Two Deaths On T.I.
p. 56 · Read in the full issue
Lugger
Mystery Solved With Aid of Guinea Pig
From Our Own Correspondent
Thursday Is., Jan. 1.
ALARMED when no signals came from Ichitaro Miyeo, 35, a diver, working five fathoms down from the T.I. pearling lugger Aldina, the captain went down and found the Japanese dead in his diving suit on the sea bed.
Returning to port at Thursday Island, a native, Sammy Myquick (17), was found dead in the hold. An investigation made of the lugger, following a post-mortem examination, revealed that death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning, but appar ently everything was in order.
Dr. J. R. Nimmo, Government medical officer at Thursday Is., then procured a healthy guinea pig, which he placed in one of the diving helmets. Air from the tank was circulated in the helmet for 15 min utes. The pig showed signs of suffocation, and it was" taken out and revived. Later it was replaced in the tank, and in five minutes became paralysed, and collapsed, recovering again when brought out.
It was then discovered that a fair amount of engine gas was being dis charged into the engine room, and the fumes also passed into the hatch, where the body of Myquick was found. The in take valve of the air compressor took in the fumes also, and these were pumped zo the diver.