The George Washington sinks in the Pecos

From the Carlsbad Current-Argus - By Stella Davis - CARLSBAD — Residents living along the Pecos River and recreational boaters on the water sprang into action Saturday afternoon to rescue passengers from a sinking paddleboat. The George Washington stern-wheeler had a load of 44 signtseers when it began going down near the north end of its route. "The residents that launched their boats and others who had been boating on the river really helped us out," said Earl Phelps, Carlsbad Fire Department engineer. "By the time we got to the scene nearly all the people on the George Washington had been brought to safety and there were no injuries. The slightly wet passengers were taken to nearby residential docks and from there returned to port. "We were able to account for everyone that was on the boat," Phelps said.  As passengers were brought to the private docks, a party boat arrived to take them back to the landing dock at Port Jefferson Beach where the trip originated. Read more

The George Washington sinks in the Pecos