Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-12-10
Presumably Went Over
board In Rough Seas
Or SuiCided
CAPT. MURPHY WAS WITH
Chief and MISSED HIM
Police Unable to Locate Body-He
Might Have Slipped Overheard
from Deck-Murphy
in Tears

DAN fhANClSCO, Calit, Dec. j.
Chief of Police william J. Biggy was
drowned last night in the waters Of
the bay. He disappeared from the
police boat Patrol shortly before IL
o'clock while the vessel, in charge OF
Captain William Murphy, was re-
turning from Belvedere. Biggy had
been engaged in conversation with
Murphy during part of the voyage.
Shortly after the Patrol passed Alca.
traz Island Biggy remarked that he
felt cold and walked toward the cab.
In. He was not seen again.
Missed by Captain Murphy
Murphy did not notice the disap-
pearance of Biggy until he was OPP
posite the Pacific street dock. He
left his post at the wheel to ask
Biggy to lend hand in steering the
vessel. He was amazed to find the
cabin empty. He hurriedly made n
search of the boat, but could find no
trace of the chief. Convinced that
he had fallen overheard, Murphy
hastened to the Mission street dock
and hastily reported to the han Dor
hospital and the harbor police sta
ton. Captain Kelly at once assumed
charge and ordered the craft to 20
at once with complement of police
officers in an effort to effect rescue.
The Patrol searched TIE waters of the
bay all through the night, but at a
late hour no trace had been found of
the body.
Thought Chief Was Safe
Captain Murphy was at a loss 10
explain the accident. He reported
that the sea had been bit rough
and that the narrow deck of the craft
had been washed by the seas and had
become very slippery. He had seen
the chief walk along the side of the
vessel and believed that he had de-
bcended safely into the cabin.
It.was with eyes streaming will
tears that Murphy made his report
at the harbor hospital. Rushing
breathlessly from the dock. he bur n
into the harbor hospital, excIaiminG
I've lost Buggy. He disappeared
somewhere between Alcatraz and til,
city"
The attaches of the hospital were
dumfounded by the announcement
but Murphy's features told of tn,
tragedy more clearly than his words
and word was Immediately dispatch
ed to the police department. AS ;
precautionary measure, Captain Kel
ly gave orders that the department
keep in touch with Murphy pending
the investigation of the tragedy. KEEL
ly also ordered that a careful searcl
be made of the vessel for any sign
that might assist in the inquiry.
Search for Body Begun
Murphy was in charge of the yes
sci when 1t was sent out to searcl
for the body. With him were Cor
poral Peter J. Reyes and Policeman
Joseph Shaughnessy, Henry Connor
and James Hagen.
The trip to Belvedere was made b.
the chief to visit Commissioner Kei,
He left this side at s o'clock. 1t wa
shortly after 10 o'clock when the Pa
troll left Belvedere to return to thj
side. The sea was a bit rough. blu
the night was clear and cold. Muir
ply and Buggy were alone on tn
boat. Murphy was at the wheel an
Bibby had been in the cabin. Afte
they had been out some distance Big
gy came on deck and offered to re
lieve Murphy. This was just as tn
Patrol was passing Alcatraz.
The two men engaged in converse
ton and Biggy mentioned that 1
was chilly. Buggy then offered I,
take his place at the wheel.
That's all right" replied Murphy
"Fll run her home"
Buggy then mentioned that he wa
not feeling well.
81 don't feel very well tonight" re
marked the chief. "In fact. I fee
very badly"
Returns to Cabin
Murphy advised him to return {,