Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-08
r,nlosion Occurs Near Han
over, Mass, When Spark
From New Mixing Machine
Sets Off Hundreds Pounds
Rack Powder - Score of
Small Sheds Destroyed
Larger Buildings Saved
From Flames

Hanover, Mass. April 1.-One
,,sn was killed. several persons were
..vsrely burned, and damage esti-
rsted at more than $4,000 to $780,
I'm was caused today when a spark
frou a new machine used for mix
Inc powder ignited hundreds of
noHunds OF black gunpowder at the
S,.nt of the National Fireworks
rnmnany here. A score of small
hnildings used as mixing sheds were
Sestroyed in the series of explosions
which resulted and the four larger
buildings of the plant were saved
nnIy after desperate efforts by the
ARE departments OF nine towns and
HE city of Brockton.
The charred body of Manley Good
win of Hanover. an expert In ex-
lulosiyes, was found late today near
me site of shed in which the first
l EXPLOSION occurred. 1t was identifi-
"A nv means of a knife and watch.
The shed itself had been demolish-
"A and the new machine. which was
heing tested at the plant today for
the first time, was blown into frag-
ments, officials of the company in
making known the cause of the eX-
nlosion said that more than 2,OUO
mounds oh black gunpowder had
been in the little building at the
time.
The fireworks plant is situated on
4 wooded tract in West Hanover and
covers q large area. 1t consists of
several hundred small buildings set
we'll apart and four larger struc-
lures used for offices, shipping de-
partment, paper warehouse and saw
mill. Immediately after the first
heavy blast series of lesser ex-
blossoms indicated the blowing up of
other small buildings scattered about
the woods. The trees and brush
caught fire from the explosions and
It was with the greatest difficulty
that a force Of $50 fifemen fought
the flames away from the powder
magazine and the shipping depart
merlt. in which were stored hundreds
Of finished product.
Several workers who were in the
mixing shed with Goodwin escaped
BY leaping through windows into the
little Drinkwater river which flows
by the plant. Workers in other
sheds that were destroyed. including
number of women. also sought re-
fuge in the river from the flames.
Tie high wind prevailing drove the
sparks among the trees, causing a
number of fires. Several houses
more than a mile from the scene
became ignited and a brush fire was
started mile from the plant.
The explosion occurred at 12.45
o'clock Just as work was resumed
after the lunch hour. Up to that
time the work of mixing powder in
800 pound lots for the manufacture
Of fireworks had been done by hand
and the first test was being made
Of new machine for the purpose.
Is believed that spark from TINS
machine ignited the powder. TWO
men at work in the next building
we're saved by the fact that the ma
terials for their afternoon task had
not yet been brought from the mag
axine.
Eight persons were treated for
burns and other injuries at the
Rockland hospital. and all but two
were dismissed after their wounds
had been dressed. Bertha Flynn OF
Rockland and Mary Caron Of Han
son, both severely burned, remained
u the hospital tonight.
In addition to the smaller build
mgs the power house of the plant
was wrecked by the blast and was
burned In the fire that followed.