The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-17

they have never seen one so painful as thia The
high easterly storm that prevailed was blowing the
waves up stream while the tide was running DOWN,
and between these two opposing forces the usually
quiet river was transformed into black, surgng,
boiling whirlpool. The boat, a 1msy, shallow, flat
bottoIaed tauare-boWed affair, was laden TO the
waters edge. The waves began 10 make their wav
into the boat soon after IL left the draw. Alarmed at
the amount OF water shipped by one unusually heavy
waye the men rose TO their feet In panic and from
that moment their fate was sealed The frail scow
oiled almost instantly and the men leaped into the
hnger in the ears OF those who heard them.
The struggle with the winter-cod water, surgng
with the storm which at that moment seemed 10
rage with new Violence was OF course OF but snort
duration, except for those who were able TO put
forth almost superhuman efforts. Laden with heayy
boots and overcoats, and clad with double allowance
OF heavy undercOthing, there was small chance Tor
most Of them. Three Of the struggling men threw
up their arms and went down within few yards OF
the spot where the boat was overturned. Others
1oated down the river further before sinking.
One small boy, named John Leonard, whose father
is carrier and resides over the hill, contrved to
sustain himself until he had been carried as far as
the wharf TO Fagin's mill rope was then reached
down TO him falling between his uplifted arms But
the cold had benumbed him so that he could not
close his hands together, and, with despairing look
dumb entreaty he sunk slowly beneath the waves.
man standing near by attempted to put forth his
arm to hold him, but his paralyzed muscles would
not obey and he was dragged ashore, himself more
dead than alive.
The best possible efforts at rescue were made, but
there was only one boat anywhere near, and that
was fast between log and the dock, and was of no
avail. II was dinner time, and most Of the men who
are usually at work in the neighborhood were
absent. Mr. John II. Lande and his son. opposite
whose sail loft the catastrophe occurred, heard the
cries OF the drowning men, rushed TO their aid with
ropes and tackle, and did all they could. But all
save one OF the men sank near the middle OF the
stream, and Mr.. LandeIls tackling was only useful
in lifting them from the river bottom after all was
over
The party which embarked in the Inflated boat was
gang OF iron-workers, who came here in September
last from PttsburE, Tenn, to put up the rOn-w0rk
of the bridge. The 'rasing" OF the draw had Just
been completed, the men having remained, at the
request of the foreman, few minutes after the
sounding OF the noonwhstes in order to set up the
last post This having been finished the men gave
three cheers for their completed work and rushed in
high glee TO their boats little thinking to meet the
terrible disaster that was so near.
The draw, whence the Inflated boat started its
way, only about 150 feet from the Shore but the
tide always swift in this spot, and the navigation
OF the river here in small boat Is free from
danger Nevertheless, there has been other boat
for the use OF the laborng parties on the bridge
cept this 1at-bottomed, tWo-0ared scow and others
ike it, and the men in their haste to get on shore al
dinner time or after work, have often overcIowded
them to the great risk OF just such calamity has
| at last befallen The only wonder is experienced
river men say that fifty men have not been lost here
| since the bridge has been uder way.
The dragging for the bodies was commenced i'm
mediately after the accident. and, Notwithstanding
the storm. before o'clock the bodies OF the drowned
persons were recovered and laid In a ghasty row
| under shed upon the dock.
| The following are the names OF the drowned
Thomas Kelso, aged about twenty -four years, vinl
| in East Newark, but hang from Philadelphia,
carpenter; body recovered. John Riley about thirt
years of age married, Irish, resides in Newark bod
| recovered. William Blatchford, aged about twenty
| three an Englishman not long in this country bod
| recovered John Leonard, boy about twelve year
| body recovered. T. Grint, OF Pittsburg, abou
| twenty-five years OF age; body recovered.