Workers at the General Processing Company had just stopped for lunch when a dye pot filled with boiling yarn exploded inside the Manayunk plant.
The blast tore through the roof, hurled steam and scalding chemicals across the dye house, and sent terrified families rushing toward the factory after rumors spread that several workers had been killed.
Three men were injured, one seriously, while a young stenographer was overcome by the noise and chaos.
Explosion Hurts 3, Girl Overcome, In Manayunk Plant
MANAYUNK, Pennsylvania. — Three men were hurt and a young woman shocked into hysteria when a dye pot exploded at noon today at the plant of the General Processing Co., Collins and Willard Streets, Manayunk.
The explosion blew yarn in the process of being dyed through the roof of the dye house and scattered steam and boiling chemicals in every direction.
The injured:
John Dransfield, 32 years old, scalded and fractured arm. In a serious condition at the Episcopal Hospital.
William Norcross, 25 years old, injuries slight, treated by a nearby physician.
Harry Lyle, burned about the hand. Treated at Northeastern General Hospital and went home.
Miss Gertrude Bloomhart, a stenographer, was the woman shocked into hysteria. She was sent to the Northeast General Hospital.
Samuel Thornton, superintendent of the plant, was unable to explain the cause of the accident. He estimated the damage at about $1,000.
Manayunk
The explosion created great excitement in the neighborhood. At first it was rumored that half a dozen persons had lost their lives, and the families of these workers who lived nearby, hurried to the factory to learn who had been killed.
It was shortly after the blowing of the noon whistle that the explosion occurred. John Dransfield, most seriously hurt of the workers, was sitting eating his lunch near the big dye pot, in which yarn was boiling. The flying lid of the pot struck Dransfield. He had been deluged with the spattering dye before other workmen could drag him out.
Miss Bloomhart was working at some distance from the vat. The terrific noise and the excitement made her hysterical. Efforts to restore her were unavailing and she was sent to the hospital.
There was a slight fire after the explosion, but this was extinguished before it had done much damage.
Source: Evening Public Ledger. Philadelphia, Pa. January 26, 1920.
