Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-25

were caught by the explosion entered
the tunnel at o'clock last night The
work has been carried on in three
shifts. This force was in charge of
Harry VoIkes as shift boss.
First intimatiOn of the disaster came
when William J. Dolan, lock tender in
the air chamber at the entrance to the
tunnel, heard the dull boom of an ex-
plOsiOn. This was about $50 p. m.
Dolan was thrown against the door
leading from the air chamber into the
tunnel. This door was jammed by the
blast and deadly fumes poured out of
the tunnel, almost overcoming DOlan.
He finally managed to. close it and
then, releasing the high pressure from
the air chamber, he opened the door
leading to the crib above and gave the
alarm to men at the surface of the
lake.
Rescuers Overcome.
Superintendent John Johnson sum-
moned volunteers and led the first res
cue party down the elevator and into
the tunnel One hundred and fifty
feet from the bottom of the shaft they
began to stumble, crumple and fall,
overcome by fumes. Dolan, who had
resumed his post in the air chamber.
rushed after them. He saw a fash OF
light in the darkness. 1t proved to be
JOhnsOn's flashlight, which he still
gTasped where he had fallen Dolan
dragged him to the bottom of the ele-
vatOr shaft and went back. Almost
dead himself he dragged Peter Nc
kenna to safety. Then he collapsed
Others from the crib took the three
up the elevator and they were placed
aboard boats which had been attracted
from shore by rockets.
Van DUZeD RTOupht ONT
1t was two hours later that Van
Duzen, who had been summoned from
his home by telegraph, organized the
second rescue party on shore and
went to the crib. With his men he
descended into the tunnel His men
found Michael Keough of the first res
cue party still alive and dragged him
out. They went in again only to suf-
fer the same fate which had befalIen
the first party. Finally four of them
managed TO stagger back TO safety.
The others did not come out until the
third rescue party was organized and
went after them. 1t was then that
Van DuZen was brought out
Gas OFeTcOmes Rescue Party.
The explosion occurred about a hun
dred feet from the crib in the new
tunnel. which will connect with the
big filtration plant recently erected on
the west side. Ten men were caught
in the shaft. Eight men who were in
the crib at the time and heard the eX-
plosiOn, rushed to investigate. They
found the air lock damned but VIII
liam DOlan, lock tender, cut his way
through from the inside with an axe
and admitted the rescuers. They
plunged into the tunnel but them
selves were overcome. DOlan manag-
ed to drag John Johnson and Peter
Mckenna out and get them to the ele-
VatOT in the crib shaft. All three
managed to reach the crib and tie
alarm was given. Rockets were sent
up and the telephone was used 10
bT.ng aid. Life savers and the fire tug
crews rushed to the crib and ORGAN
lied the remaining workers at the crib
into a rescue party but no headwav
could be made on account OF the gas
Finally q. G. Van Duzen, supcriu-
terdent Of water works construction
arrived and with ten picked men
started into the tunnel They got
through the air lock and rescued
Michael keough one of the first party
OF rescuers, but nine OF the Van
Duzen party were overcome by the gas
and the rescue was abandoned.