The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-21

Assistance to Vessels ln Distress on Our COast.
We learn that in consequence of the late wrecks
on our coast, Mr.. Guthrie, the Secretary of the
Treasury, has ordered the Board of Commissioners
on Lighthouses to furnish for the port of New York
two brass mortars with shells for throwing lines to
ships in distress.
The mortars are being made at the West Point
foundry. One is to be placed on board the revenue
cutter stationed of this port and the other on board
the steamtug Leviathan, owned by Messrs. Spoford,
Tieston Il Co., Of this city.
This is very important step on the part of Mr.
Guthrie, and is highly creditable to him, in thus
securing the safety of our merchant ships In 50
we're gales OF wind, when a steamer or other vessel
cannot approach ship, a small line can be thrown
by mortar, and hawser afterwards attached, by
which ships may be towed off a lee shore and car.
ried in safety into port, thus saving life and pro-
perty No doubt our merchants will rejoice at this
act Of MI. Secretary Guthrie.
from the Savannah Georgian, Jan. 1871
Ihe following neatly drawu Instructions to Captain Ot
finger Of the Gutter fancy will explain themselves They
ment from which hey emanate and Of its unwesried
GLANCE over the interests OF great merchant marine
In aJing them before our readers requested to
sts'e that shippers aud writer's in assist
ance will communicate directly wi Capt ottingsrre
the snip Telegraph during the late gale-s gsntlema Of
large experience and truly the honorable
service with which he Is connected
TREASURY DEPARTMENT jan g. 1855
SIR-As the season Is approaching when much suffer.
ing and Distress experienced by vessels bound ports in
the United States from long voyages be alevaed
the sgency Of the revenue vessels while cruising
the coast in the discharge ofthe duties enoiued by the
act OF Congress of Dec. e. 1887 have thought 1t adv
sable to designate the cutter Taney your
command to assist in that service TO enable you to
afford the required aid to vessels and crews Ia all
OF distress it will be proper that you should carry pro-
" in autify IN
conveniently stored. Should the underwriters see to
place clothing other supplies board you will take
charge OF the and dispose OF them agreeably
their o1rections Thus prepared. you directed to
cruise between savannah river and Cape Florida keeping
% close to the land be consistent with the safety
msy be compelled from stress of weather want sup.
plies and all such occasions you will Immediately re-
port in writing to the department the such re-
turn While cruising you win speak all vessels approach
ing the coast which you may fall with and afford to
those requiring aid relief such assistance as may be
be In power to render and that any supplies thus
furnished may be duly accounted for you viii charge
them at their cost value, handing the Collector
any money orders which you may received there
for, taking his receipt which you viii immediately for
ward to this department. and make due note thereof in
during cruise To be distinctly traced upon the
chart and oil souneings stating the depth of water &c.
entered upon the journal full list OF all vessels board
ed or spoken specifying those relieved the Of the
assistance soded and the position of the vessel the
tme with abstract Of the distance by log will be
cruising the 1s Of April next am very respectfully
JAMES GUTHRIE, Seo'y Of the Treasury.
Cart. d. 01TYGER Commanding revenue cutter TAney,
Savannah, Ga.