Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-03-25
FLASK EXPLOSION.
Singular Accident at Sweeney's
Foundry.

Last evening at a quarter to six an ac-
cident occurred at the foundry OF Swee-
ney & Son, corner Chrpline and Twenty
seventh streets, that may In one or two
cases result fatally. The men were cast
ing a spueezer upright shaft OF 1900
pounds weight, under the direction OF
Mayor Sweeney, and had just finished
the cast when an explosion occurred
thai sent the molten metal flying in
every direction, burning some eight or
ten men in q very severe manner. The
sparks were shot about twenty-five ieet
into mid air, setting fire 10 the ratters IN
several places. The flames were, how
ever, extinguished in q very lew mo-
ments. The noise OF the explosion re-
sembled that produced by cannon,
and soon brought crowd 10 the spot,
where willing hands rendered assist
ance to the suffering men until they
could be removed to their homes and
medical aid summoned. The list oil
those severely burned is as follows:
Mayor A. J. Sweeney. badly burned
about the head, lace and wrist; he was
also struck ii the leg with piece OF
iron that was lying on the flask, which
produced considerable OF q bruise.
John Lebo was bending over at the
time, and the fiery shower landed on his
back, burning that part OF his body and
the back OF his head very badly.
Robt. McCleary had his back, arms
and face seriously burned, and was in
great pain.
Chas. MahafIey had his back and
breast burnt in horrible manner, and
bis lace was also scratched.
Several other employees suffered from
slight burns inflicted by the hot iron.
Soon alter the accident representa-.
tive OF the REGISTER called on Mayor
Sweeney and found him with his head
bound up in bandages and his face COW
cred with patches and linseed oil. In
conversation be stated to the reporter,
that the cause OF the disaster was as yet
unknown. Il seemed as u the coke OF
the flask or the top OF the
mould rose in the air and was
followed by a loud exposition,
and then the mass OF molten iron hew
up about 25 or 80 feet, falling in show
er all around. lie further stated that in
his experience OF 30 years In q ioundry
he had never seen or heard anything
like it. One theory had been advanced
that the cause Of the explosion was this;
the casting Was about 81 feet high aud .
piece OF gas pipe had been placed in the
center Of the mould in order to leave a
hole through the center OF the squeeEer
shaft. II IS well-known fact that II a
piece oiiron that Is damp comes IN con-
tact with molten IRON an explosion fol-
lows II NAV have been that the gas
pipe was wet and caused the ac-
eident, however this is consider
ed as improbable. What renders the
affair more siguIar 10 the TACT that the
flask, as il is called, was sunk IN the
ground, and dry sand was also used.
The foundry, alter the affair was over,
had very disturbed appearance.
Masses OF the metal were lying In every
direction, and one might imagine that .
drove o. wild animals hsdbe turned
loose.
We learned later last night that some
doubts are expressed rs to whether
Iebo and MeCleary hare not received
fatal injuries In addition TO the hurt
mentioned in connection With McCleary,
he also had very bad burn on his LETT
wrist. hole OF some depth being burned
Just over his pulse.