The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-03-14

clothing that might in any way i'm
pede their movements in case of a
capsize, and then, DOMINIC their
cork belts, at the word from the
keeper, showed the boat in and
gave way. A glance seaward re-
vealed towering and almost I'M
broken wall of tumultuous water,
which seemed to threaten destruc-
ton to any craft defiant enough to
give battle. But away beyond in
the offing there were lives in peril
which must be saved at any haz-
ard. To those who had assembled
on the shore it seemed a forelorn
hope and few dared believe it
would be successful. The breakers
on the inner bar, immense in them
selves, were crossed in safety, but
then came the infinitely more haz-
ardous passage on the outer bar,
nearly half mile from the shore,
where the billow met the first
shock of resistance as they thun-
dered shoreward. The whole scene
was awfully grand, and enough to
make the stoutest hearts quail.
AS Daley neared the billowy
barrier he held his boat in check
for a brief period awaiting his
chance. The chance came ere long,
when the huge combers directly
ahead flattened out in seething,
roaring foam. Quick as flash the
word was given to the hardy row.
ers, and before the angry water
could again rear herself, a few
powerful strokes with the oars had
carried the boat safely beyond the
bar, and the greatest danger was
past. 1t was marvel to the peo-
pie on shore how the sturdy fell
lows got thru. 1t was so magnifi-
Gently done. There were times
when the entire interior of the boat
could be seen as it mounted the
seas, and the watchers held their
breath, fully expecting to see it
topple backward, bottom up.
No such another chance was at
| forded Keeper Scarborough and
crew of the Big Kinnakeet Station,
who attempted to follow in Dahl
ey's wake, and after vainly watch
ing for another slatch, such as that
taken advantage of by Daley, they
were compelled very much against
their inclination, to turn back and
beach the boat. There was still a
pull of several miles in a storm
tossed sea for Daley and his gall
liant fellows ere the bark was
reached, but reach her they did at
about an hour after noon. 1t was
impossible to lay the boat along
side for fear of swapping it, so it
was anchored by means of a line
thrown to them by the captain,
and by watching their opportunity,
to sheer in close enough to take
the men off one by one.
This required the most skillful
maneuver to avoid istaving the
boat. The rescued people were al
most persisted with cold and hum
ger, as they had been in the con-
dition in which they were found
for over ninety hours, or since the
18th when the gale set in, COM
pletely drenched to the skin and
without food or water. AS soon as
they were seated and everything
was in readiness, the anchor was
weighed and a start made for the
shore.
Keeper Etheridge relieved Daley
at the steering-oar while the lat
ter tended the drag. The boat, lad
en- with its living freight of sixteen
souls was almost gunwale deep,
but it rode the still tremendous
seas like a duck, and after safely
passing the outline of breakers,
reached the shore in good shape,
where it was met by the Big Kin
nakeet crew and others and run
we'll up on the beach. A hearty
meal had been prepared at the Big
Kinnakeet Station by Keeper Scar
borough's direction and the casta-
ways were at once conducted
thither.
A muster was also made of all
the dry clothing obtainable, in
Guiding the supply received from
the Women's National Relief As
ISOLATION, but it was then insuffi-
[cient to cloth them all and three
of the poor fellows were compelled
to remain in their wet garments
until they could be taken to Dali
ey's station after the meal was
over and they were somewhat re-
vived. Thus was accomplished one
of the most daring rescues of the
Life Saving Service since its or
ganization.
The officer detailed to inquire