Coast Guard Rescues Long Beach Boaters as Tropical Storm Brushes Past
As a powerful tropical storm churned up the Atlantic coast on September 16, 1940, its center lay roughly 200 miles east-southeast of Long Island, moving north-northeast at about 15 miles per hour. Though forecasts from Mitchel Field Weather Bureau suggested the storm would spare Long Island a direct hit, its impact was still felt along the shoreline.
The storm stirred up exceptionally high tides and rough seas, making ocean fishing extremely hazardous. Many wisely stayed ashore, but those who ventured out found themselves in grave danger, keeping Coast Guard stations at Long Beach and Rockaway Point busy throughout the day.
Tragically, the day’s most dramatic incident ended in loss. Victor Henry, 35, of East New York, and his brother-in-law, Clarence Edsell, 50, of Ozone Park, set out fishing in a small rowboat. A towering wave capsized their craft in East Rockaway Inlet. Nearby, the 30-foot cabin cruiser Sea Gull, owned by Alfred Fleury of Long Beach, tried to assist, but another massive wave nearly swamped the cruiser and disabled its engine.
The Coast Guard quickly responded. A picket boat launched from Atlantic Beach, and guardsmen in life belts jumped into the turbulent waters, pulling Henry and Edsell to safety aboard a motor lifeboat. The Sea Gull was taken under tow back to shore.
Despite rescue efforts, Victor Henry could not be revived and was pronounced dead by Dr. A. Morris of East Rockaway. His body was taken to Meadowbrook Morgue.
This somber episode underscored the raw power of the sea and the unwavering bravery of the Coast Guard crews who risked their lives to save others.
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