The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-18
AMMONIA TANK OF THE NEW YORK
BLEW UP, AFFECTING FIF-
TEEN MEN
TWO DIED AS THE RESULT
OTHERS ARE GETTING OVER THE
INHALATION OF GAS
STEAMER BROKE A SHAFT
Vessel Sailing in Smooth Sea at the
Time, So Break Wasn't Serious
-L'Aqutanies' Rough
Trip.

NEW YORK, March 1.-THE steamship
New York reached her dock at 10 o'clock
after a passage in which an explosion of
an ammonia tank and a broken shaft
caused loss of life and much damage to
the vessel.
AS a result of the explosion fifteen men
were overcome by the fumes of ammonia
on Thursday last, and so seriously pros
trated that two deaths occurred. Both
victims were buried at sea. Several others
were confined to the ships hospital for
some time, and one was still in the hos
pital when the ship was docked. The
dead are:
JOHN KENT, a steward, who died Of
pneumonia, thirty-six hours after the ac-
cident, the disease being due to infam-
maticn of the respiratory organs, caused
by the ammonia.
CARL ENGKVIST, an American citi-
zen, steerage passenger, whose address
was unobtainable tonight.
On board with EngkVist were his three
children, all of whom are young, and who
will go to the home of an aunt
r. Colston, cabin steward, is still
suffering inflammation of the lungs.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
According to a statement made by Supt
James A. Wright, of the American line
after he had gone on board the vessel
and talked with her officers the explo-
sion, or escape of ammonia, as it was
termed by Mr.. Wright, occurred at half
past O'Clock. The bonnet of the con
denser on the refrigerating apparatus was
forced in some manner. The apparatus is
In the after portion of the main deck. on
the starboard side. Mr. Wright said he
mad been unable to ascertain the exact
cause OF the escape of ammonia. He said
ne presumed the pressure was so great
that valve was forced, thus forming an
lnclpient explosion.
Near the refrigerating apparatus at the
tlfne We're eleven stewards of the steer
age and cabin and fifteen steerage mas
sengersq when the ammonia fumes burst
out into the compartment on to the lower
deck, ana into the saloon there was a
fuSh to escape. Some were overcome by
the fumes and dropped to the floor
others were able to get out of the room
and efforts were made to open the port
hoies in the compartment and let the
ammonia escape. Some time elapsed
however, before this could be done Those
VINO had escaped, after getting a breath
of pure air, rushed back to rescue those
who had been unable to escape All were
more or less prostrated by the fumes.
but only few had to, go to the hospital.
Ihe stewards, Kent and Colston, were
among them, as was Engkvist Eng
kVfst's death, according to the statement
of Mr.. Wright, was primarily due to
heart disease, but it was said it was su-
perinduced by Inflammation of the lungs.
Engkvist had been under treatment in
the ships hospital prior to the accident
for heart disease. There were fourteen
treated by the physician as result of
ammonia fumes being inhaled, but all
except those named are doing we'll, Supt.
Wright Said and would be entirely re-
covered in day or two.
The breaking of the shaft occurred at
l:45 o'clock Friday morning The yes
sci was sailing in a smooth sea at the
time The shaft broke near the propeller
on the port side of the ship. 1t did not
drop out, and a boat was lowered and
the propeller lashed fast to the side with
Wire, Supt. Wright said he did not think
it would be necessary to put the ship into
dry dock to repair her, but was sure the
damage could be quickly remedied.
ANOTHER ROUGH TRIP.
NEW YORK. March 1.-THE French
line steamship LAquitaine arrived this
evening after having had a trying ex-
perlence with wind and sea- L'Auuitaine
left Havre March 9. On the 18th. while
running in fierce westerly gale and
high sea, she was boarded by a wave
which carried away an aft port life boat.
The wave seemed to break on both sides
of the vessel at the same time A heavy
mass of water fell on the smoking room
from over the starboard rail. When the
water receeded, it was found that twenty
feet of the starboard rail had been smash
ed and carried away.
At $50 p. m. on the next day, while
the vessel was going at good speed the
crown of the high nreSSllre niSton hroke
For eighteen hours the vessel kept under
way under starboard engine, and then
the necessary repairs were completed.