New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-01
HOLLENBERG TELLS STORY.
THE BATHER RELATES A GRAPHIC
TALE OF RESCUE AFTER
UNCONSCIOUSNESS.

Henry W HoIlenberg the New-Rochelle piano
salesman whose clothing found in a bath
ing house at Coney Island on August IA, and
who was supposed to have been drowned until
he turned up at his home in New-Rochelle last
Sunday. talked coherently of his experience.
The salesman is still in bed, and complains Of
extreme nervousness. but his remarkable ex-
perience of twenty days aboard the fishing yes
sci and his tossing in bed at New-Rochelle,
where he has continually called out that he
going down and for one to save him. has
not left him as emaciated and haggard as might
De expected. From outward appearances all
that he needs is a hair cut and shave. and he
will be as ~-od as ever.
The next time go bathing said HoIIenberg,
will be in tub. don't want any more of it
at Corey Island. I don't believe any would
have known that was missing from there ex-
Cept for the drowning OF young Gray, which
forced the bathing house men and police TO
make round of the houses. I disappeared on
Tuesday and 1t was not until two days later,
when the search was made for Gray that they
reported missing. It will be impossible for
me to give you a connected story of my ad-
venture as I am still nervous and hazy. and
there are many things that I cannot recolect.
1t is only within the last few days that have
been allowed to talk TO any one 1 have clear
recollection Of everything until about o'clock
on the afternoon OF August t. [ left New
Rochelle that morning. and upon reaching New
York decided that 1 would go to Coney Island
for swim. l telephoned to my wife that 1
would not be home for dinner. I think IL was
about 9 o'clock when I reached Coney Island
and hired the bathing house left my cloth
ing and tewelry in the house. except my ring
and watch The rinS l kept my finger and
the watch was at a jeweiry store undergoing
repairs.
Il was around the beach quite while. and
then swan out TO the raj. After resting at the
raft A short time 1 swan out further probably
two hundred ard fifty three hundred yards
7 noticed that was out further than any one
else but this did not worry me. as am an ex-
pert swimmer. I once swan across the Sound
at Carpenters Point. where it is narrow. Just /
for the fun of it.
Il don't know exactly what happened after 1
got out 50 far. remember turning on my back
and floating TO rest myself. I laid there a few
minutes getting the surf. and then 1 felt myself
being rapidly carried TO sea 1 started swim
back and was cool for awhile. but when 1 felt
nv strength weakening and saw that 1 was 60
ing further away from the land each minute, I
became alarmed and began a desperate battle
for my life. l yelled until I was hoarse, and
waved my hand for somebody to come out and
save me- but no one at the beach seemed TO no.
tice me. The last thing recollect was Of go
ing down and down, and then the waves closed
over me and I lost consciousness.
II am a firm believer declared Holenberg
in the theory that drowning is IN easy mode Of
death I didn't suffer Bit except from the
fright When l awole twelve days had elapsed.
1 felt myself tossing on a boat. Gradually it
dawned upon me that 1 was in a bunk in the
forecastle Of some kind of a vessel For the life
a
happened SINE I SWAN out beyond the raft at
Coney Island. My recollection of what occurred
on the boat is faint I remember they told me
that when they picked me up 1 was cIinging to
a piece of timber or wreckage. I remember,
too one of the sailors gave me a drink of
whiskey or brandy. 1 know 1 asked them to
put me into New-York or take me home to New
Rochelle. whichever was the most convenient
have hazy recollection of them saying that
they would put me off at New Rochelle The
fishing smack remained at sea until Saturday.
August % when they hauled I'D their nets
One of the sailors told me that the boat was the
Mary Baker Of New-London. with CAPTAIN
Kaal or Gale. some such name. in command.
They dropped anchor in the Sound at New
Rochelle about / a m. on Sunday. August "a.
enough TO supply with suit consisting of
a pair of trousers, a canvas jacket and an OIL
skin hat. much sea worn 1 reached my cot
tage which is only short distance from the
pier I was in a daZed state I have faint
recollection of greeting my wife and of being
put to bed. Then / continually dreaming
of drowning, and shouting TO the people about
the house TO save me
When Hollenberg was told that no such boat
as the Mary Baker was known in New London
he said: We'll. they told me that they were
bound there That's all I know about IT. L
really paid no attention to the boat until was
leaving her. as down to the forecastle all
the time There is way that may find
out all about the boat I lad no money so
when I was leaving her I gave my ring TO the
sa ilor who rOWed me over and told him that II
he would bring it back TO the police station IN
New Rochelle TO my house would give him a
reward of SO. The man was either SWede
or An italian. He said that he would come
baek as soon as he possibly could The ring IS
now the kew to the whole mystery 1 am de-
nending on it verify my adventure.
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