Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-09-17
SCO0PED up.
Marvellous Escape Of
Woman from Death.
Automatic Dumping Scow Picks
Up Woman from Water.


4NSW IOTh, sept 1o.~Ahioo
Day, a young department store en-
ployee Of this city, who was one of
party of eight persons upset from a
naphtha launch in the lower hay early
Saturday, had a most remarkable es-
cape from death by drowning. Three of
her companions were swept to the bot
tom when the launch, with disabled en-
gines, was struck by a mud-scow. Miss
Day had gone down with the rest, ana
when nothing was seen of her for hours
afterwards, it was reported she had
drowned. But when the mud-scow had
been towed nearly to its destination
and the deckhands were adjusting the
dumping apparatus at the bottom, they
were startled to find a handsomely
dressed young woman in one Of the
pockets. Miss Day had been literally
scooped out of the water by the dump
ing machinery which had been left 2p-
en- after the crew had discharged its
last cargo at sea. She had been stunn-
ed when the collision occurred and
when found was just regaining con-
scfOusness and beginning to call fecbiy
for help when discovered. Miss Day
is suffering from hysteria ana
nervousness as u result of her expert
ence.
Two women and one man who were
in the launch were drowned. while
three man and one woman, the latter
Miss Mabel Cook, a friend and room
mate of Miss Day, were picked up by
passing craft soon after the accident
Boats remained at the scene of Ihe
collision for some time in the hope of
picking up additional survivors, but it
was concluded all the others had gone
down until the news were received of
Miss Days extraordinary escape.
The party was returning Fridly night
from Sheershead bay, and although Il
stiff gale was blowing and the sea was
high, all went well until the engines
of the launch gave out.
All night long the little craft, the
Sausage. owned by w. w. David of
Jamaica, L. l., drifted heplessly in the
bay. The women suffered severely
from exposure and when daylight came
the men and women occupants of the
boat were overjoyed to find a tug and
two scows in tow making directly Cor
them. They shouted for help but the
tug passed them, the wind sweeping
the second scow against the launch and
causing it to upset. The eight Occu-
pants were in the water in an instant
Still the survivors declare the tug did
not stop. Three of the men and Miss
Cook managed to cling to the upturned
launch until the tug McSandsh Broth
ers and the incoming steamer, IL Pas
co. rescued them.
Miss Day. when brought to her home
in Manhattan. said that in the party
were Mr.. DoddS one said to he William
Dodd. a bookmaker, Miss Cook. ami
two married couples, whose names &rC
did not know. In telling of her cXpe-
rience. Miss Day said:
Il was terribly frightened and al
though 1t all took place in an instant
it seemed lifetime to me. ] was haIi
suffocating and praying for Il breath
Of air. but had presence of mind enough
to feel along with my hands over my
head.
Suddenly like Il cork I bo5bcd up ir
an open space For Il minute [ did not
dare to open my eyes, but just fioatea
calmly and drew in long breaths oi
air.
when I did look up, I was surprised
10 find l was inside of Il wooden square
Finally I secured a resting place or
some chains after having swum for al
hour at least.
by and by an old man looked over
into the well. He said: How the deTj
did you get there?
Il never saw such n scared man il
my life. I yelled: Throw me rope
II you don't want me to drown He
did so. and wound it around my waist
and arm and he pulled me up on deck.