Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

■' --- X. ■ - ' 252 ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WORLD. BLOWING UP THE WRECKAGE OF THE “ CHATHAM,” NOVEMBER 22, 1905. The explosion created a hole 73 feet deep in the Canal bed. (.By courtesy of the Suez Canal Company.) cases of dynamite had been loaded, and the other was lowered into the hold con- taining the detonators. Cables were laid from the mines to the shore, where they were connected to two of the telephone wires on the banks of the Canal. The firing-station was located three miles from the sunken wreck, and after the circuits had been tested the mines were fired. An enormous column of water and débris immediately arose, and as- cended continuously for five seconds, the estimated height of the column being over 1,500 feet. The explosion was heard ten miles away, the up all navigation for several days. Within a period of four days the Company had to handle no less than 109 vessels which had been de- layed, 53 passing from the north and 56 from the south without the slightest hitch directly the-channel was reopened. The wreck itself water of the Canal overflowed the surrounding country for 1,000 yards in every direction, and fragments of the ship were distributed over a circle 1,200 yards in diameter. The enormous downward thrust of the explosion was revealed by soundings taken over the spot was removed by being blown up, and the débris was sal- vaged. It was a dangerous piece of work, as the Chatham had on board about 100 tons of dy- Blasting namite as ... a , well as a Wreck. supply of detonators. The blasting of the ship was accomplished by means of large mines, each, containing 300 lbs. of explosives, and fitted with. electric fuses. One of the mines was placed by divers in the hold in which the THE BOILERS, ETC., OF THE “ CHATHAM.” SHOWING THE EFFECTS OF THE EXPLOSION. {By courtesy of the Suez Canal Company.) J