The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-06-16

Most of the victims were women
 and children, as are practically all
 the missing. An Overcrowding of
 the launch is given as the cause
 of the accident, though the boat
 was supposed to have a passenger
 carrying capacity of 60.
 Among those who were rescued
 was Sam CIabaugh, postmaster of Tuscaloosa, and former secretary
 to C6ngressman-at-La John W. Abererombie. He was hauled from the rNer by three little girls, who were expert swimmers.
 The known dead are.
 sam CIabaugh. Jr., 5-year-oId son of Postmaster S. F. CIabaugh.
 James Weir, son of A. $. Weir,
 Mrs. Sallie Wilkinson.
 Robert Clear, boy.
 Bell Albright, Newton Albright, adults.
 Mrs. Fred Bishop and four chill dren.
 sfasS NMarEaISI DiCSulTe.
 Mrs. Luther afeGchee and child.
 =. Lindsay, boy.
 Mrs. M. l.. WaddeH and child.
 Miss Sarah McGifford.
 Miss BIanch BucIxner.
 Miss Grace shelton.
 Joe Steirman, a boy.
 The Mary Francis was command ed by Captain Antonio, a veteran and skilful riverman.
 Since MT. AIlston purchased the launch, declared to be the best on the Warrior river, he has made it his practice to share its pleasures with his fellow tovnsmen, particu- larly the children. This was the fourth or fifth Sunday cruise he has given his guests during the present season. The boat was equipped with life preservers and was considered as safe a launch as builders could make her.
 The tragedy took place about five miles from Tuscaloosa between Holt and Riverview. It was wit messed by several persons standing on the banks of the river, which is approximately a quarter of mile wide at that point. The Warrior channel there is about IS feet.
 PARTY IN HIGH SPIRITS
 The party started at 3:3O o'clock in the afternoon from the Tusca- lOOsa wharf md ran up and down the river for more than two hours, with the spirits of host and guests Ii vivOrs say that the launch was not too much crowded for pleas urc. though the guests had to sit rather close together.
 It was when MT. Alston had give ven instructions for the return to the Tuscaloosa wharf that the accident occurred.
 "Pm going to put about" Cap- tain Antonio warned the guests. "Everybody hold on to something. If you haven't anything to hold on to, hold on to each other," he i'm structed.
 He gave the wheel smart whirI and the IauEeh turned sharply. So sharp was the turn that the weight of the guests was shifted to the port side. The launch i'm mcdfately listed, careened, turned completely over and it's 53 pas- HenEers were sent struggling into the swift current In midstream. The few swimmers struggled vaiiantly to aid those to whom the river meant nothing hut death. Hut the swimmers were few and the women and children many. MT. Alston reached the shore with one little girl nnd not wait Ing for skiff struck boldly back Tor the scene of the disaster. The terrible confusion that followed hindered the work of those who were abie to render mid. A few Erasped life preservers and kept afIont. several others seized the upturned keel of the boat and were saved in this way. MT. A. ston was making his second trlp nshore with little girl when he became exhausted and yvas res- eued by skiff that had come out from shore. Postmaster CaIbaugh owes his life to three little girls. Misse. Jerome Kennedy, Ollie Jones and Myrtle BirchfieId. They are nu between Ia and 14 years old and excellent swimmers. They found the postmaster struggling fin the