New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-04
DYNAMITE SQUAD
ANNIHILATES FOE"
Militia Engineers Test
New Explosive at Fort
WadSworth.
BLAST HURLS WATER
$50 FEET IN AIR
Trotol.Gelatin Mines Demon
strated on Land and Sea-Lieut.
Woodward Directs Work.

just how easy IL is TO blow up and
totally destroy in an instant the great
est dreadnought ever built or that could
be built. and just how whole companies
or larger units Of troops could be swept
out Of existence in a second, was dem
onstrated yesterday at Fort Weds-
worth. Staten Island. b. the dynamite
SQUAD Of the Corps Of Engineers, y. u.
Ny.
This squad is under command OF
Lieutenant Harold c. Woodward, the
dynamite expert Of the guard, who IS
also a member Of Governor Whitmans
staff. The visit to Fort Wsdsworth
was arranged by the lieutenant for the
purpose Of instructing the newer men
of the squad in handling full charges
Of explosives.
In the armory the men have had the
oretical instruction only, with small
amount OF dynamite. The explosive
used Yesterday is known as trotol-gela-
tin. and believed 10 be the most power
mi and at the same time the safest IN
the world. II is the invention OF the
Lieutenant. who gave the secret eN-
clusively TO the United States govern
ment. 80,
Lieutenant Woodward and five Of his
men left the armory IN an auto, with
the reel cart, containing the wire ana
powerful electric battery, mtched on
behind. at $3.50 a. m. Other members
of the SQUAD travelled by the subway
Deadly Power of Mines.
Al the fort. spot near the shore
was selected for the work OF laying
the land mines. and the twenty-five men
assumed their various duties with plch'
shovel. wire. etc. Three hoies were
dug i'm the earth and fifteen pounds OF
cv0losive placed in each, and wire con-
pection was made from the reel cart
about 800 feet back. In actual ser
vice these land mines could be placed
for many miles. the object being TO
blow up troops of the enemy passing
over them. u,
Al word from Lieutenant Wood
ward the first mine was fired. Later
the second and third mines were hred
in ouick succession. A mass OF art
and rocks went up IN the ar from
each mine TO q height Of 100 ieet ana
fell all about the place IN a "iue
,sdius. The explosions caused holeS
from six 70 seven feet deep ana nI'eeh
feet wide. Not only would men over
them have been blown to atoms, out
others near would have been killed by
.be shock Others also would have
been killed or injured by falling ROCKS.
Land mines Of this class are used Tor
rrotecting lines Of trenches or Lp-
proaches TO permanent fortincaUohs'
fortified cities, bridges, etc
Final demon stration OF instruction
vas the LAYING OF a submarine NINE
Illustrating Just how an enemy war
ship attempting 10 enter q haroof
would be blown up. A rowboat was
obtained, and a small squad, WIN 10y
rounds of explosive, was roWed oUV
feet from the shore. The trotol-
Gelatin. which is perfectly safe to
Ssndle and can be hit with a hammer
without exploding, was then diVlded
;nto three parts of fifty pounds each
and each part was placed in a wooden
box.
Plan 10 Destroy Warships.
The three boxes were tied together,
and after the wiring connection was
made N one stick of explosive the
boxes were thrown overheard. Wire
was then paid out as the boat was
,owcd ashore. Next the shore end of
The wire WIS connected with the heavy
battery in the reel cart, and Woodward
cave the signal. The spark sent
through the wire exploded the full
inmate of mercury cap placed among
the powerful explosive.
There was a heavy, mufied sound and
shock. and then a column of water nifty
feet in diameter shot up IN the air for
fully $50 feet.
This explosion of $50 pounds would
have blown the finest dreadnought or
battleship afioat 10 atoms IN an instant,
,rmv officers present asserted.
Training Of the squad began at $3.50
o'clock and was concluded at 1880.