Middletown transcript., 1871-08-19
THE DUPONT oUsp0wDEn WORKS.

Eleutherc irene DUPONT was the foun.
der of the immense works distinguished
as the "Brandywine Powder Works."
near Wilmington, Delaware. Hc was
native Of France, and cmigrated to the
United States in the fall Of 1899. landing
at Newport. Rhode Island, January 1st,
1900. Having noticed the poor quality
Of the gunpowdcr then made in America.
he resolved to engage in its manufacture,
Of which ho had some knowledge. having
been pupil Of the celebrated French
chemist, Lavoiscr. who had charge Of the
bureau de Poudrcss ct Saltpctres" un-
der the French Government.
After some time spent in selecting .
location, Mr.. DUPONT established himself
on the Brandywinc Greek, about four
miles above the city Of Wilmington. ip
the State Of Delaware, where he prosecu.
ted the business with such success, at the
time Of his deceasc, ut the United States
Hotel in Philadelphia. in 1884, his estab-
lshmcnt..was the most extensive Of its
kind in this country, as It now is proba-
lily in the world
Since the dcccasc Of its founder, the
business has been managed by his sons
and grandsons, who maintain the old firm
style Of Il. l. DUPONT de Nemours h Co.
The works Of the firm comprise five COM
plcte manufactures four Of them on the
Bradywine, and one in Luzcrnc county,
Pennsylvania. where Blasting powder for
GOLFERS use is largely made
The original works. on the Brandywinc
commenced operations in 1902, and have
capacity for producing five thousand
pounds of Sporting powder per day.
The middle, or lIagley works, com
mcncod in 1872. comprises two complete
sets Of works, in one enclosed, under n
fall Of twenty-five fcet---so arranged that
both can work on the same description Of
powder; or. if required. one set can man
ufacturc one kind of powder, and the 9th,
cr set another kind the two combined
having capacity of twenty-five thousand
pounds Of Blasting powder per day.
The lower works, commenced in 1916,
are under fall Of twelve feet, and have n
capacity Of five thousand pounds Of Sport
ing powder per day.
The Sal'pc,rc refinery. with laboratory
attached. is two hundred and fifty-sight
fcc, by nine,y-sx feet. with ample eppli-
cation Of supplying all the nitro required
for the fabrication Of powder. and also
considerable quantities far the market, for
such purposes as require M article chemi-
cally pure In pruxnit, To the refinery
are large warehouses for the storage Of
saipc,re.
The Charring houses, for the prepara-
ton Of charcoal-three in number--arc
capable of furnishing all the coal required
for the mills, the wood being stored and
seasoned in extensive buildings adjacent
The firm having two shipping points
one on the river Delaware, with maga-
zines, and wharf at which large vessels
can lie: the other on the Christiana creek
with ample Wharfage for coastcrs, and for
landing coal wond, &c.
\ passenger railway has been establish
cd between the city of Wilmington md
the property of the Messrs. DUPONT.
Attached 10 the powder works are cx-
tcnsivc machine and milwright shops,
where all repairs are made. and most Of
the machinery is built; also saw-mill
planning mill, carpenter and blacksmith
shops. aud capacions buildings for the
manufacture Of wooden and metallic kegs
and barrels, aud Of powder canistcrs.
Railroad tracks are laid through the
powder works. and the bulk Of the trans
portation OF the powder. in its various
stages Of manufacture. is done on ears
drawn by horses or mules, Of which the
firm have about eighty.
Besides the powder. mills, the firm own
over two thousand acres Of land, tha,
stretch for distance of three miles OF
both sides Of the stream and on the prop
cr,y are three WOODEN mills, cotton mill
merchants and grist mill, and popula
ton Of nearly four thousand persons. The
farms attached to the works are IL higl
state Of cultivation. and the roads arc al
macadamixcd for ense Of transportation. -
The buildings on the estate arc mostly o
stone. and very substantial, and the ma
chincry is Of the best and most costly char
actcr.
The high reputation so long maintained
for the Brandywine powder is due to 'h'
care bestowed on its manufacture. and I,
the constant personal supervision Of th,
owners. The consumption Of snltpctre
the principal ingredient in tho manufac
turc. has been in single year including
the Luxcrnc county mills, over seven mil
lions Of pounds. the bulk Of which wa
imported frem Calcutta. Tho machincr,
in operation for the manufacture Of gun
powder is driven by three steam engine
and forty-scven wn,er-whcels, the create
part Of which are Turbines.
The manufacture embraces all descrip
tons of powder, viz: Mammoth, Cannon
Mortar, Muskct and Rifle. for army AM
navy ordnance service; Diamond grain
Eagle and the various grades Of Cnniste
and Sporting powders; Shipping. Blast
ing, Mining and Fuse powders.
| The production Of the mills Ia principal
| ly consumed in the United States, tn
6rm having agencies and magasines at al
tho most important points, with princips
| r. ~