SWIMMING IN BURNING OIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1926, Page 25

SWIMMING IN BURNING OIL.

40 DEATHS ON FIRE SHIPS. MILES OF FLAMES. The authorities have been attempting to determine the casualties in a series of explosions which occured aboard three vessels In the Mississippi River. An explosion, first occurred in the 5,600----ton New York oil tanker O. J. Waring, hi dry dock at New Orleans. Forty-seven men were early known to have been Injured, and at least five were reported killed. The second explosion was due to a collision some 20 miles below New Orleans between the Dutch 5,800-ton steamer Silvanus and a 7,000-ton New York tanker. the Thomas Wheeler. Thirty-five of the crew 01 50 on the Silvanns were reported to be missing. Drifting Afire for Eleven Miles. After drifting afire for 11 miles below Pointe a la Hache, the Silvanus sank. Several men belonging to the crew of the Thomas Wheeler were badly injured in the collision. Shortly after the collision a severe explosion occurred on board the Silvanus, wbicfc was bound for London, with a cargo of benzine. A few minutes later the Silvanus ran against the bank, when a minor explosion occurred. That Impact with the river bank threw the Silvanus back Into the stream, where tbe current caught her and carried her down stream. As stated, she had l been carried 11 miles before she was burned to the water's edge and sank. Fifteen of ;he crew of the Silvanus were brought ln. One of them, a Ohtnaman, who was badly burnt, said that the Dutch ship was nearly cut in two. The sailors on board rapidly gathered together and discussed their chance of escaping death. Some Dead in Fiery River. Blazing benzine on the surface of the water made the situation very dangerous. Of the 35 Chinese on board, only 12 were powerful enough to dive and remain under water until they were past the burning oil. These 12 took the, plunge and escaped. Several others who jumped perished. All the men stripped before diving.,