The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-22
DROWNED FROM A DREDGE.
John Keenan's Body Dug Up With
River Mud by Dredge Dipper.

River Mud by Dredge Dipper.
John keenan,, employed on the dredge
Babcock, was drowned in the Savannah
river some distance west Of the city
Wednesday night and his body was recov-
cred esterday morning. The remains
were brought to the surface in the dredge
Upper along with quantity Of mud. The
body was well in the dipper with the legs
protrudiug and the eft thigh was broken
by the iron sides closing on Il.
The drowning OF keenan, was the SC
ond from the government dredge in a
month. Just 80 days ago Engineer Carl
Linderman was drowned in the river near
Smart's mill. Ne one saw him fan over
board and the drowning was similar in
every way 10 that in which Keenan, was
the victim.
Because OF the fact that two men had
lost their lives while at work on the
dredge and that TO one had seen Kee-
nan fall overheard Coroner Keller decided
to hold an inquest. This was done last
night. and after a complete investigation
the coroner's jury agreed that Keenan,
mad been accidentally drowned All of
the evidence went 10 show that this was
the case. and there was not a suspicious
circums lance. Keenan, was vel thought
OF BY all Of the men on his shift and b.
the boats officers, and his tragic death
cast a gloom over those employed on the
dredge.
Capt. Harry Hendricks was in charge
OF the dredge when the unfortunate man
lost his life. keenan, went on duty at S
O'Clock in the afternoon and was last seen
by the captain shortly after T. keenan,
was attending 20 the I'LL" and at O'Clock
was sent out on the pontoons with all
hands All of the men returned to the
dredge and Capt Hendricks saw light
on the pontoon line about twenty min
utes later. He was sure it was held by
Keenan,, for no one else had any business
or the line A few minutes later the cap
tain desired to see Keenan, and sent
man to look for him. He could not be
found on the fill, a point ashore where
the mud is dumped. The work was shut
down and a search was begun for Kee-
nan. 1t was kept up until midnight, at
which hour the tide was 50 strong that
the search had to be abandoned. The
dredge was at a point in the river opDo-
site the guano works and the work was
continued until morning. Capt. Hendricks
stated to the coroner's jury that he had
heard no cries or even a splash in the wa
ter. He reported the disappearance of
Keenan, to Capt. Pritchard of the day
shift.
John Healey, deck hand on the Babcock,
was the last person to see Keenan, alive.
At 7S0 o'clock he cleaned out the tubes
and returned to the water barrel on deck.
Keenan, has just finished drinking. The
two talked for several minutes in a pleas
ant sort of way and keenan, told Healey
Of certain engagements that he expected
to keep on the following day He was in
the best spirits and seemed to anticipate
a great deal of pleasure in what he had
on foot. Healey returned to another part
Of the dredge and said that he had only
been there a minute or two when he
CHANGED to look around. He saw keenan,
with a light going out on the pontoon
line toward land. He was alone and that
was the last time that he was seen alive.
Healey heard no sound, and it is not
known just when the unfortunate man
fell into the water
Capt. John ]. Prftchard was in charge
Of the day Shift and the matter
was reported to him in the
morning. About II 80 o'clock the dredge
dipper brought up Keenan's body. about
zoo feet from the pOntoon line. His Ian
tern has not yet been found. The drown
ing was Immediately reported to Coroner
Keller, and the remains were brought to
the city.
keenan, was born in Ireland and was
q years Of age. tie came to this city from
New York with the dredge. and was
faithful workman. The officers speak OF
him in the highest terms, and there was
no one on the boat who had the slightest
fault 20 find with him. He was a fine
specimen of manhood and his manners
were pleasant. His father resides in Phil
adelphia and was notified Of the homicide
last night. It is not yet known what dis
position viii be made of the body, and il
may be inferred in Savannah