New-York tribune., 1874-06-24
EXPERIMENTS WITH EXPLOSIVES.

FIRST PUBLIC EXiIBIIlOS THE COhfs or SAf-
PERs AND MINERS AT WARDS ISLAND.
By an act of the Legislature of 1873, provis-
ion was made the organization OF corps OF sappers
and miners in connection with the Fire department OF
this city, and September OF the same year steps we're
taken for its formation. class numbeing ffysx per-
sons ten of the battalion Chiefs the others foremen OF
the different engine companies, formed, and from
that time up the present weekly instruction has been
gwen by j. H. stredenger. who well acquainted With
the use OF explosives The instruction has covered
the application OF different explosives, particu-
larry nitro-g gycerne, and the use OF electricity.
The first public experiments given by the corps show
ing the results Of this instruction. took place yesterday
afternoon the northern end of Wards Island, under
the supervision OF the Commissioners Of the Fire De
parment but directly under the charge OF Assistant
Chief Engineer Shay.
Invitations to witness the experiments sent TO
leading engineers throughout the United States and
large number responded. Tie Of the Commits
soners Of Charities and Correction left the dock the
foot OF East Twenty-sixth-st. yesterday afternoon,
having on board between 200 aud 800 invited guests
Among them were Mayor Havemeyer, Alder.
men Morris, Cooper. Gilon, Cumisky and
Healey, Fire Commissioners Perley, batch and
Van Cott, Commissioner Laimbeer, Mr.. Adams,
superintendent OF Buildings; ChefEngneer Bates,
Geu ]. j. Pinckney, Col. Emmons Clark Gen Rockwell,
Chairman Of the Boston Fire Commission, and Capt j.
Jacobs Superintendent Of the Boston Protective
socation. There also number or representatives
from the Fire Departments OF New-Haven. Phladel-
phia a nd Baltimore and one from Detroit The Board
Of Underwriters OF this and other cities well rep
resented, as well as number vi the Insurance
panies.
varied thicknesses having depth below the eround of
one foot and being built upon timber foundation
The corps OF sappers and miners were stationed about
$50 to 200 feet distant from these where tue electro
battery also Stationed while the magazines were
s further in the Mr stnedineer, the instruc-
SHAY giving ali the directions, which were repeated
by bugle-calls. Chief Nash managing the battery.
tive effects Of mining powder and dynamite confined In
cubcal boxes, suspended against brick wall 20 inches
in thickness. Fifty pounds OF the former were evs
pended box. and exploded with time fuse. ter.
rife explosion followed but was without effect upon the
wall except 50 far 10 backen H. SIX pounds OF dy
nanito III box 6A5 inches were placed u the post
there loud explosion which seemed to shake tina
whole island and wnen the smoke cleared away IL was
observed that hole about the size OF the box had tet
The next experiments in cutting down walls
varying IN thickness from to 80 inches Tor which
cylindrical cartridges charged with dynamite from
TO inches In diameter were used These cartridges
to sf % s"s of
above the surface OF the ground at which place
rear The reports the EXPLOSIONS took place were
most deafening. and were echoed with almost equal
to the rear, that no danger was experienced
by the visitors. The eight-inch wall was
sarrSSe caf was Affixed wsrs hose waeIs R the
and p inches In thickness The largest cartridges we're
nd he
such to satter the base OF
the walls Such was the power with the last that a per
feet shower OF brick and mortar 800 OF 400
feet every direction, causing general STAN pede
among those present. aud placing the corps ia no very
enviable position for a moment
The third experiment was IN cutting through foor
with cartridges two inches Ia diameter. IL WAS BRO
posed 10 demonstrate the fact that with these Cartridges
the flooring Of q building could be cut away without
harm the walls. THIS experiment was oply partlay
successful probably from the fact that tue cartridge
was heavy. flooring with heavy timbers betw ween
eightnch walls. was completely cut through by the
cartridge when exploded but the shock threw the aIs
uubrOken. The fourth experiment ip
lug the remainder Of the eightiDch by means of
oneinch cartridges placed the against the
wall and damped win sand. BY this neaus the repOrt
was deadened and tho charge made still more eectiye
the wall torn up down 10 the timber fouudatiop
To demonstrate the perfect safety OF dynamite
cartridges when made OF proper material half OF one
was thrown into fire and burned. There we're one or
two sharp snaps OF frecrscker but of sufcent
power IT, raise even shower OF sparks and tbe cart.
ridge was soon consumed. The remaining half WAS
then exploded by tho battery with the usual effect
OF the remaining walls previously operated upon
ridges connected with rubber tubing, the cartridges
from three inches diameter. according IN ths
wall to be operated upon and covered with bags of
sand This experiment also proved successful There
was only single explosion, accompanied by tremea.
dous shower OF bricks and clouds Of smoke and dirt
with scattered piles OF broken bricks LEFT behind