The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-10-06
From the Norfolk Herald.


REVENUE SERVICE.
Though the s%nhjoined Petition emanates from
the merchants and citizens of Norfolk. its object
is one that more especially interests the under
writers and mariners of our whole sea boar I'd,
whose property and lives are at stake. We are
glad To see that the movement has finally been
made, though AT this late day, To try what hest
can be done Ia mitigate the sufferings and g
of distressed vessels which throng the coast in our
vicinity after a storm, and fr want of timely aid
To reach our port, near and convenient as il is, are
leit to their fate, whatever it may be.
The petitioners complain of the deficiency of
means afforded by the revenue service to accom-.
plIsh this desirable object in this they are JUST.
Ned by lung experience, without the necessity of
citing any particular instance. The service has
ut no time, that we remember, been adequate to
the exigencies which have called for it or if il
has been, we can only say that il was never ad-
equately exerted. la making this remark, we
would not be understood as implying censnre in
any quarter. But the fact is so, and canaot he
denied, that generally there has been a defcipn-
cy o. aid from the revenue service, at times when
II was most required ; and as large a SUN as $500
has heen paid by merchants here for a Steamboat
To- go outside and bring a dismasted vessel into
ihis port. Indeed, ii is no uncommon thing for
our merchants 10 incur heavy expenses 10 bring in
disabled vessels in this way. Such should not be
'he case and thinking 81, they have petitioned
The Secretary of The Treasury tn adopt the proper
means to remedy the evil, as he is in duty bound
To do.
II must he admitted that the old class of reye-
nue. critters are not as efficient for such active and
prompt service as is required at such a station as
this, which from its centrality is more generally
the nearest port for distressed vessels 10 make,
AFTER one Of those heavy easterly gales which 50
frequently sweep along our cost, than any other
that can he named-and that we want a cutter
propelled by steam as well as wind and canvass ;
"fhcered and manned. as the petition sets forth,
by Young. active, and enterprising men, who are
capable OF undergoing the severest service, on the
outside. and emuIous to do so for the reliefof their
distressed fellow men. And as such a vessel is
now being prepared for The revenue service at
Richmond, why not give her a permanent location
On this statiOn-the sphere of her n%ativiIy2 We
trust that the reasonableness as well as the palpa
HE pTopriety OF the suggestion, will not be lost on
Mr.. Secretary Walker.
We will add, in conclusion, that the Petition
which is nnmerously signed, includes the sipn.-
lures OF our oldest and most respectable mer.
chants-someo of whom have complained Of what
the petItlon'seeks TO remedy. for more than forty
years. The Petition is in these words:
We, the undersigned, Merchants, Ship Own
ers and Traders of the city of Norfolk, do memo
rIalIse the Honorable the Secretary of the Treasu
= - 1''ho tbto hnAiDu VIII d W StUSJ
Steam Cutler, with a view not only TO carry out
The intent and meaning Of The ReUenue Lars. but
Tor the preservation OF the lives and property of
our fellow citizens. and others wrecked on The
high seas, and disabled on our coast.
Your memOriallsis would mos, respectfully BEG
to call your attention To the effects of the late and
most disastrous gale on our coast. the conse-
qnences of which, have been attended with great
loss Of property, and many liUes, most Of which
could have been allevialed by having a proper
cutler on this station. 10 have gone ont after the
gale and rendered assistance to the unfortunate,
who were assembled in numbers off our Capes,
with loss of spars, sails, and leaky, all anxious TO
reach our port for succOr, but Roihing To too then,
mp.
Your memorialists would here beg leave TO
slaie That on the report Of the Pilots to the Mer-
chants of this City, on The 18th inst, of The disa-
bled situation of the vessels on uur coast. a cum
mltfee OF the same called on the Commodore Of
The Gosport Navy Yard for assistance, which was
most promptly and generously rendered. The
small steamer Engineer was sent down. under the
command Of Mr.. Olmstead, masters mate u. 6.
NJ, who, we are pleased to say, was most active.
and successful, in rendering assistance TO the dis
tressed, but from the small size Of the slearorr.
it was impossible for her 10 render much seyr;ce
outside the Capes, lChere aid UGs most re0uired.
Your memOrialists would therefore most nun
ply beg the aid Of the General Government in
this matter, Our location is a very exposed one.
and the frequent disastrous gales of wind on This
coast make it essentially necessary that a pro, e..
steam Gutter should be retained here, vii,
young and efficient officers To m her. that
N time OF need will be prompt and fearless to re.
Iieve the distressed on our coast.
we ask this not only as a boon to our own in
Cefes's' but we ask il in the cause Of humanity,
Tor we are satisfied that if this aid is granted 10 US
IN the way Of a proper Gutter 10 cruise of our
coast (not inside.) that many lives might be
preserved and property saved that otherwise
would fall a prey to the mighty deep.
ADVERTISING Toe A HUsg,Np-Bpt a few