Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-10
ONLY THREE DEAD
IN DU POINT BLAST


Continued from Page Ono
sections OF the big plant noticed a ter
rife flare from the "sweetle" building.
This was followed a fraction OF a minute
later by n terrific explosion, which caused
the small brick building to collapse. Two
minor explosions followed. hurting bricks
and debris for several hundred feet.
BODIES DIsMEMBERED.
The fire companies at the plant and the
emergency hospital corps rushed to the
scene and the work OF searching the ruins
began, II was not until daylight that the
three bodies we're taken from the ruins,
dismembered and burned beyond recog
milton.
The flare and the force OF the explosion.
meanwhile. had awakened hundreds OF
persons In Wilmington and nearby town3
and those whose relatives worked on the
first shift hurried to Carneys Point for
news An extra guard was thrown
around the plant, and others. employed In
Plant No. |, were told TO 20 home and
keep their mouths shut.
Several workmen, who drpped their
tools and attempted to get near the
burning building, were ordered from the
grounds. Several who persisted in stay
ing were promptly discharged.
The ferryboat Arctic, which runs be-
tween Wilmington and Carney's Point.
was In midstream when the explosion
occurred Several panes of glass were
shattered and one or two persons were
hurled TO the floor so great was the
shock. II was at hrst thought that the
engines OF the boat had exploded and
there was general rush for the doors.
Prompt work on the part of the deck
hands and the illumination OF the sky
prevented a panic.
The numerous explosions which have oc-
CURED during the last year In the various
plants of the company, the presence OF an
aeroplane, which was seen lowering
around Chester on Friday. and the mys-
terious warnings which were posted on
trees and telegraph poles on November
30 last, following the explosion at the
Brandywine plant, which cost 32 lives,
which was freely circulated among the
workmen today, .
EXPLOSION ACCIDENTAL.
One man pointed out that the mysterious
notice warned the workmen that "30 men
were killed yesterday. Those who do not
want to die between the lst and 18th of
January quit your Jobs at once" These
however. were laughed at by the
officials. who said today's explosion was
purely an accident
Aloysious McNally, who lives at S1st
street and Gibson avenue, was notified of
the death of his stepbrother. Richard ].
Larney. this afternoon. McNally said
that Larney had lived in this city about
six years ago. but had separated from
his wife and three children. When last
heard from he was living at Delaware
City. A sister, Margaret Larney, is a
nurse at the Chester Hospital.
Edward II. Stoever. supervisor OF No.
plant, said that the explosion occurred In
what is known as the packing house. ac-
cording to his mother Mrs. William B.
Stoever. of the Delmar Apartments, Ger
Mrs. Stoever said that her son
reported for work at midnight and that
she was In grave apprehension about him
until the receipt OF telephone message
shortly before noon. He declared that
earlier accounts were exaggerated and
that only four men were employed In the
which he designated as the
packing plant.
officials today said this was the first ex-
plosion of its kind to occur in the
'sweetie" plant There were about 1000
pounds OF powder I'm the machines at the
time. The machines are used for glazing
and cutting the yellow powder in small
lengths before It goes through the
process TO be used In the manu-
facture OF small arms ammunition.
There are two machines In the building,
separated by a wall. Evidently, according
TO the officials one OF the needles in a
machine broke, causing a spark which
gnIted the powder. The flames, il is be-
ieved. spread 10 the second machine. and
the terrific heat from the burning powder
caused the explosion.