C. Ray Drake saved Antum E. Cuthrell and Marcus C. Easterling from drowning, Navasota, Texas, July 21, 1929. While Cuthrell, 24, student, was wading in water 18 inches deep on a timber crib that extended across the Brazos River against the downstream face of a dam, he was washed through an opening into a compartment of the crib. There was a current of 3 m.p.h. flowing over the crib, and water poured through the opening and between the crib’s timbers. Rough water filled the compartment except for an air space in the end toward the dam. Below the dam the water was 15 feet deep. Cuthrell tried to get up through the opening, but he was unable to pass through the downpour. Carrying a garden rake, Easterling, 22, student, waded to the opening, and other men, carrying a long rope, waded on the dam to a point opposite him. With one end of the rope wrapped loosely around his waist, Easterling thrust the rake into the opening, and Cuthrell got hold of it. About that time the rope dropped from around Easterling, and he was washed into the compartment. Holding one end of a rope that was securely fastened to the dam, Drake, 32, electrical engineer, waded to the opening and lowered an end of the first rope, which the men on the dam held. Cuthrell got hold of it, but as he was being raised, his hands came in contact with a spike in a timber, and he dropped back. Several efforts were made before he cleared the spike and was drawn upon the crib. Drake then lowered the rope to Easterling, and Easterling got hold of it and was likewise drawn upon the crib. 29639-2493
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29639-2493