Waterbury Democrat., 1902-09-22
MEN IN PERIL
While Fishing Off Woodmont
 the Boat Overturned.

The Young Son of James E. Watts Had
 Narrow Escape-Not Being Able to
 Swim He Was in Danger of Drown-
 ing When James E. Harrington
 Reached Him-All Hands Clung to
 the Overturned Boat Until Help
 Reached Them from the Shore,
 There are several Waterbury gentle men and one young Waterbury lad who will not soon forget the experiences they had yesterday in and out of sailboat off Fort Trumbull beach, near Milford. On Thursday last James 10. Watts invited party of his friends to visit him at his cottage in Woodmont. Great plans had been made for fishing expeditions and up to yesterday after noon success had attended the effirts of the jolly fishermen. The members of the party besides MT Watts were his l0-year-oid son Joseph, D. E. F. Mo- Mahon, business manager of the Wa terbury Democrat; w. F. Quigley. well known blacksmith; Edward F. Moran. general delivery clerk at the postotfice; James B. Harrington. proprietor of the night lunch cafe; Richard Martin, a William J. Histon, a machinist. printer at the Waterbury. Printing Go and Andy" Johnson, the well known hack driver
 In their fishing trips up to yesterday afternoon they had been using Ward Porter's boat, and nothing had nap pened to mar the trip. That boat had been engaged for yesterday afternoon, however, and another one was pressed into service. This was a flat bottom affair and vas not as safe as the Por- ter boat. So anxious were the mem bers to have one final roundup of the fish, however, that they embarked with the owner, George Fitzpatrick, in charge. The boat had several more people on board than on any other day as the party had been augmented by some Waterbury gentlemen who ar rived at the shore yesterday. There was some nlisgivings as to the in- creased load, but the old fishermen of the party assured the others that it was all right 1t was for q time, and all were enjoying the sail when suddenly change came. The majority of those on board had been sitting on the wind ward side when suddenly the wind changed and the boom swung over. The boat at once turned turtle and without moments warning the whole party was dumped into the water. A little squall had sprung up at the same time and the waves beat around the overturned boat and the occupants who were struggling to save them selves. Fortunately all were able to swim with the exception of MF Watts's son Joe, and he was in q fair way to drown when James E. Harrington went after him and brought him to the side of the boat and held him above water. The others managed to get holds on the bottom and sides of the boat and there they clung, long distance from shore and with no help in sight.
 It was a fortunate thing for the members of the party that the accident happened in the daytime, because had not the accident been witnessed from shore some of those cIinging to the boat would be missing today. T. J. Falls owns a gasoline launch at Fort Trumbull Beach and witnessing the ac. cident, he put off with all speed for the scene. He reached there just in time for some of those who were clinging to the overturned boat were almost ex hausted. All were safely taken on board the launch and landed at Fort Trumbull Beach. Word was at once sent to Waterbury to allay all fears among their friends in this city and dry clothing was sent down to the stranded fishermen. All arrived home to-day and it is pretty good betting that not one of the party would go out in a sailboat again for fortune. It was q very lucky escape and the rescued party owes much to the owner of the launch.
 A peculiar thing in connection with the sail was that Mir McMahon had been sailing the boat for some little time before the accident and ten min. I utes prior to the upset he relinquished his position to the owner of the boat. who was in charge when the collapse came. There are some who are in- clined to the belief that had he re. mained in charge the boys would not have, been treated to a free bath and q good scare.