The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-04
TEMPEST TOSSED.
An Unknown Found by the New.
ark Adrift on the Bay.
From Baden to Goat Island on Small Pom.
toon-Rescued by Ferry Steamer When
Almost Exhausted.

Help! Help! For Gods sake help meW
was the startling cry that rang out over the
bay and made the passengers on board the
ferry steamer Newark rush to the rail. The
boat was on her way to Oakland at 4:45
yesterday afternoon, and the shades of
night were fast falling over the bay. Rain
was still coming down, and one could not
see very far into the gathering gloom.
Again the cry for help was heard, and
then the signal was given to stop the
steamer. as the captain realized that hui
man life was in jeopardy. The life-boat
was lowered, and, manned by a crew of
four, was rapidly rowed in the direction
from which the cries came. After few
moments of anxious waiting those on the
steamer saw the boat return, and soon the
lnanimate form of a man was hauled up the
side
He was nearly dead from cold and ex-
haustion, and no wonder, for he had spent
eight long hours drifting around the bay on
small raft or pontoOn. He was at once
taken to the engine-room and a tumblerful
of brandy poured down his throat, after
which he was stripped and wrapped in a
blanket. 1t was some time before he could
speak, but as the warmth began to return to
his nearly frozen limbs and body he revived
and told the crew of the steamer how he
came to be adiift in the bay in such a storm.
DRIFTED FROM THE sToCK-YARDS.
He said he was at work near the new
stock-yards at Baden, and was told by the
foreman to move the pontoon to safer
place. and secure it, as there was danger of
1t going adrift. He did as directed, but
after short time found he could not man.
age the unwieldy craft and to h is discom-
future soon found himself being rapidly
blown away from the landing. He shouted
for aid. but no one heard him.
Further aud further he drifted out into
the bay and as he was unable to swim, he
laid down on the pontoon and held on for
dear life Slowly at first. then faster as the
pontoon felt the influence of the wind and
tide, was the,poor fellow carried from the
shore. The wind incrcaS ed in violence and
the rain dPcended as If 1t would wash him
from his frail support. Clad only in thin
nnderclothing and overallS the cold wind cut
through him like knife and he was soon
chilled clear through.
As he drifted further out into the bay the
waves began To wash over the pontOOn, and
he was IN great danger OF being swept into
the bay. Stretched fiat on the wave-washed
pontoon, and not daring hardly TO raise his
head, the minutes seemed hours, and he
knew that unless help came before night he
would be carried out to sea by the strong
tide 1t was about o'clock in the morning
when he began mis- periIous voyage, and all
day he drifted about the bay, but no one
saw VI Hedtu Hitli, altHOuEn he shouted Tune
and again.
GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR DEAD.
AS the day wore on he became thoroughly
exhausted and gave himself up for lost. as
he believed that lie was fast drifting out OF
the bay. More dead than alive the poor
fellow laid his head on his arm and re-
signed himself to his fate. How long he re-
NAMED in that condition he could not tell,
but he was aroused by hearing the sound of
steamers paddle-wheels, and looking up
he saw the lights OF a large steamer not far
from him. The love of life asserted itself
and he uttered the cry that had startled
those on board the steamer Again and
again he shouted and then completely ex-
hausted swooned away, and knew no more
until he returned to consciousness on board
the Newark.
BY the time the steamer returned to this
city he was sufficiently recovered to return
to his home. His clothes had been dried,
and after expressing deep gratitude to those
who had rescued him from what would have
been certain death he boarded Market
street ear and went uptown.
The crew OF the steamer say he was
picked up just this side OF Goat Island, and
that he was big, strong fellow of about q
years of age.