The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-06
SHAMROCKS' CAPTAINS PERIL.
WRINGE NEARLY DROWNED IN
THE SHREVV SBURY RIVER.
He and Beyls In LiptOn's Launch Struck
Bar and Boat Was Hseaohed-Tackle
to Haul Her Out Made Has, to wharf,
which Fell-Crowd Thrown into water


to Haul Her Out Made Eas, to wharf,
which Fell--CrOwd Thrown into water
HIGHLANDS, N. j., Aug. 5-Capt. Robert
Wringe sailing master Of Shamrock Ill,
and Capt. Charles Bevis, skipper OF Sham
rock l.. had narrow escape this evening
when a pier on the Shrewsbury River at
this place collapsed. The English master
mariners were thrown into the water. with
twenty others, including several of the
crew Of the challenger.
Because of dangerous southeastern,
which kicked up a tremendous sea, neither
of the Shamrocks went out to-day. Cap
tains Wringe and Bevis at 4:3O left their
yachts in Sandy Hook Bay and. taking the
large steam launch Buttercup. belonging to
Sir Thomas Upton, started up the Shrews-
burg River to visit some acquaintances
at the Highlands Of Navesink.
The tide was running dowr tho river
ard was the last Of the ebb. When about
abreast of the jackson clubhouse ut Water
Witch the Buttercup struck a sandbar
with such force as to tear out considerable
part Of her planking on the starboard side
near the propeller
The speed of the boat forced her over the
shoal, but it was seen that unless she was
Immediately beached she would founder.
One of the sailors set the pump going, while
Capt. Wringe took the wheel and headed fof
the beach
The water had risen almost to the fur
mace door when the bow Of the Buttercup
took bottom. Capt. Wringe hailed a pass
ing boatman, who took Off the Ave mariners
after the launch had been hauled into
shallow water and secured
An immense crowd had been attracted
to Murphy's wharf by the accident The
wharf was none too safe, even without
crowd, in the twenty-fve-mile wind which
ragged along the Jersey coast this afternoon.
Capts. Wringe and Bevis got a tackle
to haul the stern of the launch out of water.
One end Of the tackle Was fastened to
the stern of the Buttercup and the other
to one of the piles of the wharf There
were fifteen pairs Of brawny arms falling
along on the tackle, and twice that num-
Der OF spectators idly looking on, when
with a great crash that portion OF the
pier which bore the greatest weight fell
Capt. Wringe fell into the water. and
when he came to the surface he found
several other victims holding fast to him.
He attempted to swim, but the weight bore
him down. One of the men held him around
the neck, but he managed to disengage
the arms Of this one. He was in great
danger Of being drowned by George Rock
well and John Parker, who, being unable
to swim, held him fast until a dotilla Of
boats came and rescued all three.
Several men would certainly have been
drowned had 1t not been for the timely
arrival of the boats Capt. Bevls when he
fell struck one of the piles with consider
able force, but had presence Of mind to hold
on to 1t. He was climbing back to the I'M
broken portion of the pier when five men
fell on him. compelling him to release his
hold
He fell into the water and swan toward
William Maxwell, whom he found unable
to keep afoat Bevis assisted Maxwell
to reach Peterss boathouse, 100 feet away.
Meantime lusty arms threw ropes and
life buoys to the others in danger who had
not been picked up by the boatmen.
Peter McDonough, saloonkeeper. who
vi NIc YIN bahVir'
thought the launch had exploded, the pier
with its human freight made such loud
noise when it fell.
Capts, Wringe and Bevis went to the
East View Hotel after the accident, and
the summer sguests provided them with
dry clothing.
1t 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 another
launch The Buttercup remains hero and
will be repaired tomorrow.