The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-28

What was at first thought would be
q double tragedy and hen thought
would only result fatally for one per-
son happened last night and ended up
by being only a goOd ducking for two
men and u scene of wild excitement.
The accident, for such it was, oc-
CURED in Cape Fear river almost di-
rectly off the northern end Of Dock
street pier. and was the upsetting of
a row boat in which were Messrs. Ed.
and Ell Herring, two brothers.. The
boat was knocked over by a scow in
tow of the tug Imperial and both the
occupants of the small boat Werel
thrown into the water. Prompt actionI
on the part of several people ashore,
who witnessed the accident. resulted
III the rescue of Mr.. Ed Herring, while
Mr. Ell Herring saved himself. 1t was
thought at the time that he had been
drowned, but he later turned up cling
ing TO the bottom of the Capsized boat.
1t was about 500 o'clock when the &C
cident occurred and at the time the
down street water front was alive with
people. About five minutes before this
time the two Herrings embarked in
tIIClI DOdly "IICh . 81 lid one dIlu
takes water easily, n commenced to
row down stream, keeping within
twenty years of the wharf on the q
down. Both men had been drinking and
while not intoxicated, showed plainly
the effects. Just as the boat got within
20 Dr. 80 feet of the northern end of Dock
street pier the tug Imperial swung gu
into the stream towing a large scoW,
which was loaded down with a large
party OF cOlOred people going to d
camp meeting at Tow Creek. The
ScoW hit the small boat and roughly
upset it, which threw both of the mer
into the water. Confusion at once e n
sued aboard the scoW and the captain
of the Imperial started to back the
tug but the next instant realized thu
danger of such q move to the men, sc
had the steamer to run ahead and ther
stop.
The accident was witnessed by
Number of people on nearby craft
and aShore. Captain A. a. Milliken
master of h schooner ]. C. Allen, which
had berth nearby, Immediately realized
the situation and to his bravery anC
promptness Ed. Herring owes his life
Captain Milliken, upon seeing the &C
cident, at once put out from his
schooner in a small bOat and rescuet
Ed. Herring. who was sinking for the
third and last time when Captain
Milliken reached him and by a might!
effort pulled him into his boat.
Two cOlOred men, one named jenkins
and the other named Abraham Watson
also acted cOOlly and brayely. They
too, went to the rescue in a small boat
but were unable to find Ell Herring
The night was dark and thev had diff
ffculty perceiving small objects on the
water. Captain Milliken also tried tC
locate the other Herring, but without
success. so he hen rowed to Market
street dock with the man he had res
cued. Upon his arrival the nearly
drowned man received immediate at
tentiOn. DR.. A. H. HarriSS admins
tered to his needs and then he was
sent to the James Walker Memorial
hospital. where he is now doing well
a careful but fruitleSS search was
made for Ell Herring. n he was
given up for lost. but an hour or so at
forwards he was found clinging to the
bottom of the overturned boat. In some
manner he had saved himself
The Herrings are middle aged men
and live in the southern part of the
city. The We're on heir way home
when the accid mt occurred.
The occurrence created great excite
ment and the river front was lined with
people for sometime after the happen
ing of the accident.
Later last night poor Ell Herring
was found dow and drunk at Ninth
and Brunswick streets by Police Ser
Sean Burnett and arrested. He is now
"a station house.