New Britain herald., 1925-09-10
Sinking Small Boats Dashed Against Ships And Men Are Thrown Into Icy Surf.
PULLED ON DECKS
 ONE AT A TIME

Washington, Sept. 10 LF --- After battling an S0-mile gale and rescuing the crew Of two small boats from the Island Taulk, Danish naval vessel, the steamer Bowdoin. of the MacMillan Arctic expedition. has joined the Peary at Godthaab. Greenland.
 A message to the National Geo. graphic society today from MacMil- Ian, sent by way of Springfield. Mass, viyidly pictured the struggles of the Danish sailors, their rescue and deeds Of heroism.
 Both the crews of the Bowdoin and the Peary took part in the res- cue, the men from the two boats which sank in the choppy waters of Godthaab harbor being taken aboard the latter vessel.
 The Iris, a Norwegian trawler, which was in the harbor. broke from her anchorage and went ashore the crew abandoning her without loss of life.
 We are lying in harbor at God thaab." MacMillan said. "A terrific gale struck tonight (Sept. s.) The wind is ranging between 70 and so miles an hour and at times greater. The Danish vessel, Island Taulk, is also in harbor with us. The harbor is well protected only on one side, where the Stag Horn Mountain rises tn n hpiyhf nf Y. ance Is comparatively exposed.
 Shortly after the gale hit us we heard the screams of men almost alongside the Peary. Our entire personnel rushed on deck and the sight that greeted our eyes was small powerboat of the Island Taulk full of Danish naval sailors, towing a small dory loaded with another group of sailors struggling helpless ly against a terrific sea. The wind and seas crashed them against the side of the Peary.
 1 One Danish sailor, Laurits Chris Jensen, had forethought enough 10 throw the heavy tow line of the powerboat which we made fast as it swamped and immediately sank. The dory swamped immediately after wards.
 ''The Danish sailors were helpless in this frigid Greenland water with temperature approximately go de- grees and the sea seething mass of foam. All were cinging to the sides of tho sunken boats made fast to the Peary. Never have l seen a greater display of unselfishness. consideration for the other man and calmness in an emergency. Taken Aboard One by One
 "The water was sweeping the many hands on the deck of the Peary. ready 10 pull them aboard. But our rail is six feet above the waterline. The Danes seemed to s tman to realize that they, one by one, must be taken aboard up the line. There was no fighting, no man trying to push ahead of the other. One by one we hauled them aboard, recov- cring every man of the two boats. The Island of Taulk was signalled hy flags, We advised them that all their men were on board the Peary. Tho men slipped their wet clothes and dressed in dry clothes of the personnel of the Peary. As this message is dictated they are all sleeping comfortably in our dining salon.
 The last man 10 be hauled aboard was Einar Hansen, who per- mitted three men who were behind him 10 be hauled aboard first. Great credit Is due Chief Petty Officer Hans Knudsen, who handled his men admirably.
 The sunken boats broke the lins a moment after we had hauled the men aboard. As this message Is dic- tated the gale is still raging and al- though we have out our anchors. of which we have two holding, we have steam up ready to put our noss Into 1t if anchors let go.
 The Norwegian trawler, Iris which also is lying in the harbor, broke her mocring and went ashore. Her crew abandoned her without loss Of life.
 We are thankful to be in harhor tonight. It Is just a year ago today the storm hit the Left Erickson"
 The Jeff Erickson left Norway in the spring of 1924 10 follow ths trail to the United States by way of Iceland and Greenland. but disap- peared during a storm in the Arctic