A DANCE OF DEATH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2402, 27 November 1880, Page 4

A DANCE OF DEATH.

An account was published recently of the drowning of two women from a canal boat near Cornwall while waltzing on deck. The whole story in detail is that the canal boat George C. Nottcr, loaded with salt, was one of a row of boats which passed Poughkeepsie on the way to New York. The eaiptain, William Hill, of Oswego Palis! was accompanied by his young wife, 2(5 years old, and her sister Maria Milligan, 10-years of age. The night, though very dark, was warm and pleasant. Captain Hill had been frolicking on deck, and he called to his wife and sister to come up from the cabin and see Imw well he could waltz; Mrs Hill left her baby, four months old, and her little son, five years below, and went on deck with her sister. After watching Captain Hill for a few moments one of the wt men exclaimed, “wc can beat your waltzing,” and together whirled along towards the bow of the boat. They danced back, and when they reached the raised part of the deck they accidentally struck their heels against the woodwork and fell over the boat's side in each other’s arms. Captain Hill seized a boat-hook and, while shouting for help, put the hook m the water and caught the dress of his wife, to whom the girl was still clinging. He tried to lift the women but their combined weight was too great. All on the boat had gone to bed, except the man at the tiller, and he was too frightened to be of any assistance. Captain Hill found his strength fast giving out, and saw (bat he would have to relinquish his hold on the women or himself fall overboard, and before help arrived be took the former alternative and his wife and sister-in-law sank. Captain Hill’s shouts having drawn some men from the other boats, the tug was stopped and a row-boat lowered. Captain Hill and one or two others pulled back to the place where the women sank but no trace of (hem could be found.