The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-06

precipitated into the water with 20 others,
Including several OF the crew OF the chal-
ienger.
Because OF a dangerous southeaster
which kicked up a tremendous sea- Meth
er OF the ShamroclNs engaged In trial
today. Captains Wringe and Bevis at 4'oo
left their yachts in Sandy Hook bay and
taking the large steam launch Buttercup,
belonging 10 Sir Thomas Upton, started
UP the Shrewsbury river TO visit some
American acquaintances at the Highlands
OF Navesink The tide was running down
the river at the last ebb. When about
abreast OF the Jackson club house AT
Waterwitch the Buttercup struck a sand
bar with such terrific force as TO tear out
n considerable portion OF her planhng
on the starboard side near the propeller
The water rushed I'm at great rate, but
the speed of the boat forced her over the
shoal and 1t was seen that unless she was
Immediately beached she would founder,
a heavy cross sea being tossed up by
the wind in the river at the time.
CRAFT WAS SINKING.
There were three sailors of the chal-
lenger in charge OF the launch ana one
OF these set the pump going. whlle capt;
Wringe took the wheel from another OF
the tars who had been steering and head-
ed her for the beach. The water had
risen almost to the funace door, when
Capt. Wringe hailed a passing boatman,
who took of the Ave mariners after the
launch had been hauled into shallow wa
ter and secured.
An immense crowd had been attracted
to Murphy's wharf by the accident This
wharf Is located at the foot OF the mn
and Is within 800 feet OF the bridge used
by the Central railroad In crossing the
Shrewsbury. 1t was never an over sub
stantial affair. and was none too sire,
even without a crowd In the S-mile blow
which ragged along the Jersey coast yes
Capts Wringe and Bevis with the three
sailors had landed and procured watcn
tackle for the purpose OF hauling the
stern OF the launch out of water to -
certain her exact injuries. One end OF
the tackle was fastened 10 the ASrn OF
the butter cup and the other end was
secured to one OF the piles OF the wharf
The plight and popularity OF the
Shamrock's sailors brought any number
OF willing hands TO the scene to haul
on the tackle in the work OF getting
the Buttercup as far in shore as possible.
There were Is pairs OF brawny arms taiE-
ing along on the tackle and twice that
number OF spectators looking on, when
with a great crash that portion OF the
pier which bore the greatest weight fell.
Capt. Wrnge was among the first TO
fall dnto the water and when he came
TO the surface he found several other
victims holding on to him. He attempt
ed to swim, but the weight bore him
down. One of them held him around the
neck. but he managed TO disengage the
arms OF this one. Capt Wringe was In
great danger. OF being carried down by
George Rockwell and John Parker, who
being unable to swim, held nim rs in a
vice. until a fotlla OF boats, attracted 10
| the scene by the shouts OF those on
shore, CAM along and rescued all three.
MANY LIVES IN DANGER.
The water seemed full of excited men,
| several OF whom would certainly have
/ been drowned had II not been for the
| timely arrival OF the boatmen. In all
! about Is feet of the pier had collapsed
and In falling Capt. Bevis struck one OF
! the piles with considerable force. but
| had sufficient presence of mind to hold
| on TO Il.
He was attempting to climb back to the
unbroken portion OF the pier when fve
men fell on top OF him compelling him to
release his hold. and he, too. fell back In
| to the water. and then swan toward
| William Maxwell whom he found unable
| TO keep afioat. Bevis assisted Maxwell TO
reach Peters boat house. hundred feet
| away.
! Meantime lusty arms threw ropes and
life buoys to the others In danger, who
had not been picked up by the boatmen.
! Joseph Keegan, a member OF the Mari
time Exchange, who aided IN the work OF
rescuing said that IL was miraculous that
no lives were lost.
Peter McDonough, saloon keeper.
who picked up one OF the Shamrock sail
ors was OF the impression that the
launch had exploded. the pier with It's
human freight made such a loud noise as
| Il fell.
Capts wringe and Bevis went To the
East View hotel after the accident. and
the summer guests provided them with
| dry clothing.
II was found that the launch was too
| badly damaged to permit immediate re-
pairs. and the English sailing. masters
had TO return TO the Shamrocks in anoth-
er launch. The Buttercup remains here
and will be repaired today.