Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-19

night on James river, in small
boat, with only a single blanket for cover
ing. does not appeal to ones sense OF
comfort; and when to the hardstips OF
such an experience is added the mental
anxiety OF uncertainty as to the safety
of a new $4,000 yacht the cup of bitter
ness would in the minds of most men,
be filled to the hrim.
For twsn.yfour hours. beginning wed
nesday night, a trio Of Charles City
county men lived hard at Chains
Bluff. and Mr.. II. S. Saunders's yacht
the Amalie. careened for hours at a
time at an angie CT Is degrees. threat
ening every minute to turn clear over
The Amalia started from her anchor
age at Upper Shirley Wednesday. pro-
PEELED by the tug AIgie. Richmond was
the destination. and the object of the
trip was to turn the vessel into the Trigg
yards for overhaulng and repairs
On board were Messrs. Saunders the
owner; Mr.. William II. Bell and his son.
Mr.. James NJ. Bell. all prominent citi-
zens Of James City county. Expecting to-
reach the city in time for supper. no
provisions were placed aboard at shi--
ley.
Awakened III the Night.
chored opposite Chains Bluff. about
O'Clock in the evening 1t was the pur-
pose of the party to spend the night there
having altered there original plan 81
coming to Richmond. Anchor was cast
and at T. NJ. al! hands turned in 10
sleep. An hour later, the vessel began
to drag her anchor. approaching shallow
water near the shore. and. at II P N
the Messrs. Sell. father and son. were
aroused by the shout of Mr.. Saunders
Get up the boat is turning over.
When they reached the deck the yacht
was cdreeninC at an angle OF about "a
degrees, so that 1t was Impossible fo-
one to walk about. With great difficulty.
small launch was finally gotten over
board, and into this the three men sun
b2d, taking with lnen a single blanket
that fortunately lay near at hand
shivered Four Hon-s.
For four hours the shivering mai
watched the ressei-t trim craft. baauti
fully finished and comparatively new
as she lay there HELPLESS auts in rlornen.
tary danger of going down
Two OF the ulen-Mr. Saunders and JEc
elder Mr.. Bell. stretched out in the s.n2il
boat, and essayed TO ward off the stiff
river wind that came around the bluff
cold and biting. Mr.. James Bell finding the
cold almost unbeartbie, decided TO make
try Tor the land. He was rowe6 as close
as possible to the shore. and, making u
leap, landed safe. The rest of the time hs
employed in thawirg out over q small
fire that he lost no time In building.
Oversight Themselves.
About 3 A. NJ. the Amalie was out OF
danger, and had very nearly resumed
her normal position. The men again wanf
on board. intending to sleep until high
tide. about . O'Clock. when it was though.
the vessel might be pulled off. UufortG~
nately, however. all hands. tired ard
worn out, slept until O'Clock. and awoh<
10 find the vessel again lying over on hsx
side
1t was exasperating. but the situatior
could not be helped then. There was moth,
ing TO do but to make the best o. II
Word was sent 20 Richmond of the en-
harrassmsnt of the party, and assistance
Went down in the afternoon. when the
tugs Sallie Ross and the Alice S, from
this city, drew alongside the Ana!e
and pulled her out into deep water.
Felt Panxs of Hunger.
Before the tugs arrived. however, the
men on the yacht were ravenously hun
CRY. as one might we'll imagine. NJ
James Bell was sent on skirmishing e?I-
pedition into the sparSeiy-settled countr>.
and returned. after a long time, with pro-
visions that sutttced in the emergency.
1t was 10 O'Clock last night when the
AmaIie anchored short distance from
the Old Dominion wharf. apparently mono
the worse for her dangerous experience
off the lonely bluff.
The Ama!ie is about 20 feet IN length,
Is feet beam, and is fitted out with gase-
line engine. electric appliances. tsle-
phones. and rish furnishings, She IS said
TO have cost upwards OF 5000