Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-26
THE CRUEL DEEP.
A Sad Drowning Fatality at
Long Beach.
HUNDREDS OF oNLooKERs.
The Life Boat Called for, But
the Crew Could Nowhere
be Found.


tween and 8 o'clock yesterday after
noon at Long Beach. 1t was pleasant
day, and as usual the sands were
thronged with pleasure seekers, numbers
of whom took refuge from the heat IN
the inviting waters as they Tapped up ON
to the broad shelving beach. Among the
bathers was Annie Schafer, the head
chambermaid of the LopgsBeach Hotel,
and noted for being one of the
strongest and most accomplished
swimmers of the resort. Although
the waves were breaking rather
are moved some three hundred and fifty
feet from shore, being accompanied in
her natatorial journey by a man who also
ranked we'll amongst the water experts.
They rested few minutes and then
laughing and chatting, plunged back into
the towering waves and struck out for
the shore. Three unusually heavy seas
swept over and separated them and on
lockers on the beach saw with horror
that the strong undertow was
proving too much for Miss Schaf-
fer. She battled hard against the
receding waters but soon became ex-
hausted, and it was seen that she was
sinking. A cry was at once raised of
"Launch the lifeboat," which is always
supposed to be ready for an exigency Of
kind. But no one seemed to know any
thing about it, no one knew where the
crew was to be obtained, and scene of
confusion occurred, during which far
out at sea could be seen the form of the
drowning woman, as with hands out
stretched she fought vainly to reach the
shore where life could be found. For
many minutes the tragic scene went
on, and then she disappeared for q
few moments after which lady saw her
body being borne in on the crest of
mighty wave. By this time some one
had succeeded in launching the boat,
and, manned by two men, it was moved
out and the apparently lifeless form of
the hapless female taken on board and
then conveyed to the shore. The scene
on the beach was distressing one dur
ing the course of these proceedings, for
women, helpless to save their fellow
creature, stood vainly wringing their
hands and running to and fro in
vain search for assistance, as they
saw her life ebhing out before their eyes.
| When landed, Miss Schaffer was to all
appearances dead, but slight gasp and
a faint futter of the heart showed that
the soul had not yet fed, 80 medical aid
was at once summoned and every effort
made to restore her back to animation
and consciousness. No means of restor-
left untried and willing hands worked
like Trojans for over an hour, but all in
vain. The faint spark of life futtered
and went out and Death stalked victor
in the chamber from which mortal ken
with all its powers had been unable to
keep him.
| The unfortunate victim was about 35
years of age, and has always borne an
enviable reputation wherever she was
employed. She was native of LaFay-
cite, Indiana, from which State she emf
grated to New Mexico some three years
ago, where she entered service in the
Montezuma Hotel, Las Vegas, N. NJ.
She left there two years later for Los
Angeles, and after short engagement at
the st. Elmo Hotel, she accepted q
position at the Long Beach Hotel,
where she has since been installed. Great
blame is attached to those in charge of
the lifeboat, for had it been launched in
time there is no doubt but that the tragic
termination of the catastrophe would have
1een averted. The boat was purchased
by subscription some months ago, and,
it is said, was placed in charge of the
manager of the hotel, where it was under
stood drilled crew was always to be
kept. 1t was afterwards arranged that
the male walters should be trained so as
to act in this capacity in the hour of need,
and the general understanding was that
this had been done. The events of yes
terday proved, however, that those in au-
thority had failed to perform that trust,
and an investigation will doubtless be
demanded as to who is to blame.