The first blast was fired in the tunnel at the East End on the 20th of
November, but owing to the presence of charcoal or some other substance
in the article, a poisonous gas was evolved which effected the miners
disagreeably, and drove them from the work. The subsequent experiments
at this point were not satisfactory, and were discontinued, and
subsequently resumed at the Central Shaft, where it was used most of the
time for a week, varying its composition from time to time. At the close
of the week, while preparing for the last blast, a premature explosion
took place, resulting in the death of one of the miners, and the injury
of three or four others.
The material result of this experiment was as follows:--With 261 days'
work and 139-1/2 lbs. of powder, 202 buckets of stone were removed;
while in the preceding week, using common powder (schaghticoke) with
251-3/4 days' labor and 236 lbs. of powder, 168 buckets of stone were
taken out. The cost of the experimental powder is about twice as
expensive as the common powder, and its superior strength is apparent
from the above result.