The Safe and Risky Journey: Nitroglycerin Transportation in the 1800s and Its Role in the Transcontinental Railroad
In the 1800s, the transportation of nitroglycerin was a perilous but essential task. Its explosive nature required meticulous handling and specific transport methods. This article explores the main transportation methods and considerations of nitroglycerin, particularly during the construction of the transcontinental railroad.
Main Methods of Nitroglycerin Transportation in the 1800s
1. Glass Bottles
Nitroglycerin was typically stored and transported in small glass bottles. These bottles were often encased in wooden or metal containers to add an extra layer of protection against breakage. This practice ensured that any potential accidents could be mitigated to some extent.
2. Cool and Stable Conditions
Keeping nitroglycerin in cool conditions was crucial to prevent it from becoming unstable. Transporters would try to avoid heat and direct sunlight, as these factors could increase the risk of detonation. Maintaining stable temperatures required careful planning and monitoring, especially during summer months when temperatures were higher.
3. Limited Quantities
Due to its volatility, nitroglycerin was transported in small quantities to minimize the potential damage in case of an accident. This practice was essential for safety during transport, as large quantities could result in more catastrophic outcomes should an explosion occur.
4. Careful Handling
Individuals who handled nitroglycerin were trained to do so with extreme care. They would avoid any sudden movements or shocks that could trigger an explosion. Specialized training and protocols were necessary to ensure safe handling at all times.
5. Rail and Water Transport
While nitroglycerin was sometimes transported by rail or river, it was often done under strict regulations and with special precautions to mitigate the risk of accidents. Regulation and safety measures were crucial to prevent the catastrophic consequences of an explosion during transport.
Nitroglycerin and the Transcontinental Railroad
The transportation of nitroglycerin played a crucial role in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Before the invention of dynamite, engineers primarily used black powder, which was less effective and more hazardous to handle and transport.
1. The Early 1800s and Black Powder
In the early 1800s, nitroglycerin was not well understood, leading to several accidents where it caused significant damage. As a result, its transportation was sometimes banned, and engineers were forced to rely on black powder. This safety concern made the transportation of nitroglycerin a high-risk activity.
2. Central Pacific Railroad
From 1866 to 1869, the Central Pacific built 15 tunnels, while the Union Pacific built 4. The Central Pacific used black powder during most of the construction phase but faced a significant obstacle in the Summit Tunnel through the Sierra Nevada range. The use of black powder was slow and challenging, prompting the need for a more powerful explosive.
State regulations prevented the transportation of nitroglycerin, so Central Pacific officials employed chemist James Howden to manufacture the material onsite. Glycerin and nitrates, along with sulfuric acid, could be transported to the construction site with relatively little concern for explosions. Howden set up a makeshift shop at Donner Pass and produced nitroglycerin on a daily basis. At the height of construction, he produced 100 pounds of nitroglycerin per day.
3. Advantages of Nitroglycerin Over Black Powder
Nitroglycerin had several advantages over black powder, including requiring fewer and shallower holes, less debris cleanup time, and better performance in wet conditions. Its most significant advantage was its blasting power, which enabled construction crews to increase progress. In the Summit Tunnel, nitroglycerin increased the progress from 1.18 to 1.82 feet per day, and in some areas at the bottom of the tunnel, progress increased from 2.51 to 4.38 feet per day.
4. Dynamite and Its Introduction
In 1867, Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, which stabilized nitroglycerin using an absorbent material like diatomaceous earth. This made it much safer to handle and transport, leading to its widespread use in construction and mining.
In 1867, Julius Bandmann incorporated the Giant Powder Company and began manufacturing dynamite in March 19, 1868. However, this was too late to be of use to the Central Pacific Railroad, which had successfully implemented the use of nitroglycerin in its construction.
5. Post-Railroad Nitroglycerin Use
After the completion of the transcontinental railroad, James Howden continued his work with nitroglycerin for California Powder Works, focusing on dynamite production. He developed a brand of dynamite named Black Hercules, using black powder as an absorbing agent for the nitroglycerin.
The introduction of dynamite and the experience gained with nitroglycerin transformed the transportation and use of explosives in engineering and construction, making them safer and more efficient.