New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-12-25
GAS FAMINE.


TERRIFIC EXPLOSION IN THE METROPOLITAN
GAS COMPANY'S WORKS-A LARGE PORTION
OF THE CITY SIIROUDED IN DARKNESS.
A terrible gas explosion occurred at p. m
on Saturday in the purifying house at the metropolitan
Gas Company's Works. In Forty-second-st., between
Eleventh and Twelfthaves The force Of the explosion
was 80 great to completely wreck the building In
which 1t occurred The tenements in the vicinity were
shaken as though by earthquake and every pane OF
glass In the windows shattered Soon after the ex
plosioD took place. was Withdrawn from the entire
district supplied by the Company, extending from
Thirty fourth to Seventy nnthsts and from the North
the East Rivers and this large section OF the city was
a short time wrapped in total darkness This added
to the conuson that prevailed in the vicinity OF the
OF the explosion and many were rendered almost
frantic and fled from their houses IN consequence OF re-
ports that another and terrible explosion might be
momentarily expected. 1t Is possible that such
calamity might have happened but for the presence OF
mind Of one of the workmen who shut tho gates leading
to the mains and holders At the time Of the explosion
the holders contained 1900 cubic feet OF gas and this
had ignited there would have been an exposlon COIN
pared with which the one did take place would have
been trivial In its results Many OF the employees work.
inc at considerable distance from the puryinghouse
we're thrown down. and all the clocks In the build
ngs were stopped Car No. a OF the cross-tOwn line was
passing at the time Of the explosion The conductor ID.
Stoddard and the driver were thrown down. and par
TALLY STUNNED. and all the windows In the car were
broken. The windows IN train Of cars OF the Hudson
River Railroad, passngup TeDthave at the tme' were
shattered.
II was bell, ed for time that several persons were
very seriously injured but this conjecture proved to he
incorrect The only one seriously hurt Patrick Nc
Grath fireman, whose csreessness IL believed to have
caused the explosion. He was at work IN the PnrIynR
house. and 1t IL maj SON" t 4me gas TO-
McCrath entered the room with lamp, ana , ons
the fsse head and hands and was considerably bruised
having been hurled backward for distance
lam Sehur was also burned in the hands and face
The took fire. and required the exertons OF the
Many absurd rumors current relative to the expo
sion, bub those who witnessed 1t. and were able
there to tax va. ''''n-I cnd dull Inc .ound followed
S' sss and HT xs im IN ne ;s
darkness An exa%iIaton OF the ", Ts'SE o.
s sns have Seen very great The brick
house is sGatered in all directions, and the machinery
In sas BY living
that bricks were thrown " distance OF half block
aR % ss n 3 SS YIN ss s%
Dys property amounts probably ~ 1890 OF soc q,
nHs large seson Sss Ss and
several days great Most Of the trsdes|eD along
anticipation Of the holidays: 0rdnsy s ,st night
than usual was looked d for I The The
sudden deprivation OF h5ht lntetletea saIy VIII .ns
Of lamps. nor could sufficient lamps or candles be pro
g % 9' n of ESGd: s'
price few nSt 20 IGSH to lat
sonsderanie Tine Many were inclined think for
time that the damage in the works would soon Dc re,
ssSIss ' iss = halt t an
burned with pickering, unsteady Light, but after fhs
ass' supply T s asn asq
ss9sn or .n h. Sss9n e
mt In this sfss e st. cous being
ssss private tea markets ark hSw
eSs' and grocer: must amount
their failure to make the temperature precludna
the idea of holding stock over until Tuesday to-day be-
Rs aaS STs a Of their customers the oers
Of the Metropolitan Gus Company nave published the
''N' .asihsfnorolr.s O.. IsH1 c. E,o.yr5.'s Orc,
F. d. Ms1o 5 S." l tcosy r
M . viz s Sa for 81. sI for Or
o., hour only, each day -, ..,..,
III MS se ssts os II r .a .' pS ," ndas
bornins gas .e Il or y 0sIoci :"
more ga. much NAV be wanted
" q. ZoLLiKVYyEk President
TIE SCENE NIGHT.
No trouble was experienced out of doors last evening,
IA the noo beautifully and illunined anosteVery
section Of the dineref streets. 1t IN the houses
and most arcrac families were obliged to resort 70
all sorts of.rtaces to obtain the requisite amount OF
light dd lamps and candlesticks which had been con-
signed to cellars and atics were brought forth and
ceansed 10 do duty until the Gas Company had remeded
the disaster Whole blocks OF spacious and imposing
elhcr. m Lexington Madison, Fifth and other avenues
ooked a. IL they had deserted by their tenants not
raw oljght being visible from basement TO attc Inc
chrches hch were have had evening services were
Obliged TO close against expectant WOrspers
who were thus Obliged " seek spiritual ana material
ght in a quarter Of the city where there hau Deen no
| catastrophe. T.. ...-..,. <ho rr,.
conaI and Roman Catholic churches by the uncertain
Pickering tpers. were very much discounted ny the
absence OF and many regrets were eX NJ heI
Inability to view their handwork properly ana 10 marx
| its effect. 800 ,.-,-.. -...n,o, mn nm
nsual occurrences and did not anticipate any troupo
while the moon light continued The captains nave en-.
toinod ON their men the necessity of keeping Wtch ZOE
uro ars and thieves The Fire Department is been u-
70 patrol the and watch for the outbreak
| OF fires. - .,...oo,, eoo, -, No
BOG west Thirty .ninhst caused by candle sethS pre
| to bed. Damage, $500
| FATAL RAILROAD ACCIDENT.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, Dec. ga freight tram
was thrown from the track down emRalSment " ee
| =, ,ob.n roll ma mile from this place, yesterday