Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-09
The Great Explosion at Mobile
The following are extracts from the
Mobile papers of the 25th ultimo:


The main Ordnance Depot of the
United States forces stationed here was
blown up about fifteen minutes past
O'Clock this afternoon, making a tremen-
dous report and spreading the widest
CONSERVATION throughout the city. The
magazine was located Marshalrs ware
house, situated on the corner Of Lipscomb
and Commerce streets, and the present
Of the city in that neighbor-
hood beggars description.
Major General Granger, accompanied
by Col. Shipley, went to the scene of de-
Structon almost before the flying shells
ceased to explode, and Immediately took
steps for the relief of the sufferers and
the safety Of the city.
1t is impossible, at present, to arrive
at any definite Information OF the number
lost. Men were thrown down and Sc
riously injured at a distance of half mile
from the explosion, The Commanding
General has employed all available labor
to rescue those still alive.
All prominent buildings, from St. Louis
street up, including Water, Commerce
and Front streets, are about completely
demolished.
The shock made the city tremble like
an aspen, shaking every building 10 its
foundation. The crash of broken glass
was heard in every direction, and falling
walls made the earth resound like the
rnmbling Of an earthquake.
We visited the burning ruins shortly
after the explosion, in company with Col.
Shipley, and witnessed scene which no
tongue or pen can describe or imagir ion
conceive. Four or five blocks were one
mas of ruins, two>thirds
of which were on fire, while every two OF
three seconds shells exploded and frag-
ments and bullets whisled through the
air, which prevented the bravest of men
from going too near. Still all men did
nobly. Added to the flames of the de-
moished buildings were burning steam
FRS along the Ievee, and from 5000 to
10000 bales Of cotton, which rendered
he scene still more grand.
Not warehouse 10 that portion of the
,ity was left standing, and thousands of
men worked hour after hour among the
lebris, bringing forth one after another
If the writhing and dead victims. We
Jaw the bodies of Mr.. McMahon, in
.harge of the carpenters work of the
Captain, Assistant Quartermaster, and
he purser of the steamer Laura, which
,essel was lying on the Marine Ways,
opposite the city, who was killed while
lifting at bis desk by piece of she'll or
,rick.
A number Of bodies recovered are so
burned ard nutilated that recognition is
1t is estimated that the mum.
Der killed will reach 500. A great
amount of damage is done to the city in
4 pecuniary point of view. We have.
heard it variously estimated at from
i've to ten millions d lars. Eight
squares of large and costly buildings
we're completely demolished.
The shock seemed to affect the horses
, great deal more than human beings
Those that were not knocked down in
SANITY seemed stunned and paralyzed,
and did not recover for some minutes
The force of the shock may be imagined
when it is known that a man named
John Kavanaugh, paroled Confederate
,oldier, was killed instantly on board the
Kate Dale by conclusion. Not a mark
was visible upon his body when taken
up few minutes after.
On Wales street the loss in property
was immense. Below St. Michael street
he doors and windows suffered most
continued wreck meets the eye, look
ng up this street, growing more confused
and losing sembance of buildings entire
y as vision nears squares nearest where
,ood the magazine. On Commerce
street the warehouses and cotton sheds
which lined the upper portion are now
1ut a mass Of ruins.
The buildings on the corners seemed
o suffer most, some Of them being RACED
within few feet of the ground. Vari-
,us offices and commission houses on
f ront street sustained comparatively lii,
lie damage. On the river, facings, doors
md windows were all smashed and brok
IN in but beyond this the injury done
hem was slight.
The amount Of cotton destroyed is es-
mated to be from 5000 to 10000 bales.
Yearly all that was destroyed belonged
o private citizens. Some Government
otton was also burned.