Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-10
DROWNED IN soUrH CHANNEL.
Jerry" ScanIan Loses His Life in Div
ing from Sail Boat,

Late Saturday night a party of young
men, consisting Of William Lee, James
Smith, Thomas Mckay, and John Scan
Ian, left the city in sail boat from the
foot of West Broad street for Tybee,
where they intended TO spend Sunday.
When the party reached Fort Ogle-
thorpe the weather began to look squally,
aud Lee took the pTecautiOn to give the
boat the benefit OF a free sheet. and
IL was driven up on the marsh a short dis
lance below the ObstructiOns Ia the South
channel. The sail was lowered, the boat
made fast and the company passed the
night.
About daylight yesterday morning the
sail was again raised and the boat beaded
for Tybee. The wind was light ud
strong tide was running up, making their
progress slow.
They had gone 200 yards beyond the Jet
ties, and were about half way between
Fort Oglethorpe and the mouth of st.
Augustine creek, where the steamships
Nacoochee AID William Crane were
hailed. This was about 6 O'Clock. I'M
mediately after, Seaman, familiarity
known as Jerry" proposed to take a
swim. Pulling of his clothing he Owed
from the boat into the river. taking his
undershirt with him in his hand In div
ing he accidentally kicked Lees hat into
the water. Letting go his hold on the
piece of underwear it drifted few yards
away. He swan towards II and grasped It
again. He then swan TO Lees hat, which
he recovered and put on his own head
and started back 10 the boat. Lee had
luffed the craft and was lacking with the
view OF running up to Scanlon to take
him on board, when he noticed that he
was acting strangely. but apparently
standing erect in the water. He called
out: whats the matter, Jerry, are you
drowningW Turning to Smith ana Me-
Kay, who were almost wholly undressed,
Lee sang out: "Jump for him, boys, and
hold him above water until l can get the
b0at 10 him.n
Both men plunged in together, and
were swimming towards the drowning
man when he sank beneath the surface.
The hat remained on the top OF the water.
and almost Immediately after the shirt
came up. but ScanlOn was nowhere TO be
seen. His companions repeatedly Owed
beneath the surface with the hone Of
finding his body, but were unsuccessful
-canlon was never seen after he first
sank. Lees hat was picked up and re-
turned TO It's owner, while the shirt, being
OF secondary consideration under the
circumstances, was allowed 10 float away
After long search, the hope OF finding
the body of their companion was tempo
rarlly abandoned, and Lee, Smith and
Mckay headed their craft for Savannah.
and favored by food tide ana some wind
reached the city ABOUT go O'Clock. The
account OF the mishap was told and was
quickly circulated. Five parties OF four
or live young men each quickly volun-
teered to 20 10 the scene OF the drowning
10 drag for the body. They were
piloted by Lee, Smith and Mckay,
and the river was dragged at different
points in the vicinity Of the place whore
the drowning man was last seen until
about 3 O'Clock in the afternoon, when the
search WAS abandoned. Another party
will 90 down today, leaving the city early
tins morning.
Mr. Seaman was a steady aud industri-
Gus young man about q years OF age, and
WAS employed by Mr, Daniel O'C0nuor rs
a horse snOer. lie was very popular
among the young men, especially on toe
west side OF The city, where De lived with
his mother and sister, who are bereayed
by the sad calamity that has visited their
little family circle.