The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-06-02
WRECKED IN FRASER RIVER
RAPIDS

vsAsA1SAALD I1N Il IltAoTAn Elk
RAPIDS
The daily press last month
announced the death by drowning
in the Fraser river in British
Columbia Of two young men from
Lennon in this state. The follow
ing fact we take from the Lennon
Herald; There were four in the
party, one Of the saved being C. C.
JOY, son-in-law of Mrs. Joseph
Martens, formerly Of this city. The
Fraser river, down which they
were going is particularly dan
gerous in places, and there they
intended to go around.
The Frazer river is very
treacherous stream and every pre-
caution was taken. Twenty miles
OF the journey down the river was
made without difficulty and no pre-
monition Of impending disaster was
felt. At this point however, one
OF the most dangerous parts of the
river is reached. 1t is a narrow
canyon, in which are number Of
whirl-pools and rapids, and the
water fairly hoils and seethes as
the rapid stream pours thru the
rocky tissure. Before attempting
passage through this canyon the
party landed and made a survey of
the course. Knowing that the
canyon was treacherous, the party
did not want to take any chances
and noted carefully every turn.
whirlpool or rock so that when the
boat was whirled down the stream.
they would know where to turn to
avoid danger There were
especially dangerous whirl-pools in
the canyons and these they intended
to go around. The first two were
passed successfully and the third
was approached with the party feel
ing confident that they would get
through all right. Their confidence
was misplaced, however, and their
boat was caught in the mighty
whirl, which has a diameter Of
approximately forty feet. Crosse,
one Of the men that lost his life,
called to his companions to hold the
boat. Just as these words were
spoken the boat was plunged int
the center of the whirlpool and
sank several feet. 1t was caught
by the waters and raised on the
crest Of wave and whirled into I
whirlpool. Here huge wave
caught the boat and turned it COM
pletely over.
All four men were plunged into
the icy water, and Joy relates that
when he came to the surface he was
about lo feet from the overturned
boat and that he had somehow
to maintain a hold on 4
rope that was fastened to its prov.
Crosse and Hanson were seated o.
the bottom Of the boat and called
to him to get on it.
Joy drew himself to the boat and
crawled on the prov. Just as he
got seated Hanson pointed down the
stream and said. There goes poor
Shortie = Joy turned to look and
as he did 50, Crosse said. If We
could only save him.. Just ~
they uttered the words, the boat
was again caught in the whirlpool
and all were washed off. Joy
managed to bring him
self to the surface and when he
gained his senses his hands were
striking the boat and again crawl
ed onto it while none of the others
we're to be seen. After what SEEM
ed an incredible time Hanson came
to the surface and grabbed abundls
Of blankets that were floating near
1t hand and these held him above
the surface Of the water. The boat
mad by this time dritfed out of the
whirlpool and Hanson called to Joy
TO save him, but there was nothing
that he could do as it was impos-
'ible to guide the boat. Providence
however was kind and the boat
lrifted toward him and when they
we're close enough together, Joy
out h is hand and pulled
aim onto the boat. Nothing morS
Ras seen Of either Veter or Crosse.
The boat continued dowa
the stream and Hanson and joy
:lung to it. Both were nearly ex-
aausted when they notiesd . home-
'teader's shack on the shore Of tho
river. They called for help ard
'1ortly two men appeared and row
d out and brought them to shore.
t was = miracle that any Of
hem were saved.
DO NOT BURN YOUR WASTE