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Fire And Explosion
At St. Julien's Creek U.S. Naval Magazine
At 12:15 (midnight) Building #19, used for the storage of smokeless powder caught fire, presumably, from spontaneous combustion.
The First notice Cradockians had was a reddening of the sky which momentarily increased and then solid pillar of vivid flame was seen climbing high in the air. There was not concussion merely a continued rumbling similar to the rumble of freight trains to which they are accustomed. The town was illuminated from the flame which seemed to increase in intensity. Some few women became hysterical and screamed. There was no excitement. Shortly after a few people appeared and some were more or less perturbed upon learning that the fire was at "The Magazine" as there exists a tradition that an explosion there "would blow Cradock to pieces." The midnight calm of the town was slightly disturbed by some (say) dozen cars which were being to, supposedly, better view points. Small groups of four or five people gathered and discussed the probabilities. There was no "panic." By 1:15 A.M. it was, practically, "all over" and Cradock returned to its accustomed quiet and calm village condition. No danger had been overrated.
St. Julien's Creek Naval magazine is located in an air line of about one mile, by road about one and a half miles, from Cradock.
Cradock is surrounded by dense woods which would form an effective screen from "direct" missiles. Matter hurled high in the air might fall into the town. The woods might catch fire. However, the houses being, mostly, detached from each other with considerable grounds around them makes the danger from fire, even a woods fire, improbable except in isolated instances. The local fire department is alert and efficacious, the equipment is ample for all ordinary requirements, and aid can be obtained from Deep Creek, Portsmouth, The Navy Yard, etc. Cradock was in no more danger than portions of Portsmouth and Norfolk.
There is a feeling of greater security since it was learned that the other buildings of the "Magazine" were promptly "flooded" (probably by "sprinkler" systems) and other necessary precautions instantly taken by the authorities.
The "Magazine" has, doubtless, what is considered an ample unoccupied "protective zone" surrounding it, and its buildings are designed to give the least possible opportunity for compression of explosive gasses.
The smokeless powder gave off an intense heat and the ground around the burned building was burned black. Fortunately there was almost no wind.
No one was killed or seriously injured.
Had the "explosion" been of Dynamite of TNT there would, probably, have been a different story of casualty to those on the Reservation but it is improbable that it would have extended to Cradock with its screen of woods and a mile of open space. Probably some window glass would have been broken and some insecurely placed china and glassware broken too. A mile of "open space" is a very good protective "blanket."
As the "old-timer" said to a pale faced "Rookie" as they were going "over-the-top" Come on? Wha t' hell. Do you want to live forever?"
7/29/28 J.F.F.