Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-12-09

9AttttOd6
The success which has attended this service
since its reorganization In 1871 has been pre-em-
creasing proportions and signal Importance in
duce the conviction that the time can not be
longer deferred for it's erection into distinct
tabishment. under recognized and responsible
administrator. Upon the completion OF the few
comprise the entire coast Of the United States,
and the guardianship or the greater portion or all
involve the care Of over one hundred and fifty
stations, and the direction and discipline of more
than twelve hundred subordinates. The
determination and acquisition OF proper
sites for the stations; the transfer of
the latter from time to time. to such locations
eTowing freqneney Of wrecks at gwen points' or
other causes may necessitate; the deyfsing, cree
for the accommo dation OF crews and those they
rescue, and for the protection Of their various ap.
of their furniture and supplies; the choice of able
and efficient district superntendents. keepers and
surfmen, and the constant supervision of their
operations; the careful tabulation of wreck sta
tlstics for the benefit OF shipping interests; the
perpetual reference to multifarious OF in
formation at home and abroad for data and suR
gestlons calculated to further the development
ana perfection of the system; and the unceaaing
surveillance Of all plans devices, and Inventions
for establishing communications with wrecks,
saving lives imperiIled upon them, Including the
practical trial and decision upon the availability
OF such as may be presented-aH pertain to the
IFS m n M cam ~
the care of an experienced and able officer. who
can devote to it his undivided faculties and ener
gies.
The LEGISLATION proper to accomplish this end is
therefore recommended
The act of June 20 1874, provides for two classes
of hve-saving medals-the first to be bestowed
upon those persons who signally endaneer their
lives IN the effort to rescue Others and the second
for those who show in similar endeaYorS gal
lantry less hazardous in degree
II is suggested that there are instances where,
without life being actually risked, signal exer-
tions are made in rendering assistance to ship
bic sacrifices of time, personal comfort and prop
erty, and that modification of the act. as to
recognize, under the provision for medals OF the
second class. such cases, might be expedlent.
Under the present system, a constant patrol OF
the coast Is maintained by the keepers OF the life
saving stations for from four TO SIX months OF the
year, together with some degree OF watehfulness
OF the remainder. By vesting these keepers with
the powers of inspectors of customs. effective
eoastguard largely preventive OF smuggling and
plundering Of wrecks, might be created without
expense; and legislation to this effect may be
deemed advisable
During the year, several donations of books to
form libraries for the of crews of the life-sav
ing stations have been received from benevolent
welfare of the service, by relieving the tedium
and monotony of the watch at those isolated posi-
tions, and suitable cases have been prepared for
their protection, and also to enable them to be
EXCHANGED from time to time between the sta
lions, with view of extending their benefits
Inc usual statistics or disasters TO American
shipping, required by act Of Congress, June 90
1874 will be found appended TO the annual report
of the operations of The service.
LIGHT-EoUsE ESTABLISHMENT.
During the last fiscal year. 20 new lighthouses
"a river lights IL fog signals, As beacons. and 81
buOyS have been established, and IA Light houses
IS river lights, Ightshlp, Ii beacons and buoys
have been discontinued. The total number OF
houses, 291 river lights 80 ghtships 81 steam fog
signals 41s beacons. and 2.975 buoys, distributed
upon an extent of ocean, lake. and river coast un
equalled by that within the scope of any similar
establishment in the world.
The multifarous duties connected with the light
house service have been satisfactorily performed
by the Lighthouse Board, and the entire estab-
lIshment is In an efficient and creditable condi-
The proposed introduction Of mineral oil as an
fliumtnant for lighthouses has been delayed by
claim that the burner used by the Lighthouse
Board infrfnges a patent granted TO private par
ties. The matter is receiving the attention of the
Board ana the Department, and it is hoped that
The lights recently placed upon the Western
rivers continue to give great satisfaction TO the
immense shipping interests upon those waters
and the opinion is freely expressed By river men
that the lighting of the rivers. which has been ef
fected at a comparatively trif1ing expense, has
been OF greater benefit TO commerce than all other
provement.
Lieht-ship No. Al, for which an appropriation
was made by Congress. is nearly completed This
vessel has been built with great care, and fitted
Client she viii have for fog-signal purposes
ealorie siren from which excellent results are ex-
pected, and viii be valuable addition to the aids
needed upon our coast for the safety OF mariners.
In its estimates the Lighthouse Board has
again asked appropriation for building a light
house at or in the vicinity OF American Shoal,
Florida reef to light the dark space between Som
brero and Sand Key lights. Owing TO the strong
and variable currents along the Florida reef nav
involving heavy loss, occurring every year. The
light upon American Saoal IS one Of tho syste m
proposed by the Lighthouse Board for perma-
nenily and efficiently lighting this dangerous
coast. and should be built without unnecessary
The Board has also estimated for money to
place light-ship and foG-Signal upon Trinity
Shoa,a troublesome and dangerous locality off the
south coast of Louisiana, and for a new steam
tender for the Pacific coast. Both these items
OF especial Importance, and should receive atten-
COAST SURVEY.
The important work committed TO this branch
of the public service has been advanced during
the year by numerous reconnaissance triangu-
latlons tidal observations, and extensions
oa fHssS upon tRe Atlantic Gnf and Pacific
coasts. There have also been certain determina-
lions of latitude and longitude in some of the in
terror States of the Union. several of which have
recently instituted systematic surveys OF their
Tide tables for the principal seaports OF the
United States have been published, a number of
new charts of the coast finished, and others have
ume of the Atlantic Coast Pilot mas also been IN
der preparation, and is nearly completed.
In the interests of commerce and navigation,
each of the dangers that beset the coast is devel
oped and marked in its true relation to the short
line Fortunately the processes used for such pur-
poses avail also for other objects, the Importance
of which is rapidly increasing along the seaboard
for surveys needfdl in the improvement Of chan
mel entrances, and for portwarden lines in harbor,
involving studies OF the effect OF tides and cur
rents when cOnjolned with riparian encroach-
The usual intimate relations of this establish
ment with the Lighthouses Board have been mafn-
tanned. and its archives have materially assisted
the engineering operations of the latter sea
coast
MARINE HOSPITAL SERVICE.
The Supervising Surgeon General reports that
larger number OF seamen have awaited themselves
of the benefits of the Marine Hospital Service dur
ing the fiscal year 1876 than in any previous year
OF the existence Of that service. Increased facii
ties are afforded for obtaining relief. and many of
the seafaring who are injured or taken sick at
places where it is impracticabie to provide proper
care are sent to the nearest relief port at the ex
pense of the service. Relief is now furnished at
ninetyniDe ports, and 16,S01 seamen received care
and treatment during the year just closed
The expenditures from the fund contributed by
the seamen amounted TO S4S9, ISL 49, The necessa-
~ repairs to the hospital buildings and the furni
ture, fuel, lights and water for the same, were in
1876 for the first time paid out OF this fund.
The marine hospitals at Mobile, Alabama, and
Louisville, Kentucky, which were leased at the
close of the war, rentted and again opened
for the exclusive use OF seamen September 1,
1878 and January /. 1876, respectively The Cleve-
land Hospital. on the other hand. has been leased
under the act of March 3, 1875. The magnitude of
the service at New York would seem TO warrant
the establishment of hospital at that
port for the exclusive Of seamen. All proceeds
OF the sale of furniture, supplies and other prop