Phenix Gazette

Centrifugal Force.—A few weeks since we mentioned an instance of the bursting of a grindstone used in the U. S. Armory, in Springfield, by which one workman was seriously injured, and that a death was occasioned at Danforth's works in Suffield, by a similar accident. Another accident of the same character recently occurred at Pomeroy's gun factory, in Pittsfield, by the bursting of a large grindstone, weighing 300 pounds. When the stone was hung for use, it was, as was supposed, thoroughly tested, by being made to revolve with great rapidity before the workmen commenced grinding upon it. And it was supposed, from the experiment made, to be safe. But while one of the workmen was engaged in grinding a bayonet upon it week before last, the stone flew in two parts, one which weighing about 1000 lbs, went up through the floor overhead, fell upon the man at work, and crushed him instantly. His name we have not learned. These cases of the immense power of the centrifugal force show that great caution is necessary in using such large stones which acquire a most tremendous momentum while rapidly revolving.