Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-09
DROWNED IN APPOMATTOX.
A Sad Ending to n Yachting Trip
other Mention.

PETERSBURG, VA, July S.-(Special)
A sad ending to a pleasure trip occurred
in the Appomattox river between ~ and
o'clock this morning about seven miles
below this city. Mr.. Martin Lambert,
aged about % years, and one OF the most
popular and Wideiy-knOWn businessman
In Petersburg, yesterday afternoon en-
gagged the steam yacht Scotch Cap TO
take a party of friends-ladies and gen.
tlemen-on a pleasure trip down the
James river. The party numbered ten or
dozen happy souls. They landed, ana
spent some time at Jordans Point light
house, on the Prince George side Of the
river, some miles below City Point and
so timed their return as TO enjoy the
cool night breeZes. Everything went well
until the yacht reached a point in the
Appomattox river near what Is known
as Sunken Island, where the government
buOy-tender Violet was anchored in the
channel. Mr.. +. Is. Clements, the owrer
OF the yacht, who was managing the
helm at the time, turned his boat in to-
wards the shore TO avoid running too
close to the Violet. In doing 50 he got
into very shallow water and the scotch
Cap. which only draws IL feet OF
water, ran aground. She was backed OH
in few minutes, and Mr. Clements sus-
gested that he might pass the violet at
close range and at slow speed. Mr.. Mar
tin Lambert, who was conversing WIN
a lady at the time, approved the suBgeS-
ton. and started back TO notify the en-
gineer to slow up. To do this he had TO
pass along a very narrow gangway with
no outer rail protection. Almost imme-
diately after he started back heavy
.ho xra
alarm was given that MIR. Lambert had
fallen overheard. The yacht was stopped
at once. and preparations were speedily
made TO rescue the young man. Ropes
and life-preservers were ready to be
thrown him as soon as he should be SEEN
When seen he was apparently swimming
oyer-handed. but moving in the direction
of the channel instead of towards the
shore He was evidently confused by the
darkness and by his inability 10 swim
well. His friends called to him TO know
If he needed help, but he made no reply
and before a life-preserVer could fedch
him he sank TO rise no more. One OF the
gentlemen plunged into the water after
him, but was unsuccessful In nndlhB
him. For an hour or more every EFFORT
was made TO recover the body, but with
out avail, and the party at late hour
came up to the city, saddened over the
loss of their friend The deceased was
the only son Of Mr.. Richard Lambert,
prominent dry-goods merchant of the
city. 10 whom the shock caused by the
announcement of the sons death was
overpoweTing.
1t is supposed that in walking the mar
row gangway of the yacht, Mr.. Lambert
made a misstep, or that he stumbled ana
fell. 1t is also thought by some that as
he fell directly at the side OF the boat
he was drawn under, and probably struck
by the propeller. He was an Indifferent
swimmer
Parties have been dragging the river IN
the vicinity of the scene OF the accldeht
all day, but up TO this hour nothing has
been heard from.
Mr.. Lambert was a young man OF hne
business capacity, of splendid character
and was an active worker in the church
and Sunday school. He was very popu-
lar in society and enjoyed the love and
respect of large circle of acquaint-
ances. His sad death is universally de-
plored.
In connection with the case 1t was re-
marked by a gentleman to-day that for
many years past the deaths by drowning
in the Appomattox have averaged five
per year, and that Mr.. Lamberts was
the third one this season.