William H. Lynch (Unknown-1917)

Biography

William H. Lynch worked as a machinist for the Bureau of Fisheries (Bureau) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which is one of the predecessor agencies of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Lynch served at the Fisheries Station in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, until his death. 

Cause of Death

On October 18, 1917, gas poisoned Lynch while he was working in a boiler tube at the Fisheries Station. Gas from an active boiler flowed into the furnace of the unused boiler tube where Lynch was working. After noticing the gas, Lynch requested that the automatic damper be opened, and he finished his work. However, he reported chest pain the next day. He did not go to work and sought medical treatment. On October 25, he died from double lobar pneumonia caused by the inhalation of gas. 

Sources:

“First Annual Report of the United States-Employees' Compensation Commission.” Washington Government Printing Office, 1917. 

“History of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, www.fws.gov/history-of-fws.

“Woods Hole: The Early Years.” NOAA Fisheries, 27 Jan. 2022, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/about-us/woods-hole-early-years.