FATAL DYNAMITE EXPLOSION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2242, 9 June 1881, Page 3

FATAL DYNAMITE EXPLOSION.

An appalling explosion of dynamite occurred at Greenock on April 16th, by which four men were killed and a number were injured. It 'appears that under an arrangement with the Clyde Lighthouse trustees, the officials of the Greenock Harbor Trust have been engaged for several months past in dredging the river Clyde at a point to the oast of Greenock, with the view of deepening a now channel way. In carrying out this undertaking boulders and rook were frequently encountered of such size that, in order to their removal blasting had to bo resorted to before the dredger could complete the work. On Saturday, while a number of men were thus employed, they came across a large boulder submerged at a depth of about 25ft, Divers were in requisition, and the boulder was drilled with two holes, these being each charged with 13b. of dynamite. One of the shots was fired successfully, but when the other fuse was ignited, a terrific report was hoard by those on shore, and several of the workmen, who were stationed on a raft, were seen to be thrown several feet into the air. A portion of the raft about 20ft. in length was destroyed. A large quantity of water was thrown up a conconsiderable height, and all the other men were dashed into the river by the force of the explosion. The catastrophe occasioned the greatest excitement among those on shore and on board the steam dredgers, which were working a short distance from the raft. The dredgers' boats were promptly launched, as was also a boat attached to a crane punt, and every effort was put forth to rescue the immersed men. The first man nicked up, Hugh Martin, was quite dead, his head being partially blown away. Another, Hugh Gallocher, when brought ashore, was found to have sustained serious injuries about the lower part of the body, and he died during the afternoon in the infirmary. This was also the fate of John Burns, a labourer. A man, named John Logan, could not be found, and little doubt remains that he was either blown to pieces or drowned. A diver, who subsequently went into the river, recovered articles of dress which were identified as those of Logan. The names of the dead are : —Hugh Gallochor, aged forty-six years, leaving a widow,, and three of a family, all grown np ; Hugh Martin, aged fifty-two years, who leaves a widow and two children; John Logan, aged fifty, who leaves a widow and four children. John Burns, aged fortyfive, who leaves a widow and f cur children. A number of men wore also injured, among others, Hugh Clifford, cut about the head and neck ; James Kelly, cut about the head; William Sweeney, injured about the limbs and badly shaken. Nothing definite is known as to the cause of the accident. The most feasible theory put forward is that after the charge was inserted in the stone and the fuse attached, the rising of the tide, by lifting the fuse, withdraw the charge from the boulder, and the charge exploded immediately under the raft.—" Times.”