William F. Joy saved Harry Curtis from drowning, Crescent City, California, June 13, 1947. Curtis, 67, pile butt, and three other workmen were washed by a singular heavy swell from a jetty in Crescent City Harbor. All reached safety except Curtis, who sustained a fractured arm and head injuries and floated unconscious 60 feet from the jetty and 375 feet from shore in water nine feet deep. Waves three feet high moved obliquely toward the jetty and shore, and there was a fairly strong undercurrent seaward. The surf was rough. Joy, 23, pile butt, who was fully clothed and wore heavy work shoes, was twice knocked down by waves as he poised to dive from the jetty; but he then dived through a wave, swam 65 feet to Curtis, and took hold of him. They were submerged briefly by a wave, Joy losing his hold and dritting 25 feet. He swam 15 feet to Curtis and towed him 10 feet to a large projecting rock. After supporting Curtis there briefly, Joy towed him 100 feet to another projecting rock nearer shore, where he again supported Curtis briefly. He then towed Curtis 100 feet toward shore with great effort. A man assisted Joy for 10 feet farther, and they waded in with Curtis. Curtis was revived. Joy, who had swallowed water, was nauseated, badly winded, and weak. Both recovered. 41169-3577
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