A Sailor's Last Ride on the Duwamish Bridge

Alexander E. McRae, first mate of the barkentine Katie Flickinger, now at Port Blakeley, was knocked off the bridge across the Duwamish River near South Park yesterday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock while attempting to board an electric car, and was injured to such an extent that death ensued while he was being conveyed to the city.

The barkentine Katie Flickinger is captained by M. P. McRae, one of the best-known navigators on the coast. Preparatory to giving up the Flickinger for another boat, he had his brother, Alexander McRae, a capable deep-water sailor, come from New York to take charge of her. It was the first trip of the captain and the first trip of the brother to Puget Sound. The barkentine is now loading lumber at Port Blakeley for the Fiji Islands, and to pass the Sabbath the captain went to the city to a ball game, while his brother, in company with Thomas Gibson, mate of the ship Burgess, and Peter Conner of the ship Lyman G. Foster, came to this city. They went to the Turnverein picnic at South Park, and after enjoying the day started back toward the city.

When they reached the southern terminus of the Grant Street electric line there was no car ready. They walked along the track, which runs across marshy land a short distance before reaching the bridge that spans the Duwamish River.

Car No. 5, in charge of C. T. Burtt, motorman, and T. Lynn, conductor, coming toward the city, overtook them on the bridge. Conner, Gibson and McRae stepped to one side and hailed the car to stop. The brakes were on, but the car was still in motion when the first of the trio grabbed the hand-guard. The other two men, McRae being one of them, grabbed it. In a moment there was a general jostling of bodies, and in some manner McRae was knocked down. Before a hand could be raised to help him he fell through the bridge and landed across a timber about twenty feet below. He doubled up like a jack-knife and then fell with a splash into the swift and deep river. To the surprise of the beholders he came to the surface and commenced working his way toward the shore. Help was at hand and he was drawn out more dead than alive. The car was run back and the injured man placed inside. It was evident that he was severely injured, although still breathing. The car came on to the city, and in the meantime McRae sank rapidly and breathed his last when near the Washington Iron Works.

The coroner being out of town, Deputy James Greene took charge of the remains and made a superficial examination, which showed several ribs broken, the direct cause of death being evidently internal injuries. Deputy Coroner Greene will report that, after talks with eyewitnesses to the accident, there does not appear to have been any carelessness on the part of the railroad men.

Immediately after the death one of McRae's friends telegraphed to Capt. McRae at Blakeley to come at once. Nothing was said as to the nature of the implied trouble. Capt. McRae found the dispatch waiting him on his return from Sidney and lost no time crossing the Sound. He went to police headquarters and, on being told that his brother was dead, broke down and cried like a child. Then he went to Bonney & Stewart's and saw the remains of his brother. He returned immediately to Blakeley to inform his wife and child of the trouble.

Alexander McRae was born on Prince Edward's Island forty-two years ago, and followed the sea for a living. He was a capable navigator and never indulged in intoxicants. He leaves a mother and sister at the old home. The disposition of the body will be decided upon today.

Fate has pursued Capt. M. P. McRae for five years. Five of his brothers, together with six sailors, were massacred by the Chinese, and not long ago his little child fell in the water. The mother jumped in after it and both were saved with great difficulty.