The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-05-04
POWDER WORKS BLOWN UP.
Explosion Causes Awful Havoc at
Santa Cruz, Gala New Jersey
Plant Destroyed.

Santa Cruz, CAL, April 27.-Three ex-
plosions about 5:15 Tuesday afternoon
at the California powder works caused
greater loss of life than any of the
previous accidents in the history of
these works. Eleven people were killed,
and all that remains to tell of the gun
cotton plant is some twisted iron and
a large hole in the ground made by nj
troglycerin.
The first heavy shock from the eNplo-
sion was felt for many miles around
and was separately followed by two
lighter shocks. The smoke from the
works arose in such dense volume that
it was impossible for time to perceive
the extent of the damage that has been
caused by the explosion. 1t was said
that the fire was spreading and the
main magazine was in imminent dam
ger.
Not only the smokeless powder plant,
but the nitroglycerin and gun cotton
works were destroyed. The force of
the explosion was so great that the
shingles from the roofs of the buildings
were blown into Santa Cruz, over two
miles away. The worst feature of the
disaster is that this was one of two
smokeiess powder works in the country
and the government is anxious to get all
of this powder possible. Only last
week big shipment of 100 tons was
made to the east. 1t will take several
months to rebuild the works.
The explosion was followed by fire,
which 70 hoc II II,
berry and timber on the hillside A
force of 100 employees was Immediately
called out to fight the fire, which was
eXtinguished. The part of the works
destroyed was situated on the opposite
side of San Lorenzo river from the main
plant. No powder except that in proc
ess of making, is known to have been
destroyed. There was probably about
GOO pounds of that in the buildings. No
doubt is entertained among the officials
Of the works that the explosion was due
10 an accident.
The works were established in 1861
on the present site, on the line of the
South Pacific Coast railroad. They
comprise Fl powder mills, ten shops,
six magazines and stores and 35 other
buildings.
Easton, Pa. April 29.-The town of
Dover, in Morris county, N. j., and the
country within radius of 20 miles was
startled Thursday afternoon BY series
Of terrific explosions, the first of which
occurred at 2:1O o'clock. The explo-
sions occurred in the Atlantic Powder
company's works, and the plant is now
a mass of ruins. Six workmen were
killed and four others were seriously
| injured, some probably fatally. The
works were situated in an isolated spot
seven miles out in rough country
from Dover. There were ten buildings
in the group and all have been de-
stroyed.
The first explosion occurred in one of
the packing houses, caused, it is
| thought, by spark from the pipe of
careless smoker. The conclusion set
off the explosives in another packing
house near by Debris and burning
| timbers of the wrecked buildings were
carried high into the air and fell in
| shower over the remaining buildings,
setting fire to the main factory and the
other five packing houses and the two
| shell houses. In brief time the eX-
plosives in these buildings were set off
and left death and destruction in their
wake.