The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-12
ONE BY ONE THEY DROWNED.
EIoHT BOYS AND AN INsTRUCT0R LOST
IN BOSTON HARBOR.

Were Bringing = Teacher Home ut Night
-C1inai.g to Their Overturned Boat They
slipped Away 10 Their Death In the
Darkusss-A Prayer Before Each Died
Only Two Out or Eieven Drirt Ashore
Boston. April 1.-THE crew OF the farm
school at Thorn pson's Island. comprising ten
boys whose ages ranged from 10 to 10 years.
carried one Of the instructors to the mainland
yesterday morning and In the evening made
another trip to City Point to bring him homo.
Tho first half OF the journey was completed
in safety. the teacher. A. F. Nordborg. was
taken on board and the boat was headed for
Thompson's Island. Capt Clcmneson was at
tho helm.
Each member OF the crew knew how to
handle boat in case Of emergency. but OF
that boat load OF eleven persons only two
reached tho shore alive. The others persisted
one by one in sight OF the shore. but unable to
make themselves heard.
A squat overturned tho boat between
Thompson's Island and Spectacle Island.
Each island was near at hand. and ali the
party could have swan the distance II tho
water had been warmer. but none dared make
the attempt because 1t was so cold except the
teacher. and he sank before he had gone many
yards.
Tho boys chung to the bottom OF the over
turned boat as long as their benumbed fingers
could maintain their grasp. According to tho
testimony OF the two survivors they encouraged
each other occasionally by shouting. in the
hope that they might be heard By some one on
the shore.
At one time a tug was seen in the distance.
and they shouted with all their strength. but
could not attract attention. Tho night was
cold and the shores and wharves abandoned.
When the time for the boat to return to the
island had passed the superintendent OF tho
school. Charles H. Bradley. wont to tho beach
to scan the waters toward City Point to see II
his boys we're approaching.
Tho survivors say they saw him patrolling
the beach. Finally. the chill OF the water and
exertion necessary to keep their heads above
the surface overcame them. one by one. and
they sank.
Tho instructor was the first to go. He tried
to save himself BY swimming. The cold water
and tho sharp wind quickly weakened him.
and his ten comrades heard o despairing cry
and saw him throw up Is arms and sink.
Each offered a prayer or o word OF farewell
to the others rs he gave UP his hold on life.
Tho last one who went was pulled back on tho
boat By the two who we're saved.
His strength could not last. however. and
finally he fell of. The boat was rolling SO that
they could not hold him on and keep their
own positions.
The boat finally drifted to Spectacle Island
The two lads who alone remained OF the boats
crew were Owe ". Cemneson. the Captain. and
Charles A. Lind. each 10 year old. The dead
are: A. F. Nordborg. teacher. age As:
william W. Curran. 16: George F. Ellis. Is:
Charles H. Graves. IT: Frank F. Hitchcock.
10: Harry E. Loud. 16: Thomas Phillips. 16:
Homer F. Thatcher. II: Adelbert H. Pack
ard. 10.
The boat was twenty-four feet long. about
five feet wide. and thoroughly seaworthy. The
trip to South Boston had frequently been
made in her. even in midwinter
It was Just fifty years ago that the school
was saddened by drowning accident the de-
tails OF which were similar in some respects
to that OF last nighs. and that time a score Of
boys were lost.
The school is q private institution. supported
by wealthy citizens. It's funds are all appro-
priated for relieving. instructing. and employ
ing INDECENT boys.
The boys receive a good common school edu-
cation and are instructed In moral and reliG-
ious duties. Many afterward obtain good
situations. II found to be capable Two
OF the drowned boys. Phillips and Curran.
were to be sent away from the institution to-
day. excellent homes having been found for
them. The boys were all good swimmers. and
Mr.. Nordborg was an expert.