Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-19
Blown Over by Sudden Squa|| in New York Bay
II Saved.--Motor Boat Burned in Vineyard Sound
And Crew Of Six Men Has Narrow Escape.
YACHT KITCINQUE BURNED.

Vineyard Haven, Mass, July Is.
While leading the fleet of Ia sea-going
motor boats into Vineyard sound in the
loEg distance power boat race from
New York to Marblehead the 40-foot
cruiser Kitcinque of the Crescent Ath-
letc Club and New York Motor Boat
Club caught fire at midnight last night
three miles south of Vineyard SQUAD
lightship and was destroyed. The crew
of six men was saved.
Three of the crew took the small
tender while the other three members
jumped into the water where for over
two hours, they succeeded in keeping
afoat when they were picked up by
the schooner ID. j. Sawyer, bound from
Porto Rico for Boston. The tender,
which could hold but three men,. stood
by the men in the water and was
also picked up by the Sawyer The
six men We're landed at this port by
the schooner and left Oak Bluffs this
afternoon by way of New Bedford fol
New York
The crew consisted of the following:
Capt. Walter N Bielng: Frank d.
Cheann (owner): c. f. Chapman; Fred
Hutitl NJ W. w llildhti. bcSiSSlcl
Greenough: all belonging in New York
Bieling, Chapman and Thuber were the
men who were obliged to take to the
water and Thuber was nearly uncOn-
sciouS when picked uD.
The motor boats, of which the Kit
cinque was one left New York short
ly before II o'clock yesterday morning
in the long distance race to Marble
head under the auspices of the Ores
cent Athletic Club of New York for
the cup offered last year by Commo
dore Frank Wilson of the club. The
course vas to the southwark of Long
Island for the purpose. of encourage
ing the sea-going design of boat as
we'll as speed qualities.
The race started in ideal conditions
with long smooth sea which all the
craft were taking easily and which en-
abled each boat to get it's maximum of
speed.
The Kitcinquc soon took the lead and
On entering Vineyard sound was far
ahead Thuber said today but for the
accident that caused the fire they were
confident that they would have won
the race.
Some of the men We're doing in their
eats while the helmsman noticed the
speed with which they were racing the
Vineyard sound lightship, when from
some unknown cause the tanks up
forward. containing 200 gallons of gas
oline caught fire.
The sudden explosion of flames and
the shout of the helmsman gave in
slant warning to the rest of the crew
and none too soon. There was no time
10 save belongings. The three men
nearest the stern leaped for the ten
Ter and cast it loose. The other three
nen jumped overheard. 1t was well
hat all did not rush for the small
.oat, which could hold only three men
md even this load held it loggy in the
water. Fortunately Bieling, Chapman
md Thuber. who took to the water,
we're all good swimmers and in the
,,nooth sea that luckily prevailed could
Keep ahoat for some time with the
support Of the tender. The kitcinque
with her big supply of gasoline made
quick, hot fire and was soon burn
ID to the waters edge.
In such a well travelled thorough
are as Vineyard sound, the men had
hopes of speedy rescue and a sharp
ookout was kept for the lights of some
assing vessel. Two hours, however,
ad nearly gone before the lights OF
my craft near enough to hail could be
sightd. Thurber was beginning to
weaken, but kept up hope and refused
10 let his plight become known to his
,ornpanions At last the lights OF a
schooner could be seen coming up from
the south making good speed with a
favoring southwest breeze of moderate
strength. TO the delight of the ship
wrecked racers, the schooner bore di-
ectly down upon them.
Waiting until they were sure they
had chance of being heard all the
nen with the exception of Thuber,
who was too weak to use his voice and
was indeed rapidly losing conscious
ness, raised their voices with all their
strength in a concerted shout.
In the quiet midnight air the cry
:arried distinctly to the night watch
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