Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-21
A GALLANT RESCUE,
Incident of the Recent Cruise of the
Yorktown

Commander A. Ward commanding the
L. S. S. Yorktown, on the Asiatic station.
has made an interesting report to the Navy
Department in regard TO an accident which
occurred on that vessel during a recent
cruise in Japanese waters.
ION the 2Tth instant, about 3 pm" he
says. writing in April, the gauge glass Of
| the steam launch boiler OF this vessel blew
out. The launch was secured astern at the
time, owing to bad weather. choppy cross
sea. with stif pun and rain squalls from
the northeast.
THE machinist of the launch, w. Wisiew-
ski. machinist. second-class. was cut in the
face by the glass and forced overheard to
escape being scalded. He was unable to
swim. and ]. S Meagher. ordinary seaman.
jumped after him and supported him for
short time followed by Joseph Quick, cox
swain, who towed over buoy thrown from
the ship and sustained the drowning man
until his own strength gave out. In the
meantime Ensign J. X. TauSsig. United
States navy, had jumped overheard from
the ship with J. 4. Barrett, ordinary sea-
man. with a second buoy which was giver
to Quick, while Ensign Taussig supported
Wisniewski until the arrival of boats. the
whole party having drifted rapidly to lee
ward in the strong wind and current. When
matters We're at their worst c. R Green.
coal paSser, also jumped over board to assist,
but his services Were not required.
The machin!st was brought on board un-
conscious, but has since recovered. In my
opinion. he owes his life to the prompt and
courageous efforts of Coxswain Joseph
Quick, Ensign ]. K. Taussig and Ordinary
Seaman Joseph Samuel Meagher.
Two boats were promptly lowered from
this snip by order of Ensign L. j. Horn,
United States navy, under the direction of
Lieutenant Commander w. r. A. Rooney,
United States navy, and the whole emer-
gency was met with a Seamanlike absence
of noise and confusion which has already
attracted my attention on other occasions
since my recent appointment to this COM
mand
The flagship New York promptly sent
two steam launches and medical assistance
almost as soon as our own boats had
reached the party in the water. The steam
launch having nobody left on board after
the aforementioned men OF her crew had
jumped overheard, Lieutenant c. s. Stan
worth, United States navy, who was on the
poop. went down Immediately into the
launch and hauled the fires to prevent
injury to the boiler 1 respectfully com
mend the conduct of all concerned to your
favorable consideration
In accordance with the specific recon-
mendations of Commander Ward. approved
by the commander-in chief, United States
naval force on Asiatic station. and by the
chief of the bureau of navigation. the Sec
rotary of the Navy has written COM
mandatory letter to Joseph Samuel Meagh-
er, ordinary seaman. for his meritorous
conduct in connection with the rescue of
| w. WiSniewski, machinist, second class.
from drowning: awarded a medal of honor
to Joseph Quick. coXswain. for his cour-
aseouS conduct in connection with that in
cident. and recommended EnScign Joseph X.
TausSig, United States navy to the Score
tary of the Treasury for a silver life-SaVing
medal for his conduct on the same occa-
sion.