New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-08
HEROISM on THE ARGONAUT.
ENGINEER WILSON SAVES THE SUBMARINE
BOAT AND THOSE on BOARD

BOAT AND THOSE on BOARD
The GOODNESS and daring OF Engineer Wilson. Of
the Argonaut. the submarine boat which is being
rebuilt at the Erie Basin Iron Works that II can
be taken 10 the Paris Exposition next year. pre-
vented the probable total destruction OF the boat
and saved the lives Of several workmen. With the
flames burning all around in small compartment
in the after part o, the boat Mr.. Wilson dashed 70
the spot where was kept tank containing about
ten gallons OF gasolene picked UP the tank and car
ried Il up through a small hatchway in the top OF
the Argonaut. Had the tank exploded. II would
have blown the boat 20 pieces. and II doubtless
would have exploded II It had been left where It
few minutes longer.
The gasolene tank had been leaking some for two
three days, and Mr.. Lake, the inventor OF the
boat. yesterday cautioned the machnists not 10
take light into the hull Of the Argonaut FOR fear
OF explosion. AT $40 o'clock Joseph Vileneuye
thirty-two years old. carpenter. OF No Is VOL
cott-st., who had not heard OF Mr.. Lakes instruc-
tions and did not know Of the leaky tank. cropped
through the manhole in the top OF the boat where
William Johnson, John Aven and FIVE or SIX others
were working. and before any one could caution
him he walked down 10 the after part OF the boat
leaned the tank and lighted torch-
lie had hardly scratched the match before there
was a terrific explosion and he was lifted on MS
feet. Gas flames along through the ooat ana n
out The only point OF egress was the little man
hole near the centre OF the boat. and rush was
made for that HAN 0OZen Ieei~4l,,N
about the time and got wedged IN me ho,e
In the struggle Johnson who llves a. 10. .. ~
dyke-st and who IL carpenter ~ occupancy
received lacerRted wounds on his left h2ho my
John AVen. q uachnist. OF No. Third Pace, ma
his knee wrenched. Villeneuve was the WorsI OF
of any OF the men. The flames had scorcheo ~ IL
hair and eyebrows and burned his left arm ne
efforts to get into the daylight than thes "0''
by the explosion. -, s,sr,. forge,
Meanwhile there one man who oldh 10. = =
what TO DO. He was Engineer wilson. 1e NC" Is
forward in the hull working at sometnlhss tIse
when nc heard the explosion at ana saw Ie nam
Tss Ilosad a mort hole where he working ana
ran "a the danger spot The tank was az ne cou.u
conveniently ft. but he carried II oucKly 70 ~
mauhola and thrust II UP on deck, ano men ~ i.
lowed II I'd and carried II 10 a plhr5 WE tIo
Are could not communicate with II. wilson HteI-
ward made light Of his exploit but the nleh wei
NOT slow 10 recognize his herosm and the I'M &c
men said last night that II the tank nad e1pLoucu
they probably would have been killed outright VI
The 6rgonaut is about sixty feet long and was
built by the Lake Company IN BaItmnote t"o .t %
three wears ago for the purpose o, faciitetng w
work OF divers IN deep water u Is cigar shaptcl
craft and has wheels under u designed 70 slhk II ~
deep water and allow divers TO work a. sunken Yes
sells II has been tested many times by us bulId,
ers and the scientific papers have given ~ a sO0u
deal 81 attention. Mr. Lake has had y al the frIe
Basin Iron Works for several weeks ana Is re
building some ~ the upper part OF the nun n
upper part now resembles the deck OF a yacht
quite closely while the lower part is sun cigar
sbanAd The mower Is furnished by compressed ar
and the casolene board is used for lighting pur-
poses. 1,....
Surgeon Crafts OF the Long Island College Hos
pfta1 and were confident last night OF returning 10
work IN a few DAYS