The morning call., 1893-10-04
GALLANT RESCUE.
An Italian Fisherman's
Danger.
Five Men Risk Their Lives to Save
That of an Unfortunate in
Deadly Peril.

If old tales be true many mans hair
has turned white who suffered less agony
of mind and body than was endured by
Antonio Cirrintano. an Italian crab-fisher,
yesterday afternoon. Cirrintano lives at
1881 Montgomery street. He set out In his
little boat at o'clock yesterday morning
and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon was near
the Seal Rocks fishing. when a gale came
up ard almost turned the vessel over. As
the boat filed with water the life line
caught the lone fisherman around the
body, and TO this fact he owes his life.
When CirrintanO started out in the
morning he was accompanied by his friend
John Brocato in another boat. and when
the storm came up and the nnlncky mans
boat filled with water, Brocato made sew
eral unsuccessful attempts to reach his
friend. but was finally compelled to devote
his sole attention to the task Of saving his
own craft and life.
guest at the Cliff House first noticed
the almost submerged boat and its occu-
pant when it was just beyond the Seal
Rocks and gave the alarm.
j. NJ. Wilkins, manager OF the Cliff
House; his brother, F. r. wilkins; James
MeAlIister, who Is connected with the
lett OF 25 Silver street and James
King, who lives at 319A Ninth street, were
the men who went to the rescue and liter
ally risked their lives in the extremely
hazardous undertaking.
For an hour and a quarter this little
body of men ciambered up and down the
precpitous sides OF the cliffs following the
wave-tossed and frail craft that seemed to
be bearing its occupant 10 certain destruc-
tiOn. Several times the overwhelming force
of the waters washed the unfortunate
fisherman from his boat. but :he lifeline
entangled round his body enabled him
again and again to regain the craft.
For over half mile the boat drifted
along the beach. and by this time probably
1000 people were anXiously watching its
course. Finally the waves shot II into an
opening near Dead Mans Point, between
two immense rocks, and where the cliffs
hang towering above for $50 feet. The
rescuers had by hard work reached the
spot, and as the waves Slung the little
craft against the shore with tremendous
force every effort was made to throw its
inmate line or grasp him as he came in.
After three or four unsuccessful attempts
McAIlister succeeded in grasping the man
and was himself held by King while j. M.
Wilkins. by lucky throw. caught rope
around McAllister's neck. and, assisted by
his two companions, succeeded In hauling
all three of the half-drowned men out
upon the rocks and away from the danger
ous waves.
When the fisherman was conveyed to a
place of safety be was found to be In an
unconscious condition. and his physical
plight was pitiable. de was badly bruised.
tremendous force of the waves had even
stripped the shoes from his feet. The
llfe-saving crew took him in hand. and
after much hard work succeeded in restor-
ing him TO consciousness, but he was un-
able to speak English further than to give
his address.
At So'cloek he had recovered sufficiently
to walk, and as he was apparently ex-
tremely anxious to return home, one of
the coastguards brought him into the city.
When the life-saving crew were first
notified OF the accident they made repeated
efforts to launch their boat, but without
avail. Time and time again the brave
fellows pushed their craft into the waters,
only to be dashed back by the irresistible
force of the mighty waves, and with bis-
tered hands and exhausted bodies they
were finally compelled to give the matter
up
J. NJ. Wilkins, lessee and manager of
the Cliff House. in speaking of the affair
said: How any of us ever escaped with
our lives is mystery to ME. At the place
near Dead Mans Point where the man
was rescued it was almost impossible for
US to obtain a foothold. 1t was only by
clinging TO the rocks whereoD hand or
foot was 0btalnaDle ana by quick, united
effort that we were able to accomplish our
work. The waves had been unusually
high all day, and you can form some idea
of their forcs hen L tell you that tie boat
went to kindling wood within a minute
after it first struck. 1t was an experience
| never wish TO undergo again."
After the fisherman had been taken from
the water. somebody telephoned to the
city, and patr oil wagon was sent out to
hrip a m t0 ha inn
Hospital. but Captain Smith, who is in
charge of the life-savng station, refused
TO allow the officers to move the man.
Speaking OF his action afterward, the cap
tain said:
about four years ago a similar case to
this occurred, and the man died while be-
ing conveyed to the city In the patrol
wagon. [ was satisfied we could give him
all the necessary attention at the station,
and the result, l think, justifes my ac-
tion."
Eripndct1in Ahncod