Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-08-10

GLENs FALLS, n. Y, August 4-Last
evening at 9:40 the most distressing aud
heartrending disaster In the history OF Lake
George occurred near Fourteen Mile Island.
The sinking of the pretty little steam
yacht Rachel and the drowning of nine
persons will long be remembered by the
summer visitors at Lake George, and espec-
tally by those who were aboard the Rachel
and were fortunate enough to escape. a
party of guests, numbering IS, from the
Fourteen Mile Island House, chartered the
boat for a pleasure trip, and after short
ride proceeded to the One Hundred lsland
House, where ball was iu progress. MIR.
Hannibal Allen, proprietor OF this hotel,
and wife were among the party.
The scene OF the accident YVES in front OF
the One Hundred Island House, and but a
short distance from shore The boat ran
on to an old sunken pier, formerly used as a
dock by this hotel, aud 0tove hole in her
bottom.
1t was but a few seconds from the strilt-
ing of the pior before the boat filed with
water, the passengers scarcely realizing
what had happened until forced to jump
into the lake.
The night was very darSand this, coupled
with the fact that the pilot was new man
and unacqainted with the waters of Lake
George accounts for the accident MIR.
Barrier, who has charge OF the Rachel, was
at homo sick, and Claud Granger of Glens
Fslls was placed in charge OF the boat, John
Brisbin acting az engineer.
Everything was excitement and alarm on
shore as soon as the sad news reached the
guests of the Hundred Island, Fourteen
Mile Island and Pearl Point hotels. A mes
seager was despatched to Glens Falls to in
form MIR. sherman, owner OF tho boat and
proprietor of The Marion House and Pearl
Point Hotel. MIR. sherman, lefore leaving
for the scene of the accident, notified Cor
oner Strestsr and Undertaken G. NJ. Viii
marth who took charge Of the bodies and
embalmed them.
The List of tho Lost Is rs Follows:
Miss Bertha Benedict, Montclair, N. j.,
Miss Edith Harding, Hoboken, y. j.
Miss Hattie l.. Hall, Brooklyn, n. y.
Miss Henrietta NJ. barton, Jersey City,
n. J.
HRS. J. H. Mitchell and son, Frank
Mitchell, of Burlington, Vt
Miss Lizzie Corley AMI Miss Clara Black,
Burlington, Vt.
Miss Lizzie Clark, Bridgeport, Conn.
Others on board at the time of the accl.
dent but who were saved are: Mrs III. e.
Hail. Brooklyn, n. y; MISS NJ. Eleanor
Hall, Brooklyn; MIR. and Mrs. L. 7. Bene
dict, Nontcair; Harding Benedict. Mont
clair; Miss Maud Brown, Albany; Frank
Brown, Albany; Mr.. j. Ii. Mitchell Bur
bngton, Vt; +. w. Whitcomb, Burlington,
VI William and Donald Manson, Burlington,
VT; John a. Manson, New York; Howell
Manson, New York; Willard Manson, New
York; Mr.. and Mrs. Hannibal Allen OF the
I<enesav House; Pilot Granger, Engin
Brisbin and the fireman.
That 30 many lives should be lost at suct
an early hour of the night and within speak
ing distance of the land. where the large
hotels are located, can only be accounted
for by the fact that the night was unusually
dark and the boat sank very rapidly.
One result of the accident is to show how
necessary is the legislation sought a few
winters ago by gentlemen interested in LAX,
George, who attempted to have law passed
that would prohibit pilots or engineers from
having charge OF steamboats, on LAX,
George unless they could pass a satisfac
tory examination before board of experts
1t is customary all over Lake George fol-
novicos to run engines and pilot boats