The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-01-16

Peter s. MeNally, one Of the famous
life savers OF this country, was In
Washington recently. When gossiping OF
some of his experiences, he remarked that
his most desperate and dangerous aGyen-
ture in the water was IN midwinter near
Boston.
In the month OF December. 1851 re-
marked Mr.. McNally. 81 rescued woman
from drowning, and the recollection OF
that incident Will always remain fresh
in my mind as long as memory lasts.
1t was just after midnight on a bitterly
cold night, the thermometer registering
about five degrees above zero. while the
water must have been as cold as LIQUID
air.
L was crossing Warren bridge, which
spans the Charles River between Boston
and Charlestown, on my way home. when
woman attempted TO end her life by
plunging INTO the icy waters below. / pre-
vented her from carrying her purpose into
effect, but came very near ending my
own life in trying to save hers
Just beyond the drawbridge. l observ-
ed woman on the opposite sidewalk
acting strangely and | watched her But
few moments elapsed when she looked
wildly around her, and with a quick
movement she sprang for the railing, and
mounting it threw herself into the waters
twenty feet below. AS she was climbing
the ran L cried out to her, but she paid
no attention to me.
The wind was whistling anything but a
merry tune at the time. and although I
was wrapped up In an Irish frieze over
coat l was not even comfortable. 1 had
on pair of heavy rubber boots, too.
for the snow was deep. The general con-
ditions were not such as to induce one,
however hardy, TO go In swimming. and
when that woman went over the bridge
rail 1t struck me that she could have Sc
ieeted a better time.
River Fnll of FIonring Ice.
However. 1 knew that was In for II.
and so ran to the spot where she had
left the bridge and at once mounted the
rail. glance at the river was enough to
give one an attack OF chills without en-
tering ii, for il was filed with floating
ice. 1t was dangerous to jump into It, for
to strike piece of the ice was liable 10
inJure and render powerless the strongest
swimmer. But there was no time TO be
lost and plunged overheard, not waiting
to remove my overcoat or rubber boots
as l was afraid l might lose her in the
darkness under the bridge.
"A strong ebb tide was running at the
time, which was carrying her toward
Charles River bridge at fair rate OF
speed. She was struggling frantically to
sink herself, for her skirt had formed an
air bubble and was really as effective as
a life-preserver would be in keeping her
afloat. Swimming up, caught her by the
back or tha neck and jerked her I'D on 10
her back and started for Howe's boat
house, adjoining Charles River bridge,
where 1 was forced TO release my hold
for time. and, removing my coat and
boots. caught her again.
by this time we were beyond the
bridge and / headed for the Hoosic Tun-
mel Docks. where / knew there were fend-
ers TO which we might cling until assist
ance arrived. Catching the fender which
runs along the front of pier 4. / called
for help and the night Waterman ap-
peared en- the wharf above. He was very
much excited. and catching a boat hook
which had long handle he began to
spear me as IL / was a piece of fioHtInR
drtftwood. i was quite ready to fight the
dangers of the icy waters and battle with
a rum-crazed woman, but did not expect
to be called upon to face a mad man with
harpoon. for the heavy iron boat hook
answered the same purpose that a whale
lance would. After the heavy spear had
been driven dangerously close to my head
two or three times. notwithstanding very
vigorous protests on my part. / pushed off
with my burden and moved down stream.
Fifty Minutes In the Water.
'Up TO this time we had been in the
water over half an hour and / was be-
numbed with the cold and felt that
would lose control of my muscles before
long. When we pushed of to continue our
journey down stream my charge became
vicious and began to struggle 10 scratch
and bite, and she managed in the strug-
giles TO get the fore finger OF my left hand
into her mouth, which she bit 10 the bone,
and almost severed at the first joint A
scar now marks the finger. extending all
the way round. She also bit me upon the
wrist and attempted TO bite my face.
THE struggle was awful; she was a
woman, and IL was only by the
exercise OF all the strength could mus
ter.and the application OF the tactics of the
brutal street fighter that ! managed TO
suDdue her. In effecting rescues IL some.
times becomes necessary to be brutalIy
humane
We continued 10 struggle most despe-
rately until the dry dock slip at the navy
yard was reached when I managed 10 get
my burden upon the landing steps. A few
minutes before We reached the steps she
became unconscious The bat
tie for life certainly couldn't have lasted
much longer. for / was completely ex-
hausted and could scarcely move a
muscle. With the assistance OF Il navy
yard policeman we got upon the wharf
we had been In the water almost fifty
she was taken 10 the police station and
cared for, while ] was driven home, took
hot drink and went to bed. ] awoke in
the morning in excellent physical condi-
ton. considering the frightful experience
Of the night before. suffering only from
muscles, as result OF the Sc
we're labor In subduing the maddened
XCnan ("