The Washington times., 1927-10-24
(continued from Page 81

swell we would catch a glimpse OF
the Barendrech. and we could
plainly seel that we were being
swept away from it very fast. While
We had landed only 100 feet or 50
from her side. it now seemed we
were almost q quarter of q mile
away.
noticed just alter we landed
that two belts had been thrown
out In our direction. They were
quickly washed far away from MS.
We wondered IL the sea was too
rough. And for several minutes
il gave us much concern before
We knew whether or not IL was
actually possible for them to reach
us.
Sea Smashes Plane
For time I was very much
worried because George did not
have on his life suit. But when
he made an attempt to break
through the top of the cabin and
get to his suit another wave
sweeping over us proved concnl.
sively that we had no time for
anything except holding on for
dear life.
The frightful way in which the
sea smashed the American Girl
about showed us what little chance
we would have had for our lives
IL we had not sighted q steamer.
1t is impossible to describe with
what fury and eagerness the waves
sought to lick our plane to pieces.
There would be small hope for
the aviatOrs whose plane dropped
from the skies out Of sight Of a
ship.
Rescue Seems Slow
/ think l got the next big thrill
of the trip when we were attracted
by the shouts of new voices to
our rear. We looked back and saw
small life boat several hundred
feet away manned by five seamen
who tugged frantically at the oars
in order to reach us.
1t seemed ages before they were
able to come any closer. AS we
would go over the top of a big
wave We could look down on them
seemingly so feet below us, and in
the next minute they would be high
above us.
The officer standing in the bow
of the boat was holding a large coil
of small rope and giving commands
to the men at the oars to come
nearer. When the boat was within
80 feet Of US he threw the rope in
our direction but it fell short and he
hurriedly coiled it up for another
cast. After several trials the rope
came high over our heads and landed
between us.
Compelled to Go First
George grabbed the end and fast.
ened 1t around my waist, while
lmplOred him to GO first, since / had
on my life suit and was afraid he
might be washed off the plane any
moment.
But always the gentleman, he
would not consent, and his request
that hold on the plane since he was
all right was more of a command
Then was pulled off the plane by
til officer Of the lifeboat and towed
to safety.
looked back anxiously at George
and he waved reassuringly to me.
After l was hauled aboard the life.
boat the officer had to make several
attempts again in order to throw the
rope to George, but he was finally
able to catch it and be pulled 10
ward us.
Crew Takes Big Chance
The captain was anxiously inquir-
ing Of US in broken English IL we
were the only two aboard. And after
we had assured him that we were ale
gave the command to his men ana
they started pulling at the oars to
reach the Barendrecht.
The men worked .franticalIy and
l could not help but notice that
each Of the men had a worried.
earnest expression on his face. AS
the little boat pitched and rolled
on the waves and wallOwed its
way through the seas / began
to realize the chance these men
had taken to save us.
do not suppose that it ac-
tually took long before we were
alongside the Barendrecht, but to
me it seemed a. year.
Men on deck above us threw
down ropes and we tied them
around our waists.
AS the lifeboat reached the top
Of high swell and we were
bumped up against the side of
the ship I was able to grab hold
of rope ladder which hung over
the side and climb aboard.
George was pulled up very shortly
and I saw that he was all right.
We looked around for the dear
old American Girl.
Unable to Save Plane
By this time it had fIOated al.
most half q mile away and we
could only see it as it would ride
over the top of a high wave. We
met Capt. T. Coos and asked him
what could be zone and if it were
possible to save our plane.
He informed us that the ocean
was very rough and that the Bar.
endrecht was not equipped with
booms or chain tackle for loading
or unloading any heavy weight,
but assured us that he would do
everything possible.
Captain Coos called out several
commands and his men began gath.
ering in rope, block and tackle
etc. Then the Barendrecht was
headed in the direction of the plane
After we had pulled alongside
two men jumped on the wing and
with extreme difficulty succeeded
in placing heavy ropes about the
struts. We could very quickly tell
that it was a physical impossibility
to save the plane intact. as the
heavy swell would take the plane
UP high and dash it against The