1940 — Sep 12, Explosion, Hercules Powder Company, Kenvil Works, Kenvil, NJ — 51

–57 NY Times. “2 Killed in 2d Blast Within 14 Months at Hercules Plant.” 8-22-1964, p. 23.
–55 Shea, Patrick. “Boom Times.” Distillations Magazine, Science History Institute, 6-2-2016.
–52 National Fire Protection Association. Key Dates in Fire History. 1996.
–51 Buffum, Joanna. “The Blast That Rocked NJ.” New Jersey Monthly, 9-10-2015.
–51 RoxburyNewJersey.com. “The Explosion at the Hercules Powder Factory of Kenvil…”*
–49 AP. “Explosion Deaths Mount…49th Victim Dies.” Racine Journal-Times, WI. 9-19-1940, p.16.
–49 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p. 284.

*Near the bottom of this webpage is a photo of a memorial plaque dedicated on 9-5-2005 to “the 51 people who perished…” which names each of the 51 fatalities. We list these names from the plaque at the end of our “Narrative” section and consider this listing as authoritative. We can only speculate that higher numbers derive from early newspaper articles which were inaccurate.

Narrative Information

RoxburyNewJersey.com: “The Kenvil facility was located in Roxbury Township, Morris County, and was owned by the Hercules Company, a spin-off from DuPont, who operated several other chemical & munitions plants in New Jersey. Covering over 1,200 acres, dozens of major buildings processed various types of high explosives, employing hundreds of local residents who worked the various shifts at the plant….

“At 1:30 PM on September 12, 1940 over 297,000 pounds of gunpowder blew up in a series of explosions and fires, leveling over 20 buildings. The explosions shook the area so forcefully that cars were bounced off the roads, most windows in homes miles away were broken and articles flew off shelves and walls.

”The explosions were felt as far away as Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and were picked-up by the seismograph at Fordham University in New York, about 50 miles east of Kenvil. Not only were windows broken, but telephone wires were torn apart from their poles. Many windows in both Roxbury and Wharton high schools were shattered. Some told of High School students whose fathers worked at the Powder works, suddenly realizing what had happened, shrieking and running out of the building to the Plant to check on loved ones.

”Of course, the worst part was the loss of life. In all, 51 workers died as a result of the disaster, with over 200 injured and burned. The victims were brought to Dover General Hospital which was so overwhelmed that many individuals were just laid out on the front lawn of the Hospital, awaiting help. Victims were brought in laying in the back of pickup trucks and cars. Not only were most Doctors and Nurses from neighboring facilities called to assist, but Nursing Students from around the area spent weeks attending to burn patients. Even older Boy Scouts were used to find family members and relay messages.

“Ultimately the facility would be rebuilt and reopened in April 1941 to go on to produce munitions for World War Two as well as Rocket propellant and other products.” (RoxburyNewJersey.com. “The Explosion at the Hercules Powder Factory of Kenvil, New Jersey on September 12, 1940.”)

Newspapers

Sep 12: “Dover, N.J., Sept. 12 (AP) – Observers said ‘at least 50’ casualties were brought to Dover General Hospital this afternoon after two explosions in quick succession at the Hercules Powder Plant at Kenvil, five miles away. Hospital attendants said the casualties were so numerous ‘we can’t keep track of them.’

“Reports from Kenvil said fire had broken out at the plant and was raging so severely that firemen could not combat it.

“Col. Mark O. Kimberling, New Jersey state police superintendent, said over 100 persons were reported injured.

“Long distance operators at Newark reported that telephone communication with Kenvil, a town of slightly more than 900 population, was cut off.

“Police said two heavy blasts were felt at 12:30 p.m. (EST) which broke windows in several homes. At Lake Hopatcong, house-holders reported that houses shook with the tremors.

“Dover hospital attendants said all available doctors, nurses and ambulances had been called out. State police officials sent 25 troopers to the scene.

“The Hercules powder plant employs 220 persons in the manufacture of dynamite and smokeless powder.

“The explosion was heard all through Westchester county, just above New York city, and some 50 miles from where the blast occurred. Telephone switchboards were swamped with calls from persons who heard the explosion and felt the earth tremble. Even in Kingston and Poughkeepsie there were persons who felt earth tremors between 12:35 and 12:39 p.m., E.S.T. Numerous calls of inquiry were put through to the office of the Kingston Daily Freeman.

“Windows were knocked out of a train at Harmon, N.Y., and plaster fell from walls at Tarrytown. The New York state police barracks at Hawthorne said that they heard five blasts, and that reports of pictures being knocked from walls had reached them from Poughkeepsie.

“The shocks were so great they were registered on the seismograph at Fordham University in New York. Fordham said the first shock was at 11:08 a.m. (E.S.T.), a second at 12:29 p.m. The instruments indicated they were under-ground blasts, rather than earthquakes.

“Naval officials in New York began an immediate investigation of the explosion because the Hercules plant is near the Picatinny naval arsenal.

“The blasts were felt in Flanders, seven miles from Kenvil. Houses were reported shaken, doors blown from their hinges and windows blown out. A Flanders housewife said the repercussion was so severe it broke a dining room table.

“Several residents near Hudson, N.Y., approximately 125 miles north of the scene of the explosion, reported hearing the blasts. Poughkeepsie, N.Y. officials said it was heard all through Dutchess county, where President Roosevelt’s ancestral home is situated. Windows rattled, dishes were shattered and lamps were tipped off tables. Even in Danbury, Conn., tremors shook the area and police headquarters was flooded with telephone calls. Most of the callers asked: ‘Where was the earthquake?’ Dishes were knocked from shelves in Danbury, and the blast shook the earth all the way from Stamford to Old Greenwich.” (AP. “At Least 50 Persons are killed or injured in Hercules Blasts.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 9-12-1940, 1.)

Sep 13: “Kenvil, N.J., Sept. 13 (AP) – Rescue workers poked through a tangled mass of smoldering ruins today in search of more victims of terrific explosions that leveled the Hercules Powder Company’s plant here, killing at least 35 men, injuring 125 others and causing an estimated $1,000,000 damage.

“William C. Hunt of Wilmington, Del., in charge of the company’s explosive department, announced that two additional bodies had been recovered from the wreckage. Another man died in Dover General Hospital. Hunt expressed belief that not more than four or five more bodies would be recovered. ‘It is highly likely we’ll never be able to determine the cause of the explosion’ Hung stated. ‘The men immediately concerned are lost.’ Officials of the plant and state police expected the toll of dead to reach 45 or 50. In point of fatalities, yesterday’s blast was one of the worst powder plant disasters in the nation’s history….

“The company manufactures smokeless powder and other explosives. It was engaged in fulfilling numerous national defense contracts. Today Federal Bureau of Investigation agents were investigating possibilities of sabotage. In the last three months the company had received $40,000,000 in contracts from the federal government.

“The blast, of undetermined origin, was of such intensity that the countryside was rocked for miles around. Reverberations were felt as far away as Danbury, Conn., 125 miles to the east. Thousands in surrounding districts believed there had been an earthquake.

“The powder exploded in two terrific blasts and was followed by a series of lesser concussions and a fire which raced through the ruins and surrounding woodlands. The flames hampered rescue efforts and for a time threatened an underground magazine. Twelve hours later another explosion sent shivers through Kenvil residents. It was minor in character but loud enough to arouse alarm.
Eight Tons Discharged

“William C. Hunt of Wilmington, De., in charge of the company’s explosives department, said eight tons of powder in a solvent recovery plant blew up in the first two blasts, setting off other explosions which destroyed an additional 20 tons.

“Word of the disaster spread rapidly and within an hour a score of agencies, including the New York and Pennsylvania state police had offered aid. Dozens of rescue squads and ambulances carried the injured to hospitals.

“Hysteria ran through this Morris county town of 900 as the magnitude of the disaster dawned upon residents. Relatives of the plant’s 1,500 workmen rushed to the 2,000 acre factory site. Anguished cries of wives and mothers added to the shrieks of the injured.

“Despite the enormity of the tragedy, residents discussed the disaster with philosophical resignation. ‘We kind of expect things like this, up here,’ one said.

“Most of the injured were taken to the Dover General Hospital, where at least three died after arrival. Several others are not expected to live.

Treated in Hallways

“So great was the rush on the hospital’s facilities that many were treated in the hallways.

“The injured and dead were removed in ambulances, hearses, police and fire emergency trucks from as far away as Newark. When the Dover hospital could take no more, the remaining injured were transported to St. Mary’s athletic hall, the Dover hospital nurses’ home, and the All Souls Hospital in Morristown….

“Of the dead, seven were twisted and burned beyond recognition. Hunt said about 75 men were employed in the immediate vicinity of the explosions and that 25 in addition to the know dead were unaccounted for. Some of the injured could not be identified because they were too badly burned to be questioned.

“As workers waited for the wreckage to cool to begin digging for more bodies, Hunt said flatly there was ‘no possibility of further explosions.’ Long after midnight, however, flareups were visible from the plant gates….

“In Washington, President Roosevelt asked the war department and Red Cross to rush aid to the scene. Governor A. Harry Moore called upon all state agencies to cooperate in alleviating suffering.

“The stoicism of Kenvil residents was borne of experience. In 1934 two months-apart explosions killed five men in the Hercules plant. Previously blasts caused destruction at the Picatinny arsenal in Dover and at the Lake Denmark navy ammunitions depot seven miles away.

“Yesterday’s blasts, so severe that they were registered on the seismograph of Fordham University, New York, crumpled brick and concrete walls of nearly a score of plant structures like cardboard. Trees were denuded and around the area was a scene of burned, blackened and smoking desolation.

“A commercial transport pilot who flew over the ruins said ‘the only ting in the plant which appeared intact was a large boiler.’

“Hunt said the company was at a loss to explain either the fire or explosions. ‘We though all safeguards possible to prevent such an occurrence had been taken,’ he declared, ‘we have no suspicion of any sabotage.’ Another company official, who asked that his name not be disclosed, asserted ‘reports that it had been easy to gain access to the plant were absurd because the company has an elaborate guard system and elaborate pass system.’

“There were few in the little town of Kenvil who did not have a relative among the injured….

“Hunt announced early today that the dynamite plant was still intact and that regular shifts would report for work on schedule. The dynamite is located at a distance from the plant’s other buildings.” (AP. “35 Persons Are Known Dead In Jersey Blast; 125 Others Are Hurt.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 9-13-1940, pp. 1 and 15.)

Sep 14: “Kenvil, N.J., Sept. 14 (AP) – Activities of ‘foreign agents’ were blamed today by Senator Barbour (R-NJ) for the explosions at the Hercules Powder Company that killed at least 48 and within five frightful minutes blasted more than a score of buildings off the 2,000 acre plant. While state police checked membership rolls of the German-American Bund against the roster of plant employees, Senator Barbour in a statement in Washington said he believed ‘when the facts are known, it will be discovered that it (Thursday’s explosion) was due as in the case of the Black Tom (Jersey City, N.J.,) disaster of the pre-World War period to the activities of ‘foreign agents.’

“In addition to the New Jersey state police and state bureau of explosives, other agencies probing the mysterious explosions were the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hercules experts, Army and Navy intelligence officers and United States Navy explosive specialists from the powder factory at Indian Head, Md. None of the many investigators would say whether they had unearthed any evidence of sabotage.

“Three new names increased the death toll to 48 as steam shovels and cranes this morning began clearing away the twisted steel, powder-smudged brick and other debris that piled up in the terrific blasts of Thursday afternoon. Everett Dunn, 19, died in the Dover General Hospital and bodies of Frederick McConnell, 20, and John Andico, 27, were added to the total killed at the scene. Although scores had been treated and released, 70 persons remained in hospitals. It was among these injured that additions to the death roster were feared, but gangs of fellow workers still dug in the ruins of some 20 buildings to make certain whether all bodies had been recovered.

“The dynamite factory was the only building left in workable condition by the blasts which swept the powder units….Working on big defense orders, the company said it would do all possible to restore normal operations.

Reconstruction extended through Kenvil, Dover and other communities. Buildings more than half a mile distant had been hit by flying pieces of steel weighing as much as 500 pounds….” (Assoc. Press. “Barbour is Convinces of Sabotage.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 9-14-1940, p. 1.)

Sep 16: “Kenvil, N.J., Sept. 16 (AP) – Dynamite production was resumed today [Monday] at the explosion-torn Hercules Powder Company plant while unemployed men gathered at the gate to seek the jobs of the 47 dead….The plant, using its three full shifts of about 250 men each, sent about 50 to the slightly damaged dynamite plant and left the rest on reconstruction work. Those seeking jobs were told, ‘no hiring today.’….

“Latest of the dead to be identified was Edward M. Extrom, 54, formerly of Emporium, Pa. Four bodies remained unidentified….” (AP. “Dies Seeking Bund Tieup to Explosion. Pro-Nazi Camp Raided; Production Resumed by Hercules.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 9-16-1940, p. 2.)

Sep 19: “Dover, N.J., Sept. 19. – (AP) – Natalino Ferrinolaken, 26, of Port Morris died in Dover general hospital, the 49th fatal victim of the terrific explosions that wrecked the Hercules Powder company plant at nearby Kenvil last Thursday.” (AP. “Explosion Deaths Mount As 49th Victim Dies.” Racine Journal-Times, WI. 9-19-1940, p. 16.)

Memorial Plaque

“This memorial stands in testament to the brave individuals, who sacrificed their lives in support of the defense of the United States of America and its allies, in the worst explosives plant disaster in our nation’s history.

Wednesday, September 12, 1940,
Hercules Powder Company Kenvil Works
Roxbury Township, New Jersey
….
Edward E. Allen Ralph A. Granato Nicholas D. Pisano
John T. Andico Elijah A. Greer William C. Quackenbush
Harry Back John B. Griffith Harry James Reed
Harold Baker Raymond Gulick John Savko
Joseph F. Barnish Willard Lemar Halkyard Richard Scott
Jesse Bennett Elmer Hildebrant Walter Sisco
W. G. Black Willard S. Jordan Jack W. Smith
James Brady Peter Knott Louis Smith
Stuart T. Carrell James G. List Russell Sossong
Arthur L. Clark Frederick M. McConnell Paul Stalcup
Albert Cocking Charles Raymond Moore William Henry Stephens
Raymond L. Corby Charles L. Mosser Alvin Stout
Wiley Dejong Wayne L. Nielsen Charles Swan
Evart Dunn Robert Nolan Charles Tice
Edward M. Extrom H. E. Opdyke G. E. Tobler
Reuben Fancher Ruben Parker Warren Waldron
Natalino J. Ferrainola Edward H. Payne Raymond A. Woods

Sources

Associated Press. “35 Persons Are Known Dead In Jersey Blast; 125 Others Are Hurt.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 9-13-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-15-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-sep-13-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “At Least 50 Persons Are Killed or Injured in Hercules Blasts.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 9-12-1940, p. 1. Accessed 5-15-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-sep-12-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Barbour is Convinces of Sabotage.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 9-14-1940, 1. Accessed 5-15-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-sep-14-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Dies Seeking Bund Tieup to Explosion. Pro-Nazi Camp Raided; Production Resumed by Hercules.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 9-16-1940, p. 2. Accessed 5-15-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-sep-16-1940-p-1/

Associated Press. “Explosion Deaths Mount As 49th Victim Dies.” Racine Journal-Times, WI. 9-19-1940, p. 16. Accessed 5-15-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/racine-journal-times-sep-19-1940-p-16/

Buffum, Joanna. “The Blast That Rocked NJ.” New Jersey Monthly, 9-10-2015. Accessed 5-15-2020 at: https://njmonthly.com/articles/historic-jersey/the-blast-that-rocked-nj/

Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1982.

National Fire Protection Association. Key Dates in Fire History. 1996. Accessed 2010 at: http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=1352&itemID=30955&URL=Research%20&%20Reports/Fire%20statistics/Key%20dates%20in%20fire%20history&cookie%5Ftest=1

New York Times. “2 Killed in 2d Blast Within 14 Months at Hercules Plant.” 8-22-1964, p. 23. Accessed 5-15-2020 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1964/08/22/101494490.html?pageNumber=23

RoxburyNewJersey.com. “The Explosion at the Hercules Powder Factory of Kenvil, New Jersey on September 12, 1940.” 2005. Accessed at: http://www.roxburynewjersey.com/hercules.htm

Shea, Patrick. “Boom Times.” Distillations Magazine, Science History Institute, 6-2-2016. Accessed 5-15-2020 at: https://www.sciencehistory.org/distillations/magazine/boom-times