Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-18
YACHT WRECKED
At New York by the Explosion
of Gasoline.
Eight Persons Badly Burned, incIud-
ing Owner, Mrs. J. B. Gibson.
Marrow Escapes of All from Death
The Yacht Sunk.

New York, May 17-Eight persons,
including the owner, Mrs. Jeanne Il.
Gibson. were severely burned, Saturday
afternoon, in an explosion Of gasoline
which wrecked the new auxiliary
yacht Fagabone, lying at anchor at
EiGhty-ninth street, in the Hudson
river. The vessel is now at the bottom
of the stream, with only the upper part
of her masts showing, and those who
were aboard are fclicitating themselves
ON an almost miraculous escape from
death.
Mrs. Gibson suffered severe burns on
the hands and face for she was at the
time Of the explosion in the cabin.
from which, with her gown in flames,
she was carried by two of the sailors,
who We're themselves injured in making
the rescue.
| BESIDES Mrs. Gibson the injured were:
Arthur H. Folger of Melrose Highlands,
Mass, president of the Lockwood
Manufacturing Co. of Boston, and
member of the Melrose board of alder
men; w. II. Concord OF this city, di-
rector of the Acetylene Gas Co. of New
ark; Fred Misch, salesman of this city;
Samuel Risch, Sephus Larsen, Charles
Butler and Pole lines, employees on the
yacht
All except Mrs. Gibson, who was sent
to her home, were removed to hospitals.
The yawl had just returned from q
sail. Several of the party, including a
woman and two children, had been
landed when two violent explosions oc-
CURED in the stern of the yacht. The
craft Immediately took fire
Messrs. Folger and Concord, who
were guests on the yacht, jumped over
board with their clothing on fire, and
swan ashore. Two patrolmen who wit
messed the explosion first sent word for
assistance and then, with others, in two
boats. rowed off to the yacht.
Risch and Larsen, sailors, were found
lying unconscious on deck. The others
We're huddled in the forward part of the
yacht to escape the flames, which We're
burning the after part of the boat and
rapidly creeping forward.
All were put on board a launch which
accompanied the yacht, taken ashore
and sent to the hospitals. Messrs. Fol-
ger and Concord We're found in a drug
store under treatment for their burns.
Fireboats poured so much water into
the craft that she sank.
The accident was caused by the light
ing of match while gasoline was be-
ing poured into the tanks which supply
fuel to the engine of the yacht
Mrs. Gibson is one of the seven Wo-
men who are flag members of the N.
Y. Y c. She is the widow of Hervey
De Blois Gibson and is wealthy. Her
city residence is at 8 East Seventy
~; CHI oil hoc of
Bar Harbor.
Always an enthusiastic yachtswoman,
Mrs Gibson had planned many pleasant
cruises up the Hudson and in the sound
in her yacht, which only this month
left the yards of the builders, the Law
ley & Sons Corporation of Boston,
Mass The vessel was rugged as
yawl, and also carried q 25-horse
power engine of the explosive type. The
Nagabond was "A feet over all, 81 feet
on the waterline and drew nine feet of
water. She was valued at $4,000. and
shortly before her arrival here, last
week. to receive her final fittings, she
was insured for $4,000.
Boston, May 17-Alderman Folger
left Melrosc, last Sunday, on n bust
ness trip to New York and Canada for
the Lockwood Manufacturing Co. of
East Boston. In company with Il few
friends he went by invitation of the
owner of the yacht Nagabond to inspect
the working of the lattcrs engines. A
private dispatch received in MelroSc,
last night said he was resting comfort
ably at the Bellevue Hospital, where
he will be confined for at least week.
Mrs. Folgcr left for New Yorl, on the
midnight train.
Mr.. Folger is aldcrman-at-large from
Ward l, Melrose He was born in Nam
tucket. Jan. Z. 1857. was educated in the
Boston schools, and began business as
office boy with the Atlantic works. For
20 years he has been manager of the
Lockwood Co. He is n prominent Ma
son. Mrs Folgcr was Miss Ida II. Cid
dings. They have one son, George A.
Folger, and reside at 907 Franklin
street, Melrose Highlands.