On 6 Sep 1620, John Howland left England aboard the Mayflower as an indentured servant to John Carver, the first Governor of Massachusetts colony. No doubt the tight quarters below deck, and the promise of fresh air above induced Pilgrim John Howland to venture out on the deck where he was swept overboard during a storm. Fortunately for his millions of descendants (including Geoge Bush, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Ravelle Rute), he was able to swim to a topsail halyard where he was able to hang on long enough for a rescue by the crew.
Corporal Ellis T. Rute, was leaving Ireland for deployment on the battlefront in France when he boarded the HMS Leinster, a mail boat that traveled between Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland and Holyhead, Wales. On 10 Oct 1918, a German Submarine torpedoed the boat. After the first hit, Ellis Rute, and many others, jumped into the frigid Irish Sea, figuring the lumbering ship would be the target for another torpedo attack. As the ship turned 180 degrees to return to Ireland, the second missile hit, blowing the ship apart. Most of those aboard perished in the explosion. Of the 771 onboard 529 were killed. Ellis survived because he was able to swim away from the boat, and managed to stay afloat for the two hours it took to rescue him.
I am thankful this Thanksgiving Day 22 Nov 2018, that John Howland and Ellis Rute were both strong swimmers.
