Boat Naked


From an article about two rangers who drowned at Horn Creek in 1929 comes a possible new mandate…and certainly something the Park Service could get behind.
•••
There seems to have been one point of knowledge concerning the turbulent Colorado that Mr. Sturdevant did not acquire, or at least did not give significant importance. This oversight probably cost him his life. We refer to the deadly grasp of the river on anyone who by chance is cast into the stream wearing clothes. The water of the Colorado is so heavily burdened with

silt, that it quickly enters the clothing and weighs down to death the strongest swimmers. Only naked swimmers have a chance. Mr. Sturdevant and one companion perished when they were hurled from the boat in which they were traversing the rapids of Horn creek in Grand Canyon. Had they taken the precaution to remove all clothing before attempting the descent of the rapids, they probably would
have escaped from the maw of the stream. As it was, doubtless their silt burdened clothing dragged them down before they could reach land.
•••
“Okay folks. This is Crystal. Off with your clothes.”