Evening star., 1903-07-27
GIVEN A SILVER MEDAL
GALLANT RESCUE BY A CALIFOR-
MA SURFMAN.
Congratulatory Letter Sent by Assist
ant Secretary Armstrong to Albert
Bernston of Golden Gate Station.

Assistant Secretary Armstrong of the
Treasury Department has awarded silver
life-sa wing medal to Surfman Albert Bern
ston of the Golden Gate life-saving station
San Francisco. for gallantry in saving life
In sending the letter to Surfman Bernston
Assistant Secretary Armstrong has written
him the following letter:
Description of the Rescue.
transmitted herewith is a silver life
saving medal of honor, awarded you under
acts of Congress, approved June 20. 1874.
and May 4. 1882. in recognition of your gal
liant conduct in rescuing man from drown
ing, September 6, 1901.
THE circumstances of the rescue appear
from the testimony Of eyewitnesses, filed
in this department, to have been as fol-
lows:
About IL O'Clock am. the day above
named several persons were fishing off the
rocks at Point Lobos, California, when one
of them named John Safer, fell some
twenty feet into the surf. where he was
dashed about at the foot of the clin In I'm
minent danger. He made strenuous efforts
to regain the rocks but without success.
and was fast becoming exhausted by his
fruitlesS efforts, although his companions,
who appear to have been unable to do any
thing to effect his rescue, advised and en-
couraged him. While struggling desper-
ately for his life he was swept into a dark
and dismal cavern formed by nature IN the
side of the cliff, some eight feet wide and
ten feet high at the entrance, and running
back under the hill some fifty feet, growing
narrower and more dangerous all the way.
The water inside was by no means smooth.
and the surface of the rocks was wet and
Jagged Safer was soon swept against one
side of the cave, where he secured preca-
rious handhold and succeeded in keeping
his head above the water.
Lowered to the Surf.
"While these incidents were taking place
Mr.. John Hyslop the marine observer at
Point Lobos, was apprised Of the distress
ing accident. and Immediately conveyed the
information to you, who were on lookout
in the life-saving tower. Quickly selling a
life buoy with a line attached. and leaving
Mr.. Hyslop to notify the keeper of the sta
ton, you hastened to the edge of the bluff,
where you were lowered down by rope
held by two or three men until you reached
the mouth Of the cave. Finding that Safer
had been swept into the cavern, you threw
your life buoy toward him, and 1t f1Oated
so close to him that the witnesses testify
he might have seized 1t, but although you
shouted for him to do so he appeared to be
afraid to abandon his hold upon the rocks,
and therefore did not avail himself of the
buoy. During all this time he was begging
for assistance and despairingly crying out
that he could not hold on much longer.
Entered the Cave
"As soon as you were satisfied that Safer
did not dare to take to the buoy. by means
of which with the line attached you might
easily have drawn him out in safety, you
withdrew the buoy and gave the end Of the
line to some persons who had meantime ar
rived at the rocks by roundabout way,
and getting inside the buoy swan into tho
tunnel yourself, took the imperiled man in
your arms and lashed him to the buoy.
Then you called to the men holding the line
to haul him out. you in the meantime
clutching the rocks and remaining in the
tunnel. AS soon as Safer was rescued the
buoy was foated in again. and laying hold
of it, and giving the word, you also were
safely drawn out into the daylight and
landed in safety on the rocks
"The evidence shows that the location of
this rescue is rough and almost inaccessible
and that there is always more or less sea
dashing into the ragged cavern. and the
witnesses testify that the work performed
by you was dangerous and heroic.
IT have pleasure in acting under the law
as the medium for the award Of the accom-
panying medal in token of your gallantry."