New-York tribune., 1921-09-05
Girl, 6, Trapped
Between Barge
And Pier, Saved
Policeman Sheds Uniform as
He Runs to Make Diving
Rescue; Children i'm His
Wake Retrieve Garments

Becky lsataum. six years old, of 102
Goerck Street, fell into the East River
last night at o'clock while trying to
jump ashore from the steam barge AL
berta, lying at concrete pier at Stan
ton Street.
Becky's companions. four little girls,
who had been playing with her on the
deck of the barge, screamed, and
aroused Captain Thomas Boltcr of the
Alberta, who found the child clinging
to projection from the hull just above
the waterine. She was between the
barge and the pier.
Bolter attempted to reach the little
girl with line, but she was too ter
rified to seize it, being afraid to let 90
her hold. Bolter then endeavored to
lower himself into the space between
barge and pier, but was unable to
squeeze through
Two of Becky's friends had run for
help, and, meeting Patroman Joseph
Rocket, of the Clinton Street police
station, explained matters to him.
Rocket ran q block and half, she'd
ding portions of his uniform until he
arrived at the dock. There he kicked
off his trousers and shoes, called down
to Becky to hang on and dived.
Girl Sinks in His Sight
Just before Rocket reached the child
she became exhausted and released her
hold, sinking when the patrolman was
less than dozen strokes away. Rock
ett dived and seized Becky by the hair,
bringing her to the surface. He swan
round to the outer side of the Alberta
with her, and Bolter, who had secured
tie lying at the same pier, hauled both
to the deck of the barge.
When Rocket emerged from the
water he was minus nearly everything
that policeman ought to have His
uniform coat. shield, nightstick and
cap were missing. Just as Rocket was
about to borrow blanket for his
journey to Clinton Street four small
girls appeared with the missing ar
ticles. They had been Becky's COM
panions in the escapade that almost
cost her her life.
DR.. Gonzales, of Gouverneur Hos
pltal, attended the girl. She was taken
home.
Barney McKenna, thirty years old,
OF ooS Eleventh Avenue, in attempting
NN " - oiii tnC tOp Vi Lnc ShcQ on
Pier so, at the foot of West Fortietf
Street yesterday, misjudged the dis
tance and plunged headlong to the
flooring, crushing his skull and diving
instantly. His body was found some
time after the accident by watchman
William Gettler, nineteen years old
OF ISL Kingston Avenue, BROOKLYN. lost
his life when he attempted to rescue
May McDermott, twenty years old. of
1O4 Eighth Avenue, Brooklyn. from
drowning in Mill Basin, at the foot of
Flatbush Avenue. Miss McDermott was
in the water with another girl when she
became exhausted and screamed for aid.
Her cries were heard by Gettler. who
plunged into the water. He had almost
reached the girl when he was caught in
the undertow and drowned. Miss Nc
Dermott was helped to the shore by her
companion.
Girl and Fiance Rescued
While in bathing at Rockaway Point
ma Marle e, Leonard, seventeen years old, of
27o Marion Street, Brooklyn, got be-
yond her depth. Louis Dittle, twenty
two years old, of 1874 Marion Street
her fiance, was caught in the under,
cow when he went to her rescue. The
couple were carried out for some dis
tance before their combined shouts
attracted launch, which went to
thelr rescue and brought them ashore.