THE AUSTRIAN KRUPPS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 May 1916, Page 2

THE AUSTRIAN KRUPPS

EXPLOSION AT SKODA ARSENAL. A recent message stated, that a territic explosion of melinite occurred at the famous Austrian arsenal of Skoda. Three factory buildings, including that set apart for the nianufecture of the renowned 305 railimetre (12in.) hydrau. lie guns*.were blown into the '■ air. A hundred- and ninety-five employees perished in the ruins. Koda's is the Auetriun Krupp'e. Ite enormoue arms and explbaive factories are the Austrian main arsenal a.s those of Eeseu are Germany's. They are situated in Bohemia, just outside *Jie town of Pilson, in which the arsenal's many thousands of workmen lire. Skoda has excelled oven Krapp in this war by the quality and power of its artillery. Most famous of all have been tho 11-inch motor howiteers, which were made detachable for road transport. It was with these guns that the groat forts outside Liege and Antwerp wore battered to pieces. The Bkodawerke at Pilsen have developed in recent years into one of the largest ordnance and armour works in the world. They originated in a machine factory established in 185&. In 1897 the first 6-inch gun wae delivered to the navy. Many machine shops were built, collieries acquired, steel furnaees erected and a 9.1-inch was tried in 1891. Additions I© the worts were made, especially m 1907, and in the next year 12-inch guns were produced. Since that time -there hav» been very great exteneione of the establishment. Three yeare before the war the men engaged in ordnance work numbered about 7000.