The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-08
TERRIFIC
EXPLOSION.
At Fort Winthrop, Boston Har-
Dor, and One Man Is Killed.
FOUR INJURED, TWO MISSING
Six Tons Ignitsd In Soma Mysterious Man
nsr, and The Report Heard for
aSsers Of Miles,
FOUR INJURED, TWO MISSING

Boston, Sept a-ons Of ths government
powder magazines at old Fort Winthrop
on Governors Island. upper Boston Har-
Dor, blew up shortly before 8 o'clock last
evening with detonstion that was very
forcibly apparent all over The city and
which was heard at points 70 miles away.
One dead man and f1ve injured have al
ready been brought to the city by the
police boat. and while II IL believed that
this is the extent of the Casualties, IL IL
possible that others may be found suffer-
Ing from the force OF the conclusion.
DEAD. MISSING AND INJURED.
II. Cotton. married. 8 Rogers
avenue. Somervtlie. instantly killed and
body frishtfufiS mangfed.
The missing are: Joseph Z. Wakefield.
Maiden. Mass; James Ryan. Is years of
age, East Boston.
The injured are Christian Knudson. 70
years or age, head and arms: Charles
Flanagan, 2S years OF age, injured inter-
nally; Daniel J. Swanson. a years of age
scalp wounds. Paul Barry, % years of
age. scalp wounds.
Negotiations have been pending some
government to the city az a part of the
latters park system, and although the
transfer has not been formally completed.
the guard over the island has been some
what relaxed OF late. and as q result
numerous clubs and pleasure parties have
made use OF II. especially on Sundays. the
governments only representative there
being an Ordnance sergeant. who has TO
maintain q watch over the entire island
There are several old wooden buildings
at the southerly end OF the islard. but
the fort itself, only q little of which
is visible above ground. is of stone some
OF the granite blocks being OF Immense
size-
SHATTERED THE FORT.
The tremendous force Of the explosion
is shown by the fact that some of these
great blocks were buried several hundred
yards. while one OF the largest was sent
into the air and came down through the
citadel In the cenfre OF the fort, making
a hole large enough to drive a team of
horses through.
AL over the island the effects of the
explosion are visible, while In East Bos-
ton, South Boston and In the city proper
the conoussion was severe enough 70
break windows and shake buildings to
their foundations
1t II thought that Q small Ore started
by boys was the cause of the explosion.
TONS ExPLoDE. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
The powder that exploded consisted of
about SIX tons and was stored In one
OF the numerous easements that were
built under ground around the citadel
and which had OF late been used as a
powder magazine. Tho other easements
were empty.
Each OF these apartments was built
with srentte walls rs feet thick and COW
ered with earth and masonry to the dspth
OF % feet. 30 that In view of later knowi
sdgs as to their position, II is difficult
to soc how the fiyst theory as TO the
the cause of the explosion can be correct.
for It would apparently be impossible
FOR fire TO have reached the powder by
accident from the outside This leaves
the cause OF the explosion entirely un-
Explained
HUNDREDS NARROWLY ESCAPE
II is estimated that during the after
noon there were three or four hundred |
easure-seekers on the island. and OF |
mat number fully $50 were within ra- |
Illus OF 40 yards OF the fort. All were.
covered with dirt and other debris and |
many were thrown TO the ground by the |
terrific ooncussaon, and that all of them |
we're not killed Is considered almost mira
,ulops. Many OF those at the farther END |
'f the island were also greatly shocked |
md several were knocked down, but es-
,aped unhurt.
Sergeant Thomas J. Shaw, In charge OF |
he premises. Is believed 20 have been |
Il his quarters at the other end of the
sland when the explosion occurred, and |
sustained no injury.
The police boat was returning from its |
,atrol Of the harbor at the time and
Immediately made oil speed for the island.
where everything possible was done for
he dead and injured, bringing all to the
:ity early last evening.