The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1912-09-20
EIGHT SAILORS Die
IN LAKE MICHIGAN
Terrible Tragedy at U. S. Ma
al Training School.
Eounderinq Boat Anchored and
Youths Leap Overheard, but Are
Beaten Back by Wind and
Raging Water.

Eight boys at United States naval
recruits at the United States naval
training station at North Chicago, lost
their lives in Lake Michigan tragedy
which in many respects has no par
allel They were able, all but one OF
drowned within thirty feet of the
shore.
Out of the Twenty-Five men and boys
who set out for a pleasure sail only
tWenty-one bodies have been recovered
showing signs Of life. Over these two
pulmotors worked steadily for hours
in the hope of reviving them. The
boys who recovered after the use of
the pulmotor number only four.
Petty officer Stockman is believed
to have been drowned while trying to
save others.
Hero May Be Saved by Puimotor.
Chief Gunner's Mate William Negus
started for shore carrying boy who
could not swim He lost his charge,
dived, and did not reappear until two
hours later, when his body was taken
from the water 800 yards north of the
scene of the tragedy. He was ap-
parently dead, but under the pulmOtor
he showed signs of life after half an
hour It is believed that his life will
be saved.
William Stanley, one of those saved,
told a dramatic story of the tragedy.
eve left the station about a quarter
to two in the afternoon" he said. eve
were not ordered out, but were given
permission to take the sail. The wa
ter was exceedingly rough, and most
of the boys were so new to water ex-
perience that they became help1essly
seasick after we had gone perhaps
half a mile from the shore.
Boys Become Seasick.
william Negus was in commandHe
saw that with half the boys seasick
and helpless it would be impossible to
handle the boat as it should be
handled, SO we put in toward shore.
We had a big boat, about twenty-four
feet long, with a mcinsail and jib. We
hauled down the sails to make things
more snug and present less surface to
the storm. Then we took to the oars,
such of us as were able to use them.
'"There was a lot of water IN the
boat, and more Of it coming in all the
time. We were in danger of being
swamped at any moment But Negus
thought he could save the boat as we'll
as all the people in it.
when we were within about thirty
feet of shore he dropped anchor. Then
he went overheard to see how deep
the water was. It was only about up
to his nose-if he had been level. But
the heavy waves hurled him in water
four or five feet deep.
''He climbed back into the boat
then. It was plain we would have to
swim for it. Eegus called out to ask
if there was anybody aboard who
could not swim. One boy said he
couldn't.
$50 Negus took that boy-I don't
know who he was-on his back and
started for shore, calling for the rest
to quit the boat I saw Negus swim
a few strokes toward the shore and
then he seemed to be in trouble. His
arms went out crafty and he went
down.
Horrible Struggle in Water.
''He disappeared only for moment
and then he came up and didn't have
the boy with him any more. It look
ed as if big wave had snatched the
boy from his arms.
''Negus wouldn't go to shore with
out the lad. He dove into the water
again-and l didn't see him any more.
"All around the boat the water was
alive with boys trying to get ashore.
1t was a horrible struggle. They
didn't seem to make any Roadway at
all against the waves and the wind.
pretty soon I saw it wasn't any
use to stick to the boat and jumped
as far toward shore as | could and
then tried to swim There was
nothing doing. l couldn't get ahead.
But finally hit something and some
body dragged me out of the water"