The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-06-25
Sinking Of a Tugboat in New
York Bay.
Seventy.tive Souls Aboard the
Vessel.
About One-thirds of the Number Not
Accounted for.
Timely Rsscus Of others-The Victims
Were on Q Fishing Exoursion-Fatal
Capsizing of = Launch and
Catboat.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
New YoRK. June 24.-The tug James
D. Michel, With SO exes.sicnists and
crew OF 10 or 12, sank at about p. m.
today, three miles off the Highlands.
Fifty-four of those on board have been
accounted for; the rest were probably
drowned.
The tug left Fifth street and East
River at 7:30 this morning fer the fish
ing grounds. She had, 1t is said,
license to carry 30 passengers, but o3
tickets were sold. There was bar and
lunch counter on board, whose attend
ants, with the crew. made the total num-
ber on board rs. The tug reached the
banks on time, but fishing was poor
and the sea too rough for comfort,
and about noon she started back.
When about three miles east OF the
Highlands and about four miles south OF
Scotland light ship, the waves began to
break heavily over her starbosrd rail.
To dodge the water and wind the
passengers began to run around the
port side and to climb on top OF the
deck house. The boat careened alarm
ingly to port and the water swept over
the rail. The tsrror-stricken men
rushed back to starboard and the tug
swung deeply down on that side.
Az this moment heavy breakers struck
the boat in quick succession. The cap
tain, William Hyatt, stuck pluckily to
his post and sounded the whistle in
prolonged scream for help. Even as he
did 30 the tug filed with the water that
poured into her from both sides and
sank out of sight in the water. She
sank like stone. carrying many OF the
passengers with her.
The water choked the cry OF the
whistle but not before it had been heard
and needed. The Clyde steamer Algon-
aYAjaa msa heard araod II and sHHRxs !nRs
Wallace B. Flint, RI Morgan and
Governor also hurried toward the spot.
The Algonquin picked up 10 men, one
OF whom died few minutes later. The
tugs rescued the others who remained
afioat. Some few had life belts on, but
most OF them were clinging to bits Of
wreckage. A life raft supported dozen
and the top of the pilot house as many
more.
Captain S. @. Platt, of the Algonquin
said that while astiff breeze was blow
ing, there was no sudden squsll. There
was big sea on. The Algonquin
brought those she had picked up to the
city and the dead body, which has not
been identified, was sent to the morgue.
All were people bearing German names.
Some of the tugs, not wishing to come
to the city, transferred the men they
had saved to other tugs. The Gayres
brought up 81 survivors, and landed
them on the east side. The O. E. Evarts
brought up two bodies and several sur.
vivors. The Governor ia supposed to
have landed several in Brooklyn.
Altogether 81 out Of the 75 have been
accounted for. Three OF them were
dead. The officers OF the Flint have for
some unknown reason denied having
rescued any OF the men or knowing any
thing about the matter.
John A. Mngle, who was rescued by
the Algonquin. says he was caught
under the awning of the tug when it
eank. He managed to crawl out and
seize table, which kept him afoat.
Finding his chum, Frank Gaiser, in the
water, he let him have the table, which
would not support two. and started to
swim. Soon afterward he wac picked
up, but Gaiser has not been seen since.
The Algonquin arrived at her dock at
pier 20, foot of Roosevelt street, about 5
o'clock. She had on board nine of the
survivors of the Nicols and the body Of
one of the victims. Captain Platt of
the Algonquin, when interviewed con-
csrning the accident, said:
"The tug was about sinking when
first sighted by the Algonquin. There
was heavy sea on and good deal OF
was first called to the tug by the blow
ing of it's whistle. She was then rolling
from side to side and suddenly turned
over and went down almost instantly
The passengers appeared to be demoral-
lied and ran about the deck wildly. and
as the boa. swayed to one side, they
rushed to the other. The tug appeared
top heavy, as though she was over
loaded.
II ordered lifebost lowered and
sent it in charge of Chief Officer Rush
to the scene OF the disaster, but before
it arrived the tug had sunk out of sight.
Officer Rush succeeded in rescuing nine
of the survivors, and also took on board
the lifeboat the body of man which he
found in derelict boat belonging to the
tug. The dead man was all tangled
with fishlines and the boat was full of
water, though right side up. Soon the
tugs Flint, Moran, Governor Sayres
and Evarts arrived at the scene. They
succeeded in picking up many of the
survivors as well as some of the dead
bodies"
The names OF those saved and landed
by the Algonquin are: Edward Cape.
Charles Duezinger, Charles George, E.
Pitt, B. L. Wood, John Maggie, Charles
Eberhart. Jerome Curton and James
Gilmore.
A few hours after sinking the tug was
pretty we'll broken up and the wreckage
began to come ashore. Before dark the
entire beach was strewn with it. Forty
three lunch baskets were washed up.
No bodies come ashore.
Among those on board the boat who