New-York tribune., 1880-06-13
PICKED UP UNCONSCIOUS.
THE RESCUE OF GEORGE j. FOREST, C)MMls-
sIONER OF EMIGRATION.

THE RESCUE OF GEORGE J. FOREST, CDMMls-
sIONER OF EMIGRATION.
Among the passengers of the Narmgahsctt
rescued by one of the boats from the SioninRon
was the Commissioner of Emigration George }.
Forest, of this city. Mr. Forest is nearly seventy
years of age ami is much Frustrated by his injuries
and the exposure to which he was subjected by the
accident. lie arrived by train from otonln2ton
Yesterday afternoon aud was found last evening 10y
IL TRIBUNE reporter ut his house. No. %
West-Twenty-third-st., lying upon couch and
surrounded bV several anxious friends.
1T was a very narrow escape for me-" lc said
"for was in the water two hours and WAS just
Incoming unconscious when was picked up. Oar
boat was struck about half past IL. | was IN my
staterOOm which WAS in the forward part oi the
steamer tried TO opcu the door out couid not.
it being out Of plumb. Opening the widow saw
men hulryIng past and putting on life pfcscrvcrs
| dressed myself az rapidly possible ana
climbed out of the stateroom window. As
l reached tie forward deck found
it occupied by from 90 to 100 persons %ho nad
hasteued ont of their rooms. Everyone waacXrici
Vet the crowd was comparatively well hehraYrl.
Already the steamer had settled considerably.
Just then tue flames burst up into the ar amid
ship, and knew the vessel was dopmcd.
/ sDatched up life prescrver aud win the
others stepped the very edge Of the boat 80 that
If she sank we could step out into the water. We
culd see no other boat but could hear whistle
blowing constantly In a ten seconds, nS II Rrenci.
the pilot house was i'll flmes ana our deck was "n
level with the ocean and being rapidly submerged.
Then we jumped into the wafer As / had on
heavy shoes aud life preseryer man
aRed to retain nm upright position
but the water was very cold. There was no alter
native but TO Jump overheard, the hames had come
SO close TO u.s. Fully hundred persons wrTo around
me in the water. 1hcn we noticed that the boat
seemed to 10 stationary; either an anchor had
fallen out she had grounded. There were about
eighteen of close together IN the water clinglnR
10 tables and chairs that had been thrown out, but
IN a few minutes the roll O the sea separated us.
All this time was suffering from the lntcnsr cold
of the water and # had not had on warm clothing
/ should have died. Then drlited and began to
feel daZed. | remember that the last thIHg J
Thought of was that would take of my life pre-
server before died. | felt thar i was drowning.
Then struck against something hard and knew
nothing moro.
Wien became conscious was IN boat. wrap
ned IN warm blankets. The moment became uncOn-
scious was rescued by the boat. believe that 1t
was through the aid Of my friend Howard Lapslcy
who WAS on the steamer with me and one OF tho
first rescIised. lie was the lookout for me. and
was the first whom recognized at my bedside L
was bruised somewhat about the lin h. The people
of StOningtOn and the officers If ting steamers de-
serve the warmest thanks Tor their kindnesscs aud
ready assistance. They provided everything that
they could for our need"