The New York herald., 1877-01-15
STURDY LIFE SAVERS.

SYNOPSIS OF THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE
RESCUE OF LAMERIQUE's CREw-HoNoR THE
BRAVE.
A detailed statement OF the circumstances attend.
ing the disaster TO the General Transatlantic Steam
ship Company's steamer L'Amerique has been re.
ceived the Treasury Department from the
superintendent OF the fc saving station at Sea-
bright, Sandy Hook, where the steamer ashore.
Tho report shows she immense value Of tho lilo
saving system planted along our coasts when oifcc
lively administered. When LAm6riquo was 'bcached
her situation was almost Immediately discovered by
the patr0lmep attached TO tue station and the alarm
given. The disaster occurred at three O'Clock in tho
morning, and the Importance OF keeping patrols along
the dangerous shores occasions of storm, day and
night, was exemphhed in this instance, but or tho
patrol system the lie saving would have been OF
value because the Intelligence OF tho disaster would
have the station too iate AS the alarm
was given instant preparation was made Tor aordlng as
TO the passengers and crew the
disuster. The alarm signals were seen 10y the people
on the steamer, but were not answered. Arrangements
were SET ON foot Tor hauling the boat up he beach,
aud when the crew ut the station got abreast
sol sht was seen near the water alongside of her,
and the superintendent supposng boat was about to
be sent ashore endeavored TO prevent the rash
loud cries and signals but the boat, large white one.
was presently seen emerging from the shadow of the
steamers bow and upon The crest Of large wave.
Almost instantly the boat was seen TO roll and
iumblng toward the beach, leaving its late
thick with huge cakes OF floating ice, while carrier
Of breast high lined The beach just clear OF the
dcrtow
GALLANT RESCUE.
As the sailors toward the beach tho keeper
and his rushed into tho undcrtow to their assist
ance, anu, bringing five persons TO the beach. again
plunged IN ana with much difficulty rescued four
more, making nine IN all. Three others were OBJ
served tho second rescue WAS made, but were
swept away beyond reach and lost But for the
timely arrival OF the life saving men II IS doubtful
whether more than two foi the twelve pussen-
gers the ships boat would have escaped drowning
as thcy were All much encountered with heavy cloth
Ing and unprOvided with lie prescrvcrs, although
Lcrc appeared to be plenty OF the latter board
steamer An eiort made TO launch the surf boat,
but II was unsuccessful account of tho high
and ice cakes.
MORTAR APPARATUH
In the meantime the mortar apparatus had been
sent lor and by five O'Clock was on the ground. The
second discharge OF the mortar with line directly
attached to the ball. secured communi ication with the
steamer between the main aud mIzzen masts. Tho
distance IRON tho mortar TO The ship was about $50
yurus. "A haw-cr communication was thus cstab-
lished, and by means OF he life car attached to II
thirty trips were made back and forth, bringing off
nlty-slx passengers ana nfty OF the crew. Several
women anu children we're among the passengers. Two
also landed by the lie The efficiency OF the pat rol
service attached to the life saving stations Illus
trated by the fact that tho vessel early DIS
covered alter she struck and the iurther fact that
three sailors who were drowned in coming of In tho
steamers boat were discovered IN the underow At
different periods on sunday night by the patrols and
brought ashore