Research the archive
Narrow 27,002 newspaper stories by words, years, place, newspaper and subject. See when and where they ran, then download what you find.
Put a phrase in quotes ("rent strike") or leave a word out with a minus (strike -baseball). Old scans misspell names, so when little is found, near-spellings are offered.
Refine
Show the numbers
| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1854 | 1 |
| 1858 | 2 |
| 1861 | 1 |
| 1862 | 1 |
| 1863 | 1 |
| 1872 | 1 |
| 1876 | 24 |
| 1877 | 13 |
| 1878 | 7 |
| 1879 | 1 |
| 1880 | 5 |
| 1882 | 5 |
| 1883 | 21 |
| 1884 | 10 |
| 1885 | 17 |
| 1886 | 14 |
| 1887 | 10 |
| 1888 | 3 |
| 1889 | 16 |
| 1890 | 2 |
| 1891 | 16 |
| 1892 | 77 |
| 1893 | 67 |
| 1894 | 46 |
| 1895 | 47 |
| 1899 | 9 |
| 1900 | 2 |
| 1903 | 12 |
| 1904 | 21 |
| 1905 | 3 |
| 1908 | 3 |
| 1909 | 16 |
| 1910 | 1 |
| 1911 | 1 |
| 1914 | 1 |
| 1915 | 3 |
| 1916 | 11 |
| 1917 | 2 |
| 1918 | 4 |
| 1923 | 2 |
| 1924 | 6 |
505 stories matching drown
- The Deceptive Waters of Spanaway Lake
After multiple drownings, a doctor warns that a deceptively shallow-looking rope line is concealing a lethal drop-off.
- Runaway Horses Plunge Into Waterfront Slip, One Drowns
A runaway horse team plunges into the harbor near the wharves, resulting in the death of one animal.
- A Near-Drowning at the Seattle Waterfront
A passenger taking a shortcut through a crowded dock ends up in the bay, saved by the quick thinking of a hotel bus driver.
- The Mystery of the Drowned Man’s Missing Fortune
In July 1870, Seattle’s probate court launched a frantic investigation into whether $2,000 vanished from the pocket of John Filfe, who drowned in Puget Sound days earlier.
- Boy Scout Rescues Drowning Child from Anacortes Waterfront
A 14-year-old uses his training to save a drowning boy from the logs at the foot of 31st Street.
- Mrs. MacDonald and Harry Ahlers Identified After Drowning
A domestic dispute ends in a drowning that shocks the city and leaves two children orphaned.
- Tragedy at the Waterfront
A nine-year-old boy drowns while swimming near the foot of Depot Street, highlighting the dangers of the bay for city children in 1892.
- Tragic Drowning on the Waterfront
A local plumber loses his life in the bay after a night of drinking.
- A Tragic Walk Home in Shelton
A local man died in a dark accident on a railroad bridge.
- The Tragedy of a Backyard Stream
A toddler’s unsupervised play ends in a heartbreaking drowning in a narrow irrigation ditch, highlighting the perils of a growing city.
- Prosser Businessman Frank Hedger Drowns in Yakima River
A prominent Prosser businessman drowns while duck hunting near the mouth of the Yakima River.
- River Rescue at Pasco
Captain Brown of the Hanford Flyer saves a drowning child from the Columbia River.
- Three Sailors Drown in Squall Near Dungeness Mill
A sudden winter gale capsizes a supply boat, claiming the lives of three men just off the coast of Dungeness.
- A Child Lost to the River
A tragic drowning accident in Melbourne claims the life of an eight-year-old boy while visiting family.
- A Mother’s Desperate Rescue in Ocosta Bay
A mother who could not swim dives into the freezing tide to save her drowning son.
- A Heroic Rescue from the Mill Race
A local man risks his own health to save a drowning boy near the Pacific Coast elevator.
- The Grim Toll of the Upper Columbia
Multiple unidentified bodies recovered near Kettle Falls, sparking a grim puzzle of identity and drownings along the river.
- Tragedy at the Cornwall Mill Wharf
An engineer perishes in the fog while securing a log raft in Whatcom.
- The Newspaper Editor Who 'Drowned' in the Sound
After an editor’s unexpected delay while traveling to report on the regional resources of Washington, his local readers spiraled into a panic—leading to a very awkward, very alive homecoming.
- Tragedy on the Hatopp River
A brother’s desperate attempt to save his sister fails after their canoe hits a shoal.
- A Heroine in the Sound
A young woman saves two men from drowning after their boat capsized in a storm.
- Tacoma Manager William Roberts Drowns in Rowboat Capsizing
A husband and father drowns in sight of his family after a small boat capsizes off New Amsterdam.
- Eight-Year-Old Frank Smith Drowns in White River
A young boy drowns while crossing the river in a skiff as his sisters watch helplessly.
- The Tragedy on the Skagit River
A routine river crossing turned fatal for a laborer and his companion, highlighting the constant peril of frontier travel.
- A Widow’s Winter Security
After the drowning of John Brant, Seattle neighbors and the local Scotch society rally to provide food for his grieving family.