Dora and Doris Robertson, 16-year-old twin daughters of Mary Robertson and the late Donald Robertson, drowned in the St. Lawrence River in Morrisburg near Nash Creek. They had been at the beach with friends and while out bathing, they wandered too far from shore and drowned. A friend, 19-year-old Ernest Hart also drowned. None of them could swim.
Winchester Press, 25 July 1935:
Twin Sisters Are Victims of Drowning Tragedy
Dora and Doris Robertson, twin daughters of Mrs. Donald Robertson, Lose Lives In St. Lawrence River On Sunday. Funeral Held Tuesday.
One of the most tragic accidents in years occurred at Morrisburg on Sunday last about 2:30 p.m., when Dora and Doris Robertson, 16-year-old twin daughters of Mrs. Mary Robertson, of Winchester, and Ernest Hard, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hart, of Matilda Township, formerly of Winchester, were drowned while bathing in the St. Lawrence.
None of the party could swim. The three victims had been bathing in the treacherous waters near Nash's Creek for half an hour before the tragedy occurred while Mrs. Hart was walking on the shore. At the particular part of the beach where they were wading, the water is quite shallow for some feet out from shore then takes a sudden drop to a depth of about 20 feet.
The three young people got into difficulty when they waded out too far and stepped off the ledge. When Mrs. Hart saw they were out of their depth, she tried to wade to their assistance, but being unable to swim, was not able to reach them without getting into deep water herself.
Attempts Rescue
Attracted by screams, a party of men in a house nearby rushed to the scene. Fred Mole, of Montreal, almost managed to rescue one of the girls. He had her under his arm and was trying to drag her to safety when the Hart youth clutched at him and dragged them all under the surface. To save his own life, he was obliged to kick himself free, and in doing so, lost his hold on the girl.
All the bodies were recovered about 25 feet from shore shortly after the tragedy.
Seeking relief from stifling heat, people crowded the shores around Morrisburg on Sunday. At the place where the triple drowning happened, however, few people were in the vicinity, as it was a dangerous and far from popular swimming locale. Rocks, shoals, swift water and uneven bottom made it a treacherous place for bathing. Right opposite where the three went down, the Rapids Queen had been tied as a floating hotel for two years, unmooring early last summer.
Bodies Recovered
Following the accident, Dr. W. A. Reddick of Morrisburg, was called to the scene and he pronounced life extinct. He was followed by Dr. C. A. Louden, coroner, of Morrisburg, Provincial Constable Frank Rose and Provincial Traffic Officer Eugene Rose, both of Morrisburg. While Constable Frank Rose went to search for grappling irons, the bodies were recovered by Herbert and Fred Clark, Charles Smith and Traffic Officer Rose, all of Morrisburg, who used a boat.
Rush to Scene
Stanley Casselman and Stanley Hess, of Morrisburg, and James Joyce and Fred Mole of Montreal were in Mr. Casserlman's home, which is near the road which runs along the shore bank, when they heard screams. All rushed to the scene. Only Joyce and Mole were able to swim. Mr. Joyce was unable to make headway against the swift current but Mr. Mole managed to reach one of the girls.
The body of Ernest Hart was taken to the Wallace Funeral Parlors in Brinston. His father is employed with the lock staff at Morrisburg. The twin sisters were taken to the Marsh Funeral Parlors in Morrisburg. Later the remains were taken to Dixon's Funeral Parlors in Winchester.
Ernest Hart is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hart; a brother, Irwin; and a sister, Miss Barbara Hart, all of Matilda township.
The two girls are survived by their mother, Mrs. Donald Robertson; a sister, Mrs. Percy Bellinger; and a brother, Daniel Robertson, all of Winchester.
It was a great shock to the citizens of Winchester when word of the fatalities was received late in the afternoon, as the two young ladies had been popular members of the younger set. Both were educated in the public school and were taking advanced work in the local high school. During the summer vacation Doris had been working in Williamsburg. On Sunday, Dora had gone to that place to visit her sister and it was then that the plans were made to go for a swim in the St. Lawrence.
Funeral Held Tuesday
The funeral of the late Misses Robertson, which was one of the largest in Winchester in many years, was held on Tuesday afternoon from the residence to the United Church, where the pastor Rev. W. S. Atchison, B. A., B. D., conducted a most impressive service, assisted by Rev. W. D. Turner, B. A., pastor of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. Miss Alice Singleton presided at the organ for the service, during which Mesdames P. Durant and E. Steele sang a beautiful duet "He Knows It All." Interment was made at Maple Ridge Cemetery.
The pall-bearers were Messrs. Harold Workman, Randall Wylie, Chas. Cross, Gerald Helmer, Melvin Scott, Ross Hutchinson, Kenneth Ault, and Arnold Barkley.
A profusion of beautiful flowers testified to the popularity of the young ladies, while hundreds of citizens visited the residence to pay final tribute to them.
Winchester Press, 25 July 1935:
Twin Sisters Are Victims of Drowning Tragedy
Dora and Doris Robertson, twin daughters of Mrs. Donald Robertson, Lose Lives In St. Lawrence River On Sunday. Funeral Held Tuesday.
One of the most tragic accidents in years occurred at Morrisburg on Sunday last about 2:30 p.m., when Dora and Doris Robertson, 16-year-old twin daughters of Mrs. Mary Robertson, of Winchester, and Ernest Hard, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hart, of Matilda Township, formerly of Winchester, were drowned while bathing in the St. Lawrence.
None of the party could swim. The three victims had been bathing in the treacherous waters near Nash's Creek for half an hour before the tragedy occurred while Mrs. Hart was walking on the shore. At the particular part of the beach where they were wading, the water is quite shallow for some feet out from shore then takes a sudden drop to a depth of about 20 feet.
The three young people got into difficulty when they waded out too far and stepped off the ledge. When Mrs. Hart saw they were out of their depth, she tried to wade to their assistance, but being unable to swim, was not able to reach them without getting into deep water herself.
Attempts Rescue
Attracted by screams, a party of men in a house nearby rushed to the scene. Fred Mole, of Montreal, almost managed to rescue one of the girls. He had her under his arm and was trying to drag her to safety when the Hart youth clutched at him and dragged them all under the surface. To save his own life, he was obliged to kick himself free, and in doing so, lost his hold on the girl.
All the bodies were recovered about 25 feet from shore shortly after the tragedy.
Seeking relief from stifling heat, people crowded the shores around Morrisburg on Sunday. At the place where the triple drowning happened, however, few people were in the vicinity, as it was a dangerous and far from popular swimming locale. Rocks, shoals, swift water and uneven bottom made it a treacherous place for bathing. Right opposite where the three went down, the Rapids Queen had been tied as a floating hotel for two years, unmooring early last summer.
Bodies Recovered
Following the accident, Dr. W. A. Reddick of Morrisburg, was called to the scene and he pronounced life extinct. He was followed by Dr. C. A. Louden, coroner, of Morrisburg, Provincial Constable Frank Rose and Provincial Traffic Officer Eugene Rose, both of Morrisburg. While Constable Frank Rose went to search for grappling irons, the bodies were recovered by Herbert and Fred Clark, Charles Smith and Traffic Officer Rose, all of Morrisburg, who used a boat.
Rush to Scene
Stanley Casselman and Stanley Hess, of Morrisburg, and James Joyce and Fred Mole of Montreal were in Mr. Casserlman's home, which is near the road which runs along the shore bank, when they heard screams. All rushed to the scene. Only Joyce and Mole were able to swim. Mr. Joyce was unable to make headway against the swift current but Mr. Mole managed to reach one of the girls.
The body of Ernest Hart was taken to the Wallace Funeral Parlors in Brinston. His father is employed with the lock staff at Morrisburg. The twin sisters were taken to the Marsh Funeral Parlors in Morrisburg. Later the remains were taken to Dixon's Funeral Parlors in Winchester.
Ernest Hart is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hart; a brother, Irwin; and a sister, Miss Barbara Hart, all of Matilda township.
The two girls are survived by their mother, Mrs. Donald Robertson; a sister, Mrs. Percy Bellinger; and a brother, Daniel Robertson, all of Winchester.
It was a great shock to the citizens of Winchester when word of the fatalities was received late in the afternoon, as the two young ladies had been popular members of the younger set. Both were educated in the public school and were taking advanced work in the local high school. During the summer vacation Doris had been working in Williamsburg. On Sunday, Dora had gone to that place to visit her sister and it was then that the plans were made to go for a swim in the St. Lawrence.
Funeral Held Tuesday
The funeral of the late Misses Robertson, which was one of the largest in Winchester in many years, was held on Tuesday afternoon from the residence to the United Church, where the pastor Rev. W. S. Atchison, B. A., B. D., conducted a most impressive service, assisted by Rev. W. D. Turner, B. A., pastor of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. Miss Alice Singleton presided at the organ for the service, during which Mesdames P. Durant and E. Steele sang a beautiful duet "He Knows It All." Interment was made at Maple Ridge Cemetery.
The pall-bearers were Messrs. Harold Workman, Randall Wylie, Chas. Cross, Gerald Helmer, Melvin Scott, Ross Hutchinson, Kenneth Ault, and Arnold Barkley.
A profusion of beautiful flowers testified to the popularity of the young ladies, while hundreds of citizens visited the residence to pay final tribute to them.
Dora and Doris Robertson, 16-year-old twin daughters of Mary Robertson and the late Donald Robertson, drowned in the St. Lawrence River in Morrisburg near Nash Creek. They had been at the beach with friends and while out bathing, they wandered too far from shore and drowned. A friend, 19-year-old Ernest Hart also drowned. None of them could swim.
Winchester Press, 25 July 1935:
Twin Sisters Are Victims of Drowning Tragedy
Dora and Doris Robertson, twin daughters of Mrs. Donald Robertson, Lose Lives In St. Lawrence River On Sunday. Funeral Held Tuesday.
One of the most tragic accidents in years occurred at Morrisburg on Sunday last about 2:30 p.m., when Dora and Doris Robertson, 16-year-old twin daughters of Mrs. Mary Robertson, of Winchester, and Ernest Hard, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hart, of Matilda Township, formerly of Winchester, were drowned while bathing in the St. Lawrence.
None of the party could swim. The three victims had been bathing in the treacherous waters near Nash's Creek for half an hour before the tragedy occurred while Mrs. Hart was walking on the shore. At the particular part of the beach where they were wading, the water is quite shallow for some feet out from shore then takes a sudden drop to a depth of about 20 feet.
The three young people got into difficulty when they waded out too far and stepped off the ledge. When Mrs. Hart saw they were out of their depth, she tried to wade to their assistance, but being unable to swim, was not able to reach them without getting into deep water herself.
Attempts Rescue
Attracted by screams, a party of men in a house nearby rushed to the scene. Fred Mole, of Montreal, almost managed to rescue one of the girls. He had her under his arm and was trying to drag her to safety when the Hart youth clutched at him and dragged them all under the surface. To save his own life, he was obliged to kick himself free, and in doing so, lost his hold on the girl.
All the bodies were recovered about 25 feet from shore shortly after the tragedy.
Seeking relief from stifling heat, people crowded the shores around Morrisburg on Sunday. At the place where the triple drowning happened, however, few people were in the vicinity, as it was a dangerous and far from popular swimming locale. Rocks, shoals, swift water and uneven bottom made it a treacherous place for bathing. Right opposite where the three went down, the Rapids Queen had been tied as a floating hotel for two years, unmooring early last summer.
Bodies Recovered
Following the accident, Dr. W. A. Reddick of Morrisburg, was called to the scene and he pronounced life extinct. He was followed by Dr. C. A. Louden, coroner, of Morrisburg, Provincial Constable Frank Rose and Provincial Traffic Officer Eugene Rose, both of Morrisburg. While Constable Frank Rose went to search for grappling irons, the bodies were recovered by Herbert and Fred Clark, Charles Smith and Traffic Officer Rose, all of Morrisburg, who used a boat.
Rush to Scene
Stanley Casselman and Stanley Hess, of Morrisburg, and James Joyce and Fred Mole of Montreal were in Mr. Casserlman's home, which is near the road which runs along the shore bank, when they heard screams. All rushed to the scene. Only Joyce and Mole were able to swim. Mr. Joyce was unable to make headway against the swift current but Mr. Mole managed to reach one of the girls.
The body of Ernest Hart was taken to the Wallace Funeral Parlors in Brinston. His father is employed with the lock staff at Morrisburg. The twin sisters were taken to the Marsh Funeral Parlors in Morrisburg. Later the remains were taken to Dixon's Funeral Parlors in Winchester.
Ernest Hart is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hart; a brother, Irwin; and a sister, Miss Barbara Hart, all of Matilda township.
The two girls are survived by their mother, Mrs. Donald Robertson; a sister, Mrs. Percy Bellinger; and a brother, Daniel Robertson, all of Winchester.
It was a great shock to the citizens of Winchester when word of the fatalities was received late in the afternoon, as the two young ladies had been popular members of the younger set. Both were educated in the public school and were taking advanced work in the local high school. During the summer vacation Doris had been working in Williamsburg. On Sunday, Dora had gone to that place to visit her sister and it was then that the plans were made to go for a swim in the St. Lawrence.
Funeral Held Tuesday
The funeral of the late Misses Robertson, which was one of the largest in Winchester in many years, was held on Tuesday afternoon from the residence to the United Church, where the pastor Rev. W. S. Atchison, B. A., B. D., conducted a most impressive service, assisted by Rev. W. D. Turner, B. A., pastor of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. Miss Alice Singleton presided at the organ for the service, during which Mesdames P. Durant and E. Steele sang a beautiful duet "He Knows It All." Interment was made at Maple Ridge Cemetery.
The pall-bearers were Messrs. Harold Workman, Randall Wylie, Chas. Cross, Gerald Helmer, Melvin Scott, Ross Hutchinson, Kenneth Ault, and Arnold Barkley.
A profusion of beautiful flowers testified to the popularity of the young ladies, while hundreds of citizens visited the residence to pay final tribute to them.
Winchester Press, 25 July 1935:
Twin Sisters Are Victims of Drowning Tragedy
Dora and Doris Robertson, twin daughters of Mrs. Donald Robertson, Lose Lives In St. Lawrence River On Sunday. Funeral Held Tuesday.
One of the most tragic accidents in years occurred at Morrisburg on Sunday last about 2:30 p.m., when Dora and Doris Robertson, 16-year-old twin daughters of Mrs. Mary Robertson, of Winchester, and Ernest Hard, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hart, of Matilda Township, formerly of Winchester, were drowned while bathing in the St. Lawrence.
None of the party could swim. The three victims had been bathing in the treacherous waters near Nash's Creek for half an hour before the tragedy occurred while Mrs. Hart was walking on the shore. At the particular part of the beach where they were wading, the water is quite shallow for some feet out from shore then takes a sudden drop to a depth of about 20 feet.
The three young people got into difficulty when they waded out too far and stepped off the ledge. When Mrs. Hart saw they were out of their depth, she tried to wade to their assistance, but being unable to swim, was not able to reach them without getting into deep water herself.
Attempts Rescue
Attracted by screams, a party of men in a house nearby rushed to the scene. Fred Mole, of Montreal, almost managed to rescue one of the girls. He had her under his arm and was trying to drag her to safety when the Hart youth clutched at him and dragged them all under the surface. To save his own life, he was obliged to kick himself free, and in doing so, lost his hold on the girl.
All the bodies were recovered about 25 feet from shore shortly after the tragedy.
Seeking relief from stifling heat, people crowded the shores around Morrisburg on Sunday. At the place where the triple drowning happened, however, few people were in the vicinity, as it was a dangerous and far from popular swimming locale. Rocks, shoals, swift water and uneven bottom made it a treacherous place for bathing. Right opposite where the three went down, the Rapids Queen had been tied as a floating hotel for two years, unmooring early last summer.
Bodies Recovered
Following the accident, Dr. W. A. Reddick of Morrisburg, was called to the scene and he pronounced life extinct. He was followed by Dr. C. A. Louden, coroner, of Morrisburg, Provincial Constable Frank Rose and Provincial Traffic Officer Eugene Rose, both of Morrisburg. While Constable Frank Rose went to search for grappling irons, the bodies were recovered by Herbert and Fred Clark, Charles Smith and Traffic Officer Rose, all of Morrisburg, who used a boat.
Rush to Scene
Stanley Casselman and Stanley Hess, of Morrisburg, and James Joyce and Fred Mole of Montreal were in Mr. Casserlman's home, which is near the road which runs along the shore bank, when they heard screams. All rushed to the scene. Only Joyce and Mole were able to swim. Mr. Joyce was unable to make headway against the swift current but Mr. Mole managed to reach one of the girls.
The body of Ernest Hart was taken to the Wallace Funeral Parlors in Brinston. His father is employed with the lock staff at Morrisburg. The twin sisters were taken to the Marsh Funeral Parlors in Morrisburg. Later the remains were taken to Dixon's Funeral Parlors in Winchester.
Ernest Hart is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hart; a brother, Irwin; and a sister, Miss Barbara Hart, all of Matilda township.
The two girls are survived by their mother, Mrs. Donald Robertson; a sister, Mrs. Percy Bellinger; and a brother, Daniel Robertson, all of Winchester.
It was a great shock to the citizens of Winchester when word of the fatalities was received late in the afternoon, as the two young ladies had been popular members of the younger set. Both were educated in the public school and were taking advanced work in the local high school. During the summer vacation Doris had been working in Williamsburg. On Sunday, Dora had gone to that place to visit her sister and it was then that the plans were made to go for a swim in the St. Lawrence.
Funeral Held Tuesday
The funeral of the late Misses Robertson, which was one of the largest in Winchester in many years, was held on Tuesday afternoon from the residence to the United Church, where the pastor Rev. W. S. Atchison, B. A., B. D., conducted a most impressive service, assisted by Rev. W. D. Turner, B. A., pastor of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. Miss Alice Singleton presided at the organ for the service, during which Mesdames P. Durant and E. Steele sang a beautiful duet "He Knows It All." Interment was made at Maple Ridge Cemetery.
The pall-bearers were Messrs. Harold Workman, Randall Wylie, Chas. Cross, Gerald Helmer, Melvin Scott, Ross Hutchinson, Kenneth Ault, and Arnold Barkley.
A profusion of beautiful flowers testified to the popularity of the young ladies, while hundreds of citizens visited the residence to pay final tribute to them.
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