Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-07-30
THE TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
Written by One Of The Party Who
Witnessed The Horrible Details
And Spent the NIGHT in The
Omen Boat.
(From Southside Sentinel.l


Grom Southside Sentinel.i
The young people of Saluda and vi
cinity had been planning for some time a
trip TO Irvington, so on Wednesday, July
l4th, most of the young people boarded
the launch ''Black Bird" at Oaks Land
ing, Urbanna creek, and expected to
stop at Bnrton's Wharf for some to get
aboard there. A short time before the
launch reached Burton's storm arose
aud just as they reached the wharf it
began to rain. We quickly fastened
the boat to the wharf and got In the
warehouse before it rained very much.
After the storm had passed some of
the party were very anxious to go on to
Irvington, and others said they would
not go because il looked stormy. We
one suggested that all get aboard and
run out the creek, then come back, eat
our lunch and come home. All agreed
to this. After getting out the creek it
cleared of beautiful and many were
anxious 10 proceed with our trip while
some did not wish to go, but said they
did not care to rule the crowd and force
them to turn around. Finally, think,
all agreed to go on to Irvington, and
after we reached the town all seemed
delighted. We ate lunch before leaving
the boat. and then proceeded to the
skating rink to enjoy the twirling in
the breeze. 1t was indeed a merry
party and feel quite sure that no one
regretted coming over.
AT $50 o'clock we left the rink and
gave all of the skaters opportunity to
cool their bodies and rest, for all were
warm and tired from skating. About
10 O'Clock all boarded the launch for
homo, and you could hear all around,
Haven't we had grand timer" The
boat soon started and made a very good
run, only stopping once or twice until
within ten or fifteen minutes run of
Urbanna when the engine stopped and
positively refused to run. The trouble
was found to be in the pipe that led
from the gasoline tank to the engine.
The owner of the boat, with one or two
others, went forward to see if the
trouble could be located, and soon found
it in short piece of pipe that connected
the tank with the long pipe that led to
the engine. He pushed small piece of
wire up through this short pipe. which
removed the article that prevented the
flow of gasoline. OF course, as soon as
this was done thegasoline began TO flow
very readily. He was in the act of con-
Meeting the two pipes when some of the
gasoline spattered on the globes of two
lanterns that were held near, and it
seemed that in a second the entire front
part of the boat was in blaze. This
frightened all on board, but the boys
soon regained themselves and in a short
time had all the girls on the stern of the
boat. and told them to keep still, that
the flames could be conquered. The
girls threw their skirts and the boys
their coats, and dipping them in the
water, fought heroically. There were
only two small buckets on board, but
they were kept in constant use until
the flames were under control. We
realized that we could not quench the
fire until the gasoline was burned, which
was twenty odd gallons, and our only
hope was to keep the boat from getting
too hot and burning, so we fought hard
to keep the sides of the boat cool. This
we succeeded in doing. and in fifteen or
twenty minutes we had the frequenched.
Two of the young men that were hold
ing the lanterns were badly burned,
though not seriously, but the owner,
Frank Banks, colored. was seriously
burned and we fear he will lose his
sight.s He worked heroically to save as
and he has our sympathy in his affection.
AS soon as we found out that the boat
was not burned enough to leak any and
assured all that there was no further
danger, we inquired if anyone was over
board. Some one said: Jeanette Dudley
said she had rather drown than burn.
and in the excitement leaped overheard,
and Clarence Gray saw her overheard
and went over to rescue her." In the
excitement two oars, two planks and a
bench that we had on board were thrown
over, and we had nothing to manage the
boat with except piece of board about
five feet long. but we were hopeful, and
unfastened our boat from Towles' Point
buoy, which We tied to keep from drift
idg down the river. (We tied there
while they were working on the engine
before the fre.) At the request all or
board became quiet and some one called
Clarence to see if we could locate him.
We heard him answer, "Save us!' OF
"Save me!' we couldn't tell which, as
we never knew whether he reached Miss
Dudley or not. The tide was strong
ebb and we tried with this five-foot
plank to guide our boat in the direction
of his voice. but the tide was carrying
us down the river and carrying then
down. too, and we had no means of 90