The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-17
Occurred Off North Caro-
lima Coast on the
Edna May.
FIRE FOLLOWS ACCIDENT
Leaking GasoIcne Tank Sup
posed to Have Been Cause.
Persons on Board Find
Themselves Suddenly
Enveloped in Flames.

NORFOLK, Va, Aug. 17.-At least
two victims are reported as the result
of one of the most serious marine ac-
cidents that have occurred on the
North Carolina coast in years, in which
the yacht Edna May, while cruising
between Manteo and Nag's Head. was
completely destroyed by fire. The sur
viving passengers and members of the
crew were saved only by the chance
arrival of a passing sailboat.
The Edna May was a large gasoline
motor boat. She was used for cuising
about the waters hereabouts. At the
time of the accident there was a
pleasure party of several persons
aboard. The weather was fair. and 1t
was intended to make run from Man
teo to Nag's Head. where the party
expected to spend a part of the even
ing.
The accident was due, as nearly as
can be ascertained, to leaking gasoline
generating vapor. which exploded and
set fire to the hull of the boat.
At 8 o'clock last night the boat was
running smoothly, when Edward
Smith, the deck hand. was noticed by
several of the passengers to be trying
to do something to the motor mechan-
ism. When asked what he was about
he called back to those in the stern
that there seemed to be a leak in the
gasoline teed-pipe.
Only few minutes later there was
flash of binding brightness and all
those in the boat were showered with
flaming particles of gasolene. Smith
alone escaped the flames as he was
crouching In front of the motor at the
moment and was protected by it from
the explosion.
Miss Cora Midget was the member
of the party seated nearest the explod-
ing gasolene. The gosolene set her
clothing on fire. While the other menu
bers of the party were throwing water
on themselves and likewise trying to
keep from getting burned, Miss Mid
gett, not noticed to be in worse plight
than her companions, received no as
sistance She ran, crying for help. to
the stern and plunged overheard, ap-
parently to relieve her suffering.
Almost at the same time. and before
those onbo ard could do anything to
rescue Miss Midget. the flames sprang
up over the whole length of the hull.
Members of the party were compelled
der to keep the fire away from them
selves.
AS they worked with couple of
buckets and straw hats and whatever
was at hand, trying to check the blaze.
they saw her sink before their eyes.
The deck hand, who was forward. at
tempted to stife the flames with his
shirt. after dipping 1t overheard. He
was SO badly burned about the arms
and face that, although he was rescued.
he is not expected to live.
The party had taken refuge in the
extreme stern by the time help ar
rived. A small sailboat was run out
by q negro to the wreck and the party
aboard was taken off barely in time.
1t was scarcely five minutes from the
time that the explosion occurred until
the rescue, but the boat only burned
short while longer before the flames
got down to the waters edge and the
wreck sank
There was some delay in getting
medical aid for the rescued. all OF
whom were more or less seriously
burned