Norwich bulletin., 1916-07-31

New York. July 8O.-Property loss estimated at S25,0OO,OoO was caused early today by a series of terrific ex- pIosions Of ammunition awaiting ship ment to the entente allies and stored on Black Tom Island, a small strip of land jutting into New York bay off Jersey City. The loss of life still was problematicaI tonight. It will not be determined definitely until there shall be opportunity to check up the work men employed on the island and on boats mUOrGd nearby. Two are known to Le dead and at least two more are missing. Scores of persons were in- jured, some of them probably fatally.
 Detonations Heard In Five States.
 The detonations, which were felt in five states began with a continuous rapid fire Cf small shells, then the blowing mp nE great quanties of dyna- mite, triuiJIoluene and other high eX- plosives, followed by the bursting of thousands of sharpnel shell which lit crally showered the surrounding cOun- try and waters for many miles around.
 Fire Followed Great Crash.
 Fire that started soon after the first great crash which spread death and desOlatiJl in it's wake, destrOyel tlir- teen of the huge warehouses of the National Storage company on Black Tom Island in which were stored rner- chandise valued between $12.00O,O00 and S15,OC0O00. The flames, shooting to the clouds, were reflected against New York sky line" of towering of fee buildings, which only a few mo- ments before were shaken to their foundations as by an earthquake. Miles of street in Manhattan alone were strewn with broken glass and shattered signs.
 Early reports of heavy loss If life were impossible of verifCation and the authorities asserted the number of deaths would be small. It was said that owing to the extent of the wreck age it might be several days before the exact figures could be obtained.
 Cause Of Disastern Not Known.
 The cause of the disaster had not determined tonight. Officials of the National Storage Company and the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which also suffered heavily through loss of property, declared, however, that re- ports to them showed a fire had start ed shortly after one o'clock this morning on barge belonging to an Independent towing company which had been moored tlOngside dock used by the railroad company to trans fer ammunition shipments from trains to vessels in the harbor. The barge, it was said, was there without authOTi- ity of either the railroad or the stor- age company. The company officials srfused to disclose the name of the in dependent towing company, saying -hey were Investigating ito ascertain whether the barge purposely had been set on fire as tho result of @ plot"
 Warrants Issued for Arrests.
 Warrants charging manslaughter were issued for the arrest of Albert M. Dicl1man, agent at the Black Tom Island docks for the Lehlgh Valley Railroad company; Theodore E. JOhR- son, head of the Johnson Ligh hterage and Towing company and Alexander Davidson, superintendent of the Ma .iOnal Storage company, They are ac- cused of having Illegally permitted ex- life was endangered.
 5ohnson's company had been en- gagged, it was said, In lIghtering rnu- nitiors from the docks to ships in the harbor.
 Statement by Lehigh Valley Road.
 A statement issued this afternoon by the Lehigh Valley Railroad company after a conference between heads of all departments hre, said:
 Thirteen brick storage warehouses put of the tWenty-four owned and op- srated by tho National Storage Com pany and six piers owned by the stor- age. company and leased to the Lehigh
 
 others of the brick warehousea were badly damaged and some minor dam age done to the LeIugh Valley grain elevators. In addition as far as is known 85 loaded cars were destroyed,
 Fire Started on a Barge,
 According to the evidence obtained oy officials of the railroad company, he fire started at 1,0B tllis morning In , barge belonging to an independent owing company which had been naoer- sd aIonEBido the railroad eempany'E lock expressly against orders,
 M. T. Henley. night general yard master for the New York division of .he Lehfgh Valley railroad was on the bier when the ire started, He said ,he explosion, which occurred at a,Gs, was in the barge where the fire staFts Dd.
 'AIr. Henfey's first thought was te IenloYe tho loaded eRzB on the pleFs rom the danger zone, He said that Rhen he Feaehed the end Of the pieF he barge was burning AeF6ely raIls lEaR aA6s tae ire was tegl ming 1f03