The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-06
Presence of Mind in Peril.

Mr. CldfIts y. DdOh IT MAI htu, CoHctIH-
ne the late di>astera at Hell Gate, that many
persons lost their lives solely through losing
their wits. People who remained calm and
maintained their sef-control were, in most
cases, rescued. Mr.. Dana himself, though
we'll advanced in years. i an expert swim
mer. He heard the duh explosion below,
waited to secure a life-preServer. and, as
the boat neared land. sprang overheard and
struck boldly ont for the shore.
Mr.. w. II. Grace was another passenger.
He was accompanied by his wife and two
daughters. The whole family were saved,
and. rs it seems probable. entirely because
They did not lose their heags. The father
was good swimmer, and thu, triply armed.
He had no fear for himself. but how TO save
his wife and children was the problem he
was called on to face. Fortunately for
all. Mrs. Grace herself did not be-
come panIcky. but remained perfectly
cool, and rapidly formed her plans.
Dir. Richard O'GOTmau and bis son
promised TO take charge OF her eldest
daughter. The youngest daughter was a
mere child, and the mother feared she
might become terrOr-siricken and drown.
So she directed the father TO support the
yOungest child. For herself, she would
was for her children. She did not forget
her worldly wisdom in this peiiious
moment either. it seems, for the cool
headed woman looked ont for her new
diamond earrings before She jumped.
Size had only that day bought 4 new pair
at Tlfl4ny's. and she had them and S400
III money IN large purse attached to her
belt. she put the money and the ear
rings into her dress pocket, remarklng
that they would be safer there. Then fast
ening on their lfe-pTo>eryerS, the family
waited until the last moment, until the
flames crcpt 50 close a. 10 threaten them,
and SpranS into the water. not Knowing
whether all would ever meet alive again,
but hoping for the best. The brave mother
was almost exhausted when The boat picked
her up. but not once did she exhibit fear or
lose her Sei-control. Neither did the young
daughter. whom the parents had felt doubt
iul about.
Those who lost their lives mostly per-
IShtd because they became panlc.StricKen,
ana plunged wildly overheard, like luna-
ties, pelI-mell. Many were so crazy aS TO
lump into the water Immediately in front
Of the wheel, so that they were either
struck By it and Knocked senseless. or
sucked under and drowned. Others were
so frantic that they had not sense enough
left to put on their life. pre>ervers proper
ly, and so persisted. One poor old man
was parayzed with terror. He did not
plunge overheard 10 destruction, but clung
desperately 10 column, and refused to be
torn from it. HIS daughter remained be-
side him trying TO drag him away TIL her
face aud shoulders were terribly burned,
and she was driven away, The awful fire
creeping up and up till the flames engufed
him, and she had the agony oi seeing him
burned alive before her eyes.
Those WHO could swim, n far a. can be
learned. retained their presence 0f mind
and aided the rest, showing them how 10
put on their lfe-preseWcrS, and restraining
them from jumping into the water til the
steamer landed. The captain OF the doomed
boat was another man who proved what
presence OF mind can do i'm danger. Ony
for his heroic GOODNESS twice or three times
a. many persons would have been drowned.
Although the flame, shot up around him he
STAYED al his post in tie pilOt-hCuSe tlil be
had ran the boat upon land a the shallow
water Of The sunken meadows. lie Is still
i'm the hospital suffering severely IRON his
injuries. To BIN surely Is due the recogni-
tiOn awarded TO a brave man.
The lesson from me inOuiniuI NdITtSdh-
Sett accident j. the same. Passengers who
kept their wits about them and used their
U;e. preseryers, or secured a hold on plank>,
doors, and such floats aS can always be i'm
provsed. were largely rescued. Those who
lost Their tbuking faculties were drowned.
Ordinarily, the person who can swim has
not much 10 fear from the water. HIS
chances are a thousand 70 one as against the
unfortunate who cannot swim. For this
reason nobody, male or female, should fail
TO learn at least 10 keep ailOat upon the
water. So much is no: difficult. Certainly,
too, every body who travels on steamboat,
even once in his life, should learn how TO
adjust a llle-preServer.
In all dangerous situations 1t Is salvation
to avoid becoming panicky. Teachers
should impress this lesson on the minds OF
children at school. Stores might be told
them in illustration. They cOuic be taught
hOw 10 behave IN case Of tlre-alafm, and
on o, her occasions that strike terror 10 tle
human heart. Parents SaOuld see 10 il that
their children are taught TO swim. Ia such
ways as these "a training can be given young
people whlcn will lie invaluable III after
years.
In the acknowledgement race at