Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-08-17
Deaths from DroMning,

The Baltimore Gazette contains the follow
ing particulars Of tho accidental drowning of
three gentlemen, Messrs Harry Lee, Septi-
mus SeweH and james ". SeWell, Thils
yachting in Bush river, on Thursday after
noon last, near Philadelphia Railroad bridge,
and nearly opposite the farm OF Nr. Samuel
Sutton The following saditional particulars
of the sad disaster have since been ascertagea.
The party consisted Of fourteen persons, and
left the Philadelphia Boat Club House in q
yacht, sloop-rigged, belonging to DIR. Lee
At the tiree of starting the Wind was blowing
quite gale They we're advised by Paftios
on shore not to risk themselves on the frail
vessel, but their PersRasioRs we're fruitless,
and after some little delay the excursionists
embarked on tbsif psrilous voyage, accom-
panied by Eo# boat containing nine persons
from Belair, Under the charge Of DR.. John 8.
Dallam.
The occupants of both boats we're ou a
grabbing expedition, and continued at the
sport until about half past three o'clock in tha
afternoon, when they started on the return
trip to the GLIB House. & heavy squal short
ly after arose, when the boats became sepa~
rated, and the row boat put into Doves Cove,
and all her passengers escaped. The yacht
was proceeding towards her destination, when
the hat of one of the boys on board blew on,
aud while the helmsman was endeayoring to
turn the boat so a. to ssesre 1t, a heavy aaw
of wind struck her, and whirling the jib- boom
around, it struck Mr. Lee, knocking him over
board, and he was instantly drowned. The
yacht at the same moment capsiZed. The ro-
naming thirteen passengers we're at once sub
merged in five feet water, with tie waves,
which had risen fearfully, dashing over them;
several we're washed overheard, but were
rescued By ] negro boy OF Dlr. SeweIl, who IN
a number of instances swan after and sue
ceeded in again getting them safely on board.
4 negro man 10 the Club House observed
the accident, ana procuring boat started to
their rescue, but was two hours in reaching
the illfated vessel IN consequence of the viOleEt
gale blowing. when 1ithia so yards James
NJ SeWell attempted to sWim to the approach
ing boat, but before reaching it became cz-
harstcd and sank to rise no more. Mr.. Sep
timus ScweIl was washed off the yacht before
assistance reached him, aud also drowned,
making the third victim. When within
short distance, a Mr. Downey and tgo negroes
left ths yacht, sTam tc the boat snd assisted
in bringing il to the rescue of the other pas
sengers that we're well nigh exhausted in their
efforts to keep up until assistance reached
them. They were all, however, safely gotten
off and rescued.
The body of Mr. Jas y, ge.ell 1as re,
covered On Saturday morning and taken to
Abingdon, Harfcrd county, wherc it was
buried in the family lot. On Sunday alter
noon the body of Mr.. Septimus SewCII was
also recovered floating On the surface Of the
river, aud taken to his late residence at Abb
ingdon for interment. The remains OF Dir.
Henry Lee, son of the late Josiah Lee, OF
this city, was discovered floating in the river,
about fifty yards from where the boat caPsized,
yesterday morning. lie was in his twenty
sccoud year, and leaves mother residing in
Brooklyn, n. Y.