Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-01-31
MID-OCEAN RESCUE.
Perils Of Saving Drowning Per
sons at Sea.
Many Lives Often Risked To Save One
Stirring incident of Trip Across
the Atlantic - A Would-Bs
Suicide.

Much imperiling of life is demanded
In the mid-Ocean rescue of drowning
man, and such an incident always fur
nishes intense dramatic interest for
spectator. Baron de Nalcrtie In re-
cent interesting work, recalls an eXcit
ing scene he witnessed years ago. while
crossing the Atlantic The ship was
several days out. when one afternoon
he was idly lounging about on the up
per deck. Suddenly, he says, saw n
man approach the bulwark. He threw
overheard some objects we learned
afterward that they were his Bible and
rosary - and followed them with
header into the foaming sea.
"Man overheard" | cried, but the
storm covered my voice, and rushed
up 10 the bridge 20 call the attention of
the officer on duty to the accident.
Stop Iialf-speed astern, and orders
for the lowering of the boat were the
affairs of Il minute or two.
"Nolunteers to man the boat" shouted
a young midshipman, cutting ii lifeboat
from the davits.
Ten men came forward for every one
wanted, and, selecting four of the most
powerful tars, the MILDLY was lowering
the boat when a young doctor, quickly
poclxeting flask of brandy for "A restor-
alive, let himself down one of the ropes
and reached the boat a. IA monumental
wave was dashing over it.
The men pulled with IA will, and the
gallant little nutshell fought bravely
up and down the mountains OF angry
waters. As to the suicide, he was far
astern and only from time 10 time could
we see the something like human
form emerge on the top of a white
crested wave.
Oh, the anxiety with which we
watched both the boat and its goal,
Disappearing altogether at moments
when we feared we had seen the last OF
these noble fellows, another gigantic
wave would toss them up again like
"a cork 1t was exciting in the extreme
But the boat was gaining; nearer and
nearer il came. while we were slowly
following in its wake.
There. the doctor throws IA lifobelt
They are only some yards off now But
no, a cruel wave has tossed them past
the object of their tremendous efforts.
There, they are throwing round her
nose; they are taclling; the MILDLY has
passed the rudder to an old quarter.
master, and. armed with boathoolls,
e and the doctor stand ready for action.
Another second and the lifcbelt is
hooked; the man is grasping it desper'
ately; but he has no strength left;
4. IL =. u,
critical moment.
But who j. that jumping overheard?
Three cheers for the brave man-it's
the doctor. But he, too. disappears.
Are there to be two victims instead of
one? No. no. And there - hurrah!--
there is the doctor, his precious burden
before him.
The men pull like mad to reach the
two ere they sink again. The gallant
young MILDLY is watching for the right
moment More lifebelts are thrown.
They help the doctor TO keep above
water another pull and the boathook
has done its duty, and while two of the
men stick to the oars, the others are
busy dragging rescuer and rescued ON
board.
The long cold bath, the fright and
the proximity Of death had wonderfully
sobercd the would-be suicide, whom
remorse for a drunken spree had driven
20 tins mad freak. 1t did not require
u.any restoratives to bring him TO- and
two hours later he had an opportunity
OF rccapiulatiug his adventure in dire
solitude. having been condemned so he
a wcll-deserved punishment for expos
ing six valuable lives. the lives of six
heroes indeed, in this periious venture
Montreal Star.