Fredericton, May 27 - Passengers by steamer "Acadia" which arrived last night, brought news of a sad drowning accident at Canal landing on this side of the river about 30 miles below Fredericton. It appears that Mayes CASE, who lives near the landing, was passenger by the steamer yesterday from St. John. As the "Acadia" approached the Canal landing, a small boat rowed by Hanford VAIL and a lad named JONES came out to meet Mr. Case. The small boat was rowed down river instead of up or across the river as is the usual way for a small boat to meet a steamer when the latter is coming up river. The steamer's engine had stopped when the small boat was rowed too close to the "Acadia", struck against the steamer's wheel and was upset. A boat was lowered from the stern of the steamer and Capt. NORWOOD, William DALTON and Cyrus KITCHEN started for the rescue. Young Jones grasped the oar reached to him and got out of the water all right. Before the rescuing party could reach Vail, the latter sank to rise no more. Vail, age 21, was a son of James VAIL of Jemseg (Queens Co.) He was unmarried. We, the undersigned passengers of steamer Acadia who witnessed the sad accident of the drowning of Hanford Vail in the St. John river at the Canal landing, parish of Gagetown, believe that every possible effort was made to prevent the same by the officers and crew of the said steamer May 26, 1888 (sgd) David WESTON, George C. FORBES, Geo. H. BISHOP, John W. GILMOR, Samuel S. RANDALL, Eben WILLIAMS, S.K. FOSTER, G.W. DYKEMAN, W.J. THOMPSON. (see original)