Career
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1849, Cutter joined the Navy from that state in 1868. By May 27, 1872, he was serving as a landsman on the United States Ship Powhatan. On that day, while the ship was at Norfolk, Virginia, Seaman James Mitchell fell from Powhatan"s rigging and landed in the water.
He was rendered helpless in the fall.
Cutter and two others, Second Assistant Engineer George Cowie and Ordinary Seaman Henry Couch, jumped overboard and saved Mitchell from drowning. On board the United States.S. Powhatan, Norfolk, Virginia., 27 May 1872.
Jumping overboard on this date, Cutter aided in saving one of the crew of that vessel from drowning.
