By The Schuylkill River & Urban Waters Research Corps Archive team
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New Tragedy at Essington: A resident of Philadelphia, Harry Harrison had been visiting his wife in Tinicum Township when he drowned. Efforts to recover his body were successful after several days. ~ Source: Google Books ~ Creator: The Philadelphia Record ~ Date: October 2, 1908Swim Cost Him His Life: Residents of Philadelphia, Thomas Coogan and Emmanuel Callahan were swimming off the shore of Tinicum when Coogan drowned suddenly. ~ Source: Google Books ~ Creator: The Philadelphia Record ~ Date: August 8, 1908Bodies of 7 Drowning Victims Recovered : A report lists seven unrelated drownings that took place over the course of a single weekend in August of 1932. Of the five victims who drowned in the Delaware River, one had been swimming in Darby Creek. ~ Source: Google Books ~ Creator: Reading Eagle ~ Date: August 1, 1932Brothers See Local Boy Die : A resident of Reading drowned in the Delaware River during one of many visits with relatives in Essington. The victim was said to be a good swimmer, but drowned suddenly about 60 ft from shore with family members in sight. ~ Source: Google Books ~ Creator: Reading Eagle ~ Date: Jun 23, 1930
Audio
Water pollution
Chris Templin describes her experience swimming in the Delaware as a child. Tammy and her mother Liz both remember their father or husband telling a story of swimming in the Delaware, though neither of them swam. ~ Date: July 4, 2018 View File Record
Many residents of Tinicum are wary of the Delaware River's strong tidal currents. Even when the river's surface appears calm, tidal forces can overpower even a strong swimmer. Those who enter the water usually plan the course of the swim around the pull of the tide. Many less cautious swimmers--often visitors from Philadelphia and surrounding areas--have drowned during a recreational swim.
