New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-03

me dynamite ana powder storage houses FOR
the Pennsylvania tunnel at that place. near the
New Jersey end Of the bore, were the scene of
the explosion. Five men are known to be dead.
and it is believed that five or ten more bodies
their lives are badly MANNED.
When the dust and smoke of the explosion
cleared away hole in the ground $50 feet long
and fifty feet wide was disclosed. It was thought
many fatalities.
Superintendent McN1anus. in charge Of the
work. was placed under arrest on order OF In
spector Goerich Of the Department Of ExplO-
sives of North Bergen.
The main magazine was on a side hill about
three hundred feet from the shaft entrance Of
the tunnel, but between it and the shaft were
a number of smaller buildings containing lesser
amounts Of the explosive There were two smaller
explosions when the smaller magazines went up.
following quickly after the destruction Of the
main magazine.
Leading up 10 the mouth of the tunnel is an
excavation or deep cut through which the Penn
sylvania Railroad is to bring its tracks into the
tunnel The explosion knocked down much Of
the bracing on the sides of this cut. along which
about one hundred and fifty laborers were work
ing. Many Of them were buried. and it is feared
that a number will be taken out dead.
DR.. A Walfchid. chief surgeon OF the Pennsyl-
vania Tunnel Company. who is also connected
with the North Hudson Hospital. said that
without much doubt some of the men trapped
in the tunnel had been killed or seriously in
jured by the terrific detonation. owing to the
destruction of the means Of communication with
the tunnel, it will be some time before these men
can be reached.
The explosion. which shook and shattered the
small houses for several miles around, was
heard throughout Manhattan and even Brook
lyn and Coney Island. Persons all over this
city were awakened. and many rushed TO the
street. thinking there had been an earthquake
Several thousand pounds of explosives We're
stored in a number Of frame buildings called
the magazine. Men were engaged in removing
the powder and dynamite to be used to-day in
blasting operations in the tunnel. Some two
hundred pounds Of powder had been placed in
a pile near one Of the buildings. when the ex-
plosion suddenly occurred
that one man in carrying out red hot Goals. used
in the fires for keeping the dynamite from freez-
ing. had stumbled and dumped his load on a can
of powder.
It is said that the power plant which was
totally destroyed. was worth S125,00o
William Bradley. president of William Brad
ley & Son. when seen at his home. No. 500 West
seth street. early this morning. said:
"I have been IN communication with my head
quarters in Homestead. and far as I can
learn about three or four hundred pounds Of
dynamite exploded. What the cause Of the ex-
plosion was have been unable so far TO learn
NV superintendent told me that there was great
excitement in the village. and he is endeavoring
TO learn definite facts"
In speaking of the explosion Mr. Bradley said:
THE explosion blew up the works. I am in
formed. and although the damage will be large
TO our firm do not think that it will hamper
the work
Il do not believe that the tunnel part Of the
work was injured. The tunnel is through the
hardest kind of rock
THE tunnel is to be 5000 feet in length and
so far about 1000 feet has been excavated.
The tunnel is to connect with the tunnel under
the North River.
Il have telephoned 10 the hospitals nearby.
but have been unable to get any definite infor-
nation was told by my superintendent that
no one was killed on my second telephone talk.
there may be some fatalities.
II am going at once to the scene OF the acci-
dent and when 1 return will be able to have
an official statement issued"
Some of the workmen. after regaining their
feet, rushed for the nearest telephone and in
formed all the surrounding towns. Ambulances
were sent from the North Hudson Hospital. in
Union HILL Christ Hospital in Jersey City. and
the William Neckar private hospital
At 2:3O O'Clock this morning man who said
he came from the scene Of the disaster said that
the power house which contained the hosting
machinery at the entrance to the tunnel had
been destroyed and that six men in 1t at the
time had not been accounted for. The destruc-
tion of this machinery made it impossible to get
at the hundred or more sandhogs who were said
TO be working in the airlock Of the tunnel II
is not thought that any of these men were in
jured. but they may be seriously affected by
being kept in the tunnel beyond the usual period
for such trying work
Foliee were sent from towns of Guttenburg