New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-13
THE DEUTSCHLAND.

The loss OF the Deutschland VIII Oe 1OlioWeu
in England by the usual long-drawn-out up
roar of inquest, angry denunciaticn OF the
unknown somebody or something who was w
blame, the careful avoidance OF investigation
as to who this guilty party was, and the final
merciful silence as to the whole matter, until
another ocean massacre wakens public indigna-
ton again to go through the same role. The
loss of tho Northneet and the Schiller, with
all the clamor and vituperation that followed,
did not produce single lasting result. There
is no reason to-day why another vessel may
not go down In crowded English roadway,
without help or signal from ship or shore; no
security to the public that ships will he sea-
worthy or captains capable no legal redress
if, az in the present instance, stranded vessel
may lilo for hours breaking to pieces in full
sight of the people on shore and passing chips,
who are unable to help her for the want OF hte-
boat. Nor Ia this because the people OF
England are either inhuman or indifferent to
the frightfu loss Of life by ocean disasters.
The life-saving service may be said to have
originated there. The National Liicboat In
stitutOn has surrounded the island with Gordon
of stations built and supported at an expense OF
$4,000 annually. at is ono of the first OF
English social duties" writes Lewis, " to
"hght our heGdlands for the safe return OF
"the sailor, and to man the shore with life
"boats in case OF his shipwreck." In fact
there is no subject which has perhaps reused so
much enthusiasm rs this among the phloSmatlc
English; it il a common practice for men OF
wealth to devise a legacy to the Institution,
OF for women who have lost dear friend to
build q memorial lifebOat and dedicate 1t to
the memory Of the departed, M here we offer
a painted window. The lIfeboat, too. is an
object of romantic pathos with our English
friends. Novels and poems have been written
about il; aud when one wears out it Is
solemnly burned and tablet erected to It's
memory, with tho names OF the wrecks to
which it brought aid.
How then did il happen that a vessel went
down in reach Of the shore. and neither boat
nor light nor telegraph to aid it? Harwich IA
on the worst bit OF coast in England, with the
exception of that Of Norfolk. From Sheerness
TO Dungencss the map Of the Wreck Register
is black with records of past disasters. 1t is
in the most pOpulous part of the country too.
within an hour or two Of London. Yet there
was no boat nor any preparation Tor ship
wreck Tie Times may well say the facts, II
unexplained, disgrace the English name. The
facts are easy of explanation. The National
Lifeboat Institution is a private undertaking.
not like our Iife-saving service, under Govern
ment and legal control and held to strict
accountability TO the public. 1t is matter OF
enthusiasm and of emotion. when it ought to
be downright business. In our stations
watch is kept up night and day. from November
- to April II. In England, reward at seven
slillngs is paid to any one bringing mforma-
ton of wreck. Here, the stations are kept
open and in perfect order during the Winter;
they are connected. too, by telegraph with
each other. On the English coast, they
are in charge of coxswains, paid $40
year, and an assistant, paid So
There are honorary committees of residents
about each station, too, who exercise general
supervision in case of shpwreck. Admirable
as honorary committees and voluntary deeds
Of humanity are, they are not TO be relied on
Tor hard. steady work. The coxswains are
paid the beggarly sum of one dollar and
twenty-five cents whenever they risk their
lives to go out to q sinking ship. In the case
of the Deutschland neither fte hope of this
reward nor motives of humanity apparently
tempted them. A trained paid corps OF men
arc always TO be relied on in battle, fire. or
shipwreck when volunteers shrk risk, not be-
carlse of the wages they shall receive, but OF
the discipline and sense of responsibility.
We offer these facts in explanation of this
terrible disaster. which has brought disgrace
not on English humanity but English manage
ment. Let them make their National Lifeboat
Institution drilled organization under Gov
eminent control, and they will be less likely iii
the future to have such nassacrcs as that OF
Monday last.
BOREOUED DijIDEhDS
I......