The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-27
CANOEISTS IN PERIL.
Narrow Escape Of Two Young
Men on the Lake.
cAPSiZED BY A PUFF OF WIND
Harold Post and Fred Wilcox Have q
Thrilling Experience-Thelr
Pluck Saves Them.


plain why Fred Wilcox and Harold Post,
two weil-known young men of this city.
were not drowned in Lake Washington
Thursday evening. They were thrown
into the water by the capsizing OF
canoe midway between Kirkland and
Webster point. and sat astride of the
frail craft for two hours vainiy endeavor-
ing 10 attract the attention Of passing
steamers. Then the canoe commenced 10
sink. and it was a problem of life or
death. Post. who is an excellent swim
mer. disrobed himself in the water. and
after narrowly escaping drowning OBJ
tanned a paddle, with which WILCOX
reached shore astride Of the canoe. Post
was compelled TO take 10 the water. ow-
ing to the condition of the canoe. and al
ter a struggle OF fully two hours man
aged to pun himself ashore.
Harold Post who lives at the southeast
corner of Columbia and Fifth streets, can
sail canoe in good style, swim with the
best of them, and in a general way may
be termed an all-around aquatic man.
Recently ne obtained the use OF the sail
ing canoe FIirt for the season. and has
been putting her in condition at Capt a.
r. Leake's boat house, ar the end OF
Madison street She was very dry, and
leaked slightly, but not enough to inter
fere with good sail. Last Friday after
noon Post invited Wilcox to go out for an
outing on the lake. They left the boat
house about O'Clock, and with a gentle
breeze TO blow them along reached point
about midway between Kirkland and
Webster point People acquainted with
the lay of the land Will recall that the
lake is widest about that point.
The breeze suddenly died down, leav-
ing the canoe floating idly in the
water. Post was sitting well aft
aud Wilcox at the bow on an
improvised seat. While they were chat
the lake and keeled the canoe over to one
side wilcox's seat slid over. too, and as
81 result the water came in with a rush,
filling the fra;l craft and leaving the
young men fioundering about in the water.
Before starting out they had taken off
their shoes and stockings, so they had no
trouble in moving about and getting
astride of the boat. which was held UP
well by two water tight compartments.
Both of the young fellows thought the
accident good Joke, and laughed heart
lily over it. They say that. while they
Were balancing on the bottom of the little
craft that threatened TO turn over at the
slightest disturbance, the steamer G. c.
Calkins passed some distance away, but
did not answer their attempts to signal
for assistance. After a while they saw
the steamer City of Bothell start on her
home trip. so they knew ii was after
o'clock. Already they had been in the
water two hours, and were still two and
a half to three miles from shore. They
tried to attract the attention of the CAP
tain Of the Rothell, but received no reply.
The situation had become serious AMI
night was approaching and the chances
OF rescue from passing boats iessened
every minute. Post could swim like
fish, but Wilcox knew that II he made
10o yards he would Immediately cut
right angle with the top OF the water
and go down where the bodies of Mrs.
Emma Mcdonald and Harry Alters lie.
To make matters worse, the canoe cont
menced 70 sink slowly and the wind came
up quite briskly from the direction Of
Kirkland. II was evidently time for some
thing to be done or both would be drown
ed sooner or later. It was a long swim
TO shore. and Post was doubtful about his
ability 10 make II. They talked the mat
ter over and finally Post commenced TO
undress with the intention of swimming
70 shore or going down in the attempt.
Just as he got his trousers down at his
heels the canoe gave lurch and he was
thrown into the water. Wilcox grabbed
him however. and after an exciting strug
gle things were restored 10 order once
more and Post had assumed the garb that
caused the little boys out at Green Lake
10 he arrested He dove down into the
water. and coming up under the canoe.
managed TO loosen paddle that mad
been strapped In. ms ne HdhdSu ~ w ~
cox and went down again 10 cut the sail
loose
All was then ready for the long pull 20
shore Wilcox padding the submerged
canoe and Post swimming. The wind IA
vored them somewhat and they made good
time under the circumstances. Post had
been swimming about half an hour when
he commenced 10 feel chilly, but Wilcox
yelled out that II was only his magma
ton and after that Post threw off tho
feeling and kept working his way through
Tho water When ne became wearied
with the breast stroke ne would turn
over or his back Then for another
change he would go along 'dog-fashion,
only 10 try the hand-oV inland style. the
hodv being kept on the side the greater
par. Of the time. As the shore directly
opposite Madison street came nearer ana
nearer ne kept on, weary but determined
IN save his life At last he struck shall
low water and soon Law upon the shore.
worn out and well chilled through. Out
., .ba water ne could see his comrade
nsaeurr along slowly but surely toward
The shore. About ha,f an hour later VIII
COY landed. worn out after the hard trip.
As near as they could judge IL was
aho,,t $40 o'c.ock in the evening, and, al
Though thev were anxious to reach home
as soon as possible. they felt that they
onsht 10 give themselves a rest. The
lo1ear they waited. however. the stronger
e--sw the wind so they mustered up
courage 70 pull the canoe ashore and get
- ready for another trip across the lake.
This time they had no improvised seat
AMI after hard pull made the Madison
street landing in safety.
ys~-a -