Evening star., 1925-08-16
TEN ARE RESCUED
SINKING BOAT
Passengers on Yacht RAM
med at Regatta Leap Into
River at Highway Bridge.

The lives of 10 passengers aboard
the rapidly-sinking pleasure yacht
Voyager, which had been rammed
by launch in the Potomac River yes
terday afternoon, were saved by the
calm action of Thomas Allen, engi-
neer officer, who kept the engines
running until the craft could be
grounded, and by the alertness of
Ensign Kenneth A. Coler, in command
of speed boat from the Coast Guard
Cutter Apache, who rushed to the
scene and rescued the f1oundering per-
sons from the water after the craft
had disa ppeared.
The yacht, owned by Albert F.
Mitchell of 1920 r street, was en- route
to the regatta held by the Corinthian
Boat Club and was coasting to an an
chorage near the Highway Bridge
when a launch, headed west on the
river, crashed into the Voyager on
the port side just abaft the beam.
The yacht began to sink and Allen
worked over the engines while water
was pouring in on him. All efforts
were bent on getting the boat TO shore,
and just as the top deck disappeared
the hull struck bottom.
Mr.. Mitchell and his wife jumped
before the boat grounded and the
other members of the party were
forced to take TO the water a moment
or two later.
Ensign Coler Saves Ten.
The speed boat from the Apache
picked up the passengers, and Mrs.
Mitchell declared the quick action of
Ensign Coler saved her husband from
possible drowning. AS the result of
an airplane accident during the war
Mr.. Mitchell is unable to remain in
water any length of time, due to Sc
we're cramping of his left leg, Mrs.
Mitchell said.
The members of the party, in addi-
ton to Mr.. Allen and Mr.. and Mrs.
Mitchell, were: Mr.. and Mrs. II. Abel,
Mclean. Va; Mr.. and Mrs. Walter B.
Lawrence of III Mount Vernon place,
Mrs. Thomas Allen, 1868 u street
southeast, and Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. NJ.
Bryarly of 16S Adams street. Mrs.
Allen, who has just recovered from
a long illness, was taken aboard the
Apache in a hysterical condition. but
at a late hour last night she was re-
ported to be resting quietly.
The launch which rammed the
Voyager bore the designation 638S
and was piloted by John NJ. Liesh,
1904 T street southeast. He stated
after the accident that he did not see
the Voyager until his boat had almost
struck it, and in an effort to avoid
collision he jerked the steering wheel
so violently that blocks were torn
loose and he was helpless to divert
the course of the launch. The launch,
Liesh stated, is owned by Hubert De
Bruyn of Long Island City, n. Y, and
has been left in his care. According
to papers found on the boat, the last
assignment for 63S-S was in August
1920, TO l.. n. Cooper of Norfolk
Liesh said the boat was brought TO
Washington about three years ago
by De Bruyn.
Divers Salvage Jewelry.
| The Voyager measured 40 feet by
91a 1t originally was valued at $12,.
| 500. Before Mr.. Mitchell purcha sed it
about year ago, it was called the
| Vivian. The new name had not been
registered.
| Shortly after the accident Lieut..
Comdr. c. H. Jones, captain of the
| Apache, ordered two expert divers to
the wrecked boat to recover personal
property which had gone down.
After diving for more than an hour
they recovered property valued at
more than a thousand dollars, includ-
| ing jewelry, pocketbook with nearly
! $100 in 1t; articles of clothing, the
! ships papers and instruments and
| equipment.
Mr.. Mitchell will have the Voyager
| raised today and towed to the Corin-
| THAN Yaacht Club.