The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-11-05 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

Eke (stonrinibge &wirer.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER sth, 1881.

GALES AND WRECKS.

THE month which has just closed has once more
brought to the minds of those who go down to
the sea in ships and do business in the great
waters the perils which seem to be inseparable
from the pursuit of the mariner's calling. The
storm, which has devastated the coasts of Great
Britain may be equally violent in France, in
Germany, or in Russia, but it does not tell the
same story of death and destruction. The fertile
fields of France, the vast plains of the Father-
land, and the desolate steppes of Russia, may
all feel more or less the effects of the mighty
rushing wind; but it is the extent of seaboard
possessed by England, and the number of her
ships upon every sea, which associate a storm
in the minds of her people with so much of
anxiety. If, as is undoubtedly the case, Great
Britain owes her position amongst the nations of
the earth to the fact that she is a maritime
Power, a heavy penalty is every year paid for
that position in the sacrifice of life which is de-
manded from those who live and move and have
their being upon the sea.
It has been said that the life of man is a con-
tinual struggle with death ; and if this be so it
must be especially applicable to those who earn
their livelihood upon the surface of the ocean.
In the bright days of summer, when the fresh
sea breezes are so welcome to the dweller in an
inlani town, invigorating the debilitated frame,
atd bringing once more the glow of health to the
pallid cheek, nothing can be farther from the
thoughts than that the vast silent bosom of the
sea, so calm in its majests, and so imposing in
its might, should in the dark wintry days be
wrought by the wild winds into an engine of such
terrible destructiveness. Those, however, who
have enjoyed their seaside holiday cannot but
have looked with melancholy interest at the
records of the recent severe gales, with the at-
tendant disasters to shipping on our coasts. A
great deal is already known of the results of the
storms; and with a view of affording further in-
formation every year there is issued from the
Board of Trade a document of widespread
iuterest known as the "Wreck Register." Ac-
cording to this document the number of British
ships actually lost last year was 2,519, and 231
lives were sacrificed in these disasters. This is
unquestionably a large number ; yet it is satis-
factory to be assured on the authority of the
Board of Trade, that heavy as this list is, it
showed a considerable diwinution as compared
with the years since 1873. Looking at the con-
stant increaee of shipping, this is all the more
gratifying. The facts supplied in this docu-
ment are extremely minute in their character,
and the information afforded is of much public
interest.

One of the most pleasing features of the re-
turn is that which relates to the saving of life,
and the moans by which that end is sought to
be effected. First to be noticed is the invalu-
able assistance rendered by the Coastguard and
the Rocket Brigade, both of which are under the
direct supervision of the Government. Then
the services of the National Lifeboat Institution
are entitled to the highest appreciation. This
organization, supported by voluntary contribu-
tions, renders help, during dangerous stern's,
which is beyond all praise, and wit!' the assist-
ance of public and private generosity the Insti-
tution has been enabled to place their lifeboats
in hundreds upon the most exposed parts of our
coasts, where they claim worthy attention with
the mightiest ship of war that over sailed the
seas. Owing to the timely aid thus afforded.
together with the exertions of those •on board
the vessels in distress, nearly 3,000 lives were
saved last year.
The gales which swept over these latitudes in
October will make a Ferious addition to the list
ot wrecks in this year's " Register ; and the loss
of life attendant upon these disasters has been
proportionately large; but in macy instances
the vigilance and courage of those connected
with the above named life-saving institutions
have been instrumental in rescuing many lives
from impending destruction. Such services
deserve recognition and encouragement, and the
public gladly welcome the efforts of those who,
whether attached to a Government department or
belonging to a voluntary organization. do their
best to save the lives of those suddenly placed
in peril upon the remorseless sea.