William L. Harrell saved Virginia E. Ferrell and attempted to save Claude H. Alley from drowning, Ocean Park, Virginia, July 16, 1931. While Miss Ferrell, 19, and Alley, 29, machinist, were wading in Chesapeake Bay, Alley slipped from a ledge into water 16 feet deep in a channel 20 feet from the shore, and Miss Ferrell lost her balance and fell into the channel. They became separated, and Alley disappeared. Harrell, 37, school principal, who was in poor physical condition and had been advised by physicians not to swim, waded from shore and then swam 42 feet to Miss Ferrell. Holding her by the hair, Harrell swam 45 feet with great effort, against a current of 3 m.p.h., and then dragged Miss Ferrell to shore. Miss Ferrell was unconscious but was revived in a few minutes and inquired concerning Alley. Although somewhat weak and winded, Harrell again waded to the channel, made several short swims from wadable water, and lowered himself several times in efforts to locate Alley. Feeling that men who were approaching in a rowboat would locate Alley, Harrell returned to shore. Alley was drowned. Harrell suffered from shock and was weak for several days. 31580-2625
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