Captain Ormsbee’s Water Wings

11 Rescues, A Swimming Hero of Hell’s Gate, An 1876 Broadside, A Rubber Clothing Company

Mr. Dominie Ryder? Yes, he was one life-saving sleeve and collar user of Captain Ormsbee’s water wings.

Mr. Ryder was able to safely swim through “raging winds, tides, and the boiling currents” where he saved lives, potential drowning victims snatched from the jaws of Death. For this brave deed, Mr. Ryder would become the “Hero of Hell Gate,” a narrow tidal strait in New York’s East River.

But Mr. Ryder’s heroics stand in grim contrast (as seen by one of vignette illustration) to that of a drowned person who was not wearing Captain Ormsbee’s life saving devices.

The tragedy of it all. Because Captain Ormsbee’s could have had your back, if you had let him. Well, at least he could have had your neck, and upper arms.

What We Are Talking About — [The Rubber Clothing Company]; [Capt. M. Ormsbee] The Best Record Ever Known!! … Pleasure Swimming and Life Saving Sleeves[opening lines of broadside]. [New York?, c. 1876]. [1]p. Broadside, illustrated. 8¾ x 5¾ inches. Tan wove paper.

This 1876 advertising handbill, or small broadside, was issued by The Rubber Clothing Company of New York City. It illustrates the use of life saving ocean flotation devices manufactured by Capt. M. Ormsbee of Brooklyn.

The broadside touts the rescue of 11 people at Rockaway Beach, Queens in New York City using Ormsbee’s “Pleasure Swimming and Life Saving Sleeves” and “Life Saving Collar Rescuer.” (These are impressive numbers, folks!)

A composite illustration on the broadside shows eight vignettes of the dual pleasure and rescue flotation devices in use. A descriptive caption explains the various scenes and shows how easy it is to use the flotation devices for both fun and ocean rescues.

These life saving sleeves and collars were offered for sale by The Rubber Clothing Company from their office on Broadway and from Captain Ormsbee, in Brooklyn directly. A note at the bottom of the broadside states that the devices were currently on display in Machinery Hall in Philadelphia at the Centennial Exhibition. (We can, thus, reasonably infer the broadside’s 1876 date.)

The Rubber Clothing Company wanted you to know that now Americans could keep loved ones safe, when they ventured into the oceans and rivers of our great Nation.

Rescues were up and drownings were down. Captain Ormsbee was the real hero.

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