The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-08
HUNTERS IN PERIL.
Drifting ON a Capsized Boat in
Lake Washington.
WORN OUT CRYING FOR HELP.
A. w. Bryan and A. Z. Chaffey Duck
Hunting Expedition Has a Damp
Ending-Rescued by Boys.

Albert W. Bryan, the well-known cleo
trician, and A. L. Chaffey, of the San
Francisco Bridge Company, had a thrill
ing experience on Lake Washington yes
terday afternoon. While out in the md
die of the lake in small rowboat they
were overturned, and for two hours were
Obliged to cling to the bottom of the boat
to keep from drowning. Their cries for
help finally attracted the attention of two
boys, who came to their rescue and took
them to shore.
Bryan and Chaffey took the small
steamer Duckhunter at the Madison street
landing on Saturday afternoon and went
TO Bothell, from which point they intended
to make duck-hunting trip yesterday.
They had with them the Irish setter,
Sport, and to make sure that they would
lose no time in getting an early start, nor
be Inconvenience in returning to Seattle,
they had taken rowboat in tow. After
passing the night at Bothell they started
after the ducks, which are said to be
plentiful along Squak slough, and worked
along the slough until about o'clock,
when Lake Washington was reached. The
wind was not favorable. and little success
crowned their efforts until about the mid
terball ducks came Swimming along
within gunshot. The dog sport" who
was crouehing in the bow of the boat, be-
came excited at the indications of work
and was kept down with difficulty. Chat
fey, who occupied the middle seat, rose
and fired as the ducks came within range.
The instant the report was heard "Sport"
jumped upon the side of the boat. This
nm fa.fv IL ~, l. -.
one side, threw Chaffey off his balance,
and before either hunter was aware of
what had happened they found them
selves tioundering in the cold water.
Fortunately both were excellent SWIM
mers, and while realizing their dangerous
position, took things coolly, and climbed
upon the bottom of the boat The lake
was comparatively calm, thus lessening
the danger of the waves causing the boat
to turn and throw them into the water
again. They were at the upper end of the
lake, midway between the west and east
shores. and about 800 yards from the end.
They cried loudly for help, hoping to at
tract the attention of any one who CHANGED
to be on the shore and within hearing
Upon finding that this method was unsuc-
cessful they resorted to the only alter
native and commenced padding toward
the shore. Both Bryan and Chaffey were
chilled through by the cold water and
found it no easy matter to retain their po-
sition on the upturned boat and at the
same time propel it toward the shore.
Their progress was slow, and in short
time the situation, which had been uncom-
Portable, grew dangerous. Words of en-
enlargement were spoken by one to the
other, but they failed to disguise the fact
that unless they could reach the shore in a
short time it would be case of drowning
for one or both.
At last boat rowed by some boys came
around point to the left. Bryan called
to them and waved his cap, but
was too weak to keep it
up. Apparently their condition had
not been observed by the boys, and unless
some means could be devised to attract
attention, the last hope was gone. Chat
fey thought of firing a shot, but his cart
ridges were in the bottom of the lake.
They were about giving up hope, when
one of the boys stood up in the boat and
looked toward them. After a few
moments he sat down and the boat moved
toward them. Bryan and Chaffey were
taken into the boat and the overturned
skiff towed to the shore. A fire was
started on the beach and the water-soaked
unfortunates warmed themselves until
able to start for the Madison street land
ing, which was reached about 5 80 O'Clock.