Norman F. Theriot, 36, writer, saved Robert R. Burke, 19, laborer, Louis M. Jackson, 49, mechanic, and Marshall B. Davey, 44, optician, and attempted to save Joseph DeMauro, 42, from drowning, Miami Beach, Florida, April 16, 1950. A motorboat in which Burke and the others were riding in the Atlantic Ocean swamped and sank in heavy surf 2,400 feet from an uninhabited island. Jackson and DeMauro put on life-jackets from the boat, and Davey grasped a floating gasoline can. Burke supported himself at the bow, which projected just above the surface. All repeatedly were buffeted and submerged by breakers five feet high moving with a strong wind. Theriot while fishing in calm water 3,000 feet away sighted only Burke and piloted his boat, which had a small two-horsepower motor, into the rough surf and reached him. Theriot assisted him aboard, swung the boat about, and almost had got a fourth of a mile back to calm water four feet deep when Burke told him of the others; and, although doubting the ability of his craft to withstand the rough water, he returned to the area of heavy surf. Maneuvering the boat to avoid being struck broadside by the breakers, he reached Jackson and assisted by Burke pulled him from the water. As he prepared to move toward Davey, who called for help 200 feet away, Theriot sighted DeMauro 100 feet from the boat. Running in the troughs between breakers, he reached DeMauro, who was inert, and with difficulty drew him aboard. Theriot maneuvered the boat, which pitched violently and shipped water, to Davey and lifted him from the water. A heavy breaker struck the craft which had a freeboard of only three inches, and stopped the motor, additional water entering to a depth of five inches. Paddling with an oar, Theriot turned the boat toward the island and succeeded in starting the motor. He piloted the boat slowly out of the surf to within 300 feet of the island and waded pushing the craft to shore. A larger boat arrived 45 minutes later, and all were taken to the mainland. DeMauro could not be revived, but the others recovered. Theriot was weak and nauseated and had a sprained wrist and a hand laceration but recovered. 42141-3709
42141 – 3709
42141-3709