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1918 Split Rock, New York expolsion disaster...
1918 Split Rock, New York expolsion disaster...
Item # 699642
July 03, 1918
EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, July 3, 1918
* Split Rock quarry disaster
* Munitions factory explosion
* Onondaga County, New York
The front page has a one column heading: "SIXTY-FIVE KILLED IN TERRIFIC BLAST" (see images) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile from this era in paper. Rare as such.
Complete with 12 pages, small library stamp within the masthead, small library label on the front page, generally very nice.
wikipedia notes: In 1915, during World War I, Split Rock became the site of a munitions factory operated by the Semet-Solvay Company. The plant employed about 2500 people when it exploded on July 2, 1918, killing at least 50. The explosion allegedly occurred after a mixing motor in the main TNT building overheated. The fire rapidly spread through the wooden structure of the main factory. Firefighting efforts were hampered by a loss of water pressure, and the factory eventually exploded. Approximately 1-3 tons of TNT were involved in the blast, which leveled the structure and led to the death of 50 men (conflicting reports mention 52 deaths). Large quantities of TNT and picric acid awaiting shipment were stored in magazines and warehouses across a valley from the main factory. However, the fire did not spread to these. The production of picric acid, nitric acid, and other products continued throughout the remainder of the war.[
Category: The 20th Century
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