The Navy tried (unsuccessfully) several times to demolish this barn
They called in my family, I think they got it pretty good
The aftermath
Old Blasting Photos
My family has been involved with blasting for many generations. My brother and I are proud to be fourth generation licensed blasters. It all started with my great grandfather Steve Ryan who passed it on to my grandfather Thomas Ryan. My grandfather passed it on to my father T. Scott Ryan who then passed it on to my brother Matt and I. Most of these photos are of jobs my great grandfather and grandfather did in their day.
I apologize for the very large and very ugly "©www.jasontryan.com" on each photo. These photos are a historical part of my family's legacy and you know how the internet is. If you would like a copy without the marks, please email me at jtr16(at)psu(dot)edu with your request. Thank you.
Barn Demolition at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station (Circa 1952)
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
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The Navy tried (unsuccessfully) several times to demolish this barn |
They called in my family, I think they got it pretty good |
The aftermath |
Unknown Dual Smoke Stack Demolition
Note: Demolition of second stack coming soon
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Unwanted smoke stacks |
Notice the dust from the right hand stack; it is from the explosion at the base of the left-hand stack |
Smoke stack coming down |
Steve Ryan's hat is, without a doubt, underneath that pile of rubble |
That is my grandfather with the loading pole |
Unknown Smoke Stack Demolition (Circa 1930)
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Notice the dust from the explosion at the base of the stack |
Another hat is destroyed |
120' Smoke Stack Demolition at Schuylkill Iron Works (Division of Alan Wood Steel Co.) for Mayer-Pollock Co. (Circa March 1956)
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
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That's my grandfather in the middle, my great grandfather on the right. Interesting note: the position of the plunger in the boom-box at my grandfathers feet in the upper left and upper right photos. |
Smoke Stack Demolition (Circa 1945)
Mason City, Iowa
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My great grandfather loading explosives at the base of the stack |
Notice the dust from the explosion at the base of the tower |
Question: How did he get it to fall away from the buildings? Smart Ass Answer: He put his hat on the ground were he wanted it to fall Real Answer: He was damn good |
Inspection of the rubble, note the extremely close proximity of the building |
Base of the stack, again note the close proximity to the building |
Demolition of Power Plant and Smoke Stacks for Mayer-Pollock Co. (Circa 1960)
Steelton, Pennsylvania
Note: Demolition of second stack coming soon
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Detonation of first stack |
First tower coming down |
Detonation of second stack. Note the old school powder truck. |
Structural Demolition at the Baldwin Locomotive Factory (Circa 1950)
Eddystone, Pennsylvania
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The tower as it stands. Note the car underneath for scale |
We better get way back for this one |
Luckily, we are not in charge of clean up |
Underwater Blasting for Water Intake Trench, Three Mile Island Atomic Energy Plant (Circa 1971)
Near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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Yes, that is a rock drill parked in the middle of the Susquehanna River. Note the scuba diver/driller: The drilling controls are at the base of the machine |
Miscellaneous
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My great grandfather and grandfather. Notice the proper position of my grandfathers hands on the plunger. |
This is a swamp, they are in a boat, they are tying dynamite to sticks, and they are jamming the sticks into the mud at the bottom. |
Much More to Come!!
