The sun., 1900-06-12
RESCUER'S HEROIC BATTLE.
ALFRED BIRDSALL SAVES TW0
WOMEN. BUT LOSES HIS WIFE.

Three Times He Brought Her 70 the Surface
and Three Times She Sank-Her Body Re.
covered at Last By . Fisherman-Ons OF
the Other women saved Thrice By Btrdsall.
YoNxRRs. June ii.-Mrs. Alfred ". Birdsall.
young woman living In this city was drowned
IN the Hudson River this afternoon. She and
her husband and two young women made up
boating party. and their boat was upset.
II was little after O'Clock when the Bird
sails who lived at 27i Buena Vista avenue.
Miss Effie Harrington Of Columbus. Ohio.
and Miss l.. F. Phillips Of Yonkers boarded a
rowboat and started out from the sugar house
dock. Mr.. Blrdsall was rowing. The party
crossed over to the Jersey shore and turned
about without landing. As they reached the
centre Of the river tug and a number OF barses
passed them north-bound The tug created a
swell which tossed the rowboat about and Mr..
Birdsall counselled the women to remain per-
fectly quiet Miss Phillips. In endesvoring to
avoid wave. sprans TO the bow, where Mrs
Brdsall was seated. and the boat was over
turned
All four members Of the party came to the
surface of the water quickly, Mr.. Birdsall
who Is a strons swimmer struck out boldly and
grasping Miss Phillips and his wife, placed them
fast, He then swan for Miss Harm lnston,
who had appeared on the surface for the second
time, and he had almost reached the boat with
her when Miss Phillips and Mrs Blrdsall turned
u right side up, causing II to till with water.
Mrs. Birdsall disappeared under the boat.
Placing the two young women on opposite
ssaeh Of 1n1 S Mr. B cae we TO
with her clinsinR TO his neck and in struR ale
to free himself he sank aRain. When he came
70 the surface next, tins tune without his wife,
m do n " ~ htl N md "a ttuh tn Va
courage TO the young women who were cling
Ing &c the boat Then once more he Owed
for his wife. He secured hel and ,ose with her
unconscious in his arms fully fifty feet away
He reached the boat, but it was overturned
again and Mrs. .Brdsal was lost. Mr.. Bird
women, who were ioundering about, and drew
them TO the boat. He made another plunge
for his wife. but couldn't find her, He con-
faltertng for an instant, despite the fact that
he was almost exhausted and his clothing was
clingtng heavily about him.
a race for life. was being made BY men from
shore. q. l.. Harrington. one Of the directors
OF the Corinthan Yacht Club Of this city and
an uncle OF Miss Harrington. who was ons OF
was standing on the clubhouse verarda with
Albert skinner, whose yacht Adele was lying
Selling trumpet he called, to John, Coulton,
a watchman, Man boat. John. and row for
your life" Boats were soon manned, one by
Mr., Harrington and Mr.. skinner Couton was
about two hundred yards ahead and was the
first To reach the party. He grasped Miss
Phillips and lifted her into his boat Haring-
ton and Skinner arrived at this iuncture. fol-
lowed by John Gunderson OF the Cornthian
Club and John Nelson. fisherman. Miss fIar:
rinRton was placed in the fisherman's boat and
search was made for Mrs Brdsall Her hus-
band was still diving for her. Fifteen minutes
had passed since the rowboat was capsized
Presently Gunderson who had been tigging
at the tow rope Of the upturned boat dragged
Mrs Birdsall TO the surface and she was placed
in the fsherman's boat Mr.. Birdsall was
drawn into Mr. Harringtons boat almost life
less
The boats pulled for shore with all the energy
the men could summon. physician was
waiting at the clubhouse. His services were
directed entirely % Mrs. Brdsall. Miss Har-
rington. Miss Phillips and MIR. Blrdsall were
attended by club members An ambulance
came from st. Josephs Hospital and the work
10 resuscitate Mrs. Birdsall was continued but
with no sign OF success. Finally she was taken
to the hospital where DR.. Tallman and several
others tried in vain TO revive her.
The Birdsalls had been married only few
months. Mrs. Brdsall as we'll az her husband.
was we'll known and much admired among the
yachting community here.