The sun., 1903-12-13
PIRBDOAT LOSES ITS MASCOT.
LAST OF macs or THE. SETH Low,
A FOUR FOOTED FIRE HERO.

He Saved Chief Neyins From Drowning At
q Canal Fire and Guided Other Men
10 shsre-Barked His Joy Wheu tile
Gong Cslled-1he Crew 1t His Funeral.
The funeral OF Rags mascot of the
fireboat Seth Low for the last twelve years,
was held on Wednesday OF last week. Not
only was it impressive but it marked the
last of the career OF full blooded brindls
bulldog, whose sagacity was only second
to his bravery.
Rags came frst into prominence in tho
Fire Department when he saved the life Of
Chief Thomas Nevins OF the Brooklyn
department. The occasion was big fire
at the Arnott Stores on the Gowanus Canal
one wintry night about ten years ago.
Rags had been with the Seth Low for two
wears then, and was always one Of the first
to respond to the alarm, barking joyo,lslv
every time the gong sounded and knowing,
with uniaiing accuracy, when the call
meant that the freboat must get under
way.
When the fire was in ts fercest stage,
Chief Nevins and a dozen 6remen were
knocked into the canal by falling wall.
Nevins could not swim, but Rags jumped
into the canal almost as soon as the men vera
in the water. He swan to the Chiefs
side, and seizing the collar Of his coat.
held his head above water until fireman
fshed the frozen and almost exhausted
man out OF the water with n fire hook.
Then, when the Chief was In safe hands,
Rags swan to the other. men, who were
floating or. swimming, about the canal.
half clicked with smoke and oily water.
and guided them to places Of safety. When
all we're safe ashore, he ran around and
barked his Joy, showing by every action
his satisfaction in the rescue
After that the welfare OF the ugly looking
and when last week. the faithful old dog
died, the Chief said he felt almost as badly
as though relative or dear human friend
had passed away.
was blinded By rushing into burning
building to save a fireman who had falers,
within sight OF his comrades. For Longs
time 1t was feared that the dog would die.
but careful nursing brought him around
and he was able to be abopt on ne s. deck EEL.
to respond to the alarm and his bark was
frequently the sound that awakened the
men at night.
, Three years ago the dog became pare
alyzed. He was great care, but Ut his ~ ever. e.
was unable to move more than few feeu
from his kennel, the men never failed Ia
hear his bark when the alarm sounded.
He could no longer take an active share
Of the danger at q fire, but Rags seemed
as happy as any one whom the signal an-
nounced work for the fire fighters.
In the last week Of his life Rags was
unable to eat or leave his kennel. HA
strength so far forsook him that even when
the alarm rang for q fire in Williamsburg,
he was only able to raise his head and turn
his eyes in the direction OF Engineer McCan-
| ley, as though trying to report that he
| was unfit for duty.
| fine burial, with all the honors OF brave
| member Of the department. He was buried
! at the foot of the street where the Setl,
| Low docks, and Engineer MoCauley acted
| as chaplain. The rest Of the company
stood by, every man there, in. memory or
one OF the bravest, most sagacious animals
that ever were carried on the muster roll OF
| a fire com pany.