Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-01
FATAL EXPLOSION
IN POWDER PLANT
AT WILMINGTON
Seven Are So Badly In
jured That Not One Is
Expected to Live.
WORST OU POINT ACCIDENT
IN QUARTER OF CENTURY
With One Exception, Not Enough
Left of Victims to
Identity.
CAUSE MAY NEVER BE KNOWN
Disaster Takes Place. in Building
Where Powder Is Prepared for
Shipment to Europe.
CAUSE MAY NEVER BIZ KNOWN
Disaster Takes Place in Building
Where Powder Is Prepared for
Shipment to Europe.
Special to Th. Times. pisnntch.

Especial to Tho Times Dispatch
W1LMfNGTON. DEL. November go
Thirty men were instantly killed to-
day and seven fatally injured in ter
rife explosion ut the upper Hagley
plant of the Du Pont Powder Company.
Ten or twelve others arc missing Ono
of the injured died tonight
The cause OF tho explosion is shroud-
ed in mystery. There was no reason
FOR it. officials say.
None OF the men who were in the
plant at the time can give any cX-
planation. The mangled remains or
thirty OF the workmcn are scattered
about a great hole where the plant once
stood. The injured badly hurt
that they cannot and probably never
will be able to talk.
Workmen in other Du Pont plants
here and at Kearney are mutterinS to-
night. They recall that last week
notices were posted ut all plants am
nouncing that the mills would be
destroyed il the Germans working in
them did not go out. No attention was
paid to these notices, None knew
whence they came, and most of them
We're torn down n short time after they
We're posted. Officials evasively denied
having seen them.
RUMORS THAT EXPLOSION
IS NOT ACCIDENTAL
But to-days accident. following so
closely upon the warning, has resulted
in other rumors that the explosion was
not accidental.
Only one theory has been advanced
by the workmen. 1t is that the ex-
plosion may have originated by spark
from a horses shoe. They say that just
before the explosion was heard. a car
containing several thousand pounds OF
black powder was being drawn down
a small railroad. Some OF the powder
might have sifted out on the tracks.
The horse which hauled the car may
have struck it's shoe against one OF
the rails, causing n spark. That would
have ignited the powder spilled upon
the tracks and subsequently caused the
appalling disaster.
Although the theory is not considered
a logical one. il Is accepted Tonight as
the only plausible one--unless the ex-
plosion was the result of IL plot 4
statement issued by the company de-
ciares it's origin will probably always
remain Il mystery"
Despite this statement n searching
inquiry has been started BY the off,
cials. Every member OF the company's
secret service STAFF has beer put to
work on the case and outside detectives
have been called in.
DOUBLE GUARD Thrown
ABOUT ENTIRE PLANT
Tonight IA double guard WIS thrown
around the entire plant of tho Du pont
Company here. Detachments OF con-
stabnlary that usually guard other
plants were hurried here. The guard
has also doubled at kearney.
The accident was the worst that has
occurred at any OF the Du Pont plants
during the last TWENTY-FIVE years. The
pitiablc part of the enormous death list
lies in the fact tina; all of the Victims
were young men and boys ranging in
age from sixteen to twenty-one years.
Most OF them lived In this city.
The explosion occurred In the pack
ing house where black powder pellets
are prepared for shipment. Most of IL
iS placed in cases and shippe', to the
allies.
The men employed in the plant had
Just settled down TO the aft ruoons
work. after their dinner at 80. when
there WAS slight explosion. In an
T.
which rocked the whole OF the historic
Hrandywine Valley, in which tho plant
was located. II shook Wilmington,
three miles away. 10 its foundation.
Wild CONSERVATION folio "ed the ex-
plosion. Other plants OF the company
are scattered all along Brandywime
Creek. Hundreds of men rushed from
these plants and fed 10 ;.ie hills. fear
full that the places in which they
worked. too, would go up,
Then. when order was somewhat
brought about. they cautiously re-
turned. The approach to the upper
Hagley plant bore horriblr evidence
of the tragedy that ha9 happened.
SCENE ABOUT PLANT
y IS ONE OF CARNAGE
$ The scene was Que OF carnage For
n quarter OF n mile. in all directions,
parts OF human bodies we're found
From every tree that had not been
uprooted by the IMPACT disiaen,bered
bodies were hanging. 800
or the thirty men who were instanth%