Evening star., 1911-05-28
RUNS DOWN LAUNCH
Dispatch Boat Dolphin Hits
the CuIprit Fay.
ONE MAN LOSES HIS LIFE
Alexander Yellowlees Drowned Be.
fore Assistance Reaches Him.
ACCIDENT OFF ALEXANDRIA
Secretary of Navy and Party, In
cluding Miss Helen Taft, on
River Trip.

Alexander YellowIees lost his life when
the L. s. S. Dolphin. on her way to
Washington. ran down the naphtha
launch Cluprit Fay. going down river.
last night. about 9:15 o'clock, off Alex
andria. John =. Lindsay, at the wheel,
and William \. Butler. the other two oc-
cupants of the launch. were rescued from
the Potomac 10y the lfeboat OF the
Dolphin
Aboard the Dolphin at the time were
Helen Taft. daughter OF the President.
guests Of the Secretary OF the Navy and
Mrs. Meyer. and Assistant Secretary OF
the Navy Winthrop and Mrs. Winthrop.
three daughters OF Secretary Meyer. and
other guests, a party of about twenty
five members. Capt. Laws, l.. S. N, was
on the bridge of the Dolphin The pilot
was William E. Luckett-
The Culprit Fay, owned by Mr.. Lind
say, who is in the roofing business and
who lives at 2l2o n street, was bent
down river on three-day fishing trip
Mr. Lindsay's roommate, Mr. Butler, a
navy yard employe. and Mr.. Yellowlees.
who works for Mr.. Lindsay as a slater.
accompanied him.
Did Not See the Dolphin.
Mr. Lindsay says that he was steering
the forty-five-foot launch down river and
did not see the Dolphin until the Culprit
Fay was right under her bow. The launch
was struck just forward OF center and
sunk in a few minutes. The three men
found themselves in the water and kept
themselves afioat by swimming.
The Dolphin put out several boats, says
Mr.. Lindsay, and he and Mr.. Butler
were pulled into the lifeboat. Mr.. Lind
say declares that he carried four stern
lights and two running lights in the bow.
He denies blame for the accident
Mr. Butler says he felt the grip of Mr..
Yellowlees in the water. after all Were
immersed with the sinking of the launch.
He freed himself. and knows no more of
what became of their lost companion.
The pilot of the Dolphin. Mr.. Luckett.
refused TO talk about the accident. Sailors
on the Dolphin declare that the launch
was observed; that she seemed intent for
Dolphin; that then she appeared 10
change her mind and steer to pass her.
and that then, suddenly. the Culprir
Fay's direction was changed so that the
Dolphin crashed into her
Mr.. Winthrop Regrets Accident.
Aboard the Dolphin the rescued men
received every attention. they say. Mr..
Winthrop expressed regret for the acci-
utIlt, Says lAh0Sdss aio SCNcA o.
women of the official party showed their
solicitude. Mr.. Lindsay and Mr.. Butler
arrived in town in their wet garments
and took taxicab to their homes
The drowned man Was about fifty years
old, according to his employer. He was un-
married. Mr.. Lindsay believes.
Witnesses in Alexandra say that the
gasoline launch, after the collision. ran a
~ hafo
the light on the stern Of the wrecked
craft went out. Few people were around
the Alexandra wharves at the time
Following the accident the Dolphin
backed toward one of the Alexandria
wharves, just south of what is known as
the King street dock. After q search for
the body and doing what they could for
the two rescued men, the Dolphin re-
turned to Washington, leaving Alexandria
shortly after 10 o'clock.
Among those who aided IN the search
for the body were occupants of the
launch Teaser of Alexandria.
Tried to Cut Across Bow.
The executive officer OF the Dolphin
stated last night that the Dolphin start
ed down river on a cruise yesterday
afternoon, and on the return trip. off
Alexandria, the accident happened.
board, came out from the Alexandra
shore and tried to cut across the bow of
the Dolphin. The Dolphin crashed into
the launch.
The lifeboat of the Dolphin was put
overheard and two men rescued. third
man was not recovered.
The executive officer was told by one
of the survivors. Mr.. Lindsay, that the
launch carried lights and that ne qua
not see the Dolphin until right unoer
the bows, when his efforts 20 steer the
boat free were intellectual
The executive officer declares that the
Dolphin carried lights.
YelIowlees had resided in Washington
for the past two years having room at
233 III street northeast. He was born In
Scotland about forty-eight years ago,
came to the United States about twenty
years ago and Went to PittsourS.
There he lived for about hfteen years
with James X. Clark. lie was unnlar-
ried, but is understood TO have brothers
and sisters living in Scotland
He left his boarding house about noon
yesterday, saying he was going on a
fishing trip Gown the river. IL Is Thought
he went directly To the boat.