Walter T. Madigan died after helping to save W. Clayton Graham from drowning, Dollar Settlement, Michigan, August 28, 1933. While swimming in Pendills Bay of Lake Superior, Graham, 20, got into distress at a point 400 feet from shore. There were waves three feet high. Madigan, 19, laborer, followed by Paul G. Fredrick, swam 240 feet to Graham, and Graham at Madigan’s suggestion took hold of Madigan’s shoulders from behind. Madigan then with great exertion swam against a strong undertow toward shore, Graham stroking with his legs. Both repeatedly were submerged by waves, and when Madigan had swum 100 feet toward shore, he called that Graham was too heavy for him to support longer. Graham at once released his hold, and Fredrick, who was swimming six feet from them, swam a stroke or two to Graham, took hold of him, and swam to wadable water. Fredrick then swam to Madigan, who had continued to swim but was unable to make progress toward shore. He towed Madigan within a few feet of wadable water and then released him and had him hold to a stick that was thrown to him from wadable water. Holding to a short rope that was attached to the stick, Fredrick swam and towed Madigan 10 feet nearer shore. Madigan then lost his hold and was submerged. Fredrick dived and brought Madigan to the surface, but almost at once Madigan slipped from his hold, sank, and was drowned. After floating for several minutes, Fredrick swam to wadable water. 33412-2815
33412 – 2815
33412-2815