Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-08-17
a NIGHT ON ROCK DUNDER.
Two Queen CITY Park Campers Caught In
Gale and Forced to 1t, shores.

Two Queen CITY Park Campers Caught in
Gale and Forced to 1t, shores.
The campers at Queen City Park were
put in furore Saturday night by the non
appearance of two Of their number, who
started out in row boat at 4 o'clock in
the afternoon to 60 fishing.
J. b. Nichols and George Petty were the
missing ones. 1t was cloudy and rain had
been falling but they considered it a capt.
tally favorabls time for fishing, and so Off
they went at the hour stated, intending to
return in eseason for supper with a good
string Of fish.
Rowing to point near Rock Dunder,
they anchored, dropping their hooks into
| the water with an air OF expectancy worthy
of thu most successful fishermen. The fish
didn't bite as they had wished, however;
but they were plucky and kept fishing; and
quite likely their desire to take back few
fish, at least, led them to stay longer than
they otherwise would have fingered.
Before they knew it the boat was being
tossed about by big waves stiff north
wind had sprung up The waves dunned
white caps. Not until then did they realize
the perilous position in which they were.
| What to do, of course was the great ques-
ton. Neither of them was an expert oars
man. To attempt to row ashore, they
thought, was almost certain to result in the
overturning Of the boat before they could
possibly reach Shelburne bay.
AT last they agreed to make an effort to
reach Rock Duuder. Their boat being
north of the island, by keeping it headed
toward the wind and allowing it to
be carried along by the waves, they
reached tho island in safety. After wait
ing for an hour or 30 for the wind to abate,
they concluded that they were lin for q
nights lodging on the island' unless they
could in some way attract the attention of
the people on shore. Having matches they
scraped together few sticks of driftwood,
which had chung to the barren rock and
which they set fire to, hoping it might be
seen by some one. But it wasn't With
it all hope OF being rescued van
ished. When evening came on
Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. Petty became nsr-
vous because their husbands did not return,
and informed some OF tue campers of the
fact, who went out In row boats, searching
around the bay till - o'clock but their
work was fruitess. This left the wives in
a more than anxious state, but there was
nothing to do except to wait for daylight.
The searchers resumed their work at 3
O'Clock. Theoe was still heavy sea, and
they dared not venture beyond the cover Of
the bay.
Meanwhile DR.. Smith had heard of the
absence OF the campers. With a field
glass he began the inspection of
all tho visible land on the lake shore. lie
soon discovered a man on Rock Dunder.
The mystery was solved and the excitement
was greater than ever, oil thinking that one
of ths men was drowned. He Immediately
drove to this city, arriving at 1850 o'clock.
| nj In
boat with which to 60 to the rescue, he GALES
on Mr.. Fred II. Wells, who volunteered the
use Of his launch and his services, also.
At $3.50 they, with four ablsbodied men
including John Wallace, one OF Capt. Saw.
yer's best boatmen on the steamer Rein
deer, started A sailboat, which some
distance In the van, reached the island first
however.
Contrary to expectations both Mr.. Petty
and Mr.. Nichols were upon the rock to well
come the arrival OF the yacht, on board OF
which were Edward Smelling, James Pol
worth and Frank Skillet 1t did not take
long for the stranded gentlemen &c
get into the sailing boat although
they were nearly chilled through
from their nights exposure to the raw
north wind. They then headed for shore.
Mr.. Wells launch overlook the little yacht
shortly and towed it to Queen City Park.
The sea still rolled heavily.
On the park beach we're all the campers.
1t 10 unnecessary to add that there was re-
joicing when the boats reached shore and
Messrs. Petty and Nichols were among
them once more.
A meeting was at once held at the hotel
and an expression of thanks voted to Mr..
Wells and the others who aided in the res
cue.
DR.. Smith has had charge of the park
for ten years, and in that time there has
not been an accident or an arrest aud but
one death there.
Both OF the rescued men are about GO
years Of age.