Three Drowned in the Columbia's Whirlpool

The drowning of C. B. F. William Barton and Mrs. W. B. Prowell in the Columbia River, near the mouth of the Methow, last Monday, was witnessed by Deputy Auditor C. L. Andrews, of this city, who returned yesterday from a trip east of the mountains. The ill-fated party left the steamer City of Ellensburg on the west side of the river to go to the government scow moored about 200 yards below, and instead of skirting the bank, which would have been safe, plunged directly into the stream. The river at that point is full of rocks and bowlders and runs like a railway train. There is a ledge setting out from the easterly shore, and it causes at the present stage of the water tremendous cross-currents, now neutralized by their opposing influences and calm as a lake, but again, when they unite, whirling and dashing in a mad surge of almost irresistible power. Sometimes, from the smooth, delightful surface will rise in an instant a wave six feet in height, which, lapping forward in its course, will bury logs and trees from sight.

As the little boat started from the City of Ellensburg it was noticed that Haskell was at the oars, and Barton and Mrs. Prowell were seated together in the stern, throwing the bow out of the water. A few strokes sent the skiff far out toward the middle of the stream, and the men and woman were sweeping rapidly toward the scow below. The water appeared as smooth as a lake, when all at once an enormous wave rose up immediately behind the frail skiff, and those on the steamer saw Haskell, uncertain what to do, rest on his oars. In a second water had poured into the overloaded boat, which seemed to stop for an instant, then quickly to stand with prow straight up in the air, then to plunge from sight beneath the current.

The horrified watchers saw nothing for many seconds. All at once Mrs. Prowell reappeared, and, buoyed up by her clothing, rapidly drifted on the long outside curve of the great eddy toward the western shore. When a short distance from the government scow she sank and was not seen again.

The two men rose almost together and shouted to the steamer to save Mrs. Prowell, and near them rose the boat. After a desperate struggle both succeeded in catching it and hung on for their lives. But they were on the short circle of the eddy, and were hurled toward the vortex of the maelstrom, many yards from where the unfortunate woman was drifting to her death. Again the boat was caught by the whirlpool, and again it was dragged beneath the surface. A little later the two men, still close together, reappeared, and made a hard fight for their lives.

In the meantime a boat had been launched from the steamer and was now far out into the current to rescue the men, if possible. But one of them disappeared and the other went down for the last time with the rescuing party only a length away. This boat also shipped water, but safely avoided the whirlpool.

The boat with which Haskell, Barton and Mrs. Prowell went down was held under water several minutes, and came to the surface about 200 yards below the scene of the accident.

Mr. Andrews says the men and woman could have walked from the steamer to the scow in only a few minutes, but having taken the boat they made the mistake, first, of putting all the load in the stern, next, of going into the stream instead of keeping in shore, and, finally, of hesitating at the instant when the oars should have been used with all their force.

The point where the drowning occurred is almost the same spot where Ranche Henderson and a comrade were drowned only a fortnight ago. The river is so swift and the current so strong that the City of Ellensburg has to "line up" in order to ascend the river, and often has to make half a dozen trials before passing given points. The current seems to run from fifteen to twenty miles an hour, and a boat cannot live save under the most skillful management.

A letter from Chelan Falls, dated May 31, says: "All attempts to recover the bodies have been unsuccessful, though search parties are keeping a lookout all along the river. The terrible accident has cast a shadow over the entire country, as all parties are well known and highly respected by a large circle of friends."