The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-12-27
LuFE-sAvING STATIONS.
Sites Selected ON the Coast of Maine.

service, these gentlemen having been instruct
ed to visit the coasts of Maine and New
Hampshire and report to the Secretary of the
treasury the necessity of establishing life
saving stations on the above mentioned coasts,
for the same. They left this port on the Nc
Culloch on Tuesday the 18th inst, and have
made a close examination of the whole line
of coost as far east as Eastport, and with the
following results to report:
The sea coast of Maine from Portland to
PASSPORT differs in almost every respect from
that of the coasts of New jersey Long Island
and Cape Cod, where life saving stations have
already been established. On those coasts
few if any harbors exist and those only
suitable for very light naval vessels, and
the constantly increasing commerce both
foreign and domestic, entering at
New York and Boston, increase
the numbers of wrecks yearly upon those
coasts. On the coast of Maine are numerous
harbors with depth of water surprising
those of any other part of the coast of the
United States, and numbers of islands stand
|
vessels warning them of their danger With
the above in view the sites selected have been
made at those points near entrances to har-
bors, where the numerous vessels running
upon the coast strive to make harbors in
stormy weather. 1t is found upon close ex-
animation of the coast and upon inquiry
amongst the sea- faring men, that it is at these
points the greater number of wrecks occur.
| Much useful information as to the numerous
| points of danger upon this coast has been
gathered from Mr.. Leonard Grant, the pilot
Of the cutter McCulloch, who has shown
upon the very stormy trip to Eastport and re-
turn to possess that knowledge which nothing
but close observation and years of expert
ence upon the coast could have attained.
The Points Designated,
CARRYING POINT COVE.
| This cove lies about one and half miles
to the westward of Quoddy Head, and is the
only opening in the rock bound coast to the
eastward of Little River 1t has gravelly
beach, suitable for launching boat in smooth
water, and the distance across the neck of
land to the bay rendered it the only suitable
spot for station.
MoosEBECK REACH.
This thoroughfare is of vast importance to
the numerous fleet of vessels running along
the coast, and its shelter is quickly sought in
thick weather. The entrances are very dan
gerous, owing to the outlying lodges, and ves-
sells are frequently lost in attempting to gain
the harbor.
PETIT MENAN.
This is one of number of outlying islands
and lodges which dot the coast, and is con-
sidered dangerous for vessels which are striv-
ing to gain the inside thoroughfares in stormy
weather.
CRANBERRY ISLANDS.
These Islands lie off the entrance to
Southwest Harbor of Mt. Desert, harbor of
refuge and one of the many harbors run for
by vessels in thick weather.
MATINICUs SEAL ISLAND.
This is low barren island, lying off Isle de
Haut bay, directly in the track of vessels
seeking shelter, and can be seen but at
short distance in thick weather. 1t is pro-
posed to place house of refuge upon this
Island, having the necessary articles for pre-
serving life placed in it, as well as signals by
which shipwrecked crews can make known
their presence SO that assistance can be rem
dered from the main.
WHITE HEAD.
In the vicinity of this island it is proposed
to place a station. The exact locality has not
as yet been determined upon, owing to the
very stormy weather, which has precluded
the possibility OF selecting the site.
CAPE SMALL POINT.
1t is proposed to establish station at this
point, it being reported very dangerous
point, and many vessels and lives have been
lost in the vicinity,
WOOD ISLAND.
This island lies to the eastward of Cape
Elizabeth, and is in the track of vessels max
ing harbor, and though no particular site
has been selected it is proposed to place sta
ton in that vicinity.
This completes the list of sites selected for
the coast of Maine. Capt. Faunce and Lieut..
Stodder leave here tomorrow for Portsmouth,
N. H., and will examine that coast for the
purpose of selecting suitable sites for stations
Amongst those thought of, are the Whales
Back, at the entrance to Portsmouth harbor,
the Isle of Shoals, and Wallace Sands, Rye
Beach, upon which vessel was lost but few
days since and portion of the crew persisted.
The trip to Eastport and return has been
one in which succession of gales and snow
storms have been encountered, and in which
the inhospitable barriers of the coast have
been seen clothed with all their terrors. The |
cutter McCulloch through the ability of her
commander and officers has made the trip
safely, stopping only when the vapor arising
from the surface of the water precluded all
possibility of running.
In closing it may be fair to remark that for |
safe and spacious harbors the State of Maine
exces the world, and for the kindness and |
hospitality of her inhabitants living on the sea
coast nothing need be said.
PERILs OF THE SEA.-Three vessels went |
ashore on Wood Island Tuesday the oath.
The schooner Intrepid from Boston to this port
strucE-on the outer reef, came off and sunk, |
her masts being two-thirds out of the water.
She had fifteen tons of iron in her cargo be-
longing to Messrs. A. e. Stevens & Co., of |
this city. The schooner was owned by Messrs. |
Perley & Russell and others of this city and is
uninsured.
The captain, his wife and child all have the |
small pox, the woman being very sick The |
keeper of the light at Wood Island has made
provision for the care of the sick though his
family was carelessy exposed to the disease by |
parties who should have known better
The schooners Smith futile of Wiscasset and
| Virginia owned eastward went ashore the same
| day. The former will come off without injury !
| and the latter came off the same day and went
| iuto the ''Pool.'
| THE MEssIAH.-It seems scarcely necessary
| to remind our readers that Handels grand
| oratoro of 'The Messiah" is to be given by
| the Haydn Association, at City Hall next Mon
| day evening The oratorio is to be sung entire,
the first time it was ever done in this country,
as it has been customary to omit several very
fine choruses. The soloist talent Is remarka-
| hlv fine the manv-yOiced chorus brings out