Norman G. Yongue, 37, engineman, saved an indeterminate number of persons from an impending explosion, Vallejo, California, February 3, 1955. When a governor rod broke on a crane operating on a pier at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, its supercharged 300 horsepower diesel engine was accelerated to uncontrollable speed and dense smoke issued from the muffler. The crane operator, Dell E. Logan, immediately shut off all controls in the cab and descended to the engine platform 28 feet above the pier. He pulled the control levers of the engine, which then normally would have stopped; but the engine continued racing. Logan then descended to the pier and met Yongue, who had been attracted by the noise and had run 900 feet from another pier. Yongue learned what action Logan had taken and, aware that the engine could fly apart or explode at any time, told two workmen to start warning approximately 100 others in the immediate vicinity. Yongue then quickly ascended to the engine platform, on which were reserve containers of diesel fuel and gasoline. The racing engine vibrated the crane as Yongue ran to the control valve and turned the handle, shutting off the fuel supply. By then Logan also had reached the platform, and both men remained there for three minutes until the engine finally stopped. All escaped injury. 43744-4079
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43744-4079