The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-08-05

EXPLOSION SUCH As
NOT A SURPRISE
Realize Danger From I'm
mense Shipment of Ammu-
milton, Powder and Dynamite
That Daily Leave the Port.


~ vERYBODY has been more or
less expecting just such an ex-
plosion as that which rocked
five states when ammunition
ready for shipment abroad exploded
on Black Tom peninsula in New York
harbor.
For the past year an average of five
vessels q day. of an average cargo
capacity of 1900 tons, have loaded war
munitions In New York harbor. This
means approximately 5.775,0O0 ton Of
munitions have been handled in the
harbor in that time.
During the first year of the war the
number of vessels was considerably
less. as the output of munitions was
not nearly as large.
In the harbor or at anchor along the
Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey
shores there are now about thirty
steamships ready TO be loaded.
There are a few ammunition ships
majority go to New York. This is
shown In the fact that before the wal
the exports from New York were 80
per cent Of the total for the entire coun.
try. They are now about 70 per cent.
1t Ia not against the law to transport
explosives in limited quantities about
the harbor. The only federal law In
the matter Is one prohibiting the carry
ing of explosives on passenger vessels.
Anchorage Grounds Designated.
Anchorage grounds for vessels load
ed with explosives are named mt desig-
mated places. One is of the statue OF
Liberty. Since the war started vessels
have been permitted to load explosives
In Gravesend bay. Passenger vessels
such as the White Star liners Adriatic
and Baltic have carried great quaint
ties OF empty shells. which Ii Is permits
sible TO load at piers. Vessels not car
rying passengers have been permitted
to take on at piers loaded shells, but
only those that have no fuses I'm them.
These are classed as dead" shells.
All explosives I'm bulk, such as pow.
der and dynamite, have been loaded I'm
80 t7tha buIs AhlS nus nttlI VI tt
quirement of the city authorities. They
have stipulated the requirements in
handling explosives and the federal
authorities after the municipal depart
ments have initiated n law have seen
that It has been carried out.
Blown Into Water From Barge.
Peter Raceta, captain Of the Moran
lighter No. 8, told In the Jersey City
hospital of his escape after he was
blown from the deck OF the lighter
into New York bay. The only visible
sign of his adventure was a severe
burn on the back OF his head.
Il was In the cabin when the fire
started" he said. ~ ran up to the
deck, and then the explosion occurred.
/ saw the cabin door blown off. | re-
member IL flew down the length of the
deck and into the water.
When the explosion came, 1t seemed
as IL 1t was from above-zumpf.-like a
Zeppelin bomb. There were five or six
other lighters alongside mine at the
dock, and a tug was just coming up to
drag us away. 1t was close by when
the crash came. | don't know what
became of the tug or the other light
ers. 1t looked as Ii they all went up
In the air.
There were two other men ON the
lighter with me. | didn't see where
they went, but ! think they must be
dead. | didn't see them or anybody
else. When the explosion struck me |
felt myself going up In the air-like
this" and he lifted his hands slowly
from the bed. land then | found my
self in the water a long way from the
boat. I couldn't see very well for awhile,
and the noises around confused me. but
just kept swimming around.
"Finally, l found myself landing on
Liberty island. We were only q little
way from 1t, you see. / stopped there
a minute, and then / started back. I
swan a long time. Finally. | guess
somebody pulled me out at the dock,
and then the doctor took care of me at
the hospital. ! kept calling to the tug
for awhile, when I was In the water,
but nobody heard me-"
Damage at immigration Station.
The main building at the immigra-
ton station at Ellis island on the right
and the general hospital ON the left OF
the ferry slip had every window shat
tered, and in many cases the frames
also had disappeared. The terra Gotta
roof of the hospital had caved In with
the violence of the conclusion as IL 1t
had been done by a Jack Johnson"
and the lawn and graveled walks in
ell directions were covered with bro
ken glass, charred wood, cinders and
all kinds Of debris blown across from
Black Tom island. a little more than
a mile away
The big iron bound door leading into
the main building and the heavy stone
porticO had been blown in as Ii with q
charge Of dyna mite. The caSement az