The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-24


AID WANrrp-The winter has scarcely con
menced, yet already numerous disasters have
occurred on our coast, seeming to presage sea
son OF unusual calamity. Experience has point
cd out certain spots more disastrous to the
mariner than o,hcrs Barncgat and its vicinity
have Pre-, omincDce among the number; but the
system hitherto obtaining on that shore for the
relief of shipwrecked vessels is utterly ineii
cont aud il is high time that means were taken
20 remedy the gcowing exigcncies of the case
some gears since The government constructed
a number Of email houses or shauties on the Jer-
sey coast. tor the storage Of life boats, mortars,
&C.. but without reference to anorllng shelter
10 aIy who might require it. The buildings az
five miles apart and only a few OF them arr
supplied with the pccessary apparatus FOR effect
ing communication with ships in Distress 81 u
ns moriaIs, cradles. NC. The cost OF the batd-
iDgs was betrayed by an appropriation from
CONGRESS Metallic life boats we're purchased but
they are useless for the service required Of them.
tpon examination Of facts attending the va
ious di'asters on The jersey coast during the past
ten vtms, We find thai the lises saved have in
almost every instance been due to the excrtors
Of NTcckes in common cedar fishing boats The
daily occupation Of fishermen on that shore has
taught them how to construct the best descdp.
ton Of boat in which to trust their own lives at
all times and seasons. Immediately ON obtain
ing news of wreck thfce or four Of them rush
to the shore, run the light cedar bark into the
- al.
right 10 a fes minutes. and proceed on their ex-
petition. The metallic life boat. on the contr ~
~, Is heavy, and however valuable IN the open
SEA. in such emergencies a. those Attending the
loss Of the Arctic and Iyonnais. is totally an
suited for shore service. requiring u does. the
extrtous OF bali dozen men 10 launch Il 10
the face o. q tremendous swell aud gale setting
in shore Those who have assisted IN such M.
mtnis o. excitement know how seldom a boat
Is launched on the FIRST trial, and when the mc-
tallic craft Is upset fresh ard longer deloy
cB-ues. which may peril the lives Of hun
dud~. The government force ~ Bdrncgat
il 20 small that without tuc assistance o.
the fishermen scarcely any livos would Nc
saved. and the willingness With which these men
risk their own safety is 50 well kooSn that their
courage has become provcrbial. Two OF them.
John Jones and John Parker, have inst fallen
victims TO their disintcrcstedness in endeayvriug
10 save the passengers Of the New York and
Tas-o, and Congress should immediately look to
il that The families Of these noble mcu do not
not suffer want through the loss of their hus.
bands ana fathers engaged as they were in q
work which they would never have been called
upon 10 perform were it not Tor the rcmissncss
a The government
Every cmigrant ship should I've obliged 10
cary mortar with complete set of tackliug.
cradle, &C., 50 as to communicate with the shore
when necessary. Something, however. must b.
done Immediately, in view Of present cxigencies,
lor the chronicle Of disasters has scarcely tarne,
The frst page. and yet already exceeds the ave-
rage Of calamity. More houses and suitable ac-
ccmmodaiion arc required on the Jersey cost.
additional mortars and cradles must he sent there.
and The noble fellows who have riskcd their livcs
must We rewarded 50 as 10 offer ON incentive 10
others Lei 1t b. done quickly.