Fort Norfolk History - 1870
A man named Jarvis, engaged at the Naval Magazine, at Fort Norfolk, was seriously injured on morning of February 9, 1870 by the explosion of a shell which he was handling. He was taken to the Naval Hospital for medical treatment. Mr. Jarvis was not expected to recover from his injury, but his condition improved the next day when his wife was with him.
Rear Admiral A. Ludlow Case, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, wrote Commodore Augustus H. Kilty on February 14, 1870; “ The letter of the Inspector of Ordinance of the 10th inst, forwarded by you on the 11th inst, No 13 relating to the explosion of a 12 par shrapnel at the Naval Magazine, Fort Norfolk, has been received.
In view of the construction of shrapnel the Bureau is entirely at a loss to comprehend how this accident could occur.
In the first place the Bormann fuse is of lead and hermetically sealed, screwing into a thread cut into the shell, which thread must have been clean when the fuse was screwed down. Then beneath this fuse, is a copper disc, having only a small hole through its center, and this whole is the only channel through which fire can be communicated to the load of powder in the shrapnel.
Now, the report says, that while in the act of making the first turn with the wrench, from some unknown cause, it exploded. But what kind of a wrench was used, and in what manner it's power was applied, is not explained.
The experience of the Bureau with similar accidents, leads it to doubt the statements of the men in a matter so important to themselves. They do not wish to be considered in the slightest degree careless. A case of this kind occurred sometime ago at the Fort Mifflin Magazine. A mysterious and unaccountable explosion of a 24 par shrapnel. The persistent efforts of the Bureau, however, elicited the fact that the ignition of the Bormann fuse was caused by the steel edge of a drift held against it, just over the magazine, and struck by a heavy hammer; one man holding the shrapnel while another one struck the blow.
The absolute safety of the Bormann fused shrapnel has always been one of its greatest recommendations. Accidents of the kind reported, if not thoroughly investigated will of course seriously impair this confidence in them.
Wherefore, the Bureau requests that you will appoint a Board of Officers to further, and fully, examine this case in detail, and report the conclusions to which they arrive.
The exact position of the place where this work was going on should be specified also, and, if possible, the fragments of the shell, fuse &c., sent to the Bureau with this report.”
Rear Admiral A. Ludlow Case wrote Commodore Augustus H. Kilty on February 28, 1870; “ The Bureau has received the report of a Board of Officers on the explosion of a 12 pdr shrapnel at Fort Norfolk on the 9th inst.
From the report of the Board it is apparent that the accident resulted from the carelessness of the Magazine men, and exhibits a neglect of duty on the part of the Officers in charge of the Magazine which cannot be allowed to pass without notice.
The regulations for Inspectors of Ordinance, Gunners and all other persons employed on Ordinance work are distinctly set forth in Bureau Circular Nos 38 and 42, and no deviation can be made from them which is not a violation of orders and which is not calculated to frustrate the due regard for life which those regulations are designed to exercise.
The Bureau desires that you will not permit this neglect of duty to pass unnoticed, but that you will mete out to the offenders such punishment as many in your judgment prevent a reoccurrence of such accidents.
The Bureau directs that hereafter you will not permit shells or shrapnel to be filled, emptied or refused in any part of the Magazine Grounds, except in the shed prepared for the purpose.”
Rear Admiral A. Ludlow Case wrote Commodore Augustus H. Kilty on April 11, 1870; “Please direct him to make requisition in the Bureau stating the estimated cost, for repairs to roof of Building No 2, at Naval Magazine, Fort Norfolk.”
Rear Admiral A. Ludlow Case, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, wrote Commodore Augustus H. Kilty on April 27, 1870; “In view of the stringent regulations concerning the care and service of Magazines and Shell Houses, the Bureau is surprised at the discrepancy made of these grenades.
It trusts that the searching examination now being made under the supervision of Capt Crosby will result in restoring the Magazine and Shell-Rooms at Norfolk to that condition of cleanliness, order, and safety in which everything, and places, belonging to Ordinance should invariably be kept.”
More History
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Source of Information
"Plan of grounds at Fort Norfolk showing location of magazine pier, &c., June 30th, 1860", June 30th, 1860, Map Room Maps G3884.N6:2F6S5 1860 .C3, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA.
“Serious Accident”, Norfolk Journal, Volume VII, Number 58, (February 10, 1870), 1.
“The Fort Norfolk Accident”, Norfolk Journal, Volume VII, Number 59, (February 11, 1870), 1.
A. Ludlow Case, "A. Ludlow Case to Augustus H. Kilty", February 14, 1870, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Sent to Navy Yards & Stations, 1842 - 1882, Norfolk, May 1867 - Oct 1881, Box No. 16, Entry 3, 180 - 182.
A. Ludlow Case, "A. Ludlow Case to Augustus H. Kilty", February 28, 1870, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Sent to Navy Yards & Stations, 1842 - 1882, Norfolk, May 1867 - Oct 1881, Box No. 16, Entry 3, 184 - 185.
A. Ludlow Case, "A. Ludlow Case to Augustus H. Kilty", April 11, 1870, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Sent to Navy Yards & Stations, 1842 - 1882, Norfolk, May 1867 - Oct 1881, Box No. 16, Entry 3, 198.
A. Ludlow Case, "A. Ludlow Case to Augustus H. Kilty", April 27, 1870, National Archives, Record Group 74 Records of Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Sent to Navy Yards & Stations, 1842 - 1882, Norfolk, May 1867 - Oct 1881, Box No. 16, Entry 3, 198.