Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1913-03-07

That the explosion was y terrific
one is evidenced by the fact that il
was plainly felt in this city, as well
as for miles down the bay, and in
other sections. 1t was Just about
4 l0:A0 o'clock that two distinct shocks
Ia quicl succession were felt They
were accompanied by perceptible
rumbhng noises. That threw resi-
dents Of the city in a state of great
fright
/ Business men ran from their store $
into the streets, and people also
fiocked from their residences to learn
what had happened. Reports of
earthquakes at some place not tar
distant, and explosions at the Naval
! Academy on some vessel out in the
bay spread quickly, and it was some
! time before the actual cause of the
shocks was ascertained.
Authorities at the Naval Academy
We're keenly interested and like many
I of tbe residents of the city, their first
thought was that there had been an
explosion OF a big boiler, or some
chemicals at the Naval Experime nial
Station scross the river from the
city. Inquiry, however, soon dispe H.
ed this fear. Then it was thought
that perhaps there had been an explo-
sion on some Government vessel in the
bay
This belief only resolved itself into
much alarm with the receipt of an
unofficial report by wireless at the
Naval Academy station that a naval
collier out on a trial run down the bay
had been blown up by an explosion
down the bay and that all % board
lost their lives. A few minutes
later, however, came the news of the
actuRl catastrophe.
Buildings ali over the city rocked
under the shock of the explosion, and
the detonations had many freakish
results. Numbers of persons either
were reading OF writing at the time
Chairs perceptibly rocked beneath
them, and the feeling was much like
a building was about to collapse
Hundreds of persons rushed into the
streets, while others threw open win
dows to learn what was the cause OF
the unusual shocks.
The Capital building shook plainly
and windows ratified, the feeling be.
ing far different than that eau sed by
the rumbing incident to the operation
of printing press. The same rock
ing sensations were experienced all
over the city. and even the mammoth
buildings at the Naval Academy felt
the force of the shocks Chandeliers
and other fixtures in various Office
buildings and residences swayed for
several minutes. In some instances
pictures 1ell from the walls, windows
rattled until they swayed open, and
there were various other reJulting
effects Of the shocks.
At the store of w. II. Thomas &
CO., on Main street, it was stated that
a window that had never been opened
since the occupancy Of the store, was
forced by the detonations. A pile of
trunks in the store of Louis Stern.
on Market Space. rocked and swayed
until they fell over 10 the floor.
Dishes in kitchen cabinets aud china
closets tumbled over in a heap and
many of them were smashed
The Capital Office was besieged TO
such an extent with telephone mes
4 sages from persons anxious TO know
what had happened, that it was an
almost constant jingle Of the call bell
Besides, dozens of persons came TO
the Office personally to make inquiry.
Some We're not only curious to learn
4 of the extent of damage done, but
I they had relatives living near or en-
/ pIoyed at Sparrow's Point, not far
4 from the scene of the explosion. and
they were eager to learn Of their
(. safety.
This was true with Mr.. A. +.
Stinchcomb, of Prince George street,
who has a son employed by the Mary
land Steel Company A Telegram
from his son, however, brought Mr..
Stinchcomb the information that be
was safe and that there had been nc
loss of life at Sparrow's Point.