William H. Prather, 50, deckhand, saved F. William Pheasant, 26, leverman, from drowning, Knights Landing, California, May 27, 1911. Pheasant became entangled in a coil of wire cable, which fell from the gangplank of an anchored dredge boat into water 15 feet deep, carrying him with it. Pheasant and the coil finally rested on the bottom, well under the boat, and Pheasant struggled frantically to free himself. Prather dived under the boat, and Pheasant grasped him violently. Pheasant soon released his tight grasp and placed his hands on Prather’s hips, and Prather attempted to swim upward with him. He then realized that Pheasant was caught, and he stood with his feet on the muddy bottom while he pulled Pheasant with both hands. When this did not free Pheasant, he grasped the coil and, with one tug, freed Pheasant. He then locked his legs around Pheasant’s waist and swam upward with him. They struck the bottom of the boat, and Prather, supporting Pheasant, swam five feet to the edge of the boat and arose to the surface. Both were assisted from the water. Prather had been under the surface a minute. Pheasant was nearly unconscious when brought to the surface, but he was revived. 6719-702
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