CHOKED BY FUMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21807, 23 May 1934, Page 10

CHOKED BY FUMES

WORKMAN ON SHIP CONDITION SERIOUS GAS IN FORECASTLE RESCUE DIFFICULTIES COMPANIONS USE MASKS A narrow escape from death was experienced by a shipwright working on the Union Steam Ship Company's cargo steamer Karepo at Prince's Wharf last night, when he fell down a companionway into the forecastle, which was filled with a powerful fumigating gas. Almost asphyxiated, the man, Mr. Arthur Osborne, aged feO, was dragged up the companionway to the safety of the deck by two of his fellow workers, who were equipped with gas masks, after a fruitless attempt to rescue him had been made by Mr. R. Kemp, who also was overcome by the fumes. Mr. Osborne was taken to the Auckland Hospital by a St. John ambulance, and is in a very serious condition. The forecastle had been fumigated with a solution of sulphuric acid and cyanide in a tub, which was at the foot of the companionway, and Mr. Osborne was standing at the top of the companionway, assisting to clear t ; ho tub of the residue of the gas-pro-ducing solution. Mr. R. Barnes, wearing a special gas mask as a protection against the deadly fumes, was clearing the solution in the tub with a bucket, which Mr. Osborne received and passed to a companion on the deck. While reaching for the bucket, Mr. Osborne slipped and fell into the forecastle, knocking over the hurricane lamp which afforded the only light and plunged the place into darkness. He was immediately overcome by the fumes.

Showing great presence of mind, Mr. R. Kemp, wearing a mask, clambered down the narrow ladder and groped with Mr. Barnes in the darkness in an endeavour to aid the unconscious man. However, Mr. Kemp's mask slipped from his face and he was overcome by the poisonous gas. Fortunately, Mr. G. Oates, who was just behind Mr. Kemp, managed to drag him up on to tho deck. Mr. Oates. then went to the assistance of Mr. Osborne and, with the aid of Mr. Barnes, he was taken up tho companionway to the deck. On his admission to hospital Mr. Osborne was found to be suffering from severe asphyxiation, and also from burns caused by the sulphuric acid. Mr. Kemp was treated at the hospital, and later was able to proceed to his home.