The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-10
Perth AmbOy Young Men
Lost in Raritan When
Launch Catches Fire.
THREE OTHERS RESCUED
Thrown Overheard by Explosion
as They Fight to Beat Out
Flames IS Cling to Gutted
Craft Until Strength
Gives Out.
[speclal % the Evenlne star.l

dxEYPORT. Oct 10.-Four youths, all
residents of Perth Amboy. were
drowned last night in Raritan Bay,
between Keyport and the Red Bank
lights, after a. naphtha launch, which
had caught fire from a lighted match
dropped into its bottom by one of them,
exploded. Three others, also residents
of Perth Amboy, were near death when
rescued, having been swimming in the
cold waters for an hour before help
came.
None of the bodies of the four young
men has been recovered, although
searchers are dragging the waters for
them.
The dead are
Harry Carter, employed in the First
National Bank of Perth AmbOy.
Edward Olsen, also employed In "a
Perth Amboy bank.
Floyd WcHOse. an employee of the
Atlantic Terra Gotta works.
Charles Wickburt. an employee of the
SiRley a. Pittnau Glass Works.
Those rescued are William Hoinsley,
Harry Rovecee. and Nelson Mccain.
McHose it was who, in lighting
cigarette, carelessly threw the match
to the bottom of the boat, and 1t was
McHose who was the first to sink.
After the flames had spread all around
them, and the engine had exploded
upsetting the launch, the seven young
men, chung to it's side until the cold
finally forced them to let go.
As McHose was going--demn-for. the
second time he cried to Harry Rovecee.
one of those rescued: For Gods sake,
save me, Harry Rovecee heard his
appeal and swan to his assistance
When he reached him McHose clung to
his neck, so that he was unable to aid
him. Seeing that If he did not let go
both of them would be lost, Rovecee
was forced to break his companions
hold and McHose went down for the
last time.
The other five had not been clinging
to the side of the boat long when the
heavy tides tossed it into the air, leaV-
ing the six in the water. Three of
them, the three who were later rescued
swan towards it and succeeded in
clinging to it's sides until help came
The other four, in their frenzy, swan
in the wrong direction. They did not
long survive, being benumbed from the
cold and weak from their struggle in
the water.
The others, however, did not give
up hope when they saw their com
panions drown. They cried for aid,
and were finally seen by the crew of
the freight boat ST. Michael which
runs between Keyport and New York
A small boat was put off from the
freight and the three taken ashore.
Physicians were summoned to the
Pavilion Hotel, where the young men
were taken, and they were resuscitated.
McCann, besides the exhaustion, sus-
tained a sprained arm.
Their parents reached Keyport last
night They were grief-stricken over
the tragedy. The. young men were
widely known in Perth Amboy and
vicinity. They were all members of
the Raritan ball team, of which Olsen
was the manager. Their ages averaged
about is years.
1t is their custom several times a
week to sail to Keyport, where they
spend their evenings at skating rink.
Owing to the weakened condition of
the survivors they have been unable
to give a connected account of the
tragedy, but from what can be learned
from them the launch engine was leak
ing, and when the lighted match
dropped to the bottom of the boat it
igrited the gasoline.
The tank did not Immediately ex-
plode, but the flames quickly spread.
Thinking that there might be a chance
of extinguishing the fire the occupants
did their best to beat out the flames
They saw it was useless. but before
they had chance to jump overheard
the explosion occurred. and they were
thrown into the water,