CAPTAIN JOHN BARNS SMITH
DELAWARE BAY AND RIVER
PILOT
DROWNS IN REHOBOTH BAY
The body of Delaware
River pilot Capt. John Barns Smith , age 31, was recovered
in Rehoboth Bay by the
Coast Guard, 400 yards offshore Slippery Point.
Smith disappeared last
evening while swimming with Miss Irene Hargas, 22 year
old nurse at the Beebe
Hospital in Lewes. The pair had left a party at 10 pm from the
summer home of Fred
Campbell at Herring Creek in a outboard motorboat and on the way
decided to go swimming .
While swimming, Smith disappeared beneath the surface. It is
believed he had a heart
attack since he was known to be a strong swimmer.
Miss Hargas became excited
and while trying to find Smith let the boat driftt away,
she then was able to make
shore 50 yards away to Camp Arrowhead, a boys camp,
operated by Col. Ralph
Sasse, who assisted her for shock and hysteria, got her to Beebe
Hospital where her
condition is reported improved. Miss Hargas, a native of Lock
Haven,
had just learned to swim
three weeks ago.
A search was made by
Coast Guardsmen, under Chief Mate Alfred Quillen,
assisted by fellow
pilots at the party, including Herbert Orton, J. Wright
Roland, Capt.
Campbell and Harry
Roland .
Smith, one of the younger
pilots has been a member of the group since 1942. He
was born in Lewes, son of
Nathaniel S. and Marian Barnes Smith, a grandson of the
late Captain James
Barnes, one of Lewes's old time pilots.
Abstract: Wilmington
Morning News July 14, 1948 by Harrison H. 06/05/18
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