Douglas Island news., 1921-07-01
THRILLING ESCAPE
 FROM DROWNING
Robert Coughlin and Frank Bach, Jr., Wrecked in Go Boat in
 Gulf of Alaska

One Of thc most thrilling escapes from death from gas fumes and later from drowning is the experience Of Robert E. Coughlin and Frank Bach. Jr.. who were wrecked on the for mer's gas boat on Che morning of June 14. eight miles west of Cape Spencer. In the Gulf Of Alaska.
 The men were returning from a trip to Lituya bay and were crossing tho gulf. with fair westerly wind blowing. The boat was closed up tight to prevent tho waves that were dash,ng over her from reaching the Interior, when Coughlln went below to 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 oyer his partner for more than on hour, using every first-aid method he had over heard Of in an endeavor Go bring him back to lifc He was finally rewarded for his efforts when the conscious man began Co breath norma and came back to lie. but was s'iu helpless and had no use Of his limbs
 Bach then headed the boat for shore after stlrting Che engine. and going into a little hole in thc wall. dropped Che two anchors. The seas were SO high and tho wind SO strong that Che boat strained at her an- chor lines SO hard that the bits to which Che lines were fastened were pulled od tho vessel. Seeing that they were Co be cast mp on shore. preparations were made Go abandon Che ship. and most of'thelr personal belongings were piled into tho ten- der. When tho boat hit tho shore. Coughlin. who was almost helpless. was thrown into the water by the shock. He revived when he hit tho water. and they both reached shore safely in 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 rowed for three days until they reached Inian island. where there is a fox ranch. They had hard trip of it in Che opon boat. as the storm was sull on They shipped somo seas at one place. but sot out safely and were safe when they reached the fox ranch.
 After getting to the fox ranch cannery tender from Dundas bay picked them up and took them to Hoonah and from Hoonah they came here on Che Relief. belonging to Capt. oliver Hnlman, arriving Monday.
 Mr. Coughlin is full Of praise for the behavior Of his companion and claims that lt was only through his efforts in working over him after he was overcome with gas and in keep ing his head cool after ho had re- viyod him that they both were saved.
 The two young men left here on June ( on Mr. Coughlin's 2S-foot boat. which was powered with a 5- h.-p. engine. They wenut Co Lituya bay Co look at some oil prospects in which they and Frank Bach, ST. are interested. They looked over the ground and are much pleased with tho outlook.
 The spot where the wreck oc- cured is a dangerous one. It is be- yond Cape Spencer and there is no shelter near from a westerly wind. Several severe storms have ragged in that vicinity during the past few months and a number of craft have had narrow escapes. It is claimed however. that if Mir. Coughhn had not become gassed the wreck would not have occurred. as they would have kept going and eventually reached Gross Sound and shelter.
 The following day. according to Che boys another wreck took place when a 26-foot boat piled up on Inian island. It's owner, Hiram Parsons. and his partner both es- caped to thc shore in safety, it is said.
 Although an the wood work of the Coughlin boat is smashed, it is
 said that tho engine lies in such a
 position that it can be salvaged.