Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-11-16

REPRESENTING VEST.-In these days, when al
most every paper is freighted with sckenng details
of loss of life at sea, any newt devised invention
which promises greater security to those who ''go
down to the sea in ships" is matter of general in
terest, and deserves more than passing notice
Such is the - life-preservng vest' differing materi-
ally from all other Inventions which have uniformly
proven miserable failures. This life-preserver is an
ordinary vest, made of common or fine material as
the purchaser may wish, and so constructed that,
without being removed from the person. the breast
and upper back can be inflated in ten seconds by the
as to sustain and buoy up a weight of more
than two hundred and fifty pounds in the toughest
sea. When not inflated it is like ordinary vest,
and may be in the parlor the street with
out attracting any attention The many failures of
inventions of this character heretofore have been
owing to the cumbersomcness of the article its liza
bility to be wrenched from the person. and their fra
gility and discomfort. This vest combines all the
essentials of safety without any of the objections
mentioned.
A trial was made of the utility of these vests at
the Washington navy yard on yesterday in the pres
of board of naval officers appointed by the
Secretary of the Navy, and number of gentlemen
assembled to witness the experiments.
The gentleman under whose superintendent the
exhibition of this useful article made, Mr.. j. I.
Ames, clothed two young men obtained in the yard
in the life-preserving vests, who, plunging in the
water, floatcd securely its surface 1t quite
evident that with of these vests buttoncd on the
person 1t was impossible to Sink, and that no dis
comfort would arise from it's wear. The young men
We're made to stand uprght-to float on their back,
with feet crossed and hands casped under the head
to lie on their chests, and, throwing their hands
behind them, to grasp their feet. They were then
directed to unbuton the vest to if its loose
dition would affect its buoyant properties and with
every test applied its great superiority every
other known invention of the kind satisfactorily
shown. Another feature of the article is that while
buttoned it is inflated sufficiently for the heaviest
mans support but in case of need to aid or sustain
sinking friend unprepared with one, it is only
cessary to throw open the vest and blowing in the
tube mouthful two of air you have the means Of
supporting and saving him.
1t is peculiarly adapted to those persons carrying
coin or gold dust upon their persons. This. was
shown by placing heavy stone of several pounds
weight upon the breast of of the young men
without apparently depressing him in the water
Its capacity to bear heavy shocks and pressure was
made manifest by two gentlemen, weighing respect
lively 100 and 1913 pounds, placing their feet upon it
and springing up and down without injurng it in
the slightest degree. The experiments were highly
satisfactory and clearly exhibited the great value of
these "lifepreservers." We learn that it is being
extensively used by shp-ewners in fitting out their
vessels; and, indeed it will soon doubtless become
an indispensable article to all who travel by water
1t is idle to speculate as to the lives which might
have been saved had the passengers of the ilfated
Central America or of the Austria been supplied with
these invaluable safe guards; but it IS well to call
attention to this article that they may possess them
selves of means of safety when their lives peril
led on the sea- Washington Union.