Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
SIX WORKMEN IN PERIL
COLLAPSE OF COFFER-DAM IN
ANACoSTIA RIVER.

Six men who were working for the con-
tractors in putting in the foundations for
the new Anacostia bridge came near losing
their lives yesterday afternoon between 3
and o'clock while employed upon what
was known as coffer-dam No. g. The
opposite sides Of the dam gave way under
the heavy pressure of water and the six
men found themselves submerged. Five OF
them were at the bottom Of the structure.
about thirteen feet below the surface, and
the sixth man, William Lonan, was on
top Of the dam nut was precipitated into
the water. James Gately, thirty-eight years
Of age. who lives at s12 I'd street south
east, received a compound fracture Of the
left leg and liberation Of the right leg.
The other men were William B. Jannett,
322 18th street southeast John Mowatt, No.
Monroe street, Anacostia; John Peters,
1852 9th street southwest; William s. Lo-
man, No. 1903 4th street southeast, and T.
Davis. whose address was not obtained.
The coffer-dam at which the accident
occurred was some distance from the shore
and not far from the draw in the old bridge
at the channel. All the men were fortunately
not be held under the water long enough
to cause suffocation. Gately the only one
Of the six men to receive an injury Of any
consequence, was In a most dangerous posi-
ton for a few seconds after the pressure Of
water caused the dam to give way. He was
caught between the heavy timbers. at the
lliu6 his l6S was broken, anu his failure 10
appear upon the surface of the water with
the others was taken to mean that he had
lost his life.
Cheered When He Appeared.
A cheer went up from the witnesses, how
ever, when they saw the missing man ap-
pear and stretch out his arms to take hold
of the side Of the cofrer-dam that was still
intact. The other men had not all sue
ceeded in getting out when Gately ap-
peared. Even though one leg Of the last
mentioned man had sustained a compound
fracture and his other leg had been LAGER
ated, he was able to draw himself from the
water. All six OF the men were soon on
top of the dam and five Of them were able
to walk over the narrow board to the tenn
the old bridge. 1t was necessary for other
workmen to assist Gately to the bridge.
The men were given no warning of the
impending danger. the first thing they
heard being the noise made by the part
ing of the timbers. They did not have time
| to think or even realize their danger.
How did get out?" repeated one Of the
employees when questioned later about the
accident you may not believe me-" he
added. ''but I don't know. All I know is
| that the water rushed in upon US and that
we were lucky enough to get out with our
| lives"
When 1t became known that the carpen-
| tiers and their helpers were In peril, others
hurried to their assistance, and calls were
| sent out IOT VciicitS dHu puyoACAoio. ho
men were counted as they emerged from
| the water. and when the sixth man had
appeared the excitement abated
Casualty Ambulance Responds.
! The Casualty Hospital ambulance was
| upon the scene shortly after the men got
| out Of the water. and Gately was hurried to
I the institution. DR.. Romaine. who had
! charge of the vehicle. lost no time In adj
ministering remedies to the injured man
| and the driver urged the horse along In
| order to reach the hospital as quickly az
possible. While his condition Is serious.
| the physicians think Gately will recover.
| The carpenters who were at work were
/ putting in some braces to make the sheet
| piling more secure, and had Gately and
! to be ineffective against the strong current