SMELTERS HORRIBLY INJURED

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 88, 14 April 1910, Page 9

SMELTERS HORRIBLY INJURED

An explosion, -which was attended With horrible results, occurred at the Sydney Engineering and ( Smelting Works, Botany-road, Waterloo. Two smelters, E. Machin (27) and Arthur Clarke (31), are now lying in hospital in a terribly burnt state, and it is feared that one may lose his eyesight. Clarke was engaged melting down some rifle cartridge cases, which a dealer had brought in, and Machin was ■working at a crucible near by. The charges had been taken ont of the cartridges, but it' is surmised that they were damp at the time, and a quantity of powder adhered to the cases, afterwards .becoming- dry. Clarke took the cart" ridges one pv- one from the. bag, -in--which, they haa-'beeir.bTOtWfl J fc*and drop- i ped them into" the crucible. He ha« treated about 20, and there were still some 400 shells to be dealt with, when, in some way that has not been accounted for, a spark reached the bag. There was a loud report, and the two men were thrown to the ground. Although Clarke was terribly burnt about the tody and face, he showed remarkable courage; and when a bystander asked, "Are you hurt much, Arthur?" he replied, "It's all rig-it, Joe; I'm goin°- for a ride in the motor." He was taken in the ambulance to Sydney Hospital, and .thence to the Moorcliif Eye Hospital. Maehiirs injuries were less serious ■but extremely painfuL He was admitted to the Sydney Hospital.