Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-03-09
Special Council Meeting.
SAVED TWO MEN
IN RAGING STORM.
Members of Lishtship Crew Picked Up
in Unconscious Condition in Open
Boat.

Unconscious and almost dead from
exposure Robert L. Perkins and Wal
ter Wallace of New York, members
of the crew of BartIett's Reef light
ship, We're picked up Wednesday morn
ing by quartermaster's steamer Cen
eral Pickering in a small sailboat
which was drifting helplessly in the
raging waters of Plum Gut. The rescue
effected by Capt. Charles n. Eglise of
the transport and his men was of the
most thrilling character. Alfred
Greenwood. one of the crew. going
overheard during the attempt and be-
ing nearly drowned.
But for the prompt response Of
7 Captain Eglise to the signal for as
sistance sent out from the lightship
fcult situation, certain death awaited
the benumbed seamen. Their 15 foot
craft was leaking badly and was like
ly go down at any minute. Had it
kept afloat its occupants would have
died from exposure in a brief inter
val.
The Pick ering was returning from
Fort Terry, Plum Island, to New Lon
don on it's regular run and on pass
ing Bartlett's Reef at 9.25 a signal of
distress was noted on the Hghtship.
Captain EgliSe ran as closely as pos
sible to the vessel, whence a mega
! phone message was sent stating that
two members of the crew were be-
lieveG to be drifting in a small boat
somewhere in the vicinity
Captain Eglise started at once On
the search. The sea was running
heavy, with a wind of great velocity.
an the outlook for discovering the
sailing craft was not promising At
the end of search in which minutes
seemed to lengthen into hours, a
poat was seen tossing about close to
the Gut. The Pickering ran up to her
but received no answer to signals
Then the bodies of the two men were
seen stretched out in tn water
which was rapidly filling the boat.
1t was manifestly impossible to
make FAST to the sinking craft by
throwing line, since those inside
were unable to catch it. The only
method available was for the searTen
of the Pickering to jump into the
boat. which in view of the condition
of the sea was a most delicate oper-
! alton In endeavoring to do this
Greenwood, the seaman referred to.
miscalculated the distance in jump-
ing and leaped into the Sound instead
of the boat. 1t was with Difficulty
that he was pulled out. Eventually
two of the crew of the Pickering got
they made fast to the Unconscious
men. They were then hauled on board
the transport.
There Provost Sergt. Charles Nc
SnaneS knowledge or first aid treat
ment came into play and had 1t not
been for his skilfuI ministrations, II
is probable the lightship men would
have suCcumbed and their spe-tacu-
lar rescue would have gone for naught.
1t was just noon when the Pickering
reached New London, with the res
cued men on board and the saiIboat
in tow. The men were apparently
none the worse for their exposdra md
were resting in comfort in dry Goth
| Ing.
In an interview they stated that
| thew had been to New London for
| mail Monday and because of the storm
| which came up were unable to return
| the same day. Tuesday the conditions
were equally bad. but Wednesday
morning they decided to attempt the
| trip. They left at $50 and made
| the run down the harbor easily. When
| they got outside, however, thew en-
| countered such a heavy wind and sea
| that the boat became unmanageable
| They steered for Bartlett's Reef. blt
| were unable to tack to gain the light
| ship. Then they decided to try for
| the lee of Plum Island and that was
| about all they could remember both
| soon becoming unconscious from the
| cold. The mail bag which thew car
| ried contained the monthly psy of
the lightship crew. It was found with
| the men in the Bottom of the boat.
| IT have sailed all over the world ~
| said Wallace, but this experiences is
| the worst I ever struck"