Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-27
EARTH SHOOK
As Though in Throes Of
An Earthquake.
Terrific Powder Explosion in
waverIy, N. S., Felt for Miles.
Damage Will Be Heavy, but No One
Seriously Injured.

Halifax. y. s.. Dec. 2G.-Part of the
plant of The Acadia Powder Co. locat-
ed in the town of Waverly. 10 miles from
this city. was wrecked. today. by an ex-
plosion OF powder, which caused such
a conclusion that the shock was felt
within radius of % miles of the town
and which struck Halifax with such
force that many windows We're broken
and the residents thrown into a panic.
Although it was at first reported that
several lives were lost at the powder
works, it was later established that no
one was injured or killed. Many per-
sons. however. were knocked down by
the force Of the explosion and either
stunned or rendered Unconscious. The
property loss at the Acadia Works
were estimated at $4,000
The explosion. which occurred at 10
A. NJ. was so markedly felt III, Halifax
and other places within til" territory af-
fe"ted that the people feared an earth
quake had come. Buildings trembleu
and broken glass fell almost upon every
street. The men had Just left the dry
house of the plant when a terrific eX-
nloslon occurred, Wrecking the dry
house and demolshing all Of the small
er buildings of the plant nearby.
The workmen had a narrow escape
from death and from being injured by
wreckage. All were krocked down ana
rendered inSensible. They soon revived.
however, and were able to return AMI
investigate as to the cause and extent
Of the damage.
1t was found that the powder stored
in the dry house had exploded. A hole
OF sor'e depth in the z: ound indicated
tn" severity OF TIL" cor cGss on. while the
appearance of various smaller Struc-
tuIes nearby which were totally de-
molished. showed that the damage was
considerable. The magazines connected
with the powder plant remained intact
but the shock had badly damaged the
structure in which macy tons Of pow
der wore stored. The Gtnsc woods sur
rounding the plant appeared as though
/ cyclone had passed through them.
Many trees werC broken off at the roots
| Will" practically I'LL were ShOrn of their
| branches.
The residence Of Robert Layton. the
manager Of the works, one quarter of
Il mile from the scene Of the explosion.
was badly damaged. All the windows
al The rooms torn out Miss Margaret
| Layton. the daughter of Mr.. Layton.
| who was sitting in a room in the sec
Ond story. was thrown violently to the
| floor. Miss Layton was unconscious
for some time, but was not injured.
| beyond suffering from the effects OF
the severe shaking up. lii the town of
| Waverly proper. three-quarters of n
! mile further on. the conclusion wreck
ed nearly all the windows and houses
| and several persons had narrow es-
| capes.
| one of the peculiar effects of the
| explosion in this city was the forcing
| open Of locked doors in many of the
shops and stores. Heavy plate glass
| windows in many places of business
were wrecked. including those at ST.
James billiard hall on Hollis street.
In many houses articles We're knocked
from tables and shelves and in some
| instances furniture was broken.
| Althouh the exact cause of the ex-
plosiOn is not known. it is believed
that it was due to an overheating of
| the powder in the dryhouse. About
100 men are employed by the Acadia
| Co.
\ report from Bedford which is
three miles from the powder plant. re-
| ceived. later in the day. was that win
dows had been broken in that place by
the violent vibration. and great alarm
was Occasioned to the residents. A
large number of people were skating
on Bedford basin. when the shock was
felt. The ice rose and fell in a terrify-
ing manner. The skaters hurried to
shore. under the belief that an earth
quake was in progress. 1t was learned
also that vessels in Halifax harbor
distinctly felt the shock of the eX-
ploson.
Reports received from adjoining
towns We're to the effect that the shock
was generally experienced.