Was it dangerous? Of course not! The Pammer family had been doing the same thing for years, and there was nothing at all to fear. Every week, weather permitting, they packed their boat with food, charcoal and children, and then sailed to the island for a cookout. Today the sun was shining, the water smooth, the breeze just right for sailing. What could possibly go wrong?
Many things! Storm fronts move quickly in Florida, and as they were sailing homeward late in the afternoon, a sudden storm bore down on them. The sun disappeared behind flying black clouds and the wind and rain struck with a roar.
Bill Pammer started the engine, preparing to lower the sails and get quickly to shore, but the storm hit with 45-knot gusts of wind and nine- to ten-foot waves. The 25-foot boat was tossed wildly on the rough water, and the boom swung over and struck Bill on the head. He was swept overboard, and his sister-in-law, Becky, disappeared beneath the waves at the same time.
Out of control, the boat spun round in the wild waves. Water rushed in, sweeping everything into a jumble. The three Pammer children huddled close to their mother and screamed for help as they were driven relentlessly toward shore.
When two hundred yards out, their frantic cries were heard by Chester Sprague, standing on pier 60. The boat was being driven straight toward the pier, and he thought: It could go back out to sea—or I could go out in the water and help.
As the boat floundered, coming closer and closer to the pier, Sprague waited tensely. If I could jump aboard—! It crashed into the pilings—now? No! Again it rammed the pier—now? No.
It swirled away again out of reach. At last—for a split second—the mast was near. Sprague leaped—and caught it. Shinning down the mast, he secured the sail and guided the little family to safety.
Two hours later Bill and Becky were found clinging to a mile marker two miles off shore and brought to shore for a happy and thankful reunion with their family.
Myrrha Pammer said, “I just thanked God over and over again. He [Sprague] was the bravest, kindest man with the biggest heart I’ve ever seen!”
Sprague was certainly brave—braver than most would be, for he risked falling into the wild waves to save people who were strangers to him—but there was One who went into the darkest depths knowingly for those who cared nothing for Him. “All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over Me” (Psalm 42:77Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (Psalm 42:7)) was written of Him.
And Sprague’s heart was big with love for those helpless, frightened children, but nothing can equal the love of the Lord Jesus in giving His life for us— “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). No man has greater love than that!
Myrrha Pammer “just thanked God over and over again” that their lives were saved. The Lord Jesus sacrificed Himself to save our souls. Have you ever asked Him to save yours? And have you thanked Him?