Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-21
DROWNED IN THE POTOMAC
Sad Death of Michael McGrath While on
Pleasure Excursion. u ]
Small Boat With Eight Occupants
ter-ParticuIars of Affair,

Michael McGrath, nineteen years old. son
of William McGrath, a grocer, in business
at No. 140 l street northeast, was drowned
in the river in front of River View about
$50 o'clock last night He was in a row.
boat with seven friends, and his death was
the result of the small craft being struck
by the steamer Charles Manchester. Philip
f. Brady was also thrown from the small
boat. but he was rescued after he had
f1oated down the river almost as far as
Fort Washington.
The steamer Samuel ]. Pentz took down
a large crowd last night on an excursion
given by the Young Mems Institute of Con-
zaga College. Brady and -McGrath We're
among those who accompanied the party
to enjoy the evening, and they were sue
ccedinsly admirably until the steamer Mac
aIeSter came along. In the small craft
with these young men were James Wilson,
ii. 1verS, Misses Mamie and Jessie Gala
her, Miss Norah Leany and Miss Sullivan.
MI Brady was at the oars, and the party
was enjoying the moonlight night on the
water.
The steamer Manchester was headed up
the river from Marshall Hall with party
OF eXcursionists, who had been at the resort
named with the Knights of the Golden
Eagle Some of those in the small boat saw
the approaching steamer, but not until the
DOW was almost over them did they realize
that they were in danger. 1t was also
about this time that Pilot Ross of the Eyac-
alester discovered the small craft in his
course He lost no time in giving the en-
gneer a signal to reverse his engine and
back the boat. AT the same time he
changed the course of the boat and made
every effort to avoid an accident.
The Crash Comes.
Finally the crash came, and Brady and
McGrath jumped TO their feet to save their
boat and companions. Brady caught hold
is presumed McGrath did the same al
though nobody saw just what he did.
Neither did anybody see him go into the
water When the Manchester hacked water
and moved from the small craft Brady was
seen to fall into the river. Chairs and life
preservers were thrown from the steamer
by eXcursonists. who expected to see all
the occupants of the roWboat thrown over
board. In the event of such an occurrence,
they thought, the presence of the floating
material would be of assistance and would
probably save life.
AS soon as the people the steamer
Pentz realized what had happened First
Officer George Cook lowered lifeboats and
went to the assistance of the party in the
rowboat. McGrath and Brady were miss
ing, but he rescued the other members of
the party and took them ashore. Electro
clan Moore Of the steamer Pentz witnessed
the affair from his boat, and 1t was by his
prompt action, it Is said, that First Officer
Cook had the search light turned on and
stricken people in the boat.
AS soon as the six who were rescued
reached shore inquiries were made for the
missing members of the party. Miss Mamie
Gaiiaher was the first to notice McGraths
absence. She did not see him go overheard,
but she missed him when she looked about
to see if all members of the party were in
the boat. They had been on shore only
short time when Mr.. Brady returned, He
had f1oated down the river, and had been
rescued by Edward Daily, who is employed
at Fort Washington.
An Order to $50 Ahead"
Capt. Blake of the Manchester. was con-
siderably disturbed over the affair. Answers
to inquiries from the boat indicated that
nothing serious had happened An order to
"go ahead from some one In a small boat
was obeyed, and it was due to this that the
Macalester's crew did not remain at the
scene of the accident and lend a helping
hand. When Capt. Randall became aware
of the sad occurrence he directed that his
men render all the assistance possible, and
he also rendered personal service. He sum-
moned some of the members of the Inflated
party and questioned them. 1t was stated
that schooner was moving along the river
near the scene of the accident, and some
of the passengers on the Manchester. as well
as friends of the missing man, imagined he
had been picked up by this boats crew.
Others thought he might have grabbed
life preserver and saved himself. 1t was
known that he not on the Pentz, but,
thinking he had been saved in some way.
his friends hoped that the worst had not
happened.
The affair did not cause much excitement
except among those who were on the
water, and many of the excursionists re-
turned homo with no knowledge that any
thing unusual had happened. Officers Of
the steamer Manchester, who regret very
much the SAD occurrence, say that they
have considerable trouble on the river
after dark to avoid accidents of this kind.
Harbormaster Sutton returned from the
scene of the drowning at 2 oclock this
afternoon. He left two boats crews at the
place, both of whom were dragging for the
body.