Douglas Island news., 1921-06-24
THRILLING ESCAPE
 FROM DROWNING
Robert Coughlin and Frank Bach, Jr., Wrecked in Gas Boat in
 Gulf of Alaska

Ono Of tho most thrilling escapes from death from gas fumes and later from drowning is the experience Of Robert B. Coushlin and Frank Bach. Jr. who were wrecked on the for mcr's gas boat on the morning Of June 14. eight miles west Of Cape Spencer. in Che Gulf Of Alaska.
 The mon were returning from a trip to Liuya bay and were crossing thc gulf with a fair westerly wind blowing. The boat was closed up ueht Co prevent thc waves that were dashing over her from reaching the interior. when Coughlin went below Co get some sleep. Some time after wards. the wind having increased. Bach went below to wake him up and found that he had been over come by the fumes of gasoline.
 Heading out to sea and then killing" his engine. Bach worked over his partner for more than an hour. using every nrst-aid method he had ever heard Of in an ondeayor Co bring him back to lifo. He was finally rewarded for his efforts when tho unconscious man began to breath normal and came back to lie. but was sum helpless and had no use Of his limbs
 Bach then headed the boat for shore after starting tho engine. and going into a lltue hole in Che wall. dropped Che two anchors. The seas were 90 high and tho wind 80 strong hat Che boat strained at her an- chor lines so hard chat the bits Co which Che lines were fastened were pulled oH Che vessel Seeing that they were to be cast mp on shore. preparations were made to abandon Che ship. and most Of their personal belongings were piled into Che ten- dor When Che boat hit thc shore. Couehlin. who was almost helple was thrown into Che water by the shock. He revived when he hit the water. and they both reached shore safely i'm Che tender while Che gas boat pounded to pieces on the beach.
 They made camp and stayed on Che beach for a day while Coughlin recovered some strength. As they were far from civilization they started out in their tender and rowcd for three days until they reached mian island. where there is a fox ranch. They had hard trip of it in tho open boat. as the storm was suu on. They shipped some sens at one place. but got out safely and were safe when they reached the fox ranch.
 After getting Co the fox ranch a canucry tender from Dundas bay picked thcm up end took them to Hoonah. and from Hoonah they came here on the Relief belonging to Capt Oliver Hnlman, arriving Monday.
 alr. Courhlin is full of praise for
 Che behavior of his companion and claims that it was only through his efforts in working over him after he was overcome with gas and in keep ug his head cool after he had re- vivcd him that they both were saved.
 The two young men left here on June 4 on Mr. Coughlin's 2S-foot boat which was powered with a 5- h.-p. engine. They wenut Co Lituya bay to look at some oil prospects in which they and Frank Bach, ST. are
 interested. They looked over the ground and arc much pleased with thc outlook.
 The spot where the wreck oc- cured is dangerous one. It is be- y0ud Cape Spencer and there is no shelter near from a westerly wind. Several severe storms have ragged in chat vicinity during the past few months and number of craft have ! had narrow escapes 10 is claimed however chat if Mir. Coughlin had not become gosscd the wreck would
 not have occurred, as they would have kept going and eventually reached Cross Sound and shelter
 The following day. according to Che boys another wreck took place
 when a 2G-foot boat piled up on 1nian island. Its owner. hiram ] Parsons. and his partner both es-
 capcd to Che shore In safety it is said.
 Although an the wood work of ho Courhun boat is mashed. it is
 said that the engine lies in such a
 position that it can be salvaged.