Valor in the Waters Off Pelham During a Monumental Snowstorm in 1871

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They were ordinary sportsmen who lived in New Rochelle.  On Saturday, January 28, 1871, they took their shotguns, climbed into a small boat and rowed out into the waters off David's Island and New Rochelle to do a little duck hunting.  

The bitter cold of the winter meant that ice floes crowded Long Island Sound.  To make matters worse, a winter storm was brewing.  As the hunt progressed, it began to rain.  Soon, according to one account, it was a "pelting, piercing rain."  As the storm worsened, the rain turned to snow.  The waters of the Sound grew rough.  The waters around the hunters' small skiff grew crowded with ice floes, trapping the tiny boat in the midst of the ice.  Then, the floes began drifting away from the shores off New Rochelle and Pelham toward the open Long Island Sound, dragging the boat along for the ride.

Recognizing their life-threatening peril, the two duck hunters began giving distress signals toward David's Island.  There, the men of the Army's Eighth Infantry were stationed at Fort Slocum.  Among those men was Lieutenant P. H. Ray who was the first to observe that the two duck hunters were in distress.

Lieutenant Ray gathered six volunteers and shoved off into the storm to help the hapless hunters.  The tiny boat of rescuers struggled against the cold, the waves, and the storm.  It took hours to reach the hunters just as darkness settled and the snow intensified.  The hunters were found senseless in their boat -- almost lifeless and nearly frozen to death.  Unable to help themselves, the hunters were lifted by the rescue crew into the rescue boat.

As the rescue crew brought the vessel about, they realized in horror that the tide was rushing up the Sound, carrying them away from their post at David's Island.  At the same time, the windy storm rattled the ice floes and jammed the floes around the boat, making it nearly impossible to move.

Back at Fort Slocum on David's Island, the entire post understood the peril facing their brave comrades in the rescue boat.  Commanders had the men light signal fires.  They ordered the repeated, night-long firing of muskets and the blowing of bugles to help their colleagues make their way home.

It was all to no avail.  The rescue boat could not get back.  All night long as the storm raged Lieutenant Ray beat his men and the two hunters in the rescue boat in a desperate effort to keep them moving, to keep them from falling asleep, and to keep them from freezing to death.  When Lieutenant Ray faltered from exhaustion, his Sergeant took over, beating Lieutenant Ray and the others in the boat in a last ditch effort to keep them alive.

As the sun rose and dawn broke, a lookout and sentinels on David's Island finally spotted the rescue boat stuck in ice above City Island.  The waters had frozen around the floating ice floes and the rescue boat, trapping it and its occupants in the bitter cold of a frozen Long Island Sound.   

Volunteers agreed to man a second rescue vessel.  Four lieutenants, a sergeant, and five men piled into a rescue boat filled with blankets, liquors, food, and more.  The rescue boat shoved off with spades and axes, using the tools to cut the ice ahead of the boat as it struggled toward the ice-bound vessel containing their colleagues.  After struggling this way for hours, the second rescue boat reached Lieutenant Ray and his men.  The group in the ice-bound original rescue boat was "found to be entirely helpless, having been out sixteen hours in the driving snow-storm."

The struggle for life, of course, was not over.  Heavily laden, the rescue boat turned for David's Island and continued the battle to return to Fort Slocum.  With the entire post on the island watching anxiously, the rescue boat made its way back, eventually nearing the island.  According to several accounts:

"As soon as the rescued men reached their comrades on David's Island, the latter rushed into the water waist deep, seized them in their arms and carried them to their quarters, where they were speedily placed under medical treatment.  All were badly frost-bitten, but they have since almost wholly recovered through the unremitting attention of their companions.  Had it not been for the courage and unselfishness of Lieut. Ray the two citizens must have died a fearful death; while the conduct of the officers and men in volunteering to rescue Ray and his company shows, at once, the friendly feeling existing between the officers and men of the regiment."

Once again, the treacherous waters off the shores of City Island, Pelham, David's Island, and New Rochelle had tried to take their toll.  This time, due to the valor of members of the Army's Eighth Infantry, lives were saved, not lost.

Detail from Lithograph Published in About 1871 Showing

Lifeboat Rescue of Boaters by a Royal National Lifeboat

Institution Lifeboat.  Source:  28" x 15" Lithograph, Ca.

1871-73 Royal National Lifeboat Institution Lifeboat Pulling

Into Harbor with Load of Shipwreck Victims, Published by

Armstrong & Company Lithographers, Boston, MA and

Distributed with the Citizen & Round Table.  NOTE:  Click

on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is the text of newspaper articles on which today's posting is based.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Saved from Perishing.

During the terrific snow-storm of night before last, a small skiff with two citizens of New-Rochelle, who were out ducking, was caught in the ice opposite the United States Army post at David's Island, and was fast drifting out in the open Sound.  Just before dusk they were seen struggling hopelessly, and making signals of distress, by Lieut. P. H. Ray, of the Eight[h] Infantry, stationed at David's Island who immediately started in the blinding storm, with a boat's crew of six men, to their rescue.  He cut his way through the ice, and reached the lost men at dark; so exhausted from cold and wet were they that they were unable to row or help themselves, but had to be lifted by Lieut. Ray's men into his boat.

After getting the castaways into his boat, Lieut. Ray attempted to reach the garrison at David's Island, but found himself jammed in the ice, with a strong tide drifting up the Sound.  It was impossible to get back.  All that fearful night, in a snow storm, he kept his men moving as much as possible in so small a boat, beating them to keep them awake and from freezing to death -- they had no blankets, only the clothing in which they started to rescue the lost men -- until at last he succumbed and was in turn pushed and knocked about by his sergeant, Hill, to keep him from being overcome with the frightful severity of the night.

On David's Island the commanding officer kept fires burning, muskets firing, and bugle sounding, to encourage his officer and his boat's crew if alive.  The wives of the officers were up all night, anxious and apprehensive for the safety of Lieut. Ray and his men.  No man slept on the island that night.

At daylight the lookout and sentinels discovered Ray and his crew jammed in the ice above City Island.  A volunteer crew, consisting of Lieut. Corlies, Lieut. Craig, Lieut. Earnest, Lieut. Summerhays, Sergt. Fernald, and five men started to bring Ray, his men, and the two citizens, taking with them for the sufferers blankets, liquors, food, and all that thoughtfulness could suggest as needful.

They had to cut their way to the lost men through the ice, with spade and axes.  When they reached Lieut. Ray, he and his men were found to be entirely helpless, having been out sixteen hours in the driving snow-storm.

When they reached their companions and friends on David's Island, the men rushed into the water, waist deep, seized them in their arms and carried them to their quarters, where they were put under medical treatment.  All were badly frost-bitten, but they are doing well, under the care of their comrades.  Had it not been for the courage and unselfishness displayed by Lieut. Ray, the two citizens would have died a fearful death; while the conduct of the officers and men in volunteering to cut out Ray, show how strong is the good feeling between the officers and privates of the 'Old Eighth Infantry.'"

Source:   Saved from Perishing, Paterson Daily Guardian [Paterson, NJ], Jan. 31, 1871, Vol. XX, No. 12955, p. 2, col. 2.  

"Westchester County.
-----
NEW ROCHELLE.

ALMOST LOST -- A PERILOUS NIGHT. -- An event occurred in this neighborhood on Saturday evening and night of week before last, which at one time was thought would cost the lives of nine men, and for imminent dangers, hair breadth escapes, and an almost miraculous rescue, will compare favorably with many of the wild western fictions, throughout the most rabid ramifications of 'yellow covered literature.'

It seems that on the afternoon of the day above named, a small boat containing two residents of this village, who were out duck shooting, was most unexpectedly 'locked' in the ice opposite the United States army post at David's Island, and was evidently being carried out into the open and cheerless waters of the Sound.  The occupants of the boat, while helplessly struggling against their ominous position, and endeavoring to attract observation by making signals of distress, were seen shortly before dusk by Lieutenant Ray of the Eighth Infantry, stationed at David's Island, who at once set out, in a blinding storm, with a boat's crew of six men, to the rescue of the unfortunate men.  Having cut their way through the ice, the lieutenant and his party succeeded in reaching the almost lost men as thick darkness was about covering the dreary scene.  The men in the boat were so exhausted from cold and pelting, piercing rain, that they were unable to help themselves, and had to be lifted by the rescuing party into the latter's boat.  After this was accomplished Lieutenant Ray attempted to reach the garrison at David's Island, but found his boat suddenly become fixed in the lee, with an irresistible tide drifting up the Sound.  Here was a dilemma sufficient to unnerve even a brave man, such as the gallant officer named proved himself to be on occasion.  It was impossible to get back.  All that fearful night, in a blinding snow storm, he kept his men moving as much as was possible in a small boat, beating them in order to keep them awake and prevent them from being frozen to death, until at length, he succumbed and was in turn pushed and knocked about by his Sergeant, Hill, to keep him from being overcome by the terrible severity of the night.

The commanding officer on David's Island kept fires burning, muskets firing and bugles sounding, to encourage his brave lieutenant and the boat' screw, if still alive.  The wives of the officers were up all night, anxious and apprehensive for the safety of Lieut. Ray and his men.  No eyes were closed in slumber on the island during that eventful night.  At daylight on the following morning the lookout and sentinels discovered Ray and his crew jammed in the ice at a point above City Island.  A volunteer crew, consisting of Lieutenants Craig, Corles, Earnest and Summerhays, accompanied by Sergeant Fernhald and five men, started to bring back Ray, his boat's crew, and the two citizens, talking with them for the sufferers, blankets, liquors, food and other substantial requisites.  They had to cut their way to the ill-fated party through the ice, with spades and axes.  When they reached Lieut. Ray he and his men were round to be entirely helpless, having been out sixteen hours in the pitiless storm.

As soon as the rescued men reached their comrades on David's Island, the latter rushed into the water waist deep, seized them in their arms and carried them to their quarters, where they were speedily placed under medical treatment.  All were badly frost-bitten, but they have since almost wholly recovered through the unremitting attention of their companions.  Had it not been for the courage and unselfishness of Lieut. Ray the two citizens must have died a fearful death; while the conduct of the officers and men in volunteering to rescue Ray and his company shows, at once, the friendly feeling existing between the officers and men of the regiment."

Source:  Westchester County -- NEW ROCHELLE -- ALMOST LOST -- A PERILOUS NIGHT, The Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Feb. 9, 1871, Vol. XVI, No. 782, p. 1, col. 2.  

"SAVED FROM PERISHING.
------
Noble Conduct of Officers and Men of the Eighth United States Infantry -- Out all Night in an Open Boat -- Two Lives Saved.

During the late terrific snow storm, a small skiff with two citizens of New Rochelle, who were out ducking, caught in the ice opposite the United States Army Post at David's Island, and was fast drifting out in the open Sound.  Just before dusk they were seen struggling hopelessly, and making signals of distress, by Lieut. R. H. Ray, of the Eighth Infantry, stationed at David's Island, who immediately started in the blinding storm with a boat's crew of six men to their rescue.  He cut his way through the ice, and reached the lost men at dark; so exhausted from cold and wet were they that they were unable to help themselves, but had to be lifted by Lieut. Ray's men into his boat.

After getting the castaways into his own boat, Lieut. Ray attempted to reach the garrison at David's Island, but found himself jammed in the ice, with a strong tide drifting up the Sound.  It was impossible to get back.  All that night, in a fearful snow storm, he kept his men moving as much as possible in so small a boat, beating them to keep them awake and from freezing to death -- they had no blankets, only the clothing in which they had started to rescue the lost men -- until at last he succummed [sic] and was in turn pushed and knocked about by his sergeant, Hill, to keep him from being overcome with the frightful severity of the night.

On David's Island the commanding officer kept fires burning, muskets firing, and bugles sounding, to encourage his officer and his boat's crew, if alive.  The wives of the officers were up all night, anxious and apprehensive for the safety of Lieut. Ray and his men.  No man slept on the island that night.

At daylight, the look out and sentinels discovered Ray and his crew jammed in the ice above City Island.  A volunteer crew, consisting of Lieut. Corlies, Lieut. Craig, Lieut. Earnest, Lieut. Summerhays, Sergt. Fernald and five men, started to bring back Ray, his men and the two citizens, taking with them for the sufferers blankets, food, and all that thoughtfulness could suggest as needful.

They had to cut their way to the lost men through the ice, with axes and spades.  When they reached Lieut. Ray, he and his men were found to be entirely helpless, having been out sixteen hours in the driving snow storm.

When they reached their companions and friends on David's Island, the men rushed into the water, waist deep, seized them in their arms, and carried them to their quarters, where they were put under medical treatment.  All were badly frost bitten, but they are now doing well under the care of their comrades.  Had it not been for the courage and unselfishness displayed by Lieut. Ray, the two citizens would have died a fearful death; while the conduct of the officers and men in volunteering to cut out Ray, show how strong is the good feeling between the officers and privates of the 'Old Eighth Infantry.'"

Source:  SAVED FROM PERISHING -- Noble Conduct of Officers and Men of the Eighth United States Infantry -- Out all Night in an Open Boat -- Two Lives Saved, The Leavenworth Times [Leavenworth, KS], Feb. 3, 1871, Vol. XXIII, No. 28, p. 2, col. 3 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Narrow Escape from Death.
AN OPEN BOAT ICE-LOCKED ALL NIGHT IN THE SOUND.

On Saturday night a boat containing two citizens of New Rochelle, who were out duck shooting, was caught in the ice opposite the United States army post at David's Island, and was rapidly carried towards the open Sound.  Lieutenant P. H. Ray, of the Eighth Infantry, stationed on David's Island, saw the peril in which the duck-hunters were placed, and started with a boat's crew of six men to their rescue.  He succeeded in rescuing the two civilians and in getting them into his boat, but then discovered that he too, with his party, was hopelessly caught in the ice, and that return to the island was impossible.  The cold was intense, and although the men endeavored to keep themselves alive by beating one another, they were soon benumbed into utter helplessness.  All night long fires were burned, muskets discharged and bugles sounded on David's Island, and early yesterday morning Lieutenant Ray and his party were seen jammed in the ice above City Island.

A volunteer crew, consisting of Lieutenants Corlies, Craig, Ernest, and Summerhays, Sergeant Fernald and five men, started to their rescue, and with axes cut their way through the ice to their nearly frozen comrades.  Much excitement existed on David's Island when the men, who had been exposed to the storm sixteen hours, were carried on shore.  Every attention was paid them, and although they are suffering from severe frost bite they are all in a fair way to recover."

Source:  Narrow Escape from Death -- AN OPEN BOAT ICE-LOCKED ALL NIGHT IN THE SOUND, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Jan. 30, 1871, p. 3, col. 8.  

"Two citizens of New Rochelle who went out duck shooting in an open boat last Saturday night were caught in the ice when opposite the United States army post on David's Island, and borne rapidly towards the open Sound.  Their peril was observed, however, by Lieutenant P. H. Ray, of the Eighth Infantry, who went out with a boat and six men to their rescue.  He succeeded in getting the duckhunters [sic] into his own boat, but the ice had surrounded him in the meantime, and he was unable to return.  The cold was so intense that the men became numb beyond the power of motion, although they tried to keep one another alive by mutual beating.  Fires were burned and muskets discharged all night long on the island to guide them in their return.  In the morning they were discovered firmly fixed in the ice.  A volunteer crew, consisting of ten men, then started to their relief, cutting their way through the ice with axes.  They were successful and brought their comrades back after they had been exposed to the storm for sixteen hours.  Every attention was given, and all will probably recover."

Source:  [Untitled], Queens County Sentinel [Hempstead, NY], Feb. 16, 1871, Vol. 13, No. 38, p. 2, col. 5.  

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