Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-11-17
Roller Explosion in HnIrimorc.
ONE MAN KILLED AND SEVERAL WOUNDED.


tFrom the Baltimore American of Nov III
The alarm of fire sounded tins forenoon at ten
O'Clock, from box No A. was caused by the eXplo-
sion of boiler in the sugar refinery of Stirling &
Earl, situated near the dTawbridge, at the foot of
Jones' falls The boiler Ofthe Babcock & Wilcox
pattern. As soon as the boiler bursed the scading
steam pervaded the engine room and escaped
through the hatchway into the upper portion of
the building. This hatchway opened into the filter
room, and in this apartment the most terrible
scenes of the disaster were witnessed. The men
in every direction, trying to find some means OF
escape, but principally to the hatchway. Here the
binding smoke and scaldlng steam from the en-
CINE room met them and they were forced, half
blndedand half strangled, back into the room, and
it was almost impossible for the men to obtain
respiration and they escaped by such means of ac-
cess that offered to open air. The roof of the build
ing was in short time filled with men, clothed in
their scanty working dresses, pleading for help to
the people in the street below many ofwhom stood
paralyzed at the danger that threatened the work
men.
In the west side of the building at the fter-roOm
are several holes hardly large enough to admit of
the free passage of persons body; but, notwith-
standing this fact, many of the workmen drew
themselves through, and fell exhausted upon pile
of lumber At the windows of the room mentioned
above, four stories from the ground a man named
Henry Snyder swung himself to the easement of the
window below. Here he stood for few moments
gazing on the anxious crowd in the street with
face marked by the most intense horror; his lips
were tightly compressed, his hair disheveled and
the eXl resslon of his face more that of the
palor of death than life
lie stood Irresolute for few moments, but at last
adjoining the west side Of the building. His face
Immediately underwent change; it radiated with
hope, and he made an effort to reach tine place of
security Ills strength, though, had been too greatly
taxed by the intense fright he had experienced and
his energies were almost exhausted. Slowly aud
carefully he moved, watched with the greatest
anxiety by those below, who stood almost breath
less. The corner of the house was reached, and Il
sigh of relief escaped the lips of all VINO witnessed
corner and drop himself few feet to the pile of
lumber and he was safe. At this
ment the hopes Of all were dashed to
the ground, and they beheld sight
that thrilled them with horror. In turning
the corner to make the last effort his foot Slipped
and he fell TO the ground, distance OF forty
feet, breaking his neck and dying almost instantly
He Is represented as having been sober. honest,
aud hard working man, fifty years of age, and
named Henry SNYDER. He lived on Orleans street,
one door from thompson, and leaves wife and six
children to mourn his sad end There was also
another man at one of the upper windows who, by
making no attempt to save himself escaped all in
jury, and was rescued from the room by the fire.
men.
Mills Rederickson, colored, employed in the re
tnery as fireman, scalded terribly about his
face and body, and he must have inhaled much
of the steam at O'Clock he was suffering ter
rlbly. He was removed to his home, No "a Forest
street.
Charles Hamilton, coored, kiln hand, was badly
scalded IN the face and on his hands. lie was re-
moved to his home, No, 1856 South Eutaw street.
Charles Henry Butler, coOred, a fireman, was
badly scalded, and was removed to his home, No.
131 Chestnut alley.
YIN. CndluDerS, WHITE, Il blacksmith, was over
come by the heat, and inhaled steam. He was car
ried to his home, No. 80 Eastern avenue. L. E.
Johnston was but slightly injured; he was removed
to his residence No. ID Church street. South Balt-
more. Fritz Barlntz was sealded badly about the
arms and face he was taken out of a fourth story
window. Aud VIM Dixon, who had charge of the
elevator, was scalded slightly; he was taken to his
home on Pratt street. near the Mount Glare depot.
1t is thought that there several other men
who received slight scads, and left amid the con-
fusion.
Those upon the roof of the building were rescued
by the tremen, and so great was the fright of the
men that had 1t not been for the presence of mind
of others many of them would have jumped to the
ground. The whole lower portion of the refinery
was filled with smoke and steam, and those persons
who did not rush into the street were afterwards
found pale with fright and crouched in corners
The boiler, which Is of very large pattern, ex-
plOded on the right hand side.
The explosion was not accompanied by any report
or shock, Notwithstanding the fact that the boiler
was removed several inches from its resting place.
and the brickwOrk around it terribly mutilated
The damage to tine building and machinery will
amount to about $500.