Edward Y. Lambert helped to save Anthony B. Helinski from drowning Norfolk, Virginia, July 19, 1951. Helinski, 28, Navy chief hospitalman, was fishing from a rowboat in Chesapeake Bay when a violent thunderstorm rose. Rowing hard toward shore, he made little progress in the heavy surf and anchored the boat in deep water 1,900 feet from shore in an attempt to ride out the storm. Dense rain fell; and the waves attained a height of seven feet. Lambert, 51, commercial fisherman, and Orry Nottingham launched a rowboat 14 feet long and entered the surf. Alternately climbing and descending the advancing waves, they rowed 2,200 feet with great effort to opposite Helinski. The strong wind at intervals lashed water into the boat. Steering with the oars and maneuvering to avoid broadside contact with the waves, they drifted 2,000 feet to Helinski’s boat, which almost was swamped, and assisted him into their craft. Rain descended in a torrent and visibility lessened to five feet. Lambert and Nottingham bailed water from the boat, resumed rowing with freeboard of four inches, and proceeded to within 15 feet of the shore, where a large wave sank the boat. Helinski was aided from the water by others, and Lambert and Nottingham waded to shore. Helinski was extremely nervous for several hours. Lambert was tired but recovered. 42332-3774
42332 – 3774
42332-3774