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Cygnet Nitroglycerin
Explosion
In September of 1897 a wagon
containing approximately 100 quarts
of nitroglycerin exploded in Cygnet.
Several people were killed and many
others injured making this one of the
worst oil feild related Disasters in
the state of Ohio.
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Spooky! Accidents have always happened, but it is particularly unnerving to me how an accident involving just a wagon filled with an relativity primitive explosive component manages to claim more lives then the Great Flood of 2007. One trip to Google later and I learn that the accident is much more... spectacular than this sign makes it out to be. This Article writes
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Fires were commonplace during the oil days. If a well exploded, it could easily destroy an entire neighborhood. Most notable among the oil explosions was one which took place on Sept. 8, 1897, at a derrick in the middle of Cygnet. The well had just been drilled and people had gathered in expectation of a gusher. The well did indeed gush, but for some reason, no one had put out the fire under the boiler which powered the rig. The oil caught fire and spread. Soon it reached a wagon containing fifty-two quarts of nitroglycerin, which was commonly used to “shoot” or open up wells, and ignited it. The resulting explosion killed six people, destroyed all the buildings in the town square, and was said to have “shaken the entire county.”
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Very Interesting! So In actuality it was a chain reaction of events that caused the explosion. In addition to the previous article, This Website has an transcript of an newspaper clipping from shortly after the event, courtesy of Stu Beitler. It reads...
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CYGNET SHOCKED BY A FRIGHTFUL EXPLOSION OF NITROGLYCERIN.
SIX PERSONS BLOWN TO ATOMS.
SAMUEL BARBER TOUCHES OFF 120 QUARTS OF THE EXPLOSIVE IN A WELL AND THE CONCUSSION DISCHARGES A LIKE AMOUNT IN A WAGON -- BUILDINGS ARE DEMOLISHED AND INTENSE EXCITEMENT PREVAILS.
Cygnet, O., Sept. 8. -- A terrible explosion of nitro glycerin occurred here at 3 p.m., which resulted in the death of six people so far as known.
The Killed:
ALLEN FALLIS.
JOHN THOMPSON.
FRED SNYDER.
CHARLES BARTEL.
HENRY LANSDALE.
______ HAVENS, a boy.
The explosion occurred at Grant well, located at the rear of the National Supply company's office building, in the village limits. This well had just been shot by SAMUEL BARBER, the shooter for the Ohio and Indiana Torpedo company.
The well was a gasser and when the 120 quarts of glycerine let down into the well exploded, the gas ignited and with a terrific roar the flames shot high above the derrick. As soon as the drillers saw the flames several climbed into the derrick to shut off the gas, but they had hardly gotten there when there was a terrific explosion.
The burning gas had started the remaining glycerin in the empty cans standing in a wagon near the derrick. In another wagon near by were some cans containing another 120 quarts of the stuff, and this was started by the force of the first explosion. The second was blended with the first in a mighty roar, and the town and surrounding country for miles trembled from the shock.
The National Supply company's building was completely demolished, and nothing remains but a big hole where the wagons stood. There is not a whole pane of glass in any window in the town and every house and store was shaken to its foundation. There was awful excitement over the affair, and all the remaining population of the town rushed to the spot. The identity of the men who were in the derrick and who were killed can not be learned now, owing to the excitement.
The damage to the Ohio Oil company will amount to $3,000. Eight buildings are a total wreck and many others damaged. The town has a population of about 1,200. Many bystanders were wounded.The Killed:
ALLEN FALLIS.
JOHN THOMPSON.
FRED SNYDER.
CHARLES BARTEL.
HENRY LANSDALE.
______ HAVENS, a boy.
The explosion occurred at Grant well, located at the rear of the National Supply company's office building, in the village limits. This well had just been shot by SAMUEL BARBER, the shooter for the Ohio and Indiana Torpedo company.
The well was a gasser and when the 120 quarts of glycerine let down into the well exploded, the gas ignited and with a terrific roar the flames shot high above the derrick. As soon as the drillers saw the flames several climbed into the derrick to shut off the gas, but they had hardly gotten there when there was a terrific explosion.
The burning gas had started the remaining glycerin in the empty cans standing in a wagon near the derrick. In another wagon near by were some cans containing another 120 quarts of the stuff, and this was started by the force of the first explosion. The second was blended with the first in a mighty roar, and the town and surrounding country for miles trembled from the shock.
The National Supply company's building was completely demolished, and nothing remains but a big hole where the wagons stood. There is not a whole pane of glass in any window in the town and every house and store was shaken to its foundation. There was awful excitement over the affair, and all the remaining population of the town rushed to the spot. The identity of the men who were in the derrick and who were killed can not be learned now, owing to the excitement.
Newark Daily Advocate Ohio 1897-09-08
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Thanks to Stu's transcript we get a clearer picture of what exactly happened, and shows me that I visited pretty close to the anniversary of the event, but if you paid attention you will notice some discrepancies between the articles. I will list the ones I noticed below.
- Why are the quarts of nitroglycerin always of a different Number? Why are they always listed in quarts?
- The newspaper article contradicts itself listing the names of the dead, then claiming that identification is impossible.
Alas it is 10:06 right now, and I have work to do, Until Tomorrow!
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