Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-08-17
Most GIgl|lfC Explosion
in World 5 History.
so TONS OF DYNAMITE.

w tOIvO VI DINHWlhL ] -
From Portsmouth, N. H., Times, July % 1905.
The PPEss had hoped, last week to
publish full report of the most won
derful as we'll as the most successful
dynamite explosion ever manipulated
in this or any other country, that
which the National Government has
for yerrs been expending large sums
of money, to aid navigation, but failed
to secure, The fact that the major
portion of the large shells of dynamite
especially the gelatine shells, three feet
in length were manufactured by the
Emporium Powder Manufacturing
Company. When the great and fatal
explosion took place at Emporium this,
Company was pushing the work for
the Portsmouth contract The iela-
tine plant being only partially destroy
ed the Company managed to keep and
fill the contract in time.
Mr.. Fred Julian, who was present at
Portsmouth, representing the Empori-
um interests, as well as assisting with
the work, declaress it to have been the
most complete piece of work ever en-
gineered Dynamite experts from all
parts of the United States declared the
powder excellent and the Little Italian,
wo had charge of the packing, jumped
into the air when he saw that the ex-
plosion was going off, "Hell, but him
good"
At ten minutes past four, ten minutes
behind the schedule time, the button
was pressed which turned on the elec-
trio current and the great explosion
took place.
There was loud report followed by
three sharp cracks.
Thousands of gallons of water were
thrown into the air more than hund-
red feet.
The water turned dark murky color
and wave at least twenty feet high
swept over toward TIE Newcastle
shore.
The air was filed with flying rocks
and debris, the most of which seemed
| to be headed toward Pierce Island,
where thousands of people were CON
| gregated.
At the navy yard no damage was
done, not even pane of glass being
shattered, while in this city tremble
as of slight earthquake was all that
could be noticed.
| For months or to be more exact, ever
since it was officially given out that
| fifty tons of dynamite would be explod.
| nd 1t tiT11n n tho nf
what the famous "Pulland- be- Damn
ed'' point, people of this city have had
explosion on the brain, and not even
the announcement that the peace con-
ference was to come here, made them
| forget this most wonderful of elbow
ups"
1t has been the topic of conversation
everywhere, in the parlor, in the work
shop and in the field Everybody has
expressed their views on the subject
and where one would come forward
with the remark that no damage would
result another has said that the whole
or part ofthe city wonld receive serious
damage.
But today all have been nervous and
some have worried much about their
future. Many refused to stay in the
city and went off for the day, in order
that they may be safe, leaving their
home to receive whatever damage
may come to it.
WITH THE SPECTATORS
This afternoon the entire population
of the city, with the exception of those
who took to the country out of fear, has
assembled at the waters front to see all
that is to be seen along with 10000 or
more strangers who have come from
all parts of New England.
People are here from everywhere,
New England of course turning out
the biggest crowd, and every incoming
train and trolley has not seat to spare
In addition there have arrived spec.
ial delegations of Noted scientific men
from New York, Boston, Montreal and
Chicago, come to see what effect fifty
ton of dynamite really has.
Henderson's Point being practically
part of the government reservation
the navy yard officials took extraor
binary precautions looking to the safety
of people and their valuables. The
ammunition in the yard magazine was
placed on board a coal barge and tow
ed to the lower harbor out of the way
The point is now known as Hender.
sons Point, named thus three years
| aSO W bI'o contracting COul pdDy WIG
had charge of the Job. The point
formerly bore the name of "Pull-and
be-Damned." This name originated
in revolutionary times, when boat
from British man. -of-war was chasing
a Yankee craft inward. Reaching the
narrows the American sailors being
familiar with the strong current push
through easily. But the British boat
the instant it struck the current whirl
ed quickly around After repeated
uncessful efforts the officers at the helm
said, "Pull and be damned - You
can't get around that point and they
didn't.
WHERE MISS FOSTER PRESSED THE
BUTTON.
In anticipation of serious damage
the navy yard was closed Gown al
noon and the workmen allowed to &C
homo. After that hour nobody was