Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-01-22
SELECT READING.
A P0WDER-MILL EXPLOSION.
Ef WI. I'm AiKMAN.

| propose to nave talk about an eA-
ploslon of a powder-miil 1t has never
been my hap to see one described, and
1t has seemed to me that an account of
an occurrence Of this sort, which does
not come under common observation.
might not be undressing.
While explosions are not the final
cause Of powder works that is, while
they are not built expressly for that
purpose Of exploding yet they are
located with reference to it. it was
the fortune OF this writer to reside for a
number of years within a few miles of
the powder manufact tories ofthe Messrs.
Dupont, Of Delaware, and so had op-
poltunities OF observing the thing of
which he speaks. These works will
probably be fair example Of others.
These powder mills, perhaps the
most extensive in the country. are
about three miles above the CITY OF
Wilmington, on the banks of the
Brandywine River The position was
selected, some fifty OF more years ago,
by the father otthe present proprietors.
1t is one of the most beautiful in this
whole land The river flows through
an exquisite valley, where at every
step SEINE new beauty OF wood and hill
enchants the eyes.
The powder works are placed at
wide intervals of perhaps a half mile
along the banks. They are so seclud
ed and hidden that they are never seen
or known to be there by an ordinary
or unintormed Traveller. Should YOU
be riding along one OF the hilIv and
beautiful roads near the mills. Won
would not only find nothing to suggest
their proximity, but could only by
Inquiry find the roads that lead to
them.
The tract If land first purchased was
large, occupying both banks of the
river 1t has, in the laps of years, been
gradually increased in size. The
Duponts never sell, but are always
ready to buy land which lies in their
vicinity. The same policy which
shaped the action of the father has
been continued by the sons-to acquire
property so extensive that no neigh
boring proprietor can he near enough
to desire the removal of their works or
be injured by their proximity. This
they have accomplished. The country,
for perhaps mile on ethics side of the
Brandywine River, is in their possession
and no one has residence, except by
their consent, within the possibility of
harm from an explosion in their works.
I Thus, while such explosions are
more or less frequent, the detonation of
o / them, if it be not of SPECIAL
violence excites only the passing
remark of dweller in the neighboring
city Of Wilmington, and never Injuries
any one outside the works.
Not only is the general locati
selected, but the various buildings Of
these powder manufactures are placed,
in reference to the ever present danger
of an explosion. The works ale lot
connected with one another in one
great building. or in a connected series
of buildings. They are built along the
river banks for over a halfmile on eth
er side, and with so much of distance
b tween them that an explosion in one
does not ordinarily communicate itself
to another, and it's destructive effects de-
not extend beyond the Immediate
vicinity of The building in which it
occurred
The buildings themselves are con
structed carefully with reference t.
these accidents. Tbey-at least tlos9
where the process of manufacture
reaches the stage of danger are built
OF stone, with three massive walls OF
solid masonry some ten or twelve feet
thick. The fourth side, that which
looks to yard the river, is made OF
light framework. The roof is con
structed as simply as possible, and is
laid upon the walls, and not built into
- s