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accident on steamer thorpe.Toepido Bursts—John Walden, Chief Machinist, Has His Arm Blown Off. He Will Recover.Close Call Poe Others Of The Crew.A bad accident happened on the torpedo proving steamer Sarah Thorpe, with headquarter* at Sag Harbor port, on Wednesday forenoon at 11 o’clock, by which John Walden, machinist, lost his right arm, and ho and other members of the steamer’s crew narrowly escaped instant death. A war torpedo, the invention of F. M. Leavitt, consulting engineer with offices in Manhattan, burst, while under experimentation, in the compressed air gun, bits of the steel case of the cylinder flying in ail directions with terrific force. The Thorpe is owned by the E. W. Bliss Manufacturing Company, of Brooklyn, and used for porfeating war torpedoes produced at their shops.This summer as no government contract had been awarded the steamer lay idle at Long Wharf, but recently Supt. Leavitt, invented a new style torpedo, which he desired tested. Three weeks ago the Thorpe went in commission and for a fortnight work on the proving ground at Noyae bay, six miles from here, has been successfully pursued. Wednesday, machinist Walden,‘foreman of the torpedo works of the Bliss Co., prepared the mis-sle for flight. It is ahot from a high pressure automatic air gnn, and dives and runs at high speed over a measured course to a stationary target. That is, it does if all goes as it should. Air condensed to 1,500 pounds to the square(inchpropells the cigar-shaped cylinder, supplying power to the engine. The torpedo had beau placed in the gun ready for fire. It started prematurely before taking its leap* Of coarse witb no resistance against its propellers its 90-horse power engine raced with frightful speed. Walden and Ell-wood, maahixists, rushed to cut oil the air supply from the central chamber. The former got to the crank first. He stood directly over the torpedo to reach tlie teed valve. Suddenly centrifugal force caused the rear chamber to burst. The hardened steel case t ore and flew in frag, ments, several pieces striking Walden. His right arm was fearfully torn, the forearm hanging by a mere strip of flesh and bits of steel splinters imbedded in the upper arm and struck him on the body. The machinist displayed great nerve. Walking to a chair he said to those who rushed to his aid ; “I’m hit; get my coat off,” and though weak from the hurt and joss of blood, calmly directed what should be done to staunch the flow of blood. As quickly is possible the steam launch Stella landed a man on Short Beach who came on a bicycle to Sag Harbor for surgical aid. Capt. Coeoran followed on another wheel. Drs. Taylor and Wells were both out of town. Capt. Coeoran met Dr. Brown and sent him off post haste, and fortunately also found Dr, M. B. Lewis, of East Hampton, who was ju*t leaving the village for his home. He and Dr. G. H. Hunter hurried across North HaTen, the former running his team all the WftJ to the beach. They were taken on board the Thorpe, whore Dr. Brown had already arrived. An amputation was found to be necessary to save Walden’s life. Two operations were performed. Firat the arm was taken off below fcha el* bow and latter just below the shoulder, steel slivers under the flesh necessitating the later operation. Walden remained an dor the anreathetic for two hours, He stood the operation wonderfully well, and proved to be a remarkable subjeot.While tba surgeons were completing their work, the Thorpe slipped her moorings and steamed to her berth at Long Wharf. The injured man was removed to the American Hotel where he boarda.Thomaa Ellwood, of Brotklyn, and Win, Ammon, of Sag Harbor, who were close to the exploding toipedo had narrow escapes. Fragments of steel flew around them burying in the deck and forcing their way through ceilings Aud bulkheads.The torpedo which burst is 18 feet, 6 inches long, weighs 2,000 pounds and is a steel cylinder made in three parts ; the war head, air chamber, and engine chamber. During actual warfare the head carries a charge of powerful combustibles, but ia testing, water to maintain the required stability, i* substituted. This type of torpedo is more powerful than the Whitehead pattern. It runs with turbine engines, 90 b. p. and is designed to run under water at a speed of 45 miles per hour. The air chamber is tested to 5,200 pressure te the square inch previous to leaving the Brooklyn factory.In several years of experimenting at Sag Harbor this is the first serious accident that has happened ou the Thorpe. A torpedo once burst, bat when overboard, doing no damage further than wrecking itself, and once the men iu the timer’s boat had a uarrow escape from being struck by a wild shot.Late last night Mr. Walden rested easily at his room iu the American Hotel. Ho has the best of medical aud surgical at-tendauee and two trained nurses arx with him to watoh and minister to his wants both night and day.Mr. Walden is about 40 years old. Hs has a wife and seven children living in Brooklyn. SupL J. J. Flynn, of the Bliss Company has beeu in town arranging eveiy comfort for Walden. Ho says tha man ib one of the most skillful machinists in the employ of tha firm and with the loss of both limbs would still be a valuable employee.On the day of the accident on tha Thorpe a mechanic in the Bliss shop had an arm cut off in a machine.SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.The Superintendent of Public Education has written to Dr. Mooro, President of the Bay Shore Board of Education, a letter in regard to excuses for non-attendance at school. It is important and is as follows z.E. S. Moore, M. D., Bay Shore, N. Y.Dear Sir :—T acknowledge receipt of your communication and the date of Oct. 27, in which you ask the following quos- ' tiou : “If a child is required at home to help a sick mother—to assist iu taking care of the children iu a very poor family —to work with father on the bay—to help support himself aud family, are these or ‘ any of those to bo taken aa valid excuses under the compulsory law ?*’I answer “no.” There la no provision , of that statute that permits the absence of j. ehildren from school under anch circum- ; stances. If the parent is unable to maintain the family such parent is not war- i ranted in making a wage earner of tha , child, and thus deprive him of the educa- ; tiou that the constitution designs to place within the reach of every child. Under i suoh chcumstaueea, let the parent apply j to the local poor authorities for help if need bo. (Respectfully, yours,Chames R. Skinner,State Superintendent.A DOUBLE WEDDING,The Duluth News of the 13th iust. ha* an account of a double wedding at the home of Mr*, Martha Wilder Smith in that city. The brides wore Mias Martha Cornell Smith who married William Darwin Edson, of New York, and Miss Janette Leonore Smith who became the partner of David Halsey Costello, of Dnluth, a sou of Edward Costello, of Water Mill, and brother of Mrs. Harry Hildreth, of this place. The novelty of a double wedding made the occasion quite a noted one iu the Western city. The candidates for matrimony stood under a floral arch from which was suspauded monograms of tho brides and grooms in pink and white. A little nephew bor* a tray holding the wedding rings embedded in flowers. The brideB’ dresses were handsome and elaborate, one being qf white veiling oyer taffeta, lace trimmed ; the other of cream net over chiffon with pearl trimmings. A reception followed.HAGERMAN—STRONG.Miss Lena JEIlis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Strong, of Bridge Hampton, aud Mr. Richard J. Hagerman, of Rocky Point, wera married at 12 m. on Saturday, at the home of the brida’s parents. Rcy. Arthur Newmau, pastor of the Bridge Hampton Presbyterian Church performed the ceremony. The bride wore a gown of pearl crepe de chine, made over taffeta silk; her travelling dress was of Venetian brown cloth. Messrs. AlfredJ. Hagerman, of Rocky Point, attainted tha groom. The bridesmaids were Miss Nora H. Strong, sister of the bride, aud Miss Minnie E. Rogers. Their dresses were white mull and they carried chrysanthemums. W. It. Mills, of Warden Cliff was usher. Miss. Charlotte Rose played the wedding march. The floral decorations were of laurel, priucess pine aud chrysanthemum blooms and were very effectively arranged. After a wedding breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman took the afternoon train for New York. They will reside at Rocky Poiut. One hundred guests attended the wedding.DAYTON—HALSEY.At 12:30 o’clock, Saturday last, at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Asbury Halsey, of Bridge Hampton, Miss Sarah Bussell Halsey aud Mr. John H. Dayton, of East Hampton, were married by the Rev. Arthur Newman. The ceremony was performed beneath an arch of trailing pine aud holly boughs and the floral decorations of the houae were prettily arranged with autumnal leaves, holly and gorgeous chrysanthemum blooniB. Mr. Halsey gave the bride away. A bright attractive girl she looked beautiful dressed iu white laudsdown and carrying bride’s roses. Mr. Arthur G-. Halsey, a brother of the bride cam* on from Tuxedo Park to act a* best man. The bride’s-maid was Mr. Verona Downs, of Bridge Hampton. Her gown was made from pale green muslin and she carried pink obrysauthemums. Mr. and Mrs. Dayton spent their honeymoon iu New York, taking the afternoon traiu for the city Saturday. They make their home in East Hampton. A large party of wedding guests were present at the ceremony many from the home village of the groom.THE HEBREW FANCY BALL.Tha masquerade ball given iu Masonic Hall, Friday eveuiug, Not. 14th, scored* great success. It was largely attended and enriohed the treasury of. Sag Harbor Lodge, No. 297, I. O. B. A. $100. The committee ou decorations made a decided hit and exemplified by the lavish and gorgeous display of bunting that “All Nations Have a Flag But the Coon.” Louis Schwartz aud Mrs. Klein led the grand march a long lino of maskers promenading to the beat of fine music furnished by the Sympbouy Orchestra. Most of the costumes were grotesque. Messrs. Brown, Howard aud Reimanu, judges, award the prizes as follows : moat beautiful costume, lady, Mr3. Arnold Spitz; moit beautiful costume, gentleman, Joseph Gibbous ; moat grotesque costume, Phillip Hotz.fikff*$25.00 Reward will be paid for information leadiug to the conviction of parties suaring partridges in the North West Woods, North West Gun Club.
Newspaper Details
Sag Harbor Corrector
Sag Harbor, New York, US
Sat, Nov 22, 1902
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Lisa L.
USA 31 Oct 2023
Other Publications Near Sag Harbor, New York
Sag Harbor Express
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