Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-02
AN EXCITING RESCUE
Four Saved From Drowning
Above Aqueduct Bridge.
R. C. MASON MODEST HERO
Resident Of Y. N. G. A. Building
Aids Sinking Canoeists.
FRAIL CRAFT OVERTURNED
He and Occupant Of Household Pre-
vent Tragedy by Prompt Action
With Piece Of Rope.

Four persons were rescued from drown
ing late Saturday evening by the prompt
aid OF Robert c. Mason. q resident at
the Y. NJ C. A. building. and after he
started the wet and shivering quartet of
for their homes he waved aside their
thanks and made no inquiries as to their
identity.
The exciting rescue occurred near a
houseboat some distance above the Aaue-
duct bridge. With q companion Mr.. Ma
son went on canoe trip up the river
late Saturday afternoon. and after en-
joying a hearty picnic lunch on the bank
of the upper river they started back
about s o'clock. When a heavy rain
storm came up Mr.. Mason and his COM
panion chose the shelter of a houseboat
near the bank in preference to a drench-
ing in the canoe. Two other canoe par
ties had the same thought, and during
the storm six found shelter on the wide
porch of the houseboat.
After the rain stopped the canoeists
began preparations to resume the trip
back to the lighthouses near Georgetown.
Two of the party climbed over the side
of the houseboat and into their canoe
with ease.
But the second couple was not so sue.
cessful. The deck Of the houseboat IL
five feet above the water, and as the cir
jumped from the deck to the small boat
alongside she failed to land in the cen.
ter of the canoe. In second the frai
craft was overturned and both OF it's oc-
cupants were pitched into the water. Ir
the commotion the other canoe, only q
few feet away, was rocked SO violently
that it was also upset. For q minute al
four Of the canoeists were under the wa
ter.
Heard Screams Of Girls.
Mr.. Mason heard the screams of the
girls and the splashing of the water al
the side Of the household. and he quickly
rushed to the edge Of the deck. All foul
of those in the water came to the surface
at the same time. The girls were evil
IDENTIFY unable to swim and they struggled
in the water until they threw their arms
around their companions.
Both OF the young men were good
swimmers, but in their efforts to prevent
the young women from drowning it was
with great difficulty that they kept their
heads above water. AS the deck Of the
houseboat was five feet above the water.
their rescue seemed dubious.
Mr.. Mason and the occupant of the
houseboat saw the danger to the quartet
and started to assist them. Throwing
some rope from the deck toward those
struggling in the water. they were able
to give them temporary help in support
ing themselves, and after few minutes
work pulled the quartet to the solid deck
of the houseboat. All of the four were
chilled by their unexpected plunge.
The overturned canoes were secured by
the houseboat occupant and Mr.. Mason.
taken to the bank and emptied Of water.
After a delay of half an hour the two
couples were assisted safely into their
canoes again and started back to the
boathouse whence they had started in the
afternoon.
When asked about the incident today
Mr.. Mason said he made no inquiries as
to the identity Of those rescued and did
not know them.