The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-16
ThriIlingExperience Ofa Brook
Ign Heavyweight
Who Fell From a Sound Steam
er'S Deck.
FLOATED FOR HOURS
In the Dark Waters Treading
the Waves.
Finally Rescued When Almost
Exhausted and Sinking.

New York July 16-If Charles Girls
void, salesman. had been of ordinary
weight, he would not in all probability
be alive today He lives with his mar
ried sister, Mrs. F. Rosenberg, in
Brooklyn. He weighs 342 pounds, but
his flesh is firm and solid, and, except
for occasional attacks of vertigo he en-
joys the best of health. He is pleasant
hammered and a favorite with all his
business acquaintance. He travels
great deal, and has recently been max
ing a trip through New England. Last
night he left Providence on the steam
boat Connecticut for this city. He Sc
cured a state room on the larbOard side
but when the time for retiring arrived
he found the weather so sultry and stiff
ling within doors that he decided to
remain outside on the main deck.
He went to the railing, and, leaning
over, tried to keep awake, but the cool
breeze soon had a drOWsy effect upon
him and he felt himself nOdding. Ev-
cry once in a While the slight lurching
of his body would restore him momen-
tarily to semi wakefulness, but short
~ afterWard he would be nodding
again. It was 3:45 o'clock this morn
ing when a fresh lurch reawoke him,
and he felt his hat slipping from his
head. He made q grab for it in the
dark lost his balance. He felt himself
descending head foremost into the
d
was swallowed up in the water. No one
heard his cry; no one was disturbed by
the great splash he made in striking
the water, and when he arose to the
surface the Connecticut was far away
in the distance, and he realized that
unless by great good fortune he was
missed by some one aboard all hope of
rescue by her must be abandoned.
His hat was gone, but he had on all
the rest of his clothing, including
stockings and shoes, coat, vest and
at least, he could see a light.
1t was in the Stafford lighthouse. Mr..
GriswOld has a wonderfully strong
pair of lungs. He made the best of
them in trying to attract the attention
of the lighthouse keeper, but his eff
forts were in vain.
Meanwhile he started in to tread wa
ter, and he treaded for two hours and
a quarter. AS daylight advanced, he
saw that he was far from either shore.
He had fallen into the sound about
midway between Providence and New
York. The Long Island coast was at
least four miles distant; the opposite
shore was still further Mr.. Griswold's
clothes soon became a great weight,
and he determined to rid himself of his
coat, vest, collar, shirt and necktie. He
took out his studs and put them in his
trousers pocket. He also put there his
gold watch and chain and a few other
Valuables. He had besides $160 in bills
in his trousers pockets. Then he allow
ed his coat and vest to float away.
II was not long DeIOr6 the trousers al
so became too great burden and he
also removed them. He was now at
tired in his shoes, stockings, underShirt
and his drawers. He wanted very much
to discard his shoes, but the effort of
unlacing them was too difficult to ac-
COmDliSh. He held the trousers in his
arm as long as he could, but at length
had to let them go. and they drifted out
of sight while he sighed over the loss
of the S160 in bills. the gold watch and
chain and the other jewelry. And all
the time he kept on treading water
He was drifting right in the track of
boats plying along the sound, but not
a vessel passed him until $50 a. m.
Then a tug towing three barges steam
ed by. Mr. Griswold set up a mighty
shout, but it was unanswered He fol-
lowed this shout with other loud cries
for help, but got no reply.
Another anxious half hour elapsed,
and then the City of Lawrence of the
Norwich Line hove in sight It was
soon within a quarter of a mile of
him. Aboard were between 400 and
500 persons on an excursion from Prov
idence to Coney Island. Again bTr.
GriswOld sent forth his cry for help
Capt. Keeney, in the pilot house of the
wondered whence it came. AS he
wondered several passengers on the
deck below shouted to him:
Captain, there's a man Overboard!''
''Where?" cried the captain.
Right over there" they replied
pointing in the direction of the Long
Island shore.
Capt. Keeney looked sharply, and
sure enough saw Mr. Griswold in the
water He was moving his arms and
shouting for a life preserver. Captain
Keeney turned the boat in the direC-
ton of the man in the water, and cal
culated so nicely that when the boat
was stopped, Mr.. GriswOld was only a
few yards away.
By this time every one aboard the
City Of Lawrence was interested in the
rescue and crowded to that side of the
steamboat to witness it. Mr. GriSwOld
continuing to cry for life preserver, a
passenger threw him one. He was more
ing line, which, by order of Captain
Keeney, was now being thrown to him
by q deck hand. At length Mr.. Girls
void caught the line, and strong pull
and pull altogether by half a dozen
men brought him close to the side of
the steamboat. Then two deck hands
lowered themselves and tied a short
rope under Mr.. Griswold's arms. Next
a ladder was let down and several men
helped Mr.. GriswOld get his feet upon
the rung. ''Heave away" cried the
captain and a dozen men at the other
end of the rope pulled for dear life.
Mr. GrisWOld assisted as best he could,
and finally after Is minutes of the hard
est kind of work. he stood safely upon
the deck of the City of Lawrence.
Capt. keeney at once took him to his
room, gave him StimulantS. made him
take off the rest of his clothing. put him
to bed and called in q doctor who hap
pened to be aboard. By the physicians
advice, Mr.. GriswOld was very vigOr-
Ousiy slapped until circulation was re-
his legs had disappeared. He was
wrapped in blankets and mustard ap-
piled to the calves of his legs.