The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-15
The Life-saviDg service-HOw the
Wreckers work.


There are thirty nine life-saving stations
from Sandy Hook to Cape May. Each dis
trict is in charge of superintendent; all
are under the supervision of a captain In
the revenue marine service and the entire
service is in the hands of the Revenue
Marine Bureau. The stations are each in
charge of keeper selected by the super
intendent. Six surfmen are attached to
each station, who are selected by the keep
er from the abost wreckers and fishermen
along the coast. They live in the station
house from Dec. to April ], and are sub
iect to call any time during the rest of the
year. The beach is patrolled every night
its entire length, the watch from each sta
ton going half way In both directions to the
next station, thus making one continuous
patrol. The houses are placed as close to
| the shore as is safe, and are furnished with
| the most efficient apparatus for saving life,
principal among which are the life boat,
| life car, mortar and balls hawser, lines,
tackles, signal lanterns, Coston lights, life
preservers, etc. On tempestuous nights,
when the "northeaster" howls along the
coast like a blast from Labrador, the great
est vigilance is necessary, for it is then
when there is likely to be sore need of the
services of the wrecker. The latter draws
on his rubber clothing, and starts out on
his patrol lantern in hand, the driving
slect and sand making it impossible to look
in the direction of the wind. lie pushes
on guarding his eyes with the visor of his
cap, and peering here and there into the
darkness. Ills route is dangerous, tor the
treacherous surf has worn gullies and
formed deep quicksands in unexpected
places, into which he is liable to plunge at
any step. When he hears the sound of u
vessel pounding on the beach and the flap
ping and swapping of her sails, as soon as
he can make out her outlines he instantly
burns red light as signal that it is seen.
The surfrnan makes all haste to the station
and reports to the keeper, who summons
all hands. The life car and mortar are
loaded upon the wagon, with hawser and
lines all that is needed and the laborious
task of hauling through the gullies and sand
in the face OF the storm is begun. Reach
ing the scene of the wreck the keeper, with
the aid of his nightglass does his utmost
to ascertain the position of the stranded
vessel, and he selects spot in which to
place the mortar. 1t is q bad time now to
give orders, for the roar of the ocean and
storm browns the strongest voices, and
man can split his throat without being heard
six feet away. All, however, know their
part, and there is little necessity for issu-
ing commands. Rubber blankets are held
by several of the men, while the charge of
powder and ball, five and three-qsarter
inches in diameter, is carefully put in place.
The line Is skifully coiled to prevent its
becoming entangled, and the end is fasten-
cd TO the ball by spiral wire. The mortar
is ranged and elevated, careful regard being
had to the force and direction of the wind.
A white light is burned to warn those on
the vessel of what is coming, and the match
is applied. Then there is heavy boom
from the mortar, a ringing screech from
the line, as it is drawn out with great vel
ocity through the air and drops across the
| ship. The waiting seamen, by the aid of
this line, draw off a second one of large
size, and by means of the second pull Off
the hawser, which is made fast to the
| ship. The sand anchor is firmly imbedded
in the beach and a powerful tackle is Sc
cured to it, bv which the hawser is drawn
as tight as the rolling of the vessel will per-
nit. The life car is suspended beneath,
and drawn out TO the ship by the second
line and hauled back to shore by rope at
tached for that purpose, which process is
continued until all are landed. The car is
boat-shaped and made of iron, fitted with q
tight-cover, which can be secured by fast
ening both outside and within, and it will
accommodate six men, although more may
be crowded in. Only few minutes are
required to make passage" AS the air
speedily becomes vitiated and unable to sup
port life, quick work is necessary. After
the passengers are landed they are taken to
the station and made as comfortable as
possible. During the past year forty-eight
vessels, valued with their cargoes at So
231 ,-606, and having on board 1866 per-
sons, were driven on our shores, and 305
persons were rescued by the life saving
servibe last year.-Ne,odrk Courier.