MEN GASSED IN SHIP’S HOLD

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23949, 17 May 1943, Page 3

MEN GASSED IN SHIP’S HOLD

(0.C.) SYDNEY, May 4. Of 10 men overcome by carbon monoxide in the hold of a ship m a *} Australian port, seven were affected by fumes when they went to the rescue of the other three who had been overcome in the first place. All were rushed to hospital, where they later recovered. . _ .. . The chief mate, Mr A. Cremm, the chief engineer, Mr A. Munro, and the sixth engineer, Mr R. Muir, were working on a petrol motor m the lorepeak of the ship when they were affected by fumes. John Roberts, an electrician, said that he heard one of the men call out, and on looking down the hatch saw them unconscious on the floor. Cremin’s head was in a pool of water. “I grabbed a rope, wet my handkerchief. which I held against my nose and throat, and went down to them, said Roberts. “I got to the engine and stopped it, and then lifted Cremm s head out of the water. I was fixmg the rope around his shoulders when I began to get a bitter taste in my mouth arid felt my strength going. That was all 1 remembered until the boys got me into the fresh air.” The boatswain and others who 101lowed Roberts managed to get ropes around the unconscious men, who were hauled to the deck. The rescuers were brought out badly affected by gas. Three ambulances which had been summoned flashed news of the accident by radio-telephone to two hospitals, to have preparations complete for the reception of the patients. At each hospital an iron lung was waiting in the casualty ward, but it was only necessary for the treatment of Muir. The others were revived by iwygeo.