...grabbed onto his feet and held on...
As recalled by Harriet (Turbov) Kalmin:
"Jennie Turbov went to work for Western Electric on 22nd Street when she was very young, ever since she was able to work. She was a forelady. She was on the Eastland when it tipped over. Jennie went into the water right near the shore. She could not swim, but felt the feet of a man who was swimming to shore. She grabbed onto his feet and held on and he pulled her with him."