TAMED AT LAST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18537, 7 April 1930, Page 9

TAMED AT LAST.

AMERICAN OIL GUSHER UNDER CONTROL. (United Press Association—By Electrle Telegraph—Copyright.) Received April 6, 5.5 p.m. NEW YORK, April 6. News from Oklahama City, states that the giant oil gusher was brought under control late this evening, after a picked crew had worked thirty-six hours to strap a 30001 b “Christmas tree” cone over the mouth, was stemming the tide of oil and gas which has flooded the neighbourhood for days, with tremendous loss of valuable products. The workers were under the direction of Homer Craig, famed for taming wild oil wells. He flew here from Tulsa. Several men were overcome during the lashing of the cap to the well, while they were forced to work armpit deep in oil. It is unknown now whether the well will remain under control, for it was covered once previously to-day, but broke loose again. Farmers and dairymen in the vicinity suffered great losses, from escaping gases, while the well owners estimated their loss at 75,000 dollars daily for nine days, each of which saw a loss of above 150,000,000 cubic feet of gas. The great gusher threatened to engulf the entire country. Spray from the well showered the town of Norman fifteen miles away. CONE BLOWN OFF. ENGINEERS PROPOSE USE OF CONCRETE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received April 6, 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 5. Further news from Oklahoma City states that the oil gusher blew off the cone, and is again geysering vast streams of oil, gas and air. The engineers will make one more attempt to control the well. The force of the eruption of which has in no way abated. After another attempt the engineers intend to destroy the well by pumping in cement until the flow is completely dammed, in order to end the vast damage and increasing fire hazard. Troops are patrolling the area for miles.