New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-28
HELp EnR TILE .SHLPWRECKED.

We gladly call attention to the effort now
being made by certain good women ana men
who are interested in the Life Saving SER
vice TO supplement the work Of the crews at
the stations 1t is proposed to furnish beds
bedding, clothing, and such kinds Of cOrdials and
food as are needed fOI the rcSusctatiOn Of the
drowned. The stations are rough wooden
buildings, small in capacity and furnished only
with a cot for each Of the crew. a quart Of
brandy in each medicine chest is the only pro-
vision now made by the Government toward
The needs of the shipwreckcd. The surimen
have usually but one change OF clothing, and
as was stated by the chairman of the meeting
held reccntly-in case OF shipwreck these
men usually give their dry sui; OF clothes to
the victims of the disaster and remain WEI for
hours Their beds, small room, and fire are
usually occupied by the shipwIecled, just al the
time when the crew, after tIeir irlghtIul
struggle with the sea and storm, need them
most. II has been suggested that the bounty
of individuals would usually supply all that was
lacking. This objection to the proposed charity
would be fOrcible enough il vessels made point
of going ashore in towns or wealthy neighbOr
hoods But the poor fishermen and farmers
who occupy the lonely sand stretches along the
dangerous portions Of our coast are Ill able
to meet sudden and large drains on their geper-
osity The kind of stimulants and food needed
for the resuscitation of the hall drowned are not
to be found in The neighborhood of the sta ions.
As for example, in the fnghtful disasters of
the Metropolis and Huron, in spite of the efforts
of the neghbors many lives were undoubtedly
lost for lack OF proper care, food, and stimu-
lants.
The Government provides barely the means
Of drawing the shpwrecked ont OF the water; it
takes no steps whatever toward thcir recovery
alter they are on land. Whatever is done is
due to the generosity of the cTew-poor men
dependent with theiI families on their $40 per
week and already exhausted by their cllor,s
Tie Women's National Relief Association
propose that the chaIitably disposed shall re-
lieve these men of their too heavy response
biliy, by furnishing needed stores to be kept
at each station. The effort is heartily seconded
by Chief Superintendent Kimbal, Mrs Hayes
Admiral Porter aud other influential friends
of the service. Donations of beef-tea, flnnels
bedding, clothing, etc, for the rescued can be
sent to the AImory OF the Twenty Regi-
inert. An effort is also being made by the
Association to secure the pensioning of dis
abled smfmcn, or If their widows and children,
when they die in the service, which
THE TRIBUNE has advocated for years
In England, as our readers know, the work of
Life Saving is left to the contributions and
efforts OF volunteers. Most of the stations have
been built and equipped by individuals; in many
cases by women in memory of friend or child
who is dead. Our Government wisely makes
the work here branch of the service, and the
surfmen are paid like any other National sol
dieTs. But 1t is right and fitting that this
official work should be aided by the voluntary
efforts of the charitable, and We are glad that
this Association opens the way for such kindly
efforts.