Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-09-07
lie ALPHA DlSASIER.

Further Particulars of this Drowning OF
Young Withcrbse and Hts Companions,
Dispatches to the New York papers give
various details of the recent sad disaster on
Lake Champlain by wIich Mr.. George f.
Wltherbeo of Port Henry and five lads lost
their lives
Young Witherbee was an enthusiastic
yachtsman, and had full confidence in his
boat, the Alpha, whch was 24-foot yacht
OF substantial build. Her soaworthiness
was thought to be her stron, point, and
few in Port Henry feared to accept an invi-
tation to ride in her when her owner wasa
the helm. The wind was fresh on Monday
aud the day was beautiful, and when young
Witherbee left the docl, ct Port Horny the
young lads who went with him were glad to
accept tho invitation. The yacht was
watched by many people az it glided over
the waters aud nsared the Vermont shore.
She was ballnsted heavily with pig iron and
carried large amount of canvass, so that
she fairly flew.
When the yacht had reached q point
about six miles north of Port Henry and
near the opposite shore, sudden squali,
which was much moro severe than the young
yachtsIuan evidently thought it would be,
| struck the craft She went over without q
moments warning, and the heavy ballast
carried her rapidly to the bottom. With
erbee. who was n strong swimmer, could
easily have saved himself but he made no
attempt to do So His first thought was for
his young companions. He seized young
Brush and made gallant effort TO swim
with him to the shore. The waves and the
0truGgles OF his hoavy burden we're 10
much for him, however, and no was forced
to give up the struggle aud go to the bot
If . Iof l.@-r
we're caught in tins boat and, he thought
went down with it, He freed himself and
swan to the Vermont shore. Help soon
came, and he was carried to his home. He
said he did not sec any OF bis conpan ions
after ne rose to the surface, except Wither
Doe, who was endeavoring to save Brush.
When he had gained the shore be looked
again, but could see nothing that indicated
where the accident had occurred.
The accident was witnessed from the Port
Henry dock by people w tia marine glasses
who kept sight of tho yacht after the squal
struck it. The boat was seen to capsize
and young Labargs could be seen making
his way to the shore. 1t was not long be
fore dozens OF boats were stoerin5 for tn,
scene of the accident. Work was begun a
once to raise the sunken boat. This wa
ACCOMPLISHED before o'clock, but mono o.
Then an organized search for the bodies wa
begun. 1t was aftor 8 O'Clock when Tho
body Of Witherbee was found, lying ahou
IS rods from tho shore. Soon aftorwarC
the bodies of Breainer, Joubort. Gildsa anc
Whitman wers found. They were lyin,
near together and in line with each other
and only about five rods from the shore
This would indicate that young Labarge'
idea that his companions won't down will
the boat was not correct They EVIDENT
had made a brave and almost successful
effort to save themselves. At late hou
the body of Brush had not been discovered
although the search was being prosecute
by many willing workers.
Witherbes was son of Thomas j. With
erbso of the late firm of Witherbee 81 Tread
way, Mineville, n. Y. He was go year
old, and graduated from Cornell in June
He was an accomplished athlete. For thre
years he had been q member of the Corno
varsity Grew, and this year elscte
captain OF the foot ball eleven. He wa
} editor in chief of tho Comedian, and
\ student of ability. He stood six feet tai
weighed about $50 pounds, and one {
the handsome,t men in the college. Tt
catastrophe cast doep gloom over the villal
of Port Henry.
3 Young Wither bees companions were I'll
8 sons of business men and merchants. Wi
- liam Brcadner was the son of J. T. Brea,
r ner, the village plumber; Whitman RI
4 Gilday we're employed in the Cedar PoiE
foundry, Joubsrt wa the son OF job
n Joubert, an engineer on the Lake Chan
Il plain and Montreal railroad. Young Bru:
I was visiting Joubert.