The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-05
TEN MEN BELIEVED
 ID HAVE PER|SHED
Oystermen Swept Into Icy
 Waters During Gale
CAUGHT IN AN ICE JAM
Up to a Late Hour no Trace Found of Bodies-Fiye Other Launches Es- cape After Desperate Bat
 tie With the Gale

Tilghmans, Md. February 4-ren oys- ter men are believed to have been drowned in the Choptank river when their boats were carried into the open waters in the ice jam that began to move early this morning with the gale that swept over Tiighmans island.
 The ice boat Annapolis up to late hour had found no trace of the boats or men. The missing boats are:
 Launch and dredging boat of W. $. Ccvipgton, wharf agent at Tilghmans island. On the launch and dredge were four men.
 Packing company and her crew of three men,
 Launch of Capt. A. P. Mister with three men aboard.
 Five other launches caught in the swirl ing ice and water managed to fight their way through the buffeting cakes and made clear water. They are now anchored in the middle of the Choptank trying to ride down the gale.
 The fight was watched by Tilghmans islanders, who stood on the wharf and shore powerless to give assistance. The Covington launch moved slowly to the side of the dredging boat and the short stop she made Is thought to mean that the crew of the other boat was taken aboard the power boat Then all four disap- peared
 For weeks the oyster boats and launches which took refuge in Dogwood harbor of Tilgaman's island. when the ice began closing the waters of the rlver have lain there unable to move from their harbor.
 The warning sun of the last few days did it's work upon the ice and yesterday the oystermen looked forward to worl. within few days. Then came the wino last night. Sweeping across the broad stream at the entrance to the choptank the gale threw spray high and nasty sea chopped up the open water and began making insods on the ice foe.
 With cracking reports and whisting winds as an accompaniment the ice jam started to move carrying with it the boats which had taken refuge off the lit- tie island.
 Through the dark hours the crew of the vessels fought against the cakes as they broke around them. As day dawned five of the little vessels had almost miracu- lously worked their way through the cakes and found temporary refuge in the clear but rough water, TntrA they anchred and today the crews were riding out thf gale and polling off the threatening ics cakes as they approached. 1 But the vessels farthest2in. those that ars now missing. were caught almost in the center of the 1oe with huge cakes of ice breaking about them, the crews fought desperately to save their lives. The wind increased as morning broke and the tiny huls rocked and damned in maelstrom or ice and water. At the time the vessels dropped from sight they were drifting in the teeth of the wind almost straight across broad the choptank headed directly for Cooks point.
 Deal Island, Md, February flowing 10 the ice blocks more than 250 persons, the total population of Holland Island, in Lan- gier sound, 12 miles southwest of here, for four weeks have been marooned from ths main land, deprived of medical aid and cut off from food supplies.
 There are three small stores on the island but it is thought the food supplies were exhausted some days ago Holland Island is practically level and high tide submerged it. All the houses, of which there are about 50, are built on piles.
 Governor Goldsborough today directed Commander Howard of the oyster police steamer Governor Thomas to make every effort to reach the island.