The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1910-08-25

| member of the lifesaving corps at
! Venice, watering resort on the Cali
fornia coast, received the congressional
| medal on August l awarded him for
special bravery in the rescue of seven
| japanese fishermen during storm at
Venice on December Is, 1905.
The medal, which contains about $3.50
| in gold, bears on the diverse side
| representation Of three men in an open
yawI on a raging sea saving woman
| from drowning and the words, ''United
States of America, Act of Congress,
June 20, 1s74.'' On the reverse side
| is the goddess of liberty holding
shield, surrounded by an eagle with
spreading wings, and at the side the
rigging and anchor of ship. On the
shield is engraved. ITO George Freeth,
for heroicallv rescuing seven fishermen,
December Is, 190s.' Circling the de-
sign are the words, ''In testimony of
heroic deeds in saving life from the
perils of the sea-
George Freeth was one Of the best
known swimmers in the Hawaiian Is
lands. He learned to swim IN the har-
Dor of Honolulu and at Waikiki beach,
where he was conspicuous figure be-
cause Of his feats on the surfhoard and
; in swimming. He was not only a pow
erful swimmer but a fast one, and his
endurance powers were exceptional. He
. is Of commanding stature, stalwart and
splendidly proportional.
Day Of the Big Storm.
On the day of the big storm num-
Der Of fishing boats, mostly manned by
japanese, were suddenly caught and
rendered helpless by the wind and
heavy sea. The first of these contained
two men, who were buffeted hither AMI
thither as they endeayored to approach
the shore. Freeth swan out and ear
RED a lifeline to them, which guided
the boat and its human freight ashore.
Swift in the wake of this boat was an
other, also containing two japanese.
Before Freeth could 90 to their aid the
boat capsized so he swan out and adj
justed lifebuoys about them. Before
he had time to assist them ashore a
third boat capsized and dropped over
board two weeping. demoralized men.
Freeth left the two provided with life
buoys and climbed into the boat of the
third set, which had righted. He put
fear into their hearts by threatening
them with a boathook, so that they
finally used the oars. He then took tho
tiller, and with the knowledge acquired
in the Hawaiian waters about steering
boats through the breakers, he brought
the boat to the shore.
Scarcely had he landed this party
before a boat was seen spinning like
a top one moment and almost on end
the next. This contained three men,
one of them being the head of the
japanese fishing hui in Port Los An
geles. Freeth reached them Just as
the boast capsized but he managed to
adjust life belts on all and support them
until the life boat could be manned,
when the four utterly exhausted men
were tQwed ashore and restoratives APP
piled.
In Water Two Hours.
Freeth was in the water for about
two hours and was alone in the fine
courage which prompted him to repeat
edly brave death.
At the time of this exploit FTeeth
was not a member OF the Venice life
saving corps, and was under no obliga-
ton, save that which would naturally
prompt any brave man, 10 risk his life
for the humble fisherman. A purse was
made up for him on the spot by those
who witnessed the brave act, and later
the japanese colony made up a second
purse with which they presented him, to-
gether with a gold watch, with profuse
expressions of gratitude. They also
called their settlement after him.
Prior to this performance Freeth has
a list of nearly fifty lives to his credit
| of people he had rescued from drowning
| along and near the Venice coast. He
| is the acknowledged head of life-savers
| on the Coast and it is more than prob
| able that his achievements can not be
| matched elsewhere.
The congressional medal was awarded
| Freeth through the efforts of Congress
| man McLachlan, who visited Hawai-
| last year with the congressional party
| A special act Of congress was rassed
This is a rare honor only eleven sucf
medals having been awarded, it is said
The following from the Venice Van
guard explains how congress came Il
pass the act:
''This action Of congress is the diree
! result of efforts made by the Venice
! Chamber of Commerce shortly afte-
Freeth's daring performance. Resolu
tons recommending that Freeth be Civ
en- this mark of distinction were adopt
ed by the local organization and copie
= sent to President Roosevelt, Senate
\ Flint and Representative McLachlan
The latter took the matter up and urg
ed the striking off of the medal fo
Freeth''
George Freeth is also making som,
noise in another direction according Il
the following clipping from the Lo
. Angeles Times Of recent date, whicl