DEATH IN A VINEGAR VAT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 708, 10 December 1881, Page 3

DEATH IN A VINEGAR VAT.

A shocking catastrophe, which was referred to in our telegraphie columns a ■' '}' or two ago, occurred at Monk's vinegar works, Sydney, on November 16ih. Shortly after four o'clock a man named John Boyle, employed at the works, eutered the manhole of a 1 rge vinegar vat for the purpose of cleaning it. The vat was ten feet in depth, a d there was about one inch of vinegar in it when he entered After some time, as he did not appear nor make any response whe i called, one of his fellow-woikmen named Heibert Ramfer, went down to give him assistance Several meo now assembled at the mouth of the vat, and presently, as Raiufer did not answer when called upon, another 'man, named Uenj Dowell, volunteered to descend to render help. The excitement now became very painful, hs neither of the men give ai y signs of life, and in a short time another workman, named Yatea. insisted upon being lowered to ascertain what was the matter with his companions. Proper precautions were taken in his case, which were not adopted in the oihera, and he was not suffered to remain more than a few moments in the poisonous air When drawn up he was quite unconscious, rt nd appearing to be dying, he was hasti'y removed to the infirmary, where, with careful medical treatment, after several hours he recovered. When it was clearly made manifest that a fatal accident had happened, the owner and manager of the works were sent for. Charles Taylor, the manager, was lowered, but oould not remain one minute, and had to be promptly hoist* d out, or he would have shared the dreadful fate of the unfortunate men. Toe top of the vat was broken open all round to lei the poisonous fumes escape, when the horrible discovery was made that the three men whose names are above mentioned were lying dead in the bottom of the vat