Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-30
FLAmss IN 4 roWDRR YAM.

ERours of CONSERVATION at she
BauSs-A Close shave from a Dis-
astrous fxpiosi0n-@Sfreamss OF
M0uiten Saitpeire--Fhe LOss.
The bell OF the upper yard OF duPont'a
powder works had rung for IL o'clock on
Saturday last, and the workmen had all
lett their work for dinner except few
who brought their dinners and, Sortu-
nately, two OF the firm were in the re-
fnary when the bell sruok again. The
sound OF the hell between hoursn nj.
ways startles the paoplo Of the neighhor-
borhood and the men rushed from their
dinners TO see large black volumes Of
smoke Issuing from the refinery. The
workmen OF the upper yard, reinforced
by the men from other parts of the works
we're soon on the grounds and SIX streams
of water were soon playing on the burn.
ing building. The water thrown did no
good, however, and as ore OF the work
men remarked, "they might just ss we'll
spit ON it." The water was then thrown
on the adjoining buildings in order to
save them, IL possible. Dnring the fire
there were almost continual explosions
which alarmed the men and il required
the utmost exertion on the part of the
brsver-hearted ones to keep the men 10
their work. The composition mill was
only about is or 40 yards away and q
little further were other mills. The
burning saltpetre ran in streams across
the road, seethipg and Kissing right to
the walls of the composition mill, and IL
looked as though no efforts on the part
Of the men could save the mill. They
hanaxa 60, 4a1l haa sct,
bat were rallied again and fought the
flames with renewed vigor.
One of tho duPonts, with a body Of
men and two lines of hose, ran to one OF
the powder mills and while the building
was being drenched with water, others
threw two or three tons OF powdsr in
bags into the Brandywine creek and mill
race, in order to prevent an explosion in
case the mill got on fire. After the FIRE
the powder was taken out Of the water
and will be worked" over again
Great CONSERVATION prevailed among
the people Of the banks and word was
sent around for all doors aud Windows to
be opened and for everybody to get out
of the houses.
The FIRE is supposed TO have originated
in the .dryiug pan Yne building wac
almost entirely destroyed One part
which wss separated by FIRE wall and IN
which the refined salt petre was stored
was saved with its contents, which had
been removed.
Mr.. Eugene dupont, while laboripg to
save his property, became entsngled in
some hose and was thrown violently to
the ground, aligh'ing on his head and
shoulders, and sustaining severe injuries.
Thrusting the hand of his Injured arm
into his vest, he continued to superintend
the work of the men until the fire was
extinguished. There hes always been
considerable anxiety felt for fear the
refinery would get on FIRE and perhaps
blow the entire yard up, as there ia no
method OF extinguishing the burning salt.
petre, which, during SATURDAYS fire, ran
from the burning building to the very
doors OF the powder mills. II was hiss
ing, sesthing, molten mass, which re-
minded one Of stream of lava from q
burning volcano. Dense volumes OF
black smoke lent additional terror to the
seeue, and filed the men with consterna-
tion lest the powder mills become iepited.
Had su explosion occurred the loss OF
life might have been frightful.
L bolhb VI view luN
scene was grand and ono not soon to be
forgotten. Tho frightened inhabitants
stood about their homes in mortal terror
Of hearing the concussion which might
wreck their own homes, but also endan-
g th5 t'gea u tie's lasDan1s, ia.'isis
nd brothers.
e.'eral years ago chemist named viii
is.m @dulcE, in r'sftnP Sn experiment
-An--- - lcz-44 a-.aI Jet dre 20 III
place, but it was during work hours and
the workmen being near at hand, the fire
was soon extinguished. Mr.. Chadwick,
however, sustained injuries from which
ne died.
The loss by Saturdays FIRE is unknown
bnt rumor places it at from 5000 to
100000. II contained some valuable
machiRery, although the building itself
was frame structure. The duPont's
carry their own insurance.