The Republican journal., 1877-07-12
Carried over Niagara.

The Niagara Falls Gazette gives the
particulars OF the drowning of Charles A.
Pierce and Wallace Bellinger. 1t states
that d party OF employees in the paper
mill at the Falls walked up the river to
Gill Creek Island to have IL chowder,
etc, provisions being taken in Il sail boat
There was a high wind and the river was
very rough. After they had prepared
parties took the sail-boat and went ont
for short trips on the river.
All returned in safety, until Il party of
three, consisting Of Charles 4. Pierce
Wallace Belingcr and William Flav. sud
denly capsized while lacking off the head
of Coroner'S Island. No suspicious Of the
terrible calamity that occurred We're en-
tertained until about the time it was en-
pcc1ed that Il boat from Port DAY would
arrive. Carefully scanning the river, one
of the party, MI Trip, noticed speck
on the boiSte rous waves Oft Coroncrs Is
land. and still closer examination discloS-
ed the horrible fact that the Sail-boat had
capslZed, and that only one man WAS to
be seen cllnglng to the helpless hull.
There was only one sma II scow ut hand,
and with this Mr. John Robinson at
tempted to 90 out to the rescue. but soon
returned, finding the sea too heavy for
his little craft to live. Providentially the
boat from Port Day came in sight and
attention was directed to the wreck
which was fast blowing out further and
further into the middle of the river, and
rapidly descending with the current
They succeeded in reaching the ctpsizcd
Sall-bOat just in time to save Mr.. Flay
the exhausted survivor Of the accident
who was clinging with desperation to the
keel of the overturned craft. Flay had
been thrown off the boat 50 many times
by the fierce but1etings Of the waves that
he was completely prostrated, and when
taken into the reScuin~ boat was ilnme-
diatcly seized with cramps He had
stripped himself of all his clothing save
his palltaloons, in anticipation Of being
obliged to seek doubtful safety by swim
ming, should he not he seen from the
shore before reaching the neighborhood
Of Grass Island. He was taken ashore,
warmly wrapped up, and, after sufficient
~ recovering, told the story Of the fatal
occurrence.
He says they had been out about half
to tack to return, the boat got into the
trough Of the terrible sea running and al
most instantly capsizeu. They attempt
ed to right the boat, but found it impOs-
sible, and after making several futile en-
dcaVors and only succeeding in losing
their grasp and becoming more and more
exhausted by repeated dimensions, they
gave up the attempt. Flay says Pierce
and Bellinger were both terribly excited,
trembling so that they could hardly re-
tain hold of the boat. Instead Of attempt
ing to climb upon the keel, Pierce and
Bellinger struck out in hopes OF reaching
shore. Pierce was the first to make the
attempt. With Il half understood remark
about being unable to stand it any longer,
''and that he was going to make for
Shore" he started off, The waves hid
him from sight and he was never seen
again. In all probability he swan, with
his clothes all on, only short distance
before going down to his death. A mo-
ment or two after Bellinger told Flay that
he also was going to try for shore" and,
with a simple ''good-by,' he struck out.
He only swan little distance before his
heavy clothing sealed his doom. Flay
never saw him again after he left the boat
Left alone with the boat, Flay managed
to climb to the keel and removed all his
clothing save his pantaloOns. He was
frequently washed off the keel, but man
aged to climb back each time in safety
and finally was rescued us we have al
ready narrated