John J. Peters

John J. Peters, 40, boat dealer, helped to save Albert E. Ford, 47, machinist; Lewis J. Meikrantz, 20, clerk, and P. Russell Hetzel, 28, material inspector, from drowning, Tafton, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1951. During a gale, a boat in which Ford, Meikrantz, and Hetzel were riding in Lake Wallenpaupack was capsized by waves five feet high in very cold water 45 feet deep three-quarters of a mile from shore. The men rose and clung to the keel, which projected just above the surface. They were buffeted continually by the waves for more than two hours and drifted a quarter-mile. Peters and George E. Bauscher were proceeding in a motorboat toward a sheltered cove at the opposite shore and sighted Ford and the others a mile away. As Peters swung about and prepared to start toward them, a large wave struck his motorboat, and it shipped water and almost capsized. Peters regained control of the boat, and he and Bauscher bailed out the water. Alternately heading the boat into the waves and running in the troughs, Peters piloted to within 10 feet of the other boat. Standing in the bow, Bauscher coiled a 50-foot length of rope and threw its free end within reach of Ford and Meikrantz, who grasped it. Bauscher pulled the rope taut, and Peters steered to the side of the capsized boat. By then, Ford and Meikrantz were badly numbed from exposure, and Hetzel had lost consciousness, his hold on the boat being maintained by Meikrantz. The clothing of the men was waterlogged. With great effort Peters and Bauscher drew Ford into the motorboat, which was pitching violently in the waves and had shipped more water. Peters maneuvered the boat in an effort to retain contact with the other boat. It became apparent to Peters and Bauscher that their boat would not remain afloat in the rough water carrying five men, and they decided to tow Meikrantz to shore. While they were reparing to pull Hetzel aboard, they sighted a larger motorboat near the shore and directed it to their position. By then, the gale had temporarily subsided, and the waves had lessened to three feet in height. Meikrantz was aided from the water by occupants of the other boat. He and Ford lost consciousness soon afterward. Seizing Hetzel as he began to sink, Bauscher lifted him into the motorboat, which had shipped six inches of water and had freeboard of only three inches. Peters piloted the boat slowly to shore following the other craft. Ford, Meikrantz, and Hetzel were treated for shock and exposure and were revived. Peters and Bauscher were tired and chilled, but both recovered.