Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-05-20
TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION.
Twenty Tons of Giant Powder Fired by
the Syenite Granite Company.


Through the kindness of Chas. E. Shuiar
the contractor and superintendent of the
mine fired by the Syenite Granite Company
7 am enabled to send you the following ac-
count. 1t may be as well to remark that Mr.
| Shular is the gentleman who had charge OF
the mine exploded by MIR. StiffeI at Granite
Bend on July last. 1t may be in order, also
to state that next to the explosion in He'll
Gate, the Syenite Granite Company's blast
was the largest amount of powder ever ex-
pioded at one time in the Uuited States. The
| mine at this place was commenced about the
Goth of August, last, and no time has been
lost in bringing the work to a completion.
The main shaft is s. feet in depth, through
solid granite; two chambers; one running
north and one south. The south chamber
was 40 feet long by 3}aX37s; at the end of
this drift was an extra chamber, Is feet long
by 5X5, to contain 10 tons of powder. The
north drift, 10 feet 3}4x 31a, an extension of
10 feet AKA. At the end of this chamber Is a
cross chamber, II feet AKA. to contain 10 tons
of powder. The estimated cost of shaft and
drifts is $22Ss.65 for mine work. The work
of loading the mine was very interesting to
OIc With SUCH WOTk. n LTack
was built from the yard to the mine, dis
lance of 1900 feet, and the car containing the
powder run out. Sixteen men were engag-
ed in loading the mine; bench was erected
near the opening; four men were engaged in
taking the powder from the car to this plat
form, where six men were employed in OPP
ening the cans, which was put into bags
containing three cans, and lowered to the
bottom and carried back in the chambers
where Mr.. Shular was stationed. The pow
der was all put down in about IS hours.
After the powder was loaded, a wall feet
thick was built in front of the powder of
stone and cement. After which the rest of
the drifts were filled with loose rocks. The
main shaft was also filled with loose rock to
within 80 feet of the top. The manner of
firing was by electric battery worked by
lever. In each pile of powder there were
two different connections, having eight caps
to each connection, with sticks of dynamite
attached. The firing wire was run up and
out. encased in wooden box. Four thou
sand feet of wire being used.
All things being ready, people were warm
ed by notices to keep away at 4 certain hour. |
L
the whistle for five minutes. Long before |
the hour, people were seen going in every
direction, the elephant" being the favor
tie spot, as it afforded a splendid view of the
mine. Fully 1000 people had assembled to
witness the explosion. When the whistle
which was to announce the fir
ne of the blast, there was some excitement,
especially among the ladies. Promptly to
he second the explosion took place. 1t
seemed as if the whole side of the mountain
vent up as if by an earthquake. A great
quantity of smoke and dust filled the air in
he vicinity of the mine and gradually disap-
)eared. Then the great crowd made a rush
or the mine. The whole surface was raised
ome four feet. 1t was a grand sight aud
'oted a success. Mr.. Allen, president of the
company, was on the ground and expressed
himself well pleased with the result. 1t is
low considered one of the finest quarries in
he United States. 1t is estimated that over
00, 100000 tons of granite was displaced by
his blast XX.