The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-10-07

EM ma of the Virginia coast when
Iis young commander. Lieu, -nant Clar-
ence England. saw tho Eswsers part
which connected the two valuable sub.
marine torpedo boats Le lad in tow.
Jumped into boiling sea with a new
line tied about bis waist and swan a
hundred yards TO the Adder. getting
safely on board. fastening his liue and
saving Uncle Sam $4,000 or more.
BO's'n Deery couldn't save the No
cassin. too. and she now lies of Lit
tie Island, in grave danger Of total de-
struction. But i'm saving the Adder
he accomplished a feat which not a
man Of the score who Ireathlossly
watched him go over the side Of the
Peoria into the churning sea believed
he could successfully do.
Bo's'n Deery halls from Brooklyn
and has been in the navy many years
10 is tall, -shouldered man
with great. long. powerful arms and
mighty chest, which ia the envy Of
all apprentices. Like many men Of his
type his disposition is as sunny as
that Of a child He is quiet and mod
est. but in one little way aud another
he has given so many exhibitions Of
his cool courage and ability to do diff
m especially delicate job on hand there
IS a demand for Deery
When Lieutenant England WIS as
signed 10 bring the Adder 70 AunapO-
lis with the naval tug Peoria, the first
man he asked for was Deery. To-day
he is sitting back and congratuating
himself on his very fine judgment, for.
however willing any other man he
might have selected would have been
TO risk his life to save such a valua-
bic piece of machinery as the Adder,
there are very few who could have
done the thing successfully.
When the wind began 10 blow aud
the seas to run high on Wednesday
afternoon the little tug and her prec-
ious tow were off the Delaware Break
water AT 10 O'Clock that night off
Cape Henry the MoCassin had already
got adrift from her towing craft. the
Hankton, and although in great trou-
bic himself, Lieutenant England was
making every effort to catch her tow
line or to assist the crew OF the littlc
craft to get over an anchor of sufficient
power to hold her in the heavy seas.
All night this delicate work kept up.
and finally the MoCassin was caught.
TO turn her, however, it was necessary
10 expose her for "A moment brondside
g.. 81
towing pin broke again and once more
the obstinate little boat was free TO
toss about in the trough OF the sea.
Ia a frantic effort TO get ter again
the Peoria succeeded in swapping the
bawser by which she held the Adder,
just as precious a charge as the Mo-
Cassin. 1t was with a sinking heart
that Lieutenant England saw the it
tie submarine float away ia the heavy
SCa. He didn't lose his head. though.
but realizing that there was only one
chance, piped all hands aft aud called
for volunteer to plunge into the sea
and carry line to the Adder.
This was like calling for Decry. and
the big boatswain didn't disappOlnt.
With respectful salute he stepped for
ward In few minutes his shoes
were off. his mates had freed him from
his blouse and trousers and a light line
had been fastened around his waist.
1t wasn't a line that would have hauled
him ashore had he worn himself ont
in the sea. Just n light line with
which a heavier one could be hauled
aboard the Adder in the remote chance
of the boatswain being able to reach
her.
Deery knew that he had to make the
Adder or lose his life. He lcaped
lightly to the rail, waved his hand
Chcerfully to his cheering comrades
and then plunged head foremost into
the sea. \ hundred yards away was
the Adder, rising on one heavy sea on
ly to disappear the next moment be-
hind some gigantic wall oC water. Aud.
slowly making his way toward her.
was the big boatswain, 4 mere spot
he looked, in that fearful, .Irmoi'.
Decry learned to swim down at the
foot Of Court street, Brooklyn, when
he was = boy. That's a training school
where Brooklyn boys have TO swim or
drown. Dcery learned lessons then
that served him in good stead at this
critical moment of his life With long.
Cleln.cut strokes. now diving 20 Cs.
cape the resistance of towering wall
OF water. now coming UP and increlS-
ing his stroke To take advantage OF q
little smooth wafer. this splendid big
American sailor went slowly but sure
ly toward the dancing submarine
ANu- NNrl. \nES