J. Sterling Hardy, 18, laborer, died in an attempt to help save Leo V. Glover, 19, laborer, and Hardy H. Smith, 25, mechanic, from suffocation, Nederland, Texas, January 16, 1929. While Glover and Smith were working at the bottom of a compartment of a tank ship 26 feet below a manhole, they were overcome by fumes of gasoline and benzol. Two other workmen in the compartment felt the effects of the fumes, climbed ladders, and got out. A supervisor in charge of the work entered the compartment through the manhole and called for others to help him rescue the men. Hardy immediately entered the manhole and without taking precaution descended a ladder to the bottom. The supervisor had preceded him and was tying a rope to Glover. Hardy appeared to be affected by the fumes, but he removed a nose mask containing a damp sponge from Smith’s face and then started to climb the ladder. In the meantime, Glover was pulled up and the supervisor climbed the ladder. When Hardy was within three feet of the manhole, he fell from the ladder to the floor. His skull was fractured, and he was dead when he was removed a little later. Smith was rescued by a man wearing an oxygen helmet. He and Glover recovered.
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