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Eight foot waves created a near panic at Compo Beach on Sunday afternoon, caused the rescue of six persons by life-guards and waterlogged more than a score of cameras and portable radios. A repetition of the phenomenon occurred early last evening when two or three four foot waves broke high on the beach, soaking clothes, shoes and blankets. Sherman Pringle of White Plains and George Prentiss of Fairfield were two ot the six persons rescued Sunday whose names are recorded at the beach office. One woman and three other boys were also brought in after the undertow of the large waves had carried them a considerable way out. Life guards on duty at the time, who made the rescues, were Chief Guard Cwald Wildfoster, Al Heine, Harold Van Liew, David Warner and Ralph Venezia. Sunday's waves came in without warning at 2:25 pm, an hour before high tide, and washed up on the beach within five to ten feet of the boardwald adjacent to the bathhouses. Persons sitting on the beach in street clothes were unable to retreat fast enough to escape a drenching. There were just three of the big breakers. Chief Life Guard Wildfoster said that where he stood, several feet above the water mark at the time, the waves splashed over his head. Sunday picnickers at Compo and Old Mill beaches were aghast when the waves washed over their blankets and luncheons |
spread out on the sand. Lifeguards and bathers spent quite a few minutes after the incident retrieving shoes, clothing, cameras, pocketbooks and portable radios floating at the water's edge. An upper plate of false teeth and a child's corrective dental brace were items reported lost and since recovered at Compo. There was only one boat accident here as a result of the tidal waves. Mr. Lester Rounds and his two daughters had just swum into the beach near the cannon from their 15 foot sailing dory, when the breakers came and crashed against the boat, knocking off the mast and warping a portion of the siding. Yesterday's rollers came in at 5:30 pm, or about an hour after high tide. Similar to Sunday's freak waves, these were followed by heavy rain about an hour later. Beach supervisor Frank Dayton happened to see the waves breaking at Schlaet's Point and shouted a warning to lifeguards and bathers. No one had to be rescued last evening. Reports of similar breakers were received from all along the Fairfield county coast. However, Compo Beach seemed to get the most severe waves. Weather observers and meteorologists were busy today trying to determine the cause for the incidents. It had been reported that shortly before te Sunday occurrence a large ship had gone past. However, the theory that the ship had caused the swell was discounted when no similar ship was in sight during yesterday's spasm. |