The Portland daily press., 1899-07-03
Only Two of the Bodies
Recovered.
Children's Lives Saved by Cling
ing to Frail Craft.


Old Orchard, July "A boating acoi-
dent at the mouth of the Sac3 river, this
afternoon, resulted In the loss Of three
lives. The victims were Philip Picard, a
Biddeford factory employe, his wife, and
Mrs. Joseph Thompson. Picard's two
children and Biddeford imam named
Vidal Leclair, were occupants nf the
same boat, and barely escaped drowning.
The accident occurred between the
breakwater and Basket island, and was
witnessed By people ON the Camp Ellis
pier. The yawl in which the six persons
had made the trip from Biddeford, was
about large enough to comfortably ac-
commodats three or four people When
It passed Camp Ellis the people on the
pier commented on the overloaded condi-
tion of the little craft. and the risk that
Its occupants seemed to te running The
two men were rowing against the tide, q
stiff breeze and a ohoppy sea. They were
headed for Besket Island. where relatives
of the Picard family were camping out.
About the time they reached the break
wator their frail craft began to ship wat
er. The boy began bailing and was short
ly Joined by one of the men, who laid
aside his oars. But they couidn e bail as
fast as the water came in. A big chop
broke over the gunwale, and the boat
suddenly filed. The two children clung
to the sides of the boat, and went. down
with 1t, while the four adult members
of the party foundered about the surface
for few minutes, the men yainly sndsay-
oring to keep the women afioat.
Relieved of so much of its burden, the
boat righted, and the children remained
In it, being recued ~ two young English
men from Biddeford, who had put of
from Hill's Beach in dory.
Leclair, finding it impossible to rem
def aid to his companions, struck ont for
the nearest land, and succeeded in reach
ing 1t, In an almost exhausted condition.
Picard also attempted to swim, ashore,
but went down within sight of party
of young men who had gone to the res
cue of the unfortunates. His body has
not yet bean recovered The bodies Of the
two women were recovered, and endeay.
ors made to resusDitate them, but with.
out avail.
MIhe two children were landed at Basket
island. The boy was not seriouslyEaffect.
ed by his drenching, hut the little girl ley
in q semi-conscious state about three
hours.
Edward Rennick of Biddeford, late iu
the afternoon rowed TO the island from
Hilrs beach and brought the boy hack
with him. He considered the girl too Ill
to take the risk oil moving her. The few
occupants of the island had no facilities
for administering to her. and MIR. Rennick
urged the necessity of sending to Bidde-
ford for doctor. Mrs. III. +. Callahan,
whose husband keeps the Hills Beach
house, volunteered TO go to the island and
nurse the child. Taking along a bundle
Of wraps and some medicines, she board
ed dory and was rowed to the little ISL
and, where she found the child in great
NEEDY of medical attention. When the
physician arrived the little girl was in
| readiness to bs moved, and she and her
brother were taken 70 Biddeford.
The bodies Of the two women were
taken in charge by Undertaken Nadeau,
who conveyed ttci1 to the Picard house
on Main street, Biaaeford Coroner Dem
nett Of Biddeford and Coroner Bradbury
Of. Saco,n were notified and both drove to
the mouth of the river and Investigated
the accident. 1t is probable that no in
quest viii be held.
Picard was a mill operative, about 80
years OF age and his wife was 81. Mrs.
Thompson was 30 years old.
BOSTON HAS CASE.
Boston, July "A boat containing t~o
men capsized on Jamaica Pond this af.
ternoon and one of the occupants, George
Reynolds, % years old, was drowned. His
companion, Henry Door. was saved.
DROWNED AT NEWBURYPORT.
Newburyport, Mass, July "A oat.boat
containing five men was capsized near
the mouth of the Merrimao river this sf
ternoon, and James Stead and Thomas
6racie of Lawrence were drowned. The
other three men. ]. Fitzpatrick of Law
renee, and John O'Sullivan and James
Hern Of this city wers saved In An ex-
hausted condition. The bodies OF the un.
fortunate nen were not recovered
Only an hour later, Annie Carey. Isl
years old, of this city. was rescued from
the water by the keepers of the Newbury-
port lighs and rssusoitated with great
difficulty
ALL MAY BE LOST.
| New York, July 2.--The naphtha launch
Dandy, with seven men, four gomen and