FRANK SMITH (d. 1913)

DOUBLE TRAGEDY ON RIVER WHEN BOAT IS SWAMPED
FRANK SMITH, 18, AND RICHARD BREY, 20, LOSE LIVES WHILE RETURNING
HOME FROM WORK AT SHIPYARDS SATURDAY
DEATH TOLL OF WATER IS FOUR IN WEEK, 7 THIS YEAR
Two lives were lost and a third was imperiled in an accident on the
river, at the foot of State street Saturday afternoon when a scow in
which three boys, Frank Smith, Richard Brey and Joe Peterson were
crossing the river from the island, filled with water. The dead are:
Frank Smith, aged 18, 223 N. Seventh street, body recovered.
Richard Brey, aged 20, 607 Buffalo street, body recovered.
Peterson, the third of the party, reached shore in an exhausted cond-
ition after having failed in an attempt to rescue his companions.
The double drowning occurred at 5:10 Saturday afternoon when the three
boys were returning from work at the Goodrich shops where they are
employed. A small flat bottomed scow, owned by George McLaughlin,
chief engineer of the Columbus, had been secured by the party to cross
the river and they were within fifteen feet of the east bank when the
boat filled and floated from under them. Peterson, who can swim, made
an attempt to aid Smith and Brey, who clung together as they went down,
neither being able to swim, but Peterson was forced to abandon the two
after he had gone down with them the first time, and made way to shore
and gave the alarm. The body of Brey was recovered after thirty minutes
but it was nearly two hours before Smith's body was brought to the
surface.
Boat Fills With Water-
At the time of the accident Peterson was standing at the front end of
the scow paddling, Smith was in the rear end and Brey occupied the seat
in the center of the boat. The movement of the scow caused water to
come over the side but not in sufficient quantity to be dangerous, but
suddenly Brey warned his companions that the scow was filling and
within a few seconds the boat floated out from under the three and left
them struggling in the water. Peterson, realizing the peril of the two
boys who could not swim, attempted to save them but after he had been
pulled down once, he was forced to save himself and reached shore with
difficulty. Smith and Brey were not seen again until their dead bodies
were taken from the water by the police.
Witnesses To Accident
The acident(sic) was witnessed by W. Crocker and a companion who were
in a small boat some rods up the river but they were unable to reach
the scene in time to render assistance to save the two boys. Peterson
gave the alarm and a crowd of several hundred people gathered on the
river bank while the police with two boats and grappling hooks made
efforts to recover the bodies. Brey's body was brought up a half hour
after the accident and physicians who were at the scene made every
effort to revive the boy without success. The body was taken in charge
by Urbanek & Wattawa and was removed to the home Sunday.
The body of Smith was not recovered for nearly two hours after the
acident(sic) and there was no hope. The body was given into the charge
by Frazier Bros. and removed to the undertaking rooms, and taken to
the home late this afternoon.
Smith's Parents Absent-
A peculiarly sad feature in connection with the tragedy was the absence
of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Smith, parents of one of the victims from the city.
Mr. Smith, who is in charge of the painting department of the Goodrich
company, left the city Friday night with the Columbus and was at Chicago.
Mrs. Smith and her daughter, departed for Milwaukee at noon Saturday,
intending to continue the trip to Chicago. Messages dispatched to
Milwaukee and Chicago located Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the latter arrived
in the city on the late train Saturday evening, Mr. Smith being delayed
until Sunday morning.
Boys Well Liked-
Both Smith and Brey were popular young men and their tragic death is
deeply deplored. Smith was a student at the high school until recently
and was a member of next year's graduating class, but had been advised
to leave school temporarily on account of his health and had been
employed at the Goodrich shops. He was born in this city February 22,
1895 and had always made his home here. Besides his parents he is sur-
vived by one sister, Miss Irma.
Brey is a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Brey, Buffalo street, and was born
here October 1, 1893. He was formerly employed by Schuette Bros. company
and later secured a position with the Goodrich company. His parents,
one brother William and a sister, Miss Lillian survive.
Funeral Arrangements-
No inquest was deemed necessary by Coroner Falge and none will be held.
The funeral of the Brey lad will take place tomorrow morning from
Sacred Heart church while the burial of the Smith boy will be held
Wednesday afternoon from the Presbyterian church.
Two Rivers Boy Drowns-
The double drowning in this city made for a total of three for the day
in the county and four for the week. At Two Rivers Saturday afternoon,
Georg Koch, aged 16, while swimming in the Neshoto river, was taken
with cramps and drowned before aid could reach him. The body was
recovered.
Seventh Accident This Year-
With the three drownings of Saturday, the death toll of river and lake
for the season reaches seven, four in one week. Frank Shipper being
the fourth victim. Two previous drownings in this city and one at Two
Rivers make up the seven.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Monday, June 23, 1913 p.1
[bur. 06-24-1913/cause: accidental drowning/bur. on Ira F Smith lot]