EXPLOSION AT ELEY'S FACTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4207, 16 November 1900, Page 7

EXPLOSION AT ELEY'S FACTORY

THREE MEN KILLED, OTHERS SERIOUSLY INJURED. An explosion, resulting in the loss of three lives and severe injuries to two 'other persons, occurred early in September at Messrs Eley Brothers’ cartridge factory. Gray's Inn Road. The explosion was so great that the post chics buildings at Mount Pleasant were shaken. A large crowd quickly gathered in the vicinity, including many relatives of the five hundred odd workpeople employed at the factory. The injured wer e at' once removed to the Royal Free Hospital, which stands next door to the works. Robert Worley, foreman, of 23. Old Charlton Road, Woolwich, was killed instantly, while the three men severely injured were Thomas Stakoe, the manager of the works, ot 11, Gateley Road, Stockwell, who died in the Royal Free Hospital: Albert Hicks, 24, Ihvthslveet, City Road; Oliver Wade, 15. Aberdeen Road, Angel Road. Upper Edmonton. Worley leaves a widow and four children. About half an hour after the explosion a lad named John Syke. 41 Mnnchestcr-strcct. Gray’s Inn Road, was found to be missing, and on a 'search being made it was found that ho had been blown to pieces. OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

In view of the conflicting reports of the accident, the following statement has been made by the secretary of tiucompany ;

“The accident took place about three o’clock, not in any of the working buildings, as lias been stated, but in tlio open yard, iu a passage by the side of an annealing furnace, the passage having a con ligated iron roof. As Tar as can be ascertained, the explosion arose from two boxes, which were supposed to contain waste percussion cap shells, and it mast have been caused by the presence of some violent explosive therein which had been introduced into the factory unknown to any of the officials. The actual caw-e of the explosion_lias not yet been ascertained, hut the matter is being inquired into by K.M. Inspector of Explosives. It may be desirable to mention that no filling of percussion caps is carried on at the works, nor a-qy filling of cartridges, except on a very small scale —generally for experimental purposes—and that the quantity of gunpowder stored at the works does not exceed that allowed to an ordinary ffimmaker. The small building in which that powder is kept is standing untouched, with the contents intact. Some criticism has been made as to the reticence displayed by the company’s officials, but as the matter required considerable investigation it was thought hotter to withhold all information until something definite could be arrived at.” ALLEGATIONS OF FOUL PLAY.

Dr G. Hanford Thomas opened sin inquest at St. Pancras Coroner's Court cm the bodies of the three victims. The coroner said that he proposed oji that occasion only taking evidence oi identity and sonic other testimony re. lating to the facts of the occurrence, and then to adjourn the inquiry for three weeks for the completion of technical evidence by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Explosives connected with the Homo Office.

John Thomas, Stokoe, son of thelqtr manager of the works, .also employed in the factory, stated that ho heard one loud report of any explosion, and hoard that his father was slightly injured. The explosion occurred in the passage in the yard. His father was removed to the Royal Free Hospital, whore witness .subsequently saw him. He asked him, “Were yon the cause of it?’’ He replied, “No, my boy, I am innocent ; so is poor Bob (meaning Worley). We gave no orders, and saw nothing doner Toll Mr Irving (one of the principals) I never .was the cause, but I am convinced it is foul play. It is Edmonton.” Witness explained that the loading factory was at Edmonton, and Ids father’s belief was that an explosive had been imported thence to Gray’s lun Road purposely by way of resentment for some grudge against the firm. Gunpowder was alone kept on the premises, and in small .quantities. His father died after an operation. The corqner adjourned' the inquiry.