Christine Stewart attempted to save Emily McDougall from drowning, Bar Harbor, Maine, August 2, 1934. Miss McDougall, 31; Miss Stewart, 35, housemaid, and another woman stood on a rock at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, which at the scene was very cold and contained a strong undertow. Surf and spray were thrown by incoming waves that dashed over lower rocks there. Miss McDougall, who was on a slightly lower part of the rock than the others, suddenly was washed off by receding water from an unusually high wave and was carried back and forth in the turbulent water. Miss Stewart, without removing any of her clothing, plunged from the rock, swam a short distance toward her, and then was carried back toward the rock. The other woman also plunged from the rock and swam toward Miss McDougall. Miss Stewart reached Miss McDougall, who threshed frantically at a point about 30 feet from the rock in water 30 feet deep, and took hold of her. The other woman soon reached them and took over the support of Miss McDougall, Miss Stewart remaining and swimming nearby. The other woman was unable to swim closer to shore, and after several minutes Miss Stewart again took hold of Miss McDougall. The three then were 40 feet from shore. The other woman was suffering from severe nausea and swam or drifted toward the shore and got hold of a rock 20 feet from the point at which she entered the water. She was later pulled to safety. Meanwhile, Miss McDougall threw her arms around Miss Stewart’s neck, but Miss Stewart pulled them loose. Both were washed back and forth. A man who was a strong swimmer swam to the two women, who were then about 50 feet from shore. He tried briefly to render aid but was affected by the cold water. He released his hold, turned on his back to float, and was rescued later. Miss Stewart, supporting Miss McDougall across her body, drifted farther out until a policeman with a rope tied around him swam to them, reaching them 85 feet from shore. The three were drawn to shore by men who held the rope. Miss McDougall was dead. Miss Stewart had been in the water 40 minutes and was exhausted. She suffered from inflammation of the lungs and was disabled two months.
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