Norwich bulletin., 1909-08-04
DOUBLE DROWNING
IN FISHERS ISLAND SOUND
Rev. Herbert L. Mitchell, Formerly of
Yantic, Loses Life Trying to Save
Plymouth Boy.

Rev. Herbert L. Mitchell, who was
formerly rector of Grace Episcopal
church at Yantic, lost his life in
Fishers Island sound Tuesday after
noon in an effort to rescue Clarence
Blakesley, who was organist of the
church at Plymouth. Conn, where Rev
Mr.. Mitchell was rector.
The two were members of a party
of seven who had been on a fishing
expedition and were returning to their
quarters on Mouse Island, off Noank,
when young Blakesley was knocked
off the bow of the boat by the boom
jibing over at q sudden change in
the wind. In attempting to save the
boys life Rev. Mr.. Mitchell lost his
own.
The party consisted Of Rev. Her
bert L. Mitchell, Howard Lumpkin,
Edward Ives, Roy Hallock. Edwin
Turtle, Harry McBurney and Clarence
Blakesley, all of whom belonged in
Plymouth ecept Hallock, whose home
is in Waterbury. The boys, who were
Mr.. MitchelPs guests on Mouse Island,
where he owns a cottage, had been
there since Monday noon. They went
out on fishing trip Tuesday morn
ing about 10 and started to return to
the island about 1890.
Boom Knocked BIakesIey Overheard.
The boat was a catboat with an en-
CINE which they had been using all
the morning until they were ready to
return home when the mast was put
up and the sail hoisted. The boat
under sail and with the power was
making good speed when a sudden
change in the wind caused the boom
of the boat to jibe. Young Blakesley.
who was sitting near the bow of the
boat. was carried away and swept
a..
the boy could not swim, jumped over
board in an attempt to rescue him.
AS near as can be ascertained from
the remaining five boys, he was sue
cessful in reaching Blakesley.
Boys Helpless to Handle Engine.
The boys in the boat realizing that
something ought to be done TO rem
der assistance attempted to go to their
rescue. But not one of the boys I'M
derstood the art of handling the boat
or no VITO stop the engine In a few
minutes the boat was a long distance
from the two in the water and nothing
could be done to render any assistance.
Several of the youngsters realizing that
they could in no other way help them
threw pillows which were filed with
cork overheard, thinking that they
might be able to get hold of them
and thereby help themselves until they
were rescued. However, the pillows
fell short of their mark.
Attracted v. S. Transport.
In the meantime one of the. boys
saw the II. S. transport Gen. r. B.
Ayres approaching them and one OF
them had the presence of mind to
take a tin hcrn and blow it. The at
tention of Captain Cummings was at
tracted to the youngsters. but at first
he pa'G no attention to them. "There
are so many people that attract our
| attention to them in that and other
ways" said Captain Cummings to a
reporter, THAT at first I paid no heed
to them. So far as | could see there
was nothing the matter on board the
boat so 1 thought it was another party
of boys who are in the habit of at
tracing our attention for amusement
sake. However. they were so per-
sistent in their efforts to make us go
over to them that / did so and one or
the boys managed after a fashion to
tell me the trouble
Saw Man and Boy Sink.
Just before arriving Captain Cum
mings stopped the boat until he found
out what the matter was ana then he
steamed to the place where the man
and boy went in. On the spot being
pOlulCu OuI liC was JUST III bAAiAN ~ So
the man and boy for an instant, the
man having his hand above his hea
and above water. But only for an
instant for they had been up two or
three times and were just going down
for the last time when he caught a
glimpse of them.
Bodies Not Recovered.
On realizing that there was really
something the matter Captain Cum
mings ordered two Of the crew to be
in readiness to dive overheard to
the rescue. This was unnecessary,
however, as the pair disappeared be-
fore any assistance could be rendered.
The Ayres sailed about in the vicinity
of where they went down for at least
half hour after. but nothing was seen
of either of the bodies.
Captain Cummings took the five boys
on board and the boat in tow and
went to New London. The boys were
in a terrible state OF mind and it was
with some difficulty that they told
the story of the accident.
Was Episcopal Pastor.
Rev. Herbert l.. Mitchell was pastor
of the Episcopal church in Plymouth.
He wall lynOu-va in Nnruriah and