Mathew Wetle Drowns

The Morning Astoria
Astoria Oregon - April 17, 1914

SAILOR DROWNS
Deck Hand, on Boarding the
Tug Sampson, Falls
From Ladder
_______
Mat Wetle, ages 39 years, a native of Oregon and deck hand on the Columbia Rock and Sand company's tug Sampson, was drowned in the Columbia river at the foot of Ninth Street yesterday when he slipped from a ladder while boarding the vessel. The tragedy occurred at 3:40 p.m. and his body was recovered possibly a half hour later by Captain E. P. Parker by the use of sturgeon hooks.

The Sampson, which is an oil burning vessel, had run down to the Sanborn dock for coal for the galley early in the afternoon and Wetle and two companions, Carl Erickson and Andrew Sivertson went ashore. When they returned the tide was out and the slack water made it necessary to use a ladder in reaching the deck of the vessel. Wetle started down first. What caused him to fall his companions are unable to state. He sank immediately and it was with difficulty that the body was located.

Wetle leaves a mother 73 years of age ans sisters residing in Portland, where the funeral will be held. E. B. Grunstad, brother-in-law to the deceased, who is pilot of the Sampson, left for the metropolis last night to break the sad news to the aged mother and complete funeral arrangements.

Coroner Gilbaugh, of the firm of J. A. Gilbaugh & Co, Inc., was early on the scene and the body was removed to the Gilbaugh Undertaking parlors where it has been prepared for shipment to Portland.