Daily Alta California, Volume 22, Number 7415, 10 July 1870 — Explosion at the California Powder Work*. [ARTICLE]

Explosion at the California Powder Works.

One Man Killed- Two Chinamen Injured- Dam-

age Slight.

Precisely at seven o'clock yesterday an explosion occurred at the California Powder Works, situated at the Bayfleld tract, convenient to the central road to the Beach, and about three-quarters of a mile from the Toll-gate, which resulted in the initant death of John Harry, Superintendent of the Works, and severely injuring two Chinamen. How the explosion was caused is, so far, not known positively, and probably never will be. The chem-

ist employed at the Works, Mr. Howden states that on Friday he dried ten pounds of fulminate of mercury, which he directed the deceased to fill caps with yesterday morning in accordance with this request, and knowing that the fulminating caps were required immedi ately by tno Company, the Superintendent took two Chinamen with him into a smal frame build ing, known as the "cap fi ling room," and commenced work. In a few minutes an expiation was hear,. and the small building was blown to atoms. The explosion was heard by persons living within a circuit of three quarters of a mile, and a ltarge crowd soon collected. Harry was found with his head resting on the flooring. His right arm was orn off from above the elbow, and his left hand, from the wrist, was also blown away. His skull

was burst to pieces, and the was was some much *^* figured as to place him beyond recognition. Part of his clothes was torn off. and the remainder burned. His whole body was frightfully shattered. Finding that Harry was beyond all relief, they commenced search for the Chinamen, who were found some distance

off and severely injured One was burned about the face and head, and it is supposed the loss of his sight will be the result. They were placed in wagons and brought to the city, where their injuries were properly dressed. One of the Chinamen, in answer to interrogatories by one of the officers of the company. stated that when Harry entered the building he put what is supposed to be paste into the ten ponnds of fulminate of mercury and commenced to mix them. This paste, it appears is necessary in order to make the fulminate stick to the caps. While engaged in mixing the two materials, the explosion occurred. This seetus probable from the fact that both of the de ceased's arms were mostly blown off, and also part of his head. The strictest inquiry into the cause of the fatal explosion, goes to show that it was caused by the f ic ion produced in mixing the paste, with the fulminate of mercury, and th re was no lamp used to dry the fulminate. This is evident from the statement of the chemist. who says he dried it himself. The building destroyed was only about ten feet square, and built of wood. There are several other buildings near where thi one stood, some of them large; but the damage is en irely confi ed to the destruction of the "cap filling room " and will not exceed probably $150. Harry had been a long time in the employ of the Company, and he is spoken of by every one as being a careful, steady man. He was a native of England, thirty-one years of age, and u married. He was in constant communication with his mother and sister n England, and is said to have sent them all his spare earning. His body has been taken in charge by the Coroner, who will hold an inquest.