Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 245, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1910 — Emerson Coen Had Close Call In Boat Disaster. [ARTICLE]

Emerson Coen Had Close Call In Boat Disaster.

Emerson Coen, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Coen, and a member of the crew of the United States battleship New Hampshire, had a close call from death when the barge that was conveying sailors from land to the ship, was tipped over in the Hudson river in New York on Oct. Ist. Emerson had secured, shore leave that afternoon and was to have returned on the 7 o’clock boat. But he decided to return one hour before his leave expired and reached the ship by 6 o’clock. The 7 o’clock barge was sunk and 29 of the occupants were drowned, among them some close companions of Coen’s. There were about ninety of the sailors in the craft, which was towed by a cutter, and the river was rough, caused by the fast ebbing tide. Suddenly a big wave dashed over the barge and several of the sailors were swept oft into the cold water. The barge was apparently going to sink and all were forced to lump and take their chances in the current. Many acts of heroism were reported. ' Midshipman O. de C. Chevalier, of Medford, Mass., who was in command of the cutter,, jumped into the water and single handed saved seven men. He was taken back to the ship almost dead himself. A painter named R. Karl saved four men, and was drowned himself while trying to save another. Most of the met) who were lost lived in eastern states. It Is an unusual thing for a sailor to seturn to his ship before the extreme limit of his leave and the fact that Emerson did so was all that saved him from being in the barge.