The Hatching Cat of Gotham

The breeches buoy was canvas trousers reaching about to the knee – not a graceful garment for women to wear, and the rescued had to keep their eyes and mouth shut for a few seconds when the device submerged. The men drill using the breeches buoy once a week – if after a month’s practice the crew cannot rescue a person in five minutes they are reprimanded. Many crews can set it up and make the rescue in under 3 minutes – even during night drills when there are no light sources.