New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-03
SEVEN DIE IN COLLISION.
BARGE Runs Down Launch in
Maumee River at Toledo.
CITY OFFICIALS DROWN
Water Dragged in Vain for
Bodies-Inspectors and Cor
oner Investigating.

Toledo, Sept. s.-Preparations Tor the cell
ebration OF Labor Day in this city were
checked to-day when the citizens OF TINS
city stopped work and expressed their SYM
patty and many lent their aid IN searching
for the bodies OF seven city officials and
employees who were drowned early this
morning when their little launch was
rammed by the barge Philip Minch. Inc
drowned men were Harry Batch, city couh-
Gilman: James WISER. superintendent Oh
waterworks: Thomas Purcell, master me
chanic al the waterworks plant; Frederick
shane. William Blatt. william Carroll ana
Rudolph Yunker. employed al the plant
The accident occurred about 80 a. m
hut word was not received in the city until
more than two hours later Divers ponce
men with graphing hooks and local river
men have searched the bay all day tor lhe
bodies in vain.
The party. consisting Of eight men, left
q downtown dock at midnight for Kelley
Island in Lake Erie TO spend their time
eshtne until Monday night. They had pro-
ceeded out into Maumee Bay, near It's
mouth Seven OF the party were above on
the forward deck. Mayer, the engineer VINO
was below looking after the gasolene en-
CINE. was the only one 10 escape. he says
he did not hear any signals sounded from
the barge. The widows and children Of the
drowned men are being cared for by rela-
lives and neighbors.
Mayer. later in the day, told the story OF
his experiences
The Survivors, Story.
IT did not see my companions for hall
an hour after we left the downtown dock
on our way out 10 the lake he said
was attending the engine. and the first
knew that another boat was near Us was
when I was knocked down by the force OF
the collision A heavy door OF closet
fell over me and pinned me 70 the floor.
was stunned for time Water began
rushing into the engine room. and soon IL
was I'D 70 my neck I tried several ways
70 get out. and soon the launch parted IN
the middle. The water was rough. but
grabbed one Of the life preservers from
our boat and succeeded in keeping ahoat
until the rescuers from the barge picked
me Up.
Il did not see my companions when the
collision occurred. I heard some cries
and think u was their shouts. when the
front OF the big steel barge doomed MP
before them"
/. B. Cummings. captain Of the Minch.
AND T. g. Cummings his brother. the hrsl
officer. were on the bridge OF the barge.
August swan was at the wheel and Aoner
Rusler was lookout They say they sight
ed the launch about fifteen minutes before
the collision. Warning and passing sig
nails were sounded. but no reply was re-
ceived.
The night was clear. and the crew OF ne
llinch say they could see the launch NOV
ing about in me bay. When first seen IL
was about one hundred and ffty feet west
N the channel The little craft continued
,n toward the barge. they say. and APP
reared 10 run across the bow OF the barge.
CAPTAIN Cummings was summoned 0y the
United States steamboat inspectors imme-
diatelv and an investigation was begun. ana
the Coroner Is investigating the collision
Captain Cummings has been relieved OF
command OF the Minch pending the investi-
cation
Late this evening a party Of searchers
found a vaIise IN about four feet Of water
Feeling that they were working In the spot
where the men were drowned. they re-
doubled their efforts 10 find the bodies.
John r Coweu. director OF public ser
vice for whom Frederick Shane one OF the
drowned mon, acted as secretary. II. l.
Barnes. waterworks employe; j. Alpha
Page. the harbor master. and several other
city employees had intended 70 20 with the
party on the fishing trip, but gave up the
idea late last night