The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-25
A STARTLING EXPLOSION.
Seaman Oleson FearfulIy Burned in a
SchoOner's Hold.

Gas Had Accumulate from Cargo of
Coal, and when Oleson Lighted Match
The Results Were Unexpected.
An unusual and dangerous accident
happened about o'clock last evening,
IN the harbor, whereby member of
the crew of the schooner G. Il. Hlckson
nearly lost his life The Hickson is
coal schooner, commanded by Captain
e. L. Rogers. She had Just discharged
hef cargo, and was lying in the stream
last evening, near Randall & McAllis-
ter's wharf, and beside another coal
schooner which had not yet unloaded.
AS evening came on they wanted some
coal on the Hickson for their galley
stove, and tn e mate of the schooner Of
tered them some from her cargo. Ac-
ceptlng his offer, the mate of the lick
son, with Norwegian seaman named
Ole Oieson, went after the coal. Oleson.
VINO is man of about So years OF age,
carried with him lantern, and thus
equipped descended into the hold after
the coal. In going down, his lantern in
some way went out, and he struck
match to light it. The result was SINH
lar to what happens some times when a
match is lighted carelessly in coal
mine. The hold of the vessel was full
OF coal gas, which Immediately took
tire and exploded with great violence.
The matches of the schoon er were blown
off, anu little fire started, although
this was soon put out.
The most serious injury WAS suffered
by poor Oleson, who was found terribly
burned. He was not stunned by the ex-
plosion, but the flame burned fearfully
all those parts of his body that were
exposed. He was dressed in shoes and
stockings, trousers, vest with cotton
back, and a shirt. The flames burned
the cotton back of the vest, but did not
attack seriously the other portions of
his clothing. The AZURE of his cloth
ing undoubtedly saved his lite. But
the injuries to the unprotected portions
of his body were fearful. The right
hand which he'd the lantern, was
burned I'm til the skin had come off. The
palm suffered especially. His hair was
burned, although not completely off,
and his moustache was ably singed.
His face suffered the worst, being bis
Tered SO that the skin peeled off. OLE
son did not lose consciousness, althoueb
suffering acutely.j
The police were at once notified, AMI
Deputy Marshal Stegling at once took
energetic measures to make the poor
fellow comfortable. The marine hospt-
al is the proper place for sailors in DIS
tress, but at that time of night 1t taxes
long time to get word to the hosptal
and and get an ambulance in fom
there. SO Mr.. Sterling got permission to
send Oleson to the Greeley Hosital.
where he was taken by Turnkey Emery
in the police ambulance. DR.. Twichell
was called and made the man as com
Portable as possible. He will probably
get well, the burns being severe ather
than extensive
/ 1t is rare that such an explosion oc-
ours on schooner loaded with llthra
cite, or hard coal. Cargoes of sdt coal
always emit an explosive gas, aid it is
rule aboard vessels carrying tint kind
of coal that light shall never b taken
into the hold. When the Novs Scotia
barges bringathe Spring Hill SIT coal
to this port, it frequently happes. when
the matches are taken off, that enough
gas will comes put TO overpower ihe crew
if they do not keep away from j.