The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-02
Eznlnslpn Of Union Torpcdoes.

Most OF our readers have seen the
Union torpedoes, little nilir much re-
sembling small marble. It is known
that these torpedoes are dangerous play
things, and many serious accidents have
occurred from their use. In large cities
their sale is prohibited by ordinance,
nevertheless they are still kept and dis.
posed of slyly. From these little play
things" AN Incident has occurred in New
York, by which three persons were killed
aud several severely injured A truck.
man was unloading Il quantity OF torpe..
does, when one OF the boxes slipped
from his grasp and fell to the ground
The contents exploded with u terrific
report, and the contents Of the truck
we're also exploded by the conclusion,
the report resembling that Of cannon.
The entire block was at once enyeloped
in smoke and dust that completely OBJ
scured the view, and fora few moments
ciroctually concealed all objects within
It. When 1t Ind cleared away sufficiently,
a scene Of ruin was presented. The
truck OH which the torpedoes were had
been blown and crushed into asplintered
mass. Portions Of it were blown entire
" across the street, and not II single
wheel was left entire. The force Of the
explosion seemed to he principally down
ward, aud the vehicle was ilatteHcd 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
beyond the edge Of the awning. He
had scarcely shred OF clothing left
upon him, aud WIS shockingly maugled.
His face aud head were torn and cut in
most sicllcning manner; there were
Elshrs and COMMISSIONS visible on various
parts Of the body, and three compound
fractures Of the limbs He was insensi-
bic, but nliye. and breathing iaintly. II
WIS evident at u glance that he could
not recover.
On the opposite side Of the street lay
the dead body Of Henry Brown, aged
"a, nlnngled in 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
Of the building, receiving severe hut not
dangerous injuries.
In all, three persons were instantly
killed. and ii least eight more seriously
wounded. One man had his neck broken
by being thrown down. The horses at
tachcd TO the truck were cut and torn in
shocking manner. The jaw OF Que was
fractured and mass OF ilrsI torn away.
There were also cuts on various parts Of
Ihisbodr and limbs. The other had u
long cut in the side, exposing the en-
trails, and there wns u hole in his hip
large enough to thrust Il mans hand into.
They were killed TO end their suilcriugs.
Tie explosive material Of the torpedo
is said to be .glyceriuo mixed with
some strong acid, probably either nitric
orhylrochloric. This acid is poured
ont Of cans constructed for the purpose,
made Of tin, and having long spOuts
like oil.cans. The filling is done prin-
cipally by girls, whose lnlor is cheaper
aud manipulation more delicate than
that of the men. Warnings of the
danger Of the work have not been un.
frequent ut this factory. A hammer
thrown on one occasion, which fell upon
few loose torpedoes on the working
table, caused them to explode, and the
conclusion Immediately made every
! package lying near detonate also,