Harry Gordon's letter on explosives manufacture
Bede Magazine report from a former scholar
Explosives
We often hear that Munitions form the life blood of an army in the field and it is my purpose to give a little general information concerning the life blood of Munitions – Explosives.
Very little seems to be known about this most necessary adjunct to an army’s equipment, perhaps on the account of the secrecy which is maintained as to its manufacture, so the reader will understand that what follows is necessarily vague, but it will no doubt give a little insight into what is hidden behind a veil of mystery.
Explosives are divided into two main classes, fuses, and the materials which are caused to explode by these detonators, and which actually do the damage.
Most explosives, except the oldest of all, black powder, have an injurious effect on the constitution of the workers.
Nitroglycerine [NG] and Cordite (our chief explosives) affect the heart and cause violent headaches. Wearing a garment which has been worn by a man working on NG is sufficient to cause the headache, and the men’s wives frequently complain of these symptoms, after washing their husband’s clothes.
Picric Acid, made from Phenol or carbolic acid, stains the skin and hair green, and gains for its workers the nickname Parrots.
TNT, Tri-nitro-toluol, is responsible for a yellow skin, ginger hair, a type of skin disease, and for the nickname ‘Canaries’ which is given to its manufacturers. Other explosives made from Tar Oils have the same effects as the above. To protect the skin, cocoa-butter is provided, but personally I have found Vaseline with Boracic powder sprinkled over it, answers the purpose much more effectively.
Different persons are attacked differently, whilst some are immune. In certain cases yellow scales appear, in others the face and arms swell until the person is almost unrecognisable and the pain is extremely irritating. Some unfortunates get this disease all over their bodies and of course have to give up work.
Nitroglycerine is an extremely explosive compound formed from glycerine (a soap by-product) and when exposed to shock, explodes with great violence. Care, therefore, is the essential characteristic of workers in this branch. In order to lessen this liability to explode on handling, the nitroglycerine is mixed with a porous earth – ‘Kieselguhr’, and becomes dynamite, or with guncotton and other substances, and becomes cordite, in which forms it can be handled with comparative safety.
The dangerous nature of the work and the serious results which may accrue, not only in the actual neighbourhood but on the battlefield, should anything in the nature of an accident happen, necessitate numerous rules and precautions being enforced in all Explosive works. The following are few of the many.
Every man is searched on entering the Factory, and if matches or means of procuring a light be found on his person, he is instantly discharged; the number of who thus make their exit is surprisingly large, but in such places there is absolutely no excuse made for forgetfulness.
Grit entering machinery is likely to cause a spark and this in turn might lead to a disastrous fire, seeing that everything is of a highly flammable nature, hence every precaution is taken to minimize the risk of such an occurrence.
Only bone button and studs are permitted on private clothes – a metal stud means three days’ suspension at least, and in the uniforms provided there are no buttons, loops and button holes taking their places and no pockets are allowed. Two pairs of boots are supplied, one for outside and the other for inside wear, and these must be changed on entering or leaving a danger building. The Penalty for neglect of this rule is very heavy.
The styles of building adopted, are many and varied. Wooden structures seem to have the preference, not only on account of the speed with which they can be erected, but because it would be rather unpleasant having half a brick wall flying round should an explosion occur in a brick building. In certain cases the walls are just fastened in with buttons – the reason being obvious. Magazines and buildings of a particularly dangerous nature, are surrounded by huge mounds of earth in order to confine explosions to one place. The light in such places is reflected from outside.
The men engaged range from cat’s meat men to those who have been on Stock Exchanges, and considering the fact that on entering the works no one is allowed to leave until the nine hours’ shift has ended, the Dining Room presents a sight worth seeing. This varied collection is accounted for by the fact that during peace time, Explosive Factories are comparatively slack, but war brings increased demands both for labour and buildings and these were forthcoming in the early days.
The temptation to enter into details is excessively great, but must not be yielded to at present, but perhaps when quiet once more reigns I should be allowed to say more.
H. Gordon, ’11-‘13
Date: June 1916
Author: Harry Gordon
Where to find this: St Bede Magazine June 1916
Online Resource – https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/palace.green/collections/dc/The_Bede_v12-no3_June_1916.pdf
Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham
