ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 295, 11 July 1868, Page 2

ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL.

The Montreal Gazette gives the following additional particulars of a new blasting powder in that city on the 2Sth inst., briefly reported by telegraph.

Some doubt obtains as to what the substance really was, a cotemporary making it out to be a composition of chloride of potash and taunin. It was contained in a cartridge marked " Dominion Cartridge ; improved safety water-proof blasting cartridge, patented 2Sth June, 1867, manufactured at Montreal," and was a yellowish powder. We have good chemical authority for believing it to have been a mixture of sulphur with chlorate of potash. The compound thus obtained is highly explosive under concussion or steady friction. t If a small quantity of these substances be mixed and subjected to steady, firm friction under 'an iron pestle, a series of detonations like the explosions of percussion caps will ensue, but if a smart shock be given a powerful explosion will result. One peculiar property of this composition is that explosive force is exerted downwards. This, we understand, was mixed with common gunpowder on the somewhat novel principle in chemistry, however true in mechanics, that the (wo explosions, one upward ami one downward, would produce a lateral expansion. The cartridge had been placed in a hole drilled for the blast, and a man named John Dumphy was engaged in tamping the sand rouud it with an iron bar, when, probably, from the concussion to which this composition is so sensitive, a terrible explosion took place. "When the smoke cleared away, Dumphy was seen lying on the ground, a lifeless trunk, the blood spouting from the great arteries of the neck in crimson streams, and soaking the ground round the body. The skull was blown to pieces literally, as no fragment two inches square could be recovered. It was strewn piecemeal over the ground, one portion being picked up over forty yards from the scene of the explosion. Dr. Erhardt ran for thirty or forty feet and then sank down. The workmen rushing to his assistance, found his face badlp bruised, and his left hand blown completely off, the arm being shattered for four inches above the wrist. Mr. George Bowie, the contractor, who with his partner, Mr. M' Naughton, had been watching the experiment, was knocked down, and when picked up was so covered with blood that not a feature was recognizable. On examination it was found that he was badly burned about the eyes. Mr M'Naughton was severely wounded, as was also Thos. Hefferman, foreman, both about the head and eyes. Mr. Straw, of Boston, was slightly injured.