Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-07-20
Newport News Young People Have
Narrow Escape From Drowning.
LEROY EDWARDS LONG SWIM
With Mr.. and Mrs. James E. Able.
Ir.. and Miss Wlllets Sitting on Up
turned Canoe, Young Man Goes
Mile and Halt Fer Assistance.

Mr.. and Mrs. James r. Able, Jr.'
Miss Allene Wilett and Mr.. LEROY
Edwards, all of this city. had o narrow
escaped from drowning Sunday after
noon when Mr.. ALbe's sailing canoe
the Omar Khayyam, capsized in the
middle OF York river at point on
Magrud n. BY GOODNESS and good iof
tune all CT the members OF the party
exce3t Mr.. Edwards got on with q
wettlng. Mr.. Edwards had mis- nahds
and knees painfully cut by oyste!
shells after swimming more than d
mile TO bring aid to HIS shipwrtckeo
icompanions.
Mr. and Mrs. Able, who were mar
ried two weeks ago, are spending theh
Honeymoon ON York river, making
tbe.r home In bungalow on the Nor
ment estate. Sunday Miss Wiliett
and Mr.. Edwards. who Is Mrs. Aope
brother. went up to spend the day Win
the bride and groom.
Mr.. Able took his bride and tneil
guests cut for sail on tbs YORK, TAG
river presenting a calm and serene
appearance, the slight breeze that
made barely perceptibla ripples on the
surface of the water giving no mt
mation OF the thrilling experience mat
was to come. When the boat was
about in midstream, where the over
lis some three miles wide, it was al
NEST becalmed. All Of a sudden, when
moody was paying particular atten
ton to either the boat or the river d
flaw struck the canoe and carried her
over before she could take steerage
way and go into the wind in response
TO her rudder. The boat careened over
and began taking in water 50 rapidly
that she settled over on her side De-
fore she could be- eased up.
Here was where the most remarkable
feature of the accident occurred. See
ing that the canoe vas net going 10
right herself, the young men, stirred
themselves to get the ladies' out Oh
danger. With their assistance. Mrs
Able and Miss Willet, Ginning over the
comb.ng and washbcard, succeeded IN
drawing themselves TO the bottom oil
the canoe, without ever actually GEL
ting into the water. They were splash
ed with The salt water and consider
ably frightened, but when the capsized
canoe finally settled in the water,
with mr. mast stuck fast in sand
bar. they were sitting high, and more
o. less dry, or the Omar khayyam's
bottom, looking about for assistance.
There was not another boat in sight,
and after waiting and way.ng in vain
Tor some time, It was decided that one
of the young men should swim for
shore to bring assistance. Mr. Ed
wards undertook the feat and per-
formed it, managing to make the long
swim successfully by resting at inter-
walls against the fishnet stakes which
were plentiful in that part of the river.
He landed where the shore was covered
with oyster shells, and being too ex-
hausted to stand upon his feet was
compelled to crawl across the shells
on his hands and knees. This ex-
per.ence cost him many painful cuts
and scratches, though he was not Sc
riously hurt.
Mr.. Edwards secured rowbost at
the Norment home and returned to
rescue his companions from their
plight The party and the capsized
canoe were brought safety ashore.
Miss willett and Mr.. Edwards re-
turned home yesterday, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Able will return tomorrow.