The sun., 1903-07-19
Z. H. LOW DROWNED IN A RACE
LIPTON'S HOST LOST FROM A
CAPSIZED SAILROAT.
HIS Companion Rescued by Capt. Nlgus OF
the Kate--RoDe Slipped From MIR.
Lows Hand. and He Sank I'm Gravesend
Bay-Not Used to Sailing Small Boats.


Lows Hand, and He Sank I'm Gravesenu
Bay-Not Used to Sailing Small Boats.
Edwin H. Low, chairman Of the reception
committee Of the Atlantic Yacht Club, and
a well-known steamship ticket agent, was
drowned by the capsizing Of his knock
about Pickaninny in a race of Sea Gate
yesterday afternoon Mr. Low was sailing
the Pickanniny and on it with him was
Hudson Booth, Jr., 10 years old. son of a
New York contractor, who lives in Surf
avenue, Sea Gate.
sudden heavy squall of wind and rain
struck the boat, overturning it. Low
and Booth were thrown into the water
Booth, who is strong swimmer, was res
cued by Capt. j. s. Nigus of the Kate, a
25-foot yawl. A rope was thrown to Low.
and he grabbed it, but lost his grip and
sank.
Mr.. Low. it is said, had had little expert
ence in sailing boats. The race was for
Glass NJ and smaller craft and was held by
the Atlantic Yacht Club. There were seven
other boats in the race which was started
shortly after O'Clock
There was a strong wind, driving raj n
and heavy sea Chairman J. S. Belo we
OF the regatta committee told the con-
testants that it would be wise to postpone
the race because OF the weather, but the
yachtsmen were so enthusiastic that they
refused to do so.
The race WAS over what is known as the
Yacht Club house and turning stakeboats
at IL. 81 ...ll l.
and Fort Hamilton.
The Pickaninny had rounded the Marine
and Field Club stake and, according to
witnesses OF the accident Mr.. Low had
started to make a tack when the boat cap
sized, She had been beating against the
wind. She went clean over, within 100
yards of the shore and almost directly
opposite the house of the Marine and Field
Club.
Mr.. Low wore heavy suit of oilskins.
Booths clothes were not so heavy and
when he came up he chung TO the CENTRE
board Mr.. Low grabbed the traveller
bar.
Capt. Nigus, who sails and owns the Kate,
was in the race and was astern of the Pick
aninny His wife was on board the boat
When he saw the Pickannny go over
he gave up the race and went to the as
sistance of the two men in the water. When
he got close by. young Booth was to the
windward Of the Kate.
He dropped OF the centreboard and
swan toward the Kate, which was bearing
down on him. Capt. Nigus threw rope
to him and he was hauled aboard
Meantime, Mr.. Low had been crying for
help and calling out that he could not swim
Capt. Nigus brought the Kate up close
to the overturned boat and threw life
preserver to Mr.. Low. He grabbed the
life preserver, and it kept him afoat for
few moments.
Then Capt. Nigus threw him a rope.
The rope had been knotted in several places
with the idea Of preventing it from slipping
through Mr.. Lows hands.
Mr., Low caught the rope and held on to
it for few seconds. Then it seemed to
slip out of his hands, and he sank He
did not come up again. and it is supposed
that the heavy oilskins which he wore
kept him down.
The Kate lowered around for few
minutes and signalled to the Marine and
Field Club for help. The steam launch
Coleman, belonging to the club. cruised
around near where Mr.. Low was drowned
for more than three hours, but the body
did not come up.
The Pickaninny drifted away and was
found about dusk near Sea Gate. almost
two miles away from where she was over
turned. She was towed to the anchorage
of the Atlantic Yacht Club
MIR IpW WAS well known among ynrbta-
men. He was chairman of the Atlantic
Yacht Club committee which has had
charge Of entertaining Sir Thomas Upton
since he has been in this country. Sir
Thomas has been at the club several times,
and to Mr.. Low fell the part of being his
host.
Mr.. Low was also chairman of the enter
tainment committee of the Transportation
Club and member Of the Lotos and the
Lambs clubs. He was about a years old
and was born in New Orleans He was
educated there and came to this city
among steamship men and had tourist
agency at 1923 Broadway. He leaves
widow.
Mr. Low was injured last fall by piece
of lead falling from the top OF the Flatiron
building and striking him on the head.
The accident kept him at home for some
time. Mr.. Low S home was on Atlantic
avenue, Sea Gate.
II was said last night that Capt. Nigus,
whose home is at Sea Gate, had been in
Iured in rescuing young Booth and trying
to save Mr.. Low. II was said that his leg
had been dislocated.
Mrs. Ngus was overcome by the shock
Of seeing Mr., Low drowned and she was
attended by DR.. j. j. Hill
The accident caused much gloom at the
Atlantic Yacht Club last night. A dance
which had been arranged for the evening
was postponed.
II was said that Mr.. Low had never had
any experience in sailing boats in weather
as stormy as 1t was yesterday afternoon.