New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
OARSMEN NEARLY DROWN.
COLUMBIA CREW, SWAMPED BY A
CHOPPY SEA IN THE HUDSON, ARE
SAVED IN THE NICK OF TIME.

Oarsmen of Columbia University had narrow
escape from drowning yesterday when the shell
of the third varsity crew swamped off the
New-York Central freight yards, at One
hundred and thirty-second-st. and the Hudson
River. The shell capsized. and to save them
selves the men had to plunge headlong into the
icy water The swirIing current tossed them
hither and thither. and able swimmers as they
were they could do nothing against the angry
sea that opposed them. L. Moen A. B. Hull and
r. S. Conklin sank beneath the waves. and.
cept for timely help from the shore. they would
have drowned Boats put out from land. and
ropes thrown from the sides OF scows to
the struggling men. All rescued by dint Of
hard work and blue with cold and. in some
cases naked and unconscious they were taken
to the shore. where they revived by
surgeon from the ]. Hood Wright Hospital who
had been hastily summoned
The annual move of the Columbia crews from
the Harlem TO the Hudson River was determined
upon for yesterday by Edward Hanlan. the Co
lumbia coach. The first and second 'varsities.
accompanied by Edward Hanlan, in the launch
Columbia. set out for the bOathOuse at One
hundred and -ffteenth-st. and Riverside Drive
about noon. When they reached the Hudson
the water was choppy that the crews crossed
the river and started for their boathouse in the
Despite the shipping of much water. they
reached the float at the house in safety The
Hudson. under the influence OF strong wind,
was getting constantly rougher. that when
the third varsity set out for the boathouse
some time after the other crews had gone. the
river was tumultuous OF angry whitecaps-
Their ominous appearance made the men fear
full of attempting TO cross to reach the coveted
water on the other side. so they determined to
It'd 1orr
struggled along but the stiff breeze blowing
hard across the wide sweep of the river made
great lashing waves that quickly filled the light
and fragile shell. BaiIing resorted to, but
as fast as the water thrown out another
wave came in to take its place At One-hun-
dred-and- thirty third and -hundred-and-thir-
tv-secOnd sts are the docks of the New-York
Central Railroad. The 1utting piers and piles
form buIwarks that send the breakers back IN
twisting powerful masses. Into these the little
boat went. and the waves quickly filled the boat
till she sank to her outrigsers. The shell drifted
on toward the piles. but the men realized that
~ he caught there with no chance of stemming
the current meant death and began TO jump
overheard.
A. B. Hull was the first TO go. and in going he
put his foot right through the boat This let in
the water faster than ever, and she was quickly
submerged The men struggled in the water.
their movements hindered by their heavy wool
len tights which stuck around their ankles
Their cries for help attracted the notice or the
workmen on the piers. and Immediately EFFORTS
were made to rescue them Before tne rescuers
reached the men. Moen had gone down twice
and Conklin had disappeared but both were
saved in the nick of time they were about 70
sink finally. The other men in the boat-huIi'
SNYDER La Roche, Harrison, Carter and Jones,
the coxswain-managed to keep their heads
above the water until some were picked up
from the sides of the scows Snyder ana south SOUTH
ack succeeded at last in reaching shore arter
they had several times escaped the vortex OF
the whirlpool
The rescued men were suffering from cOIu anu
fright and required heroic measures on the part
of the doctor. They We're taken into the freight
station where they rested. and after some time
went home in borrowed clothing through the
generosity of the railroad employees. whose KIND
ness they praised in unmeasured terms.
The shell, valued at 5000 is a total wreck
having been split in two.