The Washington herald., 1909-01-03

London. Jan. 2-Constantine Doresa, a
London shipbroker. IS the first English
man 10 reach London from Messina,
where he had a wonderful escape He IS
q member Of the firm Of Mango & Doresa7
OF St Mary-Axe He went 10 MesSina
three weeks ago 10 drydock a Russian
steamer. He was staying at the Trinacria
Hotel with an English friend named Graf
ger. His bedroom was on the third floor.
facing the sea In an interview published
by LIoyds News, he says
Il was awakened without warning at
5-25. The bed first rose up and then
rocked violently I clutched the sides Of
the bed, and then came a series of awful
crashes. the roof falling all around me
was smothered in brick and plaster. I
knew It was an earthquake. / had been
in one before in Athens. Then followed
terrific crashes, mingled with q continu-
Gus roar. I felt for matches. struck
light. and was Mortified 70 ind my bed on
the side Of an abyss"
DOresG discovered Craiger and from
the ruins rescued a SWede and his wife.
Amid the appalling surroundings they
succeeded in reaching the quay side and
getting aboard the Cardif steamer Atom
wen DOresa then organized a rescue
party composed Of the AfOuwen's mas
ter, Capt Owen, three Of his sailors and
several Russian sailors. With DOresa
and Craiser ali returned 70 the Hotel
Trinacria with ladders and ropes. En-
route. on the balcony OF a ruined build
ing. two little children were crying for
help The building seemed ready % col
lapse AZ any moment. Second Mate
Read, OF the Afonwen. did not hesitate.
The children were directed 10 lower
stone with a string tied 20 IT,
Climbs Rope TO Rescue.
They understood. and presently a piece
OF stone was seen coming down. Mean
time, Read placed a ladder against a
lower balcony. Then he turned 10 one Of
his seameu who was standing by and
said. Vow, then. Smith, D0res0
adds Il shUddered- II seemed Ike
certain death. Smith without q word.
went I'D the ladder 70 the first hal
c0Dy. and then 10 The string which had
been let down by the children He at
Iached a light line which the children
hauled up and placed around one Of the
standards az the top Of the balcony. BY
This means Smith hauled I'D a Pinch
manila rope He then took OF his boots
and In trice was going up the rope be-
side the crazy ruin I held my breath.
have read Of many brave deeds but I
never heard Of one drawer than Smiths.
when smith reached the TOD OF the
balcony he leaned over and shouted:
Why. there's a ton Of them I'D here.
can't manage all Of them myself Capt
Owens turned - Read. Il was enough.
g.rf -
rope Lanl over hand. We watched him
with fear clutclinE our hearts There
was sigh OF relief when We saw him
standing beside Smith al the TOP OF the
building which seemed 10 b2 rocking 70
IT'S fall every second The men aloft soon
got TO work
Heroic Rescue Of Woman.
~One Of Capt Owens apprentices rem
dered great assistance. I stood al the
loot OF the ladder 10 prevent its slipping
The moments were flying. We did not
know how soon the whole thing would
collapse
There was other work for Us nearby.
We heard piercing cries from woman
buried 10 the waist N the ruins Of
shop The buildings around her were
blazing Slowly but surely the cruel
flames were creeping nearer 70 her. Could
she be saved2 Capt Owens gave a sharp
word OF command and soon Read was
rushing 70 the Blake. ship moored ar
the quay IN a few minutes ne was hack
with a saw. He dashed through the
raging flames and began with frantic
energy % saw through the plank that
held the woman fast. We waited in terri
bic suspense. linen with relief we saw
the end Of the plank fall away. and Read
came through the flames bearing the res
rued woman In his arms.