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Waterbury Evening Democrat
Waterbury, New Haven County, Connecticut
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A boat carrying men, women, and children capsized on Watuppa Lake near Fall River, Mass., on May 25, drowning eight people, including several from the Whittles and Buckley families. The accident occurred due to overcrowding and a child rocking the boat, with only one survivor able to swim.
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Eight Persons Drowned While Rowing on Watuppa Lake.
A CHILD CAUSED THE ACCIDENT
Women and Children Struggling in the Water Within Twenty Feet of Shore.
The Boat was Over-Crowded-Several of the Party Reach Shore in an Exhausted Condition-Only One Man Could Swim-
The Bodies of the Drowned were All Recovered.
FALL RIVER, Mass., May 26.-One of the saddest and most heart-rending accidents which have occurred in this city in years took place on Watuppa Lake yesterday afternoon.
A party of men, women and children took a boat at the pond and went out rowing. There was a strong wind blowing and the water was ruffled. The boat into which the party embarked was a common 13-foot flat-bottomed one, and the seating capacity is eight and was too small to accommodate so many persons.
The party was observed trying to work their way toward shore, just north of the pumping station. This was difficult work as the water was rough, the wind strong and the rowers inexperienced. When the boat load of pleasure seekers was within 20 feet of the shore one of the children rocked the boat. The men cautioned the child to keep quiet, but the child was unmindful of this advice.
The Boat Capsized.
Suddenly, without a moment's warning, the boat capsized. Heartrending cries rent the air, which were heard by Foreman Bullock of the pumping station and James Lafferty, but they were unable to render assistance. Mr. William Turner was the only one of the party who could swim. He succeeded in helping one of his companions ashore.
In the meantime the women were struggling in the water. Three or four parties on shore cried to them to cling to the boat, but their failing strength was unequal to the task, and women and children sank out of sight. Several of the party had struck out for shore on their own hook and succeeded in reaching it in an exhausted condition.
Eight Were Drowned.
The following were drowned, their bodies being recovered later in the day:
Samuel Whittles, aged 50
Mrs. Whittles, aged 45.
Henry Whittles, aged 10.
Samuel Whittles, Jr., aged 12.
Lavinia Buckley, aged 35.
Fred. Buckley, aged 3
Willie Buckley, aged 8.
Willie Turner, aged 9.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Watuppa Lake, Fall River, Mass.
Event Date
Yesterday Afternoon, May 26
Key Persons
Outcome
eight persons drowned: samuel whittles (50), mrs. whittles (45), henry whittles (10), samuel whittles jr. (12), lavinia buckley (35), fred. buckley (3), willie buckley (8), willie turner (9). bodies recovered. several reached shore exhausted.
Event Details
A party of men, women, and children in an overcrowded 13-foot flat-bottomed boat went rowing on Watuppa Lake amid strong wind and rough water. Near shore north of the pumping station, a child rocked the boat, causing it to capsize within 20 feet of shore. Only William Turner could swim and helped one companion. Women and children struggled but drowned despite cries to cling to the boat.