The record-union., 1895-05-22
Special to the RECORD-UN MON.

SAN FRASCIsCo. May 2l.-A terrific re-
port and concussion, which was dis
tinctly felt all through this city and at
towns around the bay for a distance of
forty miles this morning, was at first
believed to be caused by earthquake. but
proved to be an explosion in the nitro
glycerine and miXing-houses, stOrehOuse
and gun-cotton department of the Cali
tornia Powder Works at Pinole, across
the bay.
The crew of the glycerine-house, four
in number, and the foreman of the mix
inghouse, were all killed, as were also
nine Chinese working in the latter de-
partment.
The explosion occurred in the nitro
glycerine house at 1040 A. NJ, and was
probably caused by Chinese dropping
can of the explosive. The cause cannot
be definitely ascertained, however. as all
connected with the building are dead.
There were two hundred Chinese in the
adjacent mlXlng-rOOn, and at the sound
of the ex xplosion all ran, and the majority
escaped.
The force of the explosion was tre-
mendous. Huge trees were thrown into
nitro glycerine tanks weighing ton
each are now lying five hundred yards
distant from the scene. Toes hands, legs
and other parts of the mutilated remains
OF the dead are scattered along the road
for mile. The nitro-glycerine house
first went up, then the mixiDg-house and
storehOuse and gun-cottOn department
followed.
The nitro -glycerine house, of which not
a
frame structure, 20Ox5O feet 1t contained
5000 pounds of nitro -glycerine and 1000
pounds of Hercules powder.
a remarkable feature of the explosion
Is the fact that although the slorehouse
containing LOCO pounds Of Hercules pow
der is com pletely wrecked its contents are
intact. In all 10, 600 pounds of explosives
went up with roar and a sheet of flame.
The fatalities are as follows: Killed
Clare Johnson, foreman glycerine house.
and ID. A. Dean, both of Plnole; H.
Minugh, Of Oakland: G. Venegas, OF Mar
tineZ: W. d. Taylor, foreman mixing
house, and nine Chinese.
All the men in the nitro-glycerine house
were experts at their business, and Harry
Minugh WAS at one time Assistant Super
intendent of the whole plant. From the
position of the bodies found. il would
seem that the cause of the explosion was
in the washing department of the nitro
glyceriEe house, since the bodies of
Johnson and Minugh were intact, while
those in the lower part of the budding, or
the place where the nitro-g -glycerine is
washed, were blown all to pieces. In
fact, but small portions of their bodies
have yet bean recovered. Twenty men
are securing the fields tor q miie around
endeavOrIng to gather some remains that
would secure the Identification OF the VIC
Tins.
The tremendous force of the explosion
can be observed on all sides. The nitro
glycerine house was built in the sidehill,
which is about 500 yards north OF the
railroad station. Great trees near by
were twisted and torn as ii rent by a
stroke OF lightning. In all directions the
terrible violence of the explosion is
manifested. All over the surrounding
fields are scattered III ghasty confusion
bits OF human remains, telling the hor-
rlble story OF the disaster. Men in all
directions are searching everywhere to
find particles of the bodies too small for
any purpose. Large sacks have been
used to gather and hold the remains,
which are being slowly collected. 1t
seems impossible to secure more than
enough to Identity two bodies.
Acting superintendent Pollock said to
an Associated Press reporter who was at
the scene of the dl-aster: This is the
WoIst OK ploslon we nave ever naQ at this
place l am utterly at loss to account
for it, and cannot advance theory as to
its cause. The explosion has shaken up
all the buildings in the vicinity. 1t is
impossible to tell how much damage has
been done. l am not looking for damage
yet. l am trying to get together the re-
mains of these poor victims. We are
very careful regarding the management
of the nitro-g ycerine house, and have
laid down strict rules for that purpose.
The Chinese are not allowed to enter it,"