In July 1909, Dwight W. Dewey, a United States Post Office Inspector from New York City, drowned while swimming in Lake Ontario.
Dewey had been with a party of men near the outlet of Ontario Bay, where they had been building a pier. After the work, several went into the surf, which was running high. Dewey and another strong swimmer ventured farther out than the rest, but only one of them made it back.
According to the report, the two men were caught by the undertow. Dewey could still be seen swimming far from shore as others tried to reach him, but the rough surf slowed their rescue attempt. Before help could arrive, he sank beneath the water.
D.W. Dewey Is Drowned
UTICA, New York, — Dwight W. Dewey, 45 years old, United States Post Office Inspector of New York City, was drowned in Lake Ontario, near the outlet of Ontario Bay, at about 5 o’clock on Saturday.
With a party of 20 men, who had been building a pier, Mr. Dewey took a dip in the surf, which was running high. In company with another swimmer, he ventured out further than the rest of the party and continued swimming after the other had returned to the shore.
Both were known to be exceptionally proficient swimmers, and no sign of distress was observed until Dewey’s companion swam in alone in an exhausted condition, and said that both he and Dewey had been carried out by the undertow, and that Dewey was unable to get back, although he could then be seen swimming far out.
Several of the party immediately started to his assistance, but the surf was running dangerously high, and slow progress was made. Dewey sank before he could be reached.
The body was recovered at about 4 o’clock this morning by patrolmen from the lifesaving corps at Big Sandy.
Source: New York Tribune. New York, N.Y. July 19, 1909.
