The New York herald., 1871-02-14

The sad fate of those who lost their lives on the
coast OF New jersey January % and 26 of this year.
when the winds OF the Atlantic piled up Its insatia-
Bile waters against the bark Kate Smith and schooner
Alfred Hail. dashing them into pieces and enguldng
fourteen persons in death, is ye5 remembered with
vvidness, as ocean calamties OF terrible nature.
For time the incidents connected with the
former catastrophe seemed quite to overpower
many OF the daily ana bloody records OF an
eventful period, ana are now being recalled by
wife, brother and father Of those that suffered an
eternity O agony while awaiting In that dark
storm. which hour after hour ragged with unaDated
fury and finally only ceased when It had engufed
she terror-stricken people in one awful watery
grave.
THESE DISTRESSING REFLECTIONS
are accompanied with dramatic episodes, in which
individual courage shone with peculiar brightness
among the few survivors; but could the water ana
the masses OF sand which have entombed forever,
probably, the bodies OF these victims give them up
and they be made to speak, there would be sad
story to tell OF how in the battle for lfe when the
binding storm OF hail, rain and snow mingled to-
gether with the waves for triumph these poor souls
expected aid from on shore, but biscuit toss dis
tant, from boats in life stations placed there by
the government for that especial purpose; yet 1t
came not and the vessel parted amldships, and the
eSt scene soon followed.
then all was hushed,
Save the wild wind and the remorseess dash
Of pillows but at intervals there gashed,
sory Mss inapasys paDSns spash er
vi some strong swimmer in his agony.
The horrors OF this shlpwreck on
LINE OF COAST
which many Of the sturdy mariners that enter the
port OF New York had been led to believe was efl-
GENTLY provided with boats suitable to save fe ana
all the additional appliances which experience has
suggested with the same end in view, have opened
the eyes OF not only these in maritime circles but
caused the public to inquire into the avowed enec-
nveness Of tho
LIFE SAVING SERVICE
OF the United states as now being carried on.
The demand thus made By an intelligent public
community Just recovering from horror heaped
upon calamity, will be complied with by the HERALD
and mayhap the widespread publicity Of its report
er's Investigations IN this matter VIII be of such ex.
ceeding interest IN the recital OF facts ana Incidents
that more systematic remedy Will be entered upon
by the government to check the terrible fatality OF
our dangerous coast, ana the present service so
overhauied as to cause some little reliance TO be
placed upon 1t in the future.
There Is no more
DANGEROUS AND INHosPrAgLE
stretch Of coast than that portion OF the Atlantic line
OF the United States, from Cape May to Sandy Hook,
points along this fatal locality where skeletons
OF once noble vessels may not be half embedded
In the sand. and the surrounding graves, with their
rude sculptured boards present mournful attesta-
tons OF the dangers and death that have beset the
stOrnl-dnven mariner.
For very long time no means whatever were
employed for saving or attempting TO save life and
property thus constantly sacrificed, and it has only
been at comparatively recent period That an ythng
but
THE RUDEsT CoNTRIvANcEs
were employed for this purpose. Many sturdy and
heroic men living along TINS shore-Inen who ha We
Draved the terrorS OF the sea for years-haye time
and AGAIN fearlessly pered their lives in rescuing
passengers and crews OF shipwrecked vessels and
their noble humane eXertions were often crowned
with success But the greatest valor the most daring
bravery, unaided by the appliances OF scientific in
vent!on, were inadequate to the tremendous task,
and at last the national government was driven to
fatalities. Hence, az the first session OF the Thir-
neth Congress the Committee on Commerce were
instructed to inquire what means could be adopted
for the better preservation OF
LIFE AID PROPERTY
rom shipwreck along the coasts OF Long Island and
bill ior that year, Sd OF March, 1sA7 an amendment
was offered providing that $1,000 be appropriated
for furnishing tae lighthouses on the Atlantic coast
OF New York and New Jersey with means OF rem
dering assistance to shipwrecked mariners, to be
under the control and direcon OF the Secretary OF
the Treasury. This was Ine first move The next.
In the same direction, was made August IA, IS4S,
when $40, coo was appropriated for providing surf
boats rockets, cannonades and necessary appara-
tus, and March 3, lS4a, the further sum
OF $4,000 Was appropriated for like pur-
poses These early efforts were of much
avail, and under Congressional sanction various
lne-savng stations were established that duty being
entrusted at different periods to Captains Douglass
Ottmger, John McGowan and John Faunce officers
Ot the revenue marine. Zeal, energy and consid err
able success characterized their efforts in this
humane work.
1t was not until the 14th OF December 1854 that
the authority OF Congress was given the regular
organization or the lifesaving estabu shment These
stations, as now authorized comprise in number
twenty eight on the coast OF New Jersey, from Cape
May TO Sandy Hook, and on Long Island coast. from
Oeney Island to Montauk Point twenty-six stations
dfty-f0ur In all.
Appended herewith are the names OF the stations
on both coasts showing the latuoe and longitude of
EACH
COAST OF LONG ISLAND SOUND