Milford chronicle., 1954-07-23
Pgagst At ChestertOlDn De-
str0Bed By Explosions
(contlnued ron rrsf page)

q, Of Henderson.
Mrs. Mary Moore Covington, A,
Of Centreville.
Mrs. Barbara Lane Rockermann,
q, Of Centreville
While about 30 workers we're
given emergency treatment at the
Kent and Queen Anne's Hospital,
only Eve were held because Of ser
ious injuries. One of these. suf-
iering from eye injuries, was sent
10 the East0n Memorial Hospital
where better facilities were avail
able to treating that type Of in
jury.
Those hospitalized Included:
Mrs. Rosa Boulter, Rock Hall,
head injuries.
Harry Foreman. Chestertown,
badly lacerated forehead.
Miss Vivian Mae Ashley, Rock
Hall. fractured arm, possible other
injuries.
Mrs. Blanche Hague. Chester
town. internal injuries.
Mrs. Fannie Robbins. Millington,
eye injuries. Mrs. Robbins is the
patient taken to the Easton hos
pital.
The explosion which set of the
series Of blasts which destroyed g.
total Of 35 buildings in addition
to taking the II lives, was bel;av-
ed to have started in a drying oven
being operated by Mrs. Robbins
The two major explosions Cccur-
red within q matter Of seconds and
some 15 minutes later a third and
most severe Of all The latter ex-
plOsiOn caused a great many peO-
pie to evacuate their homes in
ChestertoWn. some heading into
Queen Anne's County and others
going into the open country by
means Of the towns major en-
frances.
A fourth explosion Of major pro-
portions occurred somewhat later
while firemen we're in the area,
causing them to fall back to posi-
tiOns of greater safety.
Within minutes Of the initial
blasts, equipment Of the Chester
town Volunteer Fire Company was
enroute to the area and Civil De-
Tense Auxiliary Police, many of
them recruited on the spot, were
stopping all except official traffic
on streets headed toward the dis
aster area.
At the scene rescue operations
We're kept at minimum because
of the violence of the explosions.
OF the nearly 300 workers who
had reported that morning, how
ever, all but the eleven were able
to escape, most with only minor
injuries.
AS. survivors were interviewed
about companions it was learned
that an undetermined number had
made their way into a marsh which
borders the southwest side Of the
area. Searching parties were sent
to this area. One Of those who had
sought the safety Of the marsh, a
young woman, made her way across
the mud and water to the farm
house Of Uric Jones.
She reported Others had been in
the marsh with her out knew moth
ing of their condition at the time.
Despite repeated search Of the
area from the far side Of the marsh
and efforts TO gain the attention of
any possible survivors by shouting,
It was not until nearly three hours
later thai six elderly women came
out Of the safety of the Radcl. ne
Creek area and were taken across
the devastated plant property by
rescue workers.
One Of the first acts of Civil De-
tense officials was to have broad
cast over radio and teIeVisiOn sta
tions an appeal to all survivors to
phone in their whereabouts. This
work was carried on at the offices
Of the G and p Telephone Company
until the late afternoon when the
lists and the efforts to contact the
survivors was turned over to the
Red Cross.
Some 200 Of the workers, had re-
ported in at that time and the
Red Cross assumed the task of try
ing to contact the others through
lists provided by the company. II
was not until late Saturday that
a complete check was available.
State Police were the first to "a
on the air with news Of the disas-
ter when they were contacted by
radio BY local troopers. They had
emergency equipment Headed to.
ward Chestertown FROM various
sources in a matter Of minutes.
Largely through hurried and in.
accurate initial reports, ernanatine
from many sources. the disaster
was magnified many times beyon6
its actual proportions. AS a re.
suit much unneeded but greatly
appreciated equipment and person.
mel was rushed to Chestertown
This included detachments from
the Army. Navy, Marines, Air Fore,
and Coast Guard.
Salvation Army workers arrive,
in early afternoon and set IN
canteen to refresh the fremen an,
others operating at the disaste
scene.
t was nearly three hours afte
the initial explosions Occursed tina
rescue workers were ablt, to sur
vey the disaster area. Corpoval Wal
ter kulley Of the State Police wa
placed in charge Of the sealch 70
bodies. An emergency morgue wa
established in the basement of tn
ArmOry.
The bodies and parts Of bOdie
were numbered as they we're re
moved, data as to the spot wher,
found being recorded for each. /
was IN the temporary mOrgue tina
DR.. Robert w. Farr started tn
work Of establishing identity lat
Friday afternoon.
Five were identified BY lat