TERRIFIC EXPLOSION AT A FOUNDRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5377, 21 June 1878, Page 5

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION AT A FOUNDRY.

(From tho Sydney Morniny Herald of 24th May.) About five o’clock yesterday afternoon a terrible explosion occurred at the Atlas Ironworks, Hay-street, by which three men received very severe injuries, aud part of the premises were considerably damaged. At the time mentioned two men named William Hilders, fumaceman, and William Foreman, assistant, were engaged at a cupola or furnace, which contained about 7cwt, of molten iron. This furnace stands in a shed separate from the main building, aud the liquid metal was ready to be used for casting. It should be stated that there are two large holes near the base of the cupola—one iu front for the purpose of raking out the cinders, and the other at the back for letting out the molten iron. Under the former is a pit about 4ft. by 2ft. 6in. in depth, which contained 4in, of water. The front of the cinder hole was firmly blocked by a thick iron plate, which was wedged in close to the cupola to prevent its contents' escaping. The liquid metal had barely commenced to run out along the trough, when Hilders, the furnaoeman, knocked away tho wedges which secured the plate on the other sides, so as to rake out the cinders. Unfortunately, he had not waited long enough to allow sufficient metal to escape, and the" result was that the liquid stream poured out into tho pit of water below. The effect was instantaneous. Steam was generated, and a terrific explosion occurred. Hilders and Foreman were much scalded by the metal, the former to such an extent that ho will probably lose one of his, legs ; the latter is also. badly injured about the head. Another man, named By water, a moulder, who was at tho time in the adjoining foundry, attempted to escape immediately on hearing the explosion, but was struck heavily by a large piece of wood, aud rendered unconscious. The three poor fellows were at once conveyed to the infirmary, where they were admitted to the accident ward. The force of . the explosion being outwards, tho supports of the iron roof were blown away, and, as a consequence, a great part of the latter has fallen down. Some wooden erections have also been damaged, and there is a considerable amount of debris around the spot. A large number of windows in the building, as well as in the immediate neighborhood, have been broken. The damage to the premises will probably amount to over £IOO. Hilders has acknowledged that he alone is to blame, in knocking Away the wedges too soon.’ It is most fortunate that the majority of the workmen employed at the works had left the premises, as there is little doubt that if the accident hod occurred a few minutes previously most lamentable' casualties would have occurred. As it was, only three or four men were in attendance to superintend the operations, and it may be attributed to this circumstance that tho effects of the explosion were so comparatively limited.