The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-10-14
A Floating Deck.
[ChicagO Tribune.

of the ill-fated steamer Equi-
nox, has reawakened interest in device
for whose construction every marine
furnishes additional argu-
ment-a floating deck.
Reuben Burr, after the vessel had made
her final plunge, managed to get aboard
the pilothouse, which, severed from the
body ofthe wreck by the violence of the
sea, became miniature floating deck,
possessing one, at least, of the essential
qualities demanded by all similar situa-
tions-it could not be overturned; yet
the sea was probably as high and as
fierce as the worst tempests can produce
i'm our ATTITUDES. Burrs little ark be-
came the refuge of a second seaman, and
the two intrepid fellows kept their spirits
up, side by side, while the furious blast
drove them southwest over the black area
of death. Toward daybreak, Burr's COM
panion grew weak and cold, and Burr
had to hold him on his feet to prevent
his falling into Inconsistencies and be-
ing washed away over the unprotected
sides of their frail vessel. Herein the
pilot-house lacked one of the essentials OF
floating deck; there must be railing
around the deck sufficient to prevent the
waves from carrying bodies overheard.
They sighted two schOoners as the scar
let shafts of sunrise fell across the sky,
and the sinking man, already stealing
unconsciously into the hereafter, family
urged his brave companion to signal
again and again. He mistcOk gradual
dissolution for certain rescue. Like
EnOch Arden, saved:
" No gladcr does the standard wreck
See through the gray skirts Of lifting squall
The boat that bears the hope oil lie approach,
To save the life dcspaired Of than he saw
Death dawnipg on him, and the closc Of ALL"
Alone in the desert of waters, Burr
chung to the pilot.house with the tenacity
of despair. A wet blanket and a rude
coverlet flOated up to his feet from a
bunk under the wheel, and-again his
improvised ship suggests a necessary
feature of the floating deck-a water-t igh,
compartment containing blankets,
LIQUORS, and food. Burr hung the blan.
ket and coverlet where the air would dry
them, and then wrapped tie blanket
around his chilled body, and tried to use
the coverlet as sail, but in vain. Al
noon he sighted two schOoners, but they
were too far off to hear his cries. An
other night passed in bleak safety, his
little floating deck riding the now com
placent waves like bird over breeze
At nine o'clock in the morning he was
taken aboard the Panama, having beer
in the water over thirty-one hours.
Later adviccs bring another illustration
of the necessity and safety of floating
deck. William CrOssthwaite, con of thu
owner of the propeller Mendoza, which
foundered about the same time as tn,
Equinox, and near the same place, ha
been rescued after exposure on minia
ture floating deck for forty-seven hours
At the time of the catastrOpc to hi
steamer, he leaped into one of the boats
but, seized with wise second thought
returned to the wreck, lashed himself T.
a portion of the vessel which was certain
to float, and committed himself to TIN
lake. His venture proved successful.
The floating deck which, sooner o
later, must come into universal use as tn
principal life-saving apparatus in marin
disasters, must practically combine thes
qualities. 1t must be an integral part of
vessel-say the hurricane deck for steam
ers, and portion of the main deck @
sailing craft. 1t must be removable Il
the same manner as boats, in order t
serve its purpose in case of fire. 1t mus
contain water-tight locker, SUPPLE
: with the necessaries for marine exposure
: 1t must be guarded adequately aroun
the sides to protect those on board fror
being washed away by heavy seas
: must be buoyed sufficiently to keep
3 afoat for an indefinite period. 1t mus
be detachable from the hull when tn
latter sinks or is scuttfed.
Such device as this would save MOI
lives, not only in our rivers and lake
but also on the oceans, than all the Iii
$ boats which ingenuity has yet invented
: The objective point in the constructio
, of life saving appliances is certai
: capacity to float; deck will ride an
, tempest safely where the best small boa
would be swamped. The boats came
accommodate any large number of pc
SONS, the deck would carry all or nearl
! all. The boats are 80 small that clothin
: food, and restoratives could not be store
n in them; the locker of the deck wou
r answer admirably for this purpose. A
+ marine experience shows that in time
: catastrophe, whether from fire, storm
accident, raft rather than boats is u
s necessity. The floating deck is simply
y raft equipped for the emergency whit
n it is to meet.
a A deck combining the features '
{ have indicated was invented sever
, years ago by skillful seaman, CAPITA
+ Joseph Sawyer. But for lack of capt.
J. on his part, or want of enterprise in Il
h proprietor of the lake fleet, 1t does n
e., hoya cor,a into rraa