The Washington times., 1904-08-14
FOUR WOMEN AND SIX MEN DROWNED IN THE POTOMAC

- - - II
same rapidly as the women. The re-
naming four men in the boat saved
themselves by swimming to shore.
distance OF barely thirty feet.
The Survivors.
The sury lvors are:
DR.. c. W. Wagner druggist, iSl l.
Street.
J. Allan Woulfe, printer, 1906 Sixth
Street northwest.
DIT. Charles A. Stewart, dentist, 400
Sixth Street.
William c. Lederer. craftsman, 1l07
Sixth Street northwest
Many features combined to make the
disaster one OF the worst in the history
OF water accidents on the Potomac River
in the vicinity of Washington.
Totally Unexpected.
Principal of these was the swiftness
with which the accident occurred. The
boat upset so suddenly, and the victims
were drowned so swiftly that it was
scarcely noticed at the time.
Bands Of music were playing. crowds
were cheering and the whole river front
the second race. single scull contest,
had opened and the oarsman wearing
the local colors was forging to the
front at a pace that promised fair for
his victory.
Two Enthusiastic Girls.
Two OF the young girls in the i'll
fated boat. Hazel Hizer and Helen
Moore. were themselves displaying all
the enthusiasm due the ocasion% They
had armed themselves with little tin
horns and long streamers of ribbon with
which to cheer their favorites to victory.
They had come down from their homes.
short distance away. Knowing the men
I'm the boat. the girls. who were stand
Ing on a wet wall just north of Cissey's
mill. together with Bertha Setback and
her sister. Mrs Dreyfuss accepted the
invitation Of their friends 10 step aboard
the boat
Down, Down to Death.
They had barely time to settle them
selves comfortably In their seats when
the accident occurred
The tragedy seemed TO have little de-
pressing effect on the gala gathering at
first Indeed. few persons except those
IN the boalS III the ltllliltN4dlc Vicinity
seemed TO have the Slightest inkling of
what had happened until q very long
time afterward.
Tumult Continues.
The jubilant music Of the bands from
the excursion boats along the course
swept over the water The tumult and
the shouting of the spectators con-
tinued as the races progressed; and yet
within an arms reach almost OF a
thousand onlookers the lives OF ter
young people, and but a few minutes
before joyful men and women, had been
suddenly lost
Left Not a Ripple.
Three minutes after the Recreation
sank there was nothing 70 show on tht
surface Of the water even that a des
perate struggle had taken place before
one or two straw hats nOaJed about
The boat had completely disappeared be
meath the water, its canvas cover huns
on the surface loosely: the four mel
who had escaped had disappeared. ant
apparently with great rapidly Their
was no one close at hand who evel
seen:ed to know the names of anyon
In the party.
Boy Sees Sister Drown.
On the shore, however. only a few fee
away. where the boat pulled off. Wa
Linwood Moore fourteen years OF age
who had just assisted in putting hi
seventeen-year-old sister, Helen. aboard
The boy saw the catastrophe TO IN
boat with bulging eyes. Realizing tina
something terrible had happened. h
rushed home to his mother and. told o
the capsizing. The mother fully realize
later the dreadful extent Of the acct
dent when her daughters dripping bod
was brought ashore.
No rescuings of any kind were effecte
by outsiders IN connection with the &C
cident.
mis- was probably due TO the cond
tions OF the river, which had neces
saTily y be kept clear Of small crai
while the SOULS were out on the cours,
First to the Rescue.
The first 10 come within close v
cinity Of the upset boat was the pres
boat Georgetown. on which were
number Of newspaper men and tW
clergymen. the steamer BarthOldi. whic
was acting as 2 guests boat having
number OF guests OF the club on boar
and the police boat Vigilant Il wa
N
Brooke Amiga, p son OF Lieutenar
RsssIss. OF the Metropolitan force. leape
aard IN the effort 10 effect a rescu,
y himself barely able 10 gain
= server that had been flung OF
had bravely attempted to reac
n who was just going down. tn
boat Itself caught in the swirl {
drrent was unable 20 get IN clos
Ylimity 20 those sinking. but D..
OBSERVERS were thrown over
Woman Nearly Saved.
At the end Of a barge tied close
Ehore a man named George Lowe he'
but long pole. and 20 this a womal
tho Lowe says was supported BY ma
cached mp and chung. but. fainting wit
Feakness. released her hold and san
ack again. The man also went down.
Small boats from the shore and fro
he BarthOldi and VigiIaut soon gathe
20 over the scene, and a close waite
was kept for the appearance Of bodie
The United States torpedo boat Taibo
on which were distinguished guests, We
some distance on on the opposite 81
Of the course. and the Presidents yacl
lay out IN the stream. about 90 ware
away. Rescue boats were sent fro
the Sylph.
Saavch for RodiaS