George Clarence Vedova, 41, assistant professor, attempted to save Preston J. Cantler, Jr., 6, from drowning, Annapolis, Maryland, December 25, 1935. Preston broke through weak ice into water 15 feet deep 70 feet from the bank of a cove of Spa Creek and supported himself with his arms on the ice. At times he lost his hold, threshed, and was briefly submerged. Although winded from running, Vedova kicked off his slippers and jumped four feet down from a bulkhead to the ice. The ice broke, and Vedova was momentarily submerged. With difficulty he broke a path 30 inches wide in the ice with his forearms and chest for 70 feet to Preston, supported Preston, and began to swim with great difficulty toward the bulkhead. Meanwhile Charles A. McCaffrey, who was a poor swimmer, got on the ice at the opposite bank and cautiously walked to a point within 20 feet of Preston and Vedova. The ice cracked and sagged, and McCaffrey then lay prone and crawled to within a few feet of them. Vedova was numb and weak and at McCaffrey’s suggestion gave Preston a push to McCaffrey and then swam toward the bulkhead. As McCaffrey got hold of Preston, the ice broke under him; and both were momentarily submerged. Holding Preston, McCaffrey swam a few strokes and then rested Preston’s shoulders on the ice. Carrying a rope 50 feet long, a man walked on the ice to within 20 feet of Preston and threw one end of the rope to him and then pulled Preston to him. After taking a step or two toward the bank, he noted a frightened expression on McCaffrey’s face and then threw the end of the rope to McCaffrey. McCaffrey was drawn close to the bank and then walked to the bank. Preston was carried to the bank in a dazed condition. Vedova swam to the bulkhead, and men reached down and helped him upon it. His forearms and head were bleeding from cuts and bruises. He was exhausted, suffered from violent chills, and was disabled for two or three days.
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