The Washington herald., 1910-06-29

Annapolis, Nd. June 8.-One OF the
bellies Of the Naval Academy. Mrs. Joseph
Bowyer, daughter-in-law Of the super
intendent. and Midshipmen Sherman NJ.
Mason, Of Newport. r. l., and Grisby z.
Thomas. of Union Point, Ca. were
drowned near here to-day.
They started in a cutter for the mouth
Of the Severn River to go bathing, at u
o'clock this morning. An hour latepSthe
party left the bath houses for thebeach
Just below. The cutter, anchored in
shallow water. was found on chinck
Point flats tonight
Torpedo boats were dragging for the
bodies, and at midnight their search
lights stiIl flashed up and down the river
in vain. What form Of disaster overlook
the merry little party is a mystery. and
1t is feared their bodies are sweeping
toward the sea with the ebb tide.
Both First CInskmen.
Both midshipmen we're first class men.
and both were members Of the crack
Academy rife team They visited Wash
ington last week 10 shoot in the District
National Guard matches, and had Just
returned to Annapolis.
Mrs. Bowyer was one Of the most
charming OF the younger navy set. and
danced as joyOusly as any at the gay
Academy hops She was a pretty widow.
twenty-eIght years old. blond, and said
to be engaged TO a recently graduated
midshipman.
The drowning must have occurred with
IN sight Of Superintendent BOwyer's
home, just across the river. a mile away.
The accident is the most mysterious that
has ever happened here.
Mrs. Bowyer, who is petite and always
vivacious, sailed away with her two
young ecmpa aniogss half an hour before
luncheon. There was q spanking breeze,
and the tiny cutters fairly danced down
the sparkling river. = .alle bevy OF
friends waved them good-by
Sail Down stream Again.
When they reached the bath houses, 4
little more than half a mile down the
river, they made the cutter fast, and
fifteen minutes later boarded her. clad
In their bathing suits, and sailed down
stream again.
II is beyond the comprehension OF those
who know these waters how they could
have all been drowned near the place
where the beat was found.
Il is supposed that they went overheard
in shallow water. and that one of them
went into a deep hole or was dragged
beyond his depth by the tide; that the
others went down attempting 10 make a
rescue Is the general theory Both mid
shipmen were good swimmers, but the
beach is freacherous in some places.
When the party did not return from the
Academy for luncheon, members Of SUpt.
Bowers family grew uneasy. and they
'phoned 10 every officer within reach.
asking that they be located.
Launches sped across the river IN the
path the cutter had taken, and within
half an hour the sail boat was found, 4
search OF the bath houses showed the
bathers' clothing were there, and the
beach was parolled for mile each way.
Torpedo Boats Sent.
Thoroughly alarmed, officers and sea-
men, who had gone In the launch, sent
for help. and every torpedo boat in the
river was sent speeding 10 the scene.
with Supt. Bowyer aboard the first under
way.
All the afternoon the search continued,
and launches loaded with seamen and
dragging implements arrived As dark
ness fell the searchlights began 10 play.
and a squad of marines. armed with
lanterns. continued the land hunt
Although every possible means was
employed TO find the bodies. at midnight
they were still missing. but launches
patroled the shores where they should
wash ashore. and torpedo boats dTagget
deep water in the bay.
Mrs. BOwyer was formerly Miss Dean,
Of Pittsburg. Her husband. Joseph Bow
yer. son OF the superintendent OF the
Academy. died about two years ago and
since then she has made her home with
the superintendent and Mrs. Bowyer.
She was attractive. and had host Of
friends among the midshipmen.
Both OF the midshi9men were members
of the graduating class OF next year
Mason was twenty years old and entered
the Academy May IA 1907 He was also
a member OF the football squad. and a
good student. ranking with the first
twenty-five OF his class which has mem
5ership OF 200.
Thomas was also twenty years old. He
Was admitted to the Naval Academy
June Il, 1851. He, too. stood we'll up in
his class in order OF merit.