National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-09-29
Explosion OF Union TOrpedOes.

Most of our readers have seen the
Union torpedoes, a little affair much re-
sembling II small marble Ii is known
that these torpedoes are dangerous play
things, and many serious accidents have
occurred from their use. La large cities
their sale is prohibited by ordinance,
nevertheless they are still kept and dis
posed of slyly. From these little "play-
things an accident has occurred in New
York, by which three persons were killed
and several severely injured. A truck
man was unloading a quantity Of torpe-
does, when one OF the boxes slipped
from his grasp and fell to the ground.
The contents exploded with terrific
report, and the contents of the truck
were also exploded 10y the conclusion,
the report resembling that of Il cannon.
The entire block was ut once enveloped
in smoke and dust that completely OBJ
scured the view, and for a few moments
efiectually concealed all objects within
it. When 1T had cleared away sufficiently,
a scene of ruin was presented. Tb
truck on which the torpedoes were h
been blown and crushed into splinte Il
mass. Portions of it were blown en rr-
ly across the street, and not u slrgle
wheel was left entire. The force of he
explosion seemed to be principally down
ward, and the vehicle was tlattened to
the earth.
The unfortunate owner of the truck
was blown upon an adjoining awning
and street lamp, and hung suspended
there, his head and shoulders projecting
InI m a,l.r - L.,
had scarcely shred of clothing left
upon him, and was shockingly mangled.
His face and head were torn and cut in
most sickening manner there were
gaShes and Commissions visible on various
parts of the body, and three compound
fractures of the limbs. He was insensi-
bic, but alive, and breathing family. 1t
was evident at n glance that he could
not recover
On the opposite side of the street lay
the dead body of Henry Brown, aged
IA, mangled in n shocking manner
Mary j. Burr, aged 10, was sitting in
front of her parents residence, nearly
opposite the truck. So great was the
force OF the explosion that she was
was lifted up and hurled against the side
VI ihe DulluIHS, receiving severe DUt not
dangerous injuries.
In all, three persons were instantly
killed. and at least eight more seriously
wounded. One man had his neck broken
by being thrown down. The horses at
tached to the truck were cut and torn in
a shocking manner The jaw of one was
fractured and n mass of flesh torn away.
There were also cuts on various parts of
ms body and Ma. The other had
long cut in the side, exposing the en-
trails, and there was hole in his hip |
large enough to thrust u man S hand into. |
They were killed to end their sufierngs. |
The explosive material of the torpedo |
is said to be nitro Rlycerine mixed with
some strong acid, probably either nitric
or hydrochloric This acid is poured
out of cans constructed for the purpose.
made of tin, and having long spouts
like oil-cans, The filing is done prin-
ripally by girls, whose labor is cheaper
and manipulation more delicate than
that of the men. Warnings of the
danger of the work have not been I'M
frequent at this factory. hammer
II rown on one occasion, which fell upon
A few loose torpedoes on the working
table, caused them to explode, and the
conclusion imme diately made every
package living near detonate also.