Sylvester Demskie weighing diazo and potassium chlorate at Hercules Port Ewen plant

2024-09-03T17:15:31-04:00

General view of first class operator Sylvester (Syl) Demskie weighing diazo and potassium chlorate in the mix house at the Hercules Powder Company plant in Port Ewen, New York. Diazo and potassium chlorate were two ingredients used in the explosive charge of the electric blasting caps manufactured at the plant. Notably, rubber was used to transfer and mix the explosive powder in order to avoid the hazard of metal, which might cause a spark or a shock.