Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1877 — Explanation of Some Mining Accidents. [ARTICLE]

Explanation of Some Mining Accidents.

In view of recent disastrous discharges of exploders in the Sutro Tunnel, some interesting experiments have been instituted by Sir. tjutro, with a view of ascertaining the cause, and more especially to determine whether the electricity of the body might not have, in this high altitude, something to do with it. Electric exploders made by different persons were placed in a strong wooden box, which again was placed in another box in Mr. Sutro’s parlor. This room is covered with a heavy Brussels carpet, walking over which causes the human body to l>e speedily charged with electricity. Mr. Hancock, the chief blaster, assisted in the experiments and held the wires, while Mr. Sutro walked round the room two or three times, with slippers, sliding his feet gently over the carpet. After doing this he approached the end of one of the wires with his forefinger, and instantly a loud report was heard, the exploder ■having been discharged. The first experiment was with one of the San Francisco Giant Powder Company’s exploders. Then one of the Electrical Construction Company’s was tried, without effecting its discharge. Next, one of George M. Mowbray’s, .of North Adams, Mass., was used, which did not go off on the first trial, but did On the second, with a very loud report. After this another of the Giant exploders was tried, which went oft' by the time Mr. Sutro’s forefinger had reached within two or three inches from the end of the wire. These experiments have (dearly established the fact that exploders may be set off by electricity accumulated in the human body, and the men about the tunnel were at once informed of the fact. Instructions were also issued for handling them hereafter, and a sheet-iron plate was placed in the exploder house, to which is connected a wire reaching into the water flowing from the tunnel. The men, in handling exploders, now stand on this, iron plate, and have instructions to wet their boots before entering, and to put on india-rubber gloves before touching the exploders. If these precautions are properly carried out there will be no danger of explosions hereafter. Any electricity accumulated in the human body will at once lie carried off through the iron plate, while the rubber gloves, being non-con-ductors, form an additional protection. Accidents from these explosions have never occurred inside the tunnel, for since the place is very wet no electricity can be retained in the body. —Virginia {New.) Enterprise.