion
N philadelphia, on Monday morning -
Some twelve years ago, upon the site Of
farmer factory edifoe destroyed by fire, the trm
of Cornelius & Baker, manufacturers OF gas hx-
tures reared one OF the largest and finest factory
buildings in America. Ii was completed in
1862.
The building, in order TO guard against re
currence OF the same calamity, was constructed
without any wood whatever. The sole materials
were brick stone and iron. Even the window
aash were metallic, and the doors throughout the
house were Of the same material. Its destruc-
ton by fire was impossible, and until yesterday
NO casualty Of any kind had transpired within
it's walls. A dreadful explosion visited it yester~
day, With results even more fearful and more
fatal than those attending the casualty, at the
foundry of Messrs. Merrick Son.
The buildings, Eve stories in height, occupy
three sides OF square lot, with large open
space in the cen re. Windows open into this
court yard. As an additional precaution against
accident, the boiler and engine room were loca-
ted in u separate building, which occupied the
north side Of the quadrangle. In this building
there were two boilers in use, aud an engine OF
twenty five horse power The building in which
the engine and boiler were placed was or brlck,
single story in height, and the boilers were IN
a basement lower than the surface of the ground.
There was u chimney Eve stories in height con-
neoted with the engine hous'. There was also
small building used for stamping metals that
occupied portion of tue quadrangle.
About half past seven O'Clock in the morning,
when the five stories of the building were filled
with bustling operatives, the explosion came
Two distinct reports were heard, and instantly
the open space was filled with steam, the air with
flying materials, and scene ensued that mocks
all description. Escaping steam entered the
nearest windows, and all unknowing OF the ex-
tent of the disaster, the thrOng of men dashed to
and fro in dire confusion.
Reaching the yard the sight that met the eye
suggested the track Of a devastating hurricane.
The boiler, rent and collapsed, had flown off like
disrupted shell, The tall chimney stack above
described lay upon the ground heap OF Jagged
and broken bricks. Not one was left in angular
position upon the other. The boiler-h house and
the two dipping shops were wrecked and tumbleu
10 the ground, aud all the buildings at the rear
are more or less shaken aud shattered. OF glass
the ooncussion left scarce pane. In the u0rth
wall gaping Rssure was made, twenty five by
thirty feet in dimensions.
One boiler burst like an over inflated bladder
II was severed in two about six feet from ont
end. There %ere two in the building, made BY
MOrRau, Off " Ou.g Dulu Auuhihts AASg H@e
been in use about three years. The small ent
Of the one referred to assembled like rocket
into the air, and ilying of at westward tangent
traversed distahee OF fifteen hundred feet.
descended in Cherry street, below Twelfth. I'M
mass weighing more than ton, after flying 70
three squares, descended like some monste
aerolite upon one story building occupied By
johnson & Co, bOttlers Of soda water.
In the midst of life we are in death. A poo
l. uanlpd lOhn Porter
was in the building, preparing to load WACO
with his carbonated merchandise. The descend
lug iron crashed through the roof aud spattere
the wall with reekng brains. 1t made wrec
of the wagon, passed through large mouthe
doorway, demolished another vehicle struck tn
earth, rebounded, and, after crashing throug
two fences, lost its impetus in yard nearer
Twelfth street. Such was the progress OF tn
mass Of iron as we accurately traced it just aitt
the accident. Simultaneously with its remark
able flight up went the main body Of the boile
Ii 10 near seventeen feet in length. 1t ascende'
and then flew directly southward, when II fe
upon the VIM, Penn stables, in Filbert stree
below Ninth 1t dealt with horse as the 9TH
portion dealt with the unfortunate soda bottle
a, I'd converted the stables intO wreck. The
was a third but smaller fragment, which vi
hurled over into Eighth street. 1t erased Il
buildings on the southwest corner of Eighth al
Cherry streets, when it broke of an iron aWnlr
most md then completed it's descent to Il
ground without any further mischief
MANY dwellings, in the vicinity suffered GO
siderable damage from broken glass, caused
the violent concussian in the air. Thls concs
sion. together with the noise OF the explosl
aud the crashing of falling brick work. frighten
all the horses within its influence, and numn
. of the animals ran away, adding to the e1ol'
ment and confusion which prevailed.
The disaster gave rise to TN alarm OF tre, a
q huge crowd gathered in the vicinity. L
firemen went to work at removing the rubbish
the ward in search of persons who might
buried under the ruins. Such was the rush
people, the confusion and CONSERVATION, tina
strong Gordon Of police could scarce keep pa
the pressure The streets adjoining were nj
with people, through whom the half trenz
friends of the workmen inside vainly stroVe
their desperation to make way.
Three men were killed instantly at their "
benches and several others were more or
injured. The workmen who had escaped unh
rushed for the doors to escape into the open
and some OF them in their fright leaped from
windows.
AS soon as possible the injured persons v
rescued from the ruins medical aid was
cured for them, and they were subsequently
moved to the Pennsylvania Hospital in the
balances of the fremen, which were brougt
the spot with commendable promptness.
The list Of wounded admitted into the PG
sylvania Hospital is as follows;
Adam Metzgar, aged 40, residing back Of
north Fourth street, head severely wounded
legs scalded-seriOus.
Frederick Strubel residing at 259 north
Pheet, slightly wounded in head and back
Unknown man, about so years Of age,
badly wounded in head, compound fractu
leg, burned on right arm, right thigh aut
foot
John Long, aged 50, married, residing
l60 American street, above Columbia avi
slightly wounded in right arm and wrist,
Samuel Davis, aged SO, married, badly b,
With acid in the face, hands, arms, ches
thighs-serious
George Hess, aged 80, married, conn
fracture of jaw, wound in forearm, fract
right thigh, and burned with acid on al
serious.
Thomas II. Albertson, badly burned ii
arms, wounded in face, arms, and left ankl
confusion in belly-since dead.
Leonard Sehalk, aged Al, single, burn
both arms, three tcalp wounds and cOntut
back-nOt serious.
Theo Ackley, aged 23, single, residi
Third street and Grard avenue, slight wo
head.
Joseph shearer, aged So, married, resit
West Philadelphia, wounded in side, ant
wound. Not serious.
Peter Miller, aged 26 residing al N