The evening Republican., 1902-05-16
STEAM YACHT RUNS
Down F|SHERMEN'S BOAT
Samuel Rodman and His Son Harry
Drowned off of New Castle as a Re-
suit of Their Boat Being run Down
by the Steam Yacht Marietta
of Philadelphia.

New Castle, DEL, May 16.-Cap.
tain Charles G. Platt OF the steam
yacht Marietta, Of Philadelphia, may
bless his stars that he succeeded in
leaving New Castle yesterday after
noon.
Nearly one hundred angry men Ia
ter gathered at the Delaware street
wharf and denounced the captain for
running nown a shad boat and drown
ing two men.
The unfortunate men Samuel Rod
man and his son Harry of No. APO S.
Clayton street, Wilmington, accord
ing to the statements of eye witness
es it is alleged that the steam yacht
could have steered clear OF the boat
and net. Even some Of the fishermen
allege that the captain told them If
they did not get out of the way he
would turnover them. Fishermen de-
clared openly here yesterday after
noon that the contents Of shot guns
would be the proper way totfeaL such
blood thirsty people. 1t u nothing
but the solid truth that the entire
people of the city are agitated over
the murder of the defenccless men.
Captain Platt may be able to explain
how the steam yacht followed the
course she did but the people here
doubt if he can do SO.
Rodman and his son had spent the
day fishing and were taking their net
aboard when the fatal collision hap
pened. The captain of the yacht
says steam was shut off and that the
men jumped overheard before the
yacht struck the shad boat. Two
fishermen from Pennsgrove assert
that the Marietta plowed right into
the keel Of the boat and then the
men we're thrown into the river and
disappeared. They maintain that the
captain could not have seen the men
come to the surface Of the water. 1t
is fortunate thing that the yacht
preceded to Philadelphia for in adj
dition to the general principle of the
men being run down Rodman has
brother-in.law, William Hanson, re-
siding in this city.
1t was about S Is O'Clock when the
Marietta steamed Of New Castle
Fifteen minutes later launch from
her containing Captain Charles c.
Pratt, put in here to report the dis
aster. TO Magistrate James Mr.. Van
arsdalen. Captain Pratt said. The
Marietta was on her way to Phi'a-
delphia where she is owned by r. NJ.
Carson, Of Chestnut Hill. |
have been following the water |
for thirty years and this is the first |
time ever met with such painful !
occurancc. l always try to avoid |
running into The meas nets. As the
Marietta approa ched this boat tho
men signalled to US to 60 one side
and then to 60 to another. They |
seemed confused and finally we went
ahead but shut oil steam. As we
we're about to strike their boat the |
men jumped overheard when they
came to the surface OF the water they
were locked in each others arms. We
tried to find the men but were un-
able 10 co so am perfectly willing
to make affidavit to this statement. /
Magistrate VanarSdalen informed
Captain Pratt that Coroner Frick
would need his testimony under oath.
Among the fishermen 10 the neigh
borllood at the time were the Tum-
bIa Brothers Of Pennsgrove, N. J.
Their statement, is thst the yatch
powed right into the boat staving in
her keel and side with such a force
thai the unfortunate men we're
k Knocked from their boat and met