Washington, DC Boat Accident In Potomac River, Aug 1904

TEN DROWNED AT BOAT RACES.

GASOLINE LAUNCH TURNS TURTLE ON THE POTOMAC RIVER.

Washington, Aug. 15. -- Ten persons were drowned as the result of the capsizing of a naphtha launch on the Potomac River, off Georgetown, the western section of this city, during the annual Potomac regatta. Four others who were on the launch escaped. All were from this city.
The dead:
ANDREW J. BOOSE.
GEORGE J. SMITH.
CHARLES F. BLUMER.
J. HERBERT COATES.
JOHN WALDMAN, JR.
WILLIAM SMITH.
MRS. LULU DREYFUSS.
BERTHA SELBACH, sister of Mrs. Dreyfuss.
HELEN HIZER.
HELEN MOORE.
During the first race the launch got into the way of the eight-oared shells, and its wash was such that the officials reprimanded its crew and ordered them out of the way. There was some show of resentment at this order, and the launch headed for the shore, but miscalculated its course, and, striking the strong undertow caused by a mill race, rocked for a moment, and as the passengers rushed to one side, turned turtle. Only a few of the thousands of people that lined the shore witnessed the accident, but the people immediately set to work to recover the bodies.

Richmond Planet Virginia 1904-08-20
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!