John W. Smith

John W. Smith, 53, master, schooner “Elsie,” with a volunteer crew of seven men, rescued eight passengers of the steamer “Larchmont,” off Block Island, Rhode Island, February 12, 1907. With the thermometer registering 2 degrees, the wind blowing 35 m.p.h., and the waves running 20 feet high, the “Elsie,” a 60-foot boat, was taken five miles to sea, to a raft on which were 15 bodies. Seven of the castaways were found to have been frozen to death. The living were transferred to the schooner, by the crew, in 12-foot dories.