Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-08-22
FIVE VICTIMS OF THE SEA.
A Yachtsman and Four Others Drowned
In a Blow on Atlantic City.


ATLANTIC CITY, August 2l.-There
was very light breeze this morning
when Charles Simmons, Benjamin
Parker and Furman Mannery sailed
away in their skiff from the inlet. Al
three men left families behind them.
As the day grew on, without any ap-
parent cause, an unusually heavy sea
set ic and, sweeping along the coast,
tossed great waves over the bar all
morning, and the many veteran yachts
men gave out ominous prophesIes rs to
the fate Of the fishing parties.
The report became current at the In
let that several yachts had been cap
sized and all OF their occupants lost, and
many friends of the absent persons
went down to the wharves and waited
anxiously as the day dragged on.
Then Capt. II. Bcwen's fishing
chooner Annie H. Godfrey put in at the
inlet with the body OF Fisherman Sim
mons in tow. This sight spread con-
tagion OF fear among hundreds OF anI-
ious people who crowded the pavilions.
Capt. Bowen said that on his trip In
from New York he found the body
floating near the outside buoy, and that
he sighted an upturned skiff short dis
tance of. 1t had been swamped PROB
ably before the men reached their des-
tination.
Upon attempting the return trip
many yachtsment found the sea so tur-
bulent on the bar that they were afraid
10 risk the passage. The hours were
full OF suspense to the passengers OF
the frail craft that were obliged 10 walt
until the afternoon In the hope that
the sea would subsIde. The agitation
subsidized with the gradual ebb OF the
tide, and by o'clock in the afternoon
all but the yacht Penderton, Capt. Ben
jamin Loveland, had arrived safely at
the Inlet wharf.
1t was fortunate for the passengers
on the yachts that Capt. II. Bowen and
his stanch schooner came In among
them when the fears OF the passengers
were worst. He set about transferring
them to the deck OF his boat. 1t was a
difficult and exciting task, but the
work was accomplished without any
mishap. Then Capt. Bowen headed
for the inlet, while the sturdy captains
slood by their little boats until the sea
went down.
Reports were received from Lonport
that several yachts had capsized with
loss OF life, but telephone message
from reliable source brings the news
that only one life was lost of Ocean
City. During the morning Absaom
Leeds and Larner Strickland, OF Leeds
point, were capsi2ed In their skitfS while
in tow OF yacht. As the accident oc-
Cured In the roughest part OF the chan
mel, it was impossible for the captain 10
turn about and pick them up. Strick-
land managed to crawl upon the bottom
OF one OF the baatS and drifted out be-
yond the breakers and was rescued.
His companion, Leeds, was supported
by an oar, and narrowly escaped with
his life. being taken out OF the water
utterly exhausted. A sensational re-
port got abroad this afternoon that
Samuel Gales famous champion yacht,
the John f. Mehrer, with large party
OF pleasure-seekers had been swamped
in the heavy swell, but the yacht was
safe In the ThOroughfare. Capt. Gale
picked up lady's blue straw hat on his
way into the Inlet. but IL is supposed to
belong TO one Of the rescued passengers
from the other yachts.
Kate Hamilton. a domestic employed
at the Colonnade Hotel, is thought 10
nave been drowned in the surf. She
left the hotel In company with several
friends about 10 o'clock, and since then
she has not been seen. Her clothes
were found tonight in a bath house.