George H. M. Herchenrother died attempting to save Christopher J. Branagan from suffocation, Baltimore, Maryland, May 10, 1922. Branagan, 47, laborer, was affected by gas while cleaning a tank 19 feet deep. He started to climb out of the tank but was overcome and fell 14 feet to the bottom. Several men, thinking Branagan had accidentally fallen, descended for him, but they felt the gas affecting them and ascended before they had reached Branagan. There were loud cries for rope and gas masks. Herchenrother, 28, oil treater, was attracted to the tank and with a bulky hood over his head started to descend on coils of pipe, but after going a short distance, he removed the hood. He reached Branagan and had stooped to move him when he was overcome. Men then descended, wearing gas masks, and tied ropes around Branagan and Herchenrother. They were drawn to the top but could not be revived. 22409-1759
22409 – 1759
22409-1759