Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-18
SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD
HOUSE, BOAT wATCHMAN PROF.
. ABLY DROWNED. -
Police Boat Searching for His Body
Craft Sunk by the
Storm.

Tho crew Of tho police boat went to the
basin below the bathing beach yesterday
afternoon about o'clock to search for the
body Of Thomas McCuen. vino was suppos-
ed to have been drowned during the severe
storm Monday night when the house boat
Of the Capital Yacht Club went down In
about ten feet Of water. McCuen was en-
ployed on the boat as Waterman, having
accepted the position only four days ago.
He was about forty-fve years old and his
home was In New York. He came here with
the racfng men. It ID stated, and was %
well pleased with the city that he remained
after the departure Of the horses.
James r. Nash had charge of the boat
and he took McCuen to the craft and had
him there as an assistant until last week.
when Nash resigned and secured the posi-
ton for the New Yorker. Policeman Bana-
gan, who Is detailed for duty at the bath
ing beach, was told yesterday that the boat
was partly under water and that man
O. clock the night before. It was afterward
learned that McCuen had visited the crew
Of one Of the dredGers Tuesday night and
did not return to his boat until about 10
o'clock.
Policeman Pat Creagh reached the basin
short time after his brother officer had
been told of the trouble with the boat Pre-
cinet Detective Lynch Of the third precinct
worked with the others in their efforts to
find the watchmans body. They found the
clothes Of the supposed drowned man float
ing in the partly submerged boat, and 70
liceman Banagan thought he touched his
body when he pulled from the bottom or the
boat a piece Of the shirt McCuen was sup
posed to have worn when he was visiting
on the dredge Tuesday night, the time he
was last seen.
Watchman's Clothing Found.
Heavy cables fastened the house boat to
the sea wall and two long pIanks from the
wall to the boat were used by the watch
man in approaching or leaving the property
in his care
The first thing the police endeavored to
ascertain was whether he had gone down
with the boat His bed was In the corner
Of the boat nearest the wall, and the doors
leading to his sleeping apartment were
partly open. It was apparent that they
to 20 down, for 1t Is believed the .watchman
would not have gone to bed and left them
open. 1t was certain that he had not cross
ed the gang plank, for the only footprints
by the pet cat that was kept on the boat.
This animal had made Its way to the bath
ing beach and sought the protection OF Po-
Hceman Bannigan.
Being satisfied that the mans body was
In the water the policemen used their hooks
In and about the boat, but without success.
They had worked there more than two
hours before the arrival Of the crew of the
police boat. Then Policemen Perry, Lewis
and Passeno entered small boat and drag
ged the river for the body, but departed
without finding 1t. Their task was &C.
we're one. for not only would their oars be-
come covered with ice. but their boat was
also covered with ice and snow, and the
temperature of the water also caused them
+ suffering
Condition Of Boat Unsafe.
Mr.. Nash visited the scene Of the acct
dent after a Star reporter informed him OF
what had occurred, and recovered a portion
OF his personal property. He said he had
reported to his employers the unsafe con-
dition Of the boat. AS soon as it would
reach rough water. he stated, the seams
would admit the water, Last summer the
boat went down under swells from the
steamer Charles Manchester, and since then
the members of the club have discussed the
propriety of Bleaching It. It Is likely that
the boat will be raised and taken from the
river
Mr. George H. Bright Is commodore of
the club and Mr.. John E. Taylor Is secre-
tary. This morning the police boat return
ed to the basin and the crew renewed the
search for the body.