In the Columbia River.
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A SAIL BOAT CAPSIZES AND THREE WERE DROWNED.
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Chas. Newell, a Harrisville Boy, a Victim. Retta Kennedy Escapes.
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The Skamokawa (Wash.) Eagle of May 14th contains an account of the drowning of three persons in the deep waters of the Columbia river. The sad catastrophe is of deep interest to many readers of the Review, inasmuch as two members of the ill fated sailing party were formerly residents of the village of Harrisville. They grew up from the cradle here, went to the village school, and left many young friends and relatives here when they went west, who will be deeply interested in their fate.
The Eagle’s story in brief is as follows: About 2 o’clock Wednesday (13th) afternoon a happy party composed of Messrs. Frank Peterson, Charles Newell, Rudolph Kraft and Mrs. A. B. Crosby and Miss Retta Kennedy, left in a fish boat for Cathlamet. Frank Peterson was in charge and as he was known to be skillful in handling a boat and the day was fine, no fears were entertained for them. The run to Cathlamet was safely made and the return trip was begun against a head wind. A squally wind was blowing and when about half way back to Skamokawa a sudden squall careened the boat over and she filled with water. Mrs. Crosby lost control of herself at once and though assisted to the bottom of the boat by Kraft she let go and went down. Young Newell could not swim but Peterson could and he tried to help Newell as well as Mrs. Crosby, but in his efforts to do so he was handicapped by a heavy Mackintosh and he was dragged down and all three were drowned.
Miss Kennedy could swim a little and she had presence of mind enough not to get excited. She remembered trying to get away from the boat, reasoning to herself that if the others caught hold of her they might pull her down. Then she tried to float and remembered nothing more until she was restored to consciousness by two fishermen who were trying to bring her back to life into their fish boat.
Not over 400 yards away at the time of the accident was a fish boat containing two men. They reached the scene of the disaster as quickly as possible. An oar was extended to Peterson but he was too exhausted to reach it. Miss Kennedy was rescued as she was going down the last time.
The boat was towed ashore in the vain hope that some of the unfortunates might be under it, but it was empty.
Charley Newell was a son of Henry Newell and Miss Kennedy is the daughter of Ferguson Kennedy. Mr. Newell and Mr. Kennedy are both well known former citizens of Harrisville.
Young Newell was about 24 years of age. He left Harrisville with his parents in 1889.
Skamokawa was plunged in the depths of sorrow over the terrible disaster. The muddy waters of the Columbia were dragged for the bodies, and it was nearly 60 feet deep at the point where the accident occurred. The current was also very swift and the bottom is full of snags, so the work of rescue was pursued under great difficulties and without success up to the time the Eagle went to press.