John E. Armstrong, 63, carpenter, saved Sarah J. Gale, 56, from drowning, Santa Cruz, California, October 13, 1914. Mrs. Gale, who was gathering driftwood along the shore of Monterey Bay, was caught by a huge wave and carried beyond her depth. Her husband ran into shallow water but was unable to reach her because of the high breakers and was prevented by the strong undertow from leaving the water until help arrived. The water conditions were so unusual that persons had been attracted to the beach to view them. Armstrong ran to the beach, removed his coat, and waded out 90 feet to water neck deep. He then lunged forward and seized Mrs. Gale by the hand as she was moved toward him by a wave 12 feet high. Mrs. Gale was unconscious. The wave broke over them and they were tossed about. Armstrong tried in vain to swim ashore. Another high wave threw Mrs. Gale over Armstrong’s head, moving both toward shore, but Armstrong was unable to get a footing until he had struggled against the undertow with Mrs. Gale to a point 50 feet from shore. Others met them in shallow water. Mrs. Gale was revived and recovered after a serious illness caused by sand in her lungs. 14549-1351
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