P. Rosco Chapman, 49, boiler repairman, saved Samuel L. Hopkins, 42, boiler repairman, from an impending fatal fall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1947. While getting into position to paint a smoke stack which rose 260 feet above the roof of a steam heating plant, Hopkins from a short ladder suspended from the top of the stack entered a boatswain’s chair hanging from a block and tackle attached to the top of the stack. The chair strap broke, dropping the seat and leaving the strap in two pieces 20 and 38 inches long, which Hopkins grabbed. He dangled supported only by his holds with gloved hands eight feet below the top of the stack, his left handhold slipping because of wet paint on the glove and strap. Chapman, who was straddling the rim of the stack, worked his way on it to the ladder and descended it. Hooking one leg over a rung, placing the foot of the other leg firmly on the sixth or bottom rung, and holding to the ladder with his left hand, Chapman extended his right hand downward and took hold of Hopkins by the wrist of his left hand. Chapman then withdrew his left hand from the ladder and used it to remove the glove of Hopkins, enabling him to obtain firmer holds thereafter. Maintaining his hold on the wrist of Hopkins continuously, Chapman, by various shifts of position on the ladder, raised and supported Hopkins until Hopkins got his hands and feet securely on the ladder and reached the rim of the stack. After Hopkins, who trembled with fright and fatigue, rested briefly, they worked their way to a permanent ladder and descended it to the roof. Hopkins suffered from shock and sustained a back strain but recovered. 41037-3533
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41037-3533