80 fishermen's memorial and record book. 



Hardy volunteered to take charge of her, and called for a crew. Ed- 

 ward S. Jones, William Yates, William J. Fisdek, Peter Eagan, 

 Peter H. Eaton and William Conners, promptly responded. They 

 succeeded in reaching the vessels and saving several of the men, 

 which deed justly entitles them to honorable mention. 



During the delay attendant upon the successful launching of the 

 life-boat, it was evident by those on the beach that the men on board 

 one of the vessels might be saved if a rope was got on board. But 

 who would risk his life to carry the line ? There was danger in per- 

 forming such a feat, especially if the person was not an expert swim- 

 mer and possessed of strong powers of endurance. There was a 

 pause for a moment among the men on the beach, when a voice rang 

 out clearly, speaking the cheering words, " I will try it ! " It was 

 Mr. Moses Merlett who uttered these inspiring words, and his ap- 

 pearance betokened that he was in earnest and ready to risk his life 

 to aid those on board the wrecked vessel. He was soon prepared for 

 the perilous task, and plunged into the seething waters. The feat 

 was attended with much danger ; but the noble fellow swam vigor- 

 ously and persevered until he reached the vessel, and succeeded in 

 rescuing three of the crew, who saved themselves by dropping into 

 the life-boat from the rope. Such deeds are truly heroic — when men 

 risk their lives in order to succor those in distress. 



Yacht Edith, owned by Mr. George O. Hovey, was caught out in 

 this gale with a party on board, among whom were Mr. Hovey, Rev. 

 Dr. S. K. Lothrop, and the Messrs. Appleton and Dale. Capt. 

 George Sawyer, the pilot, was in command, and brought her to under 

 Ten Pound Island, but subsequently concluded it best to run for her 

 moorings at Fresh Water Cove, which were safely reached after much 

 difficulty. The party had two alternatives before them, — to remain on 

 board the yacht and run the risk of her going ashore, or to endeavor 

 to effect a landing in the boat. They concluded to accept the latter, 

 and after considerable exertion were safely landed. Shortly after, 

 the 3'acht dragged her anchors and went ashore on Rattlesnake Head, 

 and such was the force of the waves, that it was impossible to make 

 any attempt to rescue Capt. Sawyer and his crew from their perilous 

 situation until about nine o'clock in the evening, when Messrs. Isaac 

 Morse, Daniel S. Parsons, Joseph W. B. Hillier and Ambrose 

 Wise succeeded in reaching the wreck, and brought the men on shore. 

 They were very nearly exhausted, and could not have survived but a 

 short time longer. These men performed an heroic act, attended 

 with great danger ; but they conquered every obstacle, displaying 



