The Washington herald., 1914-03-29

and wrapped in blankets to prevent FROST
bite.
There was not a single accident during
the entire proceedings. despite the panic
on board. which was quel,ed by Capt.
Gillhocly> upon his arrival and all per-
sonal effects were removed and 30 han
died that all property was restored to its
rightful owner. Capt. Gillhooly described
the work of his men and crew In his offi-
cial report to Superintendent Kimball, of
the Life-saving Service, which he re-
peated at the investigation, as follows:
"The ship. hit the rocks and struck In
about eight feet of water and a strong
current Surfman Drazel. who was on
watch. witnessed the accident and
promptly gave the. alarm. Within three
minutes We had two boats alongside. be-
! fore most of the passengers, who were
abed, knew there was any danger. The
keeper found the cabin packed with peo-
ole and there was much confusion and
excitement. The keeper spoke to the
people. saying that the Hfe-saving crew
was aboard and would save them.
Played on the Pfano.
They were aimonished to be calm and
were informed that the lifeboats were
ready: that women and children would
be taken first, MEN passengers next, then
the crew OF the steamer: that all would
be taken to the station ashore. Some of
the women passengers refused to leave
the vessel without their husbands. and
they had to wait until We could take the
men. When they realized that We were
handling the situation the best possible
some one started playing at the piano
and they began 10 calm down. The keep
er then loaded the station boats with
women and started them or to shore.
While the boats were gone he had q
ships mate lower a steamers yawl and
on the return Of the two boats from the
station We took one man from each and
manned the yawL All three boats then
were loaded and several trips were made
by each. all passengers and the crew be-
ing removed BY a.. m. A good many
women were wrapped in blankets and
sent to hotels until We could get their
baggage on. All the baggage. consisting
of clothing left in staterooms and trunks,
suit cases, and satchels, was removed by
; p. m, the entire crew of the station
working continuously"
Capt. Gillhooly explains that the police
department was asked to send patrolmen
and officers to the scene TO watch the
baggage as II was brought ashore, until
the keeper himself came in at 6 a. m.
One boatman was left on the steamer to
see that none OF the baggage and valu-
ables could go astray. He was instructed
to force all doors found locked. so az to
obtain every article Of value. since the
vessel was in danger of being dashed to
pieces over the falls. In searching for
personal effects a boatman made a dis
covery. which no one appeared able to
explains man and his wife. who had
been so sound asleep that they were not
awakened by the ship striking nor the
confusion that followed. They were Mr..
and Mrs. l. II. Granger. Of Rochester.
n. Y.
Ice Was Running.
THE weather was very cold and light
ice was running. which, with the strong
current. made the work Of rescue very
difficult 1t times a mist hung over the
water, so that the boatmen could see but
a short distance, requiring much care so
that the boats might not be swept over
the falls. The boats were made heavy
by a thick coating Of ice. and repeatedly
the men had to break the ice OF the oars
so that they could handle them"
The following day the marine under
writers took charge OF the sunken
steamer. and although the lve-savers had
p formed their duty of saving all lives,
they were called upon to take the men TO
ar from the vessel. The location OF the
dangerous for an inexperienced crew to
attempt to approach her. Every day for
two weeks the life-savers were kept busy.
carrying the ships crew and laborers
back and forth. bringing of the cargo
and everything possible.
According to Supt Kimballs report
OF the work of the life-saving crews
of the Central West in the foods of
last March and April. which was laid
e 10
Louisville crew were the real heroes
of the hood. Capt. Gillhooly and his
four men. with a power boat and
tackle, were practically the first per
sons to enter Dayton after the burst
ing Of the food.
After taking number OF persons on
floating wreckage and several nun
dred out of houses in the portion OF
Dayton accessible from the plant OF
the National Cash Register, which first
they reached. they proceeded to the op-
posite side of the city where the loss
Of life was rumored to be highest.
Did Not Hesitate.
The committee in control OF the relief
work declared It would be almost certain
death to attempt the trip. But the ife-
savers did not hesitate. They piled the
Erie and Miami Canal about nine miles,
dragged ther DodI oSeiieu " -.
and then proceeded down the Great
Miami to Dayton. This required almost
a complete circuit OF the city. Several
times their boat was dashed against OBJ
strlIctions. and two or three times II was
overturned by collisions and contrary
currents.
After completing their work at Dayton
thew rushed to Covington, KY, thence
to Lawrenceburg, Louisville. and ether
points down the river. abreast or the
flood tide, and saved life and property.
This is the only crew on either the Ohio
or Mississippi River, the nearest station