James S. Liston saved Alphonse J. D’Amato from drowning, Yonkers, New York, June 2, 1939. A kayak in which D’Amato, 24, craneman’s helper, and another man were riding in the Hudson River overturned in water 30 feet deep 400 feet from the bank; and D’Amato swam toward the bank, tiring rapidly. The water was cold, and there was a current of two m.p.h. From the bank Liston, schoolboy, waded and then swam 310 feet to D’Amato, got hold of him, and raised his head above the surface. With difficulty he then swam towing D’Amato 180 feet at an angle toward the bank, at times shifting his hold because of D’Amato’s weight, and being submerged briefly once. He called for help. A man swam to D’Amato, towed him briefly, and then abandoned him and swam to the bank. D’Amato was submerged. Liston dived down and got hold of D’Amato, and they rose to the surface. Liston then swam towing D’Amato 15 feet; and feeling unable to make further progress, he trod water at a point 175 feet from the bank. A policeman, having an end of a line tied around himself, swam to D’Amato; and D’Amato was pulled to the bank. Liston swam to the bank. He was winded and very tired. D’Amato’s companion reached the bank soon afterward. 37841-3150
37841 – 3150
37841-3150