A Perilous Afternoon on Lake Washington

During the heavy wind yesterday afternoon, three adventurous canoeists were capsized in Lake Washington, and one of them, Robert Engelbrecht, had a narrow escape from drowning. The strong west wind made the water on the lake toss around in an ominous manner, yet the canoeists thought they would try to see what could be done for a little sport. Herman Chapin was the first to try the experiment, and after maneuvering from the Canoe Club house, he was satisfied that it was good judgment to get back on shore. Then B. Pelly came to the conclusion that he would see how near he could come to getting a ducking and escape it. His calculations got tangled up with cross-currents; when he was about 200 yards from the boat house, a sudden gust of wind played havoc with the sail of the frail craft and over went the boat. A boat went out from Bartlett's boat house and brought him in. Then George Atkinson went out, only to be thrown into the water. Engelbrecht, an expert with a canoe, concluded he could handle the craft Chapin had given up. The sail was hoisted and he shot forth upon the foaming waves like a race horse. Nearly two miles from shore, the sail flopped and he capsized. James Weed, watching through a glass, saw him get astride the canoe and hang on for dear life. Fortunately, the steamer Juanita was on her way from Yesler avenue to the Madison street dock. The captain saw the situation and turned the steamer out into the lake to the rescue. Engelbrecht was hauled on board after a half hour in the cold water, chilled to the point where, in a few more minutes, it might have proved fatal.