Edward J. Ward, 26, deckhand, saved Hugh J. Preacher, 7, from drowning, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, March 30, 1924. Hugh fell from a rowboat into Staten Island Sound a quarter-mile from the shore, and the boat drifted away. Ward, who was heavily clothed, dived from the upper deck of a passing ferryboat, swam 100 feet to Hugh, and took hold of him. Hugh grabbed Ward’s hands or wrists, and both went under the surface. They rose, and Ward freed himself. Ward again took hold of Hugh, who soon became unconscious, and he tried to swim toward another ferryboat that was then closer than his own, but he made no progress. About seven minutes after Ward got in the water, a man arrived in a rowboat from shore, and Ward was helped into the boat. He was approaching exhaustion and at times had released his hold on Hugh to rest. The man then went to Hugh, who was 10 feet away, and took him into the boat. Both were taken to a hospital and recovered. 24388-2059
24388 – 2059
24388-2059