Thursday, November 9, 2017

EMILY MCDOUGALL DROWNS NEAR THUNDER HOLE IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK- 1934

Deaths In Acadia National Park;

Aug. 8, 1934.
Miss Emily McDougall, age 25, from Brooklin Mass. died Thursday as a result iof a tragic accident near Thunder Hole.  At the time it was nearly high tide with a heavy sea when Miss McDougall, who did not know how to swim,  arrived at the ocean.  She was with eight others who went down by the ocean for a picnic.  She removed her shoes and stockings and joined some of the others who began to walk along the waters edge.  Suddenly a wave larger than the others broke over the rocks and washed Miss McDougall into the ocean.
A friend, Miss Stewart plunged jumped into the surf to help Miss McDougall and another friend, Miss Geaney waded out into the surf to assist.  Huge Tweer, driving by above, heard the cries for help and raced down to the water and jumped in and attempted to reach the girls.  Miss Stewart was finally able to reach Miss McDougalls side and for forty minutes held her in her arms.  Alfred Reed, who patrols Sand Beach rushed to the scene of the accident and was able to get Miss Geaney out of the surf and took her to the home of J. Franklin Anthony's home, where she was treated for cuts and bruises.  At that time Mr. Anthony called the Bar Harbor police department and fire department to report the accident.
When the police arrived at the scene they found Mr. Tweer still some distance from the girls, who were still clinging to one another.  Attempts to enter the water and reach the girls with rope failed on the first attempt, but on the second attempt police were able to reach the girls and get them ashore.
Doctor C.C. Morrison could not find any signs of life in Miss McDougall  The fire chief and other police officers arrived in a police boat along with a second flat bottom boat, they were able to get close to Mr. Tweer but not able to get him out of the water due to rough sea, and a speed boat was brought in from Bar Harbor, which was able to reach him.  Once out of the water he was brought to an ambulance and taken to the local hospital.
The two women and Mr Tweer showed great courage when they dived into the heavy surf and everyone involved deserves credit in their efforts to try and save the life of Miss McDougall.

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