Two Canoeists' Narrow Escape.
Two Canoeists' Narrow Escape.

TWO CANOEISTS' NARROW ESCAPE.
__________

Saved from Going Over Great Falls at
Night by Hearing the Roar of Waters.

    Washington came near losing two estimable citizens last week--Rev. Theodore N. Wynkoop and Mr. Irwin B. Linton, the former the president and the latter a member of the newly formed canoe club of this city. Having shipped their canoes to Harper's Ferry by rail they followed on Monday, and on Tuesday morning began a canoe voyage down the Potomac. They had a very pleasant time of it, the weather being fine, and camped out without discomfort when nightfall overtook them. They had a somewhat exciting experience on the way down which they will be likely to remember. They lost their bearings, so to speak, when near the Great Falls, above which after making a portage, they were to take the canal. They were misled, however, and kept on their downward course, the water becoming swifter and swifter until the terrible roar of the waters over the rocks told of their close proximity to the Falls. When they were convinced of this fact they turned the bows of their canoes shoreward and with considerable difficulty reached terra firma on the western bank of the river and had to carry their boats quite a long distance before reaching smooth water again. Notwithstanding their narrow escape they say they had a very pleasant trip and would like to take it over again.
    The temporary quarters of the canoe club at the foot of High street, West Washington, are almost fitted up, and when they are ready for occupancy in a few weeks the members of the club will give a housewarming to their friends. The two buildings leased by the club were formerly guano warehouses. They have been thoroughly cleaned and will answer the purpose of the club until it is financially strong enough to build a handsome boat-house of its own. The dock also leased by the club has been fenced in and tramways from the buildings to the water for the canoes constructed.


Source:

Unknown, "Two Canoeists' Narrow Escape, Saved From Going Over Great Falls at Night by Hearing the Roar of Waters," The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Thursday, 31 July 1884, p. 4.

Created September 7, 2004; Revised September 7, 2004
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