THE GUNPOWDER MILLIONAIRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7075, 18 October 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GUNPOWDER MILLIONAIRE.

The following history of a great fortune made from gunpowder is related by the Phila. delphia Record :—" Mr Lammot Dupont, who was killed recently by the explosion at Thompson's Point, is said to have been worth 13,000,000d015. He had a controlling inte» rest in the manufacture of nearly all the high explosives that were made in the United States and Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. Ten million pounds of these materials were consumed in the country in 1882, the worka at Thompson's Point producing one-third of this amount. Ha is credited with having organised a combination of all the makers of high explosives. When negotiating with the Panama Canal Company for the powder to be used in that work, he guaranteed to Bupply 12 tons cf Atlas powder daily if that amount were needed. One of the moat daring achievements recorded in the history of the present century is one of which he is the central figure. During the Crimean War the Russian Government ran short of powder, and the explosize was required to continue the defence of Sevastopol. A cargo was purchased from tbo Duponts in this country, and was placed in a steamship lying off Baltimore. The British had frigates posted in waiting outaide the Cheaapeako. After eeven feints the watchers were eluded, and a ohaaa began acrasa tbe Atlantic, through Gibraltar, and up the Mediterranean Sea. With remarkably gocd fortune, the vessel pasaed through the Boaphoius and into the Black Sea unchecked; but, when neaiing the place of contention, the English warsnipa hailed the stranger, Young Dupont was at the helm himself, and insisted that tha vessel should proceed, not heeding the signals from the war ships. Two broadsides were fired into the vessel, but she was able to steam ahead and Bteer through the rocks, and was beached inside the Russian lines. This daring adventure saved the cargo, for which the Russian Government paid the sum of 3,C00,000d01. Throughout the civil war the family rendered distinguished services to the Government, and at the very beginning of the rebellion Mr Lammot Dupon was placed in a position by which, through hia energy and genius, the country was supplied with the means of defenc3 for the ensuing conflict."