Phillip E. Orr, Jr., attempted to save D. Eugene McLendon from drowning, Leeville, Louisiana, March 8, 1948. While biologists McLendon, 20, and Orr, 22, were riding on Timbalier Bay in a cabin-cruiser operated by a third man, motor trouble developed; and the boat began drifting in waves two feet high moving with a moderate wind. After an anchor had been dropped, the rope of which had not been attached to the boat, McLendon dived and swam in chilly water eight feet deep toward a floating portion of the rope. A tidal current moving at right angles to the wind caused him and the boat to drift farther apart, and he called for help. Holding a lifejacket, Orr dived and swam 225 feet to McLendon, who took the jacket and complained of cramps. After swimming 10 feet toward the boat and noting it was drifting farther away from him, Orr returned to McLendon. With waves splashing over them at times, Orr swam and drifted towing McLendon by a hold on the jacket nearly a mile and a half toward one of the Fornation Islands. During the course Orr rested and worked off cramps in his legs and overcame nausea by treading water. McLendon then lost his hold on the jacket and was submerged. Orr submerged and brought McLendon, who was inert and unconscious, to the surface. With great difficulty, being several times submerged, Orr fitted the jacket securely around McLendon and swam towing him 460 feet and then pulled him 40 feet to the island. They had been in the water three hours. Forty-five minutes later they were picked up by the cruiser, the motor having been started after the boat had drifted to another island. McLendon could not be revived. Orr was very tired and somewhat nauseated. 41347-3554
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