Nicholas Sarre, 56, assistant lighthouse keeper, helped to save August H. Brunner, 26, private secretary; William J. Moffett, 35, clerk, and Joseph A. Thiele, 36, postman, from drowning, Port Jefferson, New York, August 18, 1911. A sailboat containing Brunner, Moffett, and Thiele was struck by a squall and capsized on Long Island Sound 3.5 miles from the Stratford Shoal Lighthouse, and the men were thrown into the water. All succeeded in grasping the boat. Sarre saw their plight from the lighthouse, but it was impossible to launch a boat because of the high seas dashing against the shoal. As soon as the sea fell somewhat, Sarre and another man launched a sailboat 16 feet long. Some water was shipped in leaving the shoal. They sailed to the distressed men, and while they were maneuvering into a position to take the men on board, the sea dashed the centerboard of the capsized boat against the bottom of their boat and broke its rudder. The three men were taken into the rescue boat one at a time, they being unable to get in without assistance. The wind was blowing 30 m.p.h. Because of the roughness of the sea the men made no effort to return to the lighthouse but headed for Port Jefferson, seven miles distant. Sarre used an oar for a rudder while his companion handled a sail. The waves became choppy, and as the boat neared the harbor, a big sea swept on the boat and threatened to swamp it. The boat entered the harbor as darkness was falling, and a safe landing was effected. 7216-917
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