The Washington herald., 1908-05-04

With a sudden inrush of water the
packet Trenton, running between Wash
ington and points along the Lower Po-
tomac River, sank yesterday morning,
carrying to death Stanley Posey. the
young son Of Mr.. and Mrs. E. Maury
Posey, Of Brooklyn, n. Y.
Thirty-five other passengers were res
Cued by the packet crew. and there were
several narrow and thrilling escapes.
The boat went to the bottom of the
river at $50 o'clock. just or the Reardon
wharf at Alexandria, Va
A majority of the passengers were in
the cabin when the boat, which had been
torn from its moorings, began slowly to
sink. There was a panic. Nearly all of
the persons on board jumped into the
river Mothers chung to their children
and hasbands attempted TO save their
loved ones.
Heroic Work of Rescue.
Noble rescue work was performed by
The crew of the packet Capt Davis was
on the wharf experimenting the unload
ing of the boat he jumped into the
river and began the work of saving lives.
Every member of the crew followed the
captain and performed heroic service,
saving, it is believed, the lives of all the
passengers with the exception of the
Posey boy.
Several thrilling rescues were made.
Laura LOCKER. a negro. Of Prince George
County, Md, was sinking for the third
time Her hands were above her head.
AS they disappeared below the surface
one Of the rescuers grabbed her fingers
and she was hauled ashore. Her two
babies We're also rescued.
The Posey family barely got free from
the vessel when the struggle in the water
began. R. Calvert Williams. the young
nephew Of Mr. Posey. was carried ashore
by. some one. He was Unhurt
Mrs. POsey, who is an excellent swim
mer, manager to reach the wharf When
she jumped from the cabin window she
held in her arms her baby. The rush Of
the current swept the boy from her arms
and he was drowned. Arthur P. Posey
was taken ashore by his father
when I noticed the boat was sinking, 50
said Mr. Posey, I gave the baby TO my
wife and started with the older boy. The
current tore the baby from my wife
arms and he was drowned. I got 10 shore
after seeing Mrs. Posey and Arthur were
saved
Jumps to the Wharf.
Engineer Hewett was in his berth when
the boat began to go beneath the water.
He jumped six feet to the wharf and TO
safety.
Among those aboard the steamer was
John E. Taylor, president and general
manager Of the company. He refused
10 make a statement, saying it would
not do any good.
Following the sinking Of the vessel a
large crowd Of spectators assembled on
the wharf
J. II. Morrison, 1915 2 street south
east, Washington. was a passenger, and
assisted Ia the rescue work. He saws as
soon as the boat started to go down 2
distress signal was given. He lost a
valuable gun.
Mrs. Chapman Price, Of King George
County, Va. was rescued from the pilot
house. She lost her purse. containing
SEQ
What caused the packet to sink is a
mystery. 1t left Washington yesterday
morning at 7:15 o'clock, arriving at Alex
andria at o'clock. Freight was being
placed aboard. When about eight tons
Of phosphates had been placed on the
deck on the wharf side, there was a
sudden listing OF the craft This was
followed by the swapping Of the hawsers.
The port holes, it is said, we're open.
and through these the water poured into
The boat
VIII Begin an Inquiry.
The investigation 10 determine the cause
OF the disaster viii be begun to-day, No
effort had been made last night to raise
the packet. It was said diver had been
sent for, TO assist in the work.
Members OF the crew took from the
water women's hats, suit cases, and other
articles.
An effort will be made to-day 10 recover
the body Of the Posey boy, which. It is
believed, has been carried down stream
by the current.
An incident of the affair was the report
that the boat had been blown up and the
consequent turning in of an alarm of
fire. All the nremen and apparatus Of
alexandra responded.
After remaining on the wharf for some
time discussing the sinking Of the boat
and taking stock of themselves and their
belongings. the wet and bedraggled res
cued persons separated. Some went 10
their homes, and others sought warm
hearths, and took time to dry their cloth
ing.
Mrs. Posey was taken to the home of
Frank S. Harper. 500 Prince street. Alex
andFia, where everything was done to
make her comfortable. Later, with her
husband and son, she left by rail for
Oecoquan. From that point the Poseys
viii go by water to Doncaster. Md.
Cause OF the Disaster.
The cause OF the disaster is attributed
to the fact that the boat was loaded
TOO heavily on the port side
Capt. Davis said he was unable to ex-
plain the cause OF the accident Nothing
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