The Washington herald., 1909-06-21

The gasoline launch Good lime
caught fire following an explosion,
and was burnel to the waters edge
on the Potomac River last night
about 7:3o o'clock.
Nine men on board jumped in
the water anl were rescued by oc-
cupants of small craft, who saw
the accident and rushed to the
scene.
Those on board the launch were
N. Z. Ellison, the owner, and E.
! ]. Kahlert, P. w. Kahlert, and Gus
Kahlert. Of 3o6 Rhode Island ave
nue.; Edward Gummel, John Nor
rison. Frank Goodman, John Dude
man, and F. B. Libby.
The party, as the guest of Mr..
Ellison, had spent several hours on
the river.
The explosion occurred when the
launch was IN midstream opposite
the band stanl on the esplanade.
The craft was being propelled
against the current at about seven
miles an hour, and had passed un-
der the Highway bridge. when a
deafening roar accompanied a mass
Of fame. which broke through the
windows Of the cabin.
A spark had ignited gasoline dripping
from a small tube near the forward part
Of the launch. while the nine men aboard
were aft The boat. which IS about 20
feet long. shook beneath the force Of
the explosion. throwing passengers into
panic
Someone retained presence Of mind and
stopped the engine. which prevented the
flames being blown asrern by the wind
which rushed back as the boat was driv-
en- ahead The launch lost momentum,
and. as there was no breeze stirring. the
fire did not spread as rapidly as in the
first few seconds after the explosion.
Mounting nearly a hundred feet in the
air. the flames threw out a glare OF light
which was seen for miles. Every de-
scription Of craft was started for tie
doomed launch.
Heroic ReScues Made.
A frail I6-foot canoe. occupied by three
young men who were padding between
the burning boat and the seawsu around
the esplanade. was the first TO reach the
launch Each occupant OF the canoe
proved to be a hero. Had 1t not been
for the timely arrival of the canoeists.
it is probable that more than one man
aboard the launch would have been
drowned.
John L. Hines. twenty years old, Of 1540
Seventeenth street northwest, was lying
in the bottom Of the canoe looking at the
launch when the explosion was heard.
y. P. Swearengene. nineteen years old. Of
SO2 F street northeast, was padding in
the bow and Edward Darlington, 22l5 F
street northwest. was IN the stern. Both
drove their paddles in the water and
started for the launch at full speed. While
his companions were paddlig to the rescue
Hines drew a pistol from a camping knit
and fired six times 70 attract attention.
He also blew a distress whistle he had In
his pocket until the canoe was near the
launch.
Nine Men PanIc-stricLen.
A panic faced the canoeists. one Of the
men in the launch had tried to jump into
a small tender tied TO the aftdeek Of the
good tine and overturned the small boat.
leaving the passengers on the burning
ment reached the paddlers as they drew
near
Seeing the canoe stop a short distance
from the launch. one of the men on the
aftdeck plunfed overheard. He could not
swim and Darlington dived frOw the
canoe and went to the rescue. A second
man plunged from the launch into the
river and this time Swearengene left the
canoe Hines took a paddle at the stern
and succeeded in keeping the canoe near
the launch.
The man who jumped from the launch
into the tender overturning it. was war
lowing about, calling for help. and Hines
shot the canoe near the drowning man,
catching him By thee ollar as he was
sinking. He showed the man In the water
how to catch hold OF the edge of the
canoe and support himself without over
turning the frail bark. and then turned
his attention 70 his companions, each OF
whom was assisting man to the side OF
the canoe
Cling to Side Of Canoe,
Three men were clinging to the side OF
the canoe. and Darlington and Swearen-
gene were returning 20 the launch for
others when a second canoe appeared.
padded by Barton S Stewart. twenty
three years old. of $3.50 Mount Pleasant
street northwest. He padded to the port
side Of the burning boat. believing Hines
could care for the men in the water on
the starboard side
When Stewart arrived the aft deck
awning was afre. and flames had driven