1896 ❖ THE CAYOU'S CHRISTMAS DAY DIP

Orcas Landing and Harney Channel
area of the 1896 capsizing.
Publisher of this map unknown.
Click image to enlarge.

On Christmas Day Near Orcas –– Heroic Rescue

"On 25 December 1896, at 1 PM, Mr. Henry Cayou, his wife and son, Miss Reed, and Miss Rhoda A. Lee, of West Sound, were sailing south through Harney Channel on their way to Decatur Island. The boat capsized in a gale off the point near Capt. H. H. Hudson's. Lee Wakefield and George Fowler were standing watching the boat, on Mr. W.E. Sutherland's wharf, and immediately jumped into their boat and pulled with all their strength to the rescue. The party was clinging to the upturned boat, and Mr. Cayou was holding his little boy's head out of the water. They reached the nearly exhausted party and landed them safely at Orcas.

      The wind was blowing fresh and Mr. Cayou was requested to take another reef in his sail before leaving Orcas. Mr. Wakefield expected trouble and was thoughtful and cautious enough to watch the party past the point, and but for this kindly interest, nothing could have saved some of them from a watery grave.

      In some countries, Wakefield and Fowler would be awarded a gold medal for their heroic act, but here we must be satisfied with being neighbors to two such gallant young men."

Typed verbatim from microfilm of The Islander newspaper. 
Friday Harbor. 2 Jan. 1896.