The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-24
BdTTLING WITH DEATH.
Two Mems Desperate Struggle to save n
Drowning Family of Rockaway.

John Courtney, one Of the best fishermen
in Jamaica Bay. lived until Juno last In Bay
port Long Island His wife and six children
remained In Bayport whom he went 10 Jamaica.
in that month. He made money during the
summer 10y supplying the Rockaway hotels
with fish. Seeing good opening in tho oyster
business he concluded. this fall. to settle on the
shore Of Jamaica Bay. On Tuesday he went 10
Bayport with his sailboat to fetch his wifo
and children. tho oldest being only ~
years Of age. and the youngest babe. On his
return on Friday. MS he was rounding into
Rockaway inlet with a heavy wind. his boat
shipped n sea. and then another and immc-
diatcly 1t settled down so low thnt the heavy
waves washed all the furniture. carpets. bod
ding. &C.. from the decks and finally swept the
whole family overheard. They struggled to
Chamber on tho boat. and some Of thom were
swept from tho dock three times. The wife
cung to the side of tho boat. and held one child.
courtney Is an, expert swimmer. and being
lightly clad and barefooted he was able to swim
well, and he kept picking up tho struggling
children nnd returning them 10 the dock. and
the next wavc would wash them of again.
Capt. Edward Cnrmnn OF Cannrsi" saw tho
terrible battle for life and with all spead nut of
in his fishing boat To the rescue. H. had to
tack three times before he could reach tho
drowning family. As he arrived Mrs. Court
ncy. exhausted. had Just let 40 her hold and
She sank with the child she was holding
Courtney, by desperate work. had succeeded in
SettlHG the Otler TNe rnlldrrn on the hOnts
deck Just as his wife sank with the sixth child
Although almost exhausted he swan around
the boat TO her rescue. Cnrman shouted to
Courtney to keen his wife a0oat. and hs Car
mani would snve Tn" rlildren. Carinan got two
of the children into his bOat. Then another
deck Of the water logged boat. Ordering the
man in his boat TO throw rope TO Courtney
Carnan swan after the three children who
wero drifting away Two Of them he rescued
The third was 50 far away that he had to leave
II for another attempt.
In tho mean time Courtney had lnshed tho
rope around his wife's body. and she. with the
child she held. WIS pulled To Carman's boat and
wari she recovered. Then all were saved ex-
cent the one child that had been swept bv the
wind and waves far from the boats. No sooner
had Courtney seen his wife pulled safe on board
than he struck out Tor this last child-a girl
who was still battling feebly with the tossing
water. Before he could reach her she sank for
the last time. At this sight the fathers dcs-
perate strength deserted him. and he began to
sink.
But Cnrman WINS watching him from his boat.
and seeing Courtncy's head sinking he seizod
the end Of n rope in his teeth and swan To- save
MN. Carmun knutted the rope around Court
ncy's body, and then. holding his head above
the water. for Courtney was too feeble to keep
himself up, Carman clung tQ the rope and both
men were drawn safe To the boat.
Tn" hAlf-drOwned family were taken to the
Seaside Hotel where John Rcmscn cared tor
them. On SATURDAY residents In the vicinity
entire household outfit. Reinsen rave him n
small cooking stove, some bedding chairs and
a table and Mrs. Remscn and other women
supplied Mrs. Courtney and the children with
clothing.
Capt. Carman on reaching Rockaway sold tho
fish he had caught for t3 and gave the money
10 Courtney. suhsrri ptOn was started for
Courtney in Far Rockaway on Saturday.