The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-09

BY the bursting Of ax-inch steam pipe
yesterday in the central station OF the Sc
attic Steam Heat and Power Company one
man was very severely injured. the entire
electric and pumping plant was shut down
FOR several hours, and light and elevator
service cut or from many Of the principal
business blocks in the city. The accident
occurred at 1880 o'clock yesterday, while
the steam filters In the employ of the pow
err company were making some slight re-
pairs to the big hydraulic pumps in the
plant That several men were not badly
injured and one or more lives sacrificed
was almost miracle.
The power company has for many years
supplied hydraulic power for the opera
ton OF the elevators in the majority OF the
business blocks along First and Second
avenues. between washington and Madi-
son streets. The company also operates
the dynamos Of the Consumers Electric
Company. furnishing arc and incandescent
lights to private consumers, and also to the
city The accident prevented the station
from supplying power for light or elevator
service for several hours. Manager w. J.
Grambs estimated that the damage done
to the plant will not run over $500.
The engineer at the plant yesterday
morning ordered one Of the steam filters
to repair one of the 100 horsepower n.y.
draulic pumps. The man had partially
completed his work, when, at 1890, the
main feed pipe to the pump burst and
frightful roar OF escaping steam drove the
dozen or more stokerS and hremeU from
the room.
Out Of the door in the rear Of the build
ing rushed a fierce torrent Of white steam,
while the building shook and vibrated with
the terrible roar. Men came running from
every direction. In less than minute
over thousand blocked the street on the
Yesler way side OF the plant and crowded
the Post street entrance.
Manager w. J. Grambs and Assistant
General Manager D. p. Robinson, OF the
Seattle Electric Company, were seen TO
rush down Yesler way to the plant. They
crowded between the frightened stokers
and issued orders to the men. The stokers
returned to their places and quickly drew
the fires from beneath the boilers, so as
to stop the escaping blast and reduce the
danger Of further damage to q minimum.
Price Lee fireman. happened to be
standing almost In front Of the pipe that
broke. He was thrown to the ground by
the escaping blast. but managed to make
his way out OF danger, and was taken to
an adjoining establishment. DR.. p. B. NJ
Miller was quickly summoned by telephone
to attend the injured man. Lees head.
breast and arms were badly scorched, the
flesh in one or two places being almost
cooked. His eyes were, however, uninjur-
ed. and the man bore up with remarkable
fortitude. DR.. Miller dressed his wounds,
and he was taken to Providence hospital.
Aside from Lees injuries, the main re-
suit Of the accident was the stoppage of
the elevators in the business blocks on
First and Second avenues. The 100 horse
power hydraulic pump. which was fed by
the pipe that burst was forced out
OF alignment and generally battered UP.
Another 900 horsepower pump Just across
the aisle was disabled for the time being.
Mr.. Grambs Immediately ordered the In
jured pumps cut off from the remainder
Of the plant, SO that the light service could
be quickly resumed Workmen were plac-
ed in charge, and the task of repairing the
pumps and making them ready for service
was pushed with all possible dispatch.