Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-02

THE FRIGHTFuL SEA TRAGEDY In THE sou
OEr SANny HooE

THE FRIGHTFuL SEA TRAGEDY In THE sQUALL
OFF SANDY HOOK.
The schooner yacht Sarah Craig which was
capsized in the squan off SANDY Hook, Friday
evening, causing the death of seven of the
pleasure party from Philadelphia on board, as
stated in the dispatches TO Saturdays STAR,
was just outside of Sandy Hook when the storm
began. Shortly before the storm came up it
was very calm, and the party took supper on
deck. Hardly had the meal been disposed of
when the storm began, and the ladies and
gentlemen went below. Seeing that Ii was
going to blow, the captain lowered his foresal.
As the men started to lower the gib-the main
sail was still up-the blow struck the vessel.
The wind filled the jib, and the men found 1t
impossible to bulge II, The little boat Iurched
over and the gentlemen passengers came rum
ming up to see what was the matter. AS they
got on deck the blow turned into a terrific
squall, and when IL struck the vessel threw her
over On her starboard side, and throwing those
on the deck into the water. Chester Clark End
Zeph Jordan were the last to start for the deck
Jordan had reached the foot OF the stair
when the boat went over. A rush of water
washed him up the stairs, and his outstretched
hand protru1ed above the water on
deck. Alfred Potter saw the hand and
passengers and crew in the water reached
the boat and chung desperately to the planks.
The occupants of the cabin were still alive. The
imprisoned ladies In heartrending tones
screamed and piteously begged for help. Their
auguished friends were helpless and could do
nothing to save them. One OF the young ladies
reached up to the window, which was under
water, and one Of the men caught her hand
but 1t slipped, leaving one OF her rings in his
hand. She fell back and was not seen again.
The Others were in q part where the air kept the
water down. Their agonizing cries continued
for awhile; then all was still. Some persisted
by sufOcatiOn, for their faces when found were
black as from choking. Others held on to the
sides Of the cabin as long as they could and then
let 60 TO drown. A pilot Ia a skif came out ard
saved the other passengers and the crew. Tugs
came out to the wreck, but nothing could be
done for the unfortunates in the cabin. Later
the wrecked schooner was partially raised and
Caps. Gully began diving for the bodies. He
was three hours In the water and recovered all
the bodies but that of Miss Rettew. The
drowned were as follows: Mrs. I. II. stevens,
her two daughters, Miss Mary Z. Stevens and
Mrs. Cora E. Askin, the Misses Emma and Bes-
sic Merritt. Miss L. Maud Rettew and Mr..
Chester Clark.
The ladies In the party were prominent in
society in Philadelphia Mrs. Stevens was So
years old, and lived at No. 1888 Judson Place.
her two daughters, who lived with her, Miss
Mamie and Mrs. Askin, were p and "a years
old respectively, and Mrs. Askin's husband is
manager of the Wilmington opera house. Miss
Bessie 1S, and they both lived at No. SCI north
goth street. Miss Kettew was IL, and lived at
No. 1907 north 18th street. The party were Of
one ''set," and had frequently made little ex-
cursions together. 1t is said that Mr.. Clark was
engaged to be married TO Miss Bessie Merritt.
When his body was found q little gold bracelet,
borrowed on Thursday from Miss Merritt, was
elapsed about bis wrist. Mrs. Askin had been
band and her father, Mr.. Stevens, were TO have
met them and Joined them on the trip Satur-
day night At Bay Ridge.
Another young lady, Miss Jessie Mcclure, was
in fact, went on board the yacht and slept there.
She dreamed that her mother was very ill., and
the impression made was strong that she
abandoned the trip aud went back on shore.