Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-02-07
LIFE SAVING.
Capt. Joseph Sawycr's Report for the
Tenth District.
From the Detroit Free Press.

y
Tenth District.
From the Detroit Free Press.
Capt. Joseph Sawyer, Superintendent
of Life Saving Stations for the Tenth
District, has made his usual annual re-
port to j. HI. Merryman, Inspector OF the
Service. The Tenth District, embracing
five stations on Lake Huron and four
on Lake Superior, between Whitefsh
Point and Point Au Sauble, was happily
more free from disasters than the others
on the lakes; but it nevertheless proved
its usefulness and efficiency by saving
nearly sixty lives and rendering valua-
BILE aid to vessels i'm distress.
ABSTRACT OF CAPT. SAWYER'S REPORT.
During the year eight surfmen were
discharged from the service for insubOr-
dinatiOn, and three on account of poor
health. The total expenses of the dis
trict during 1879 amounted to $23,872.98,
of which sum the greater part was laid
out in regular salaries. No complaints
have reached Capt. Sawyer's office
against keepers or surfmen. The best
of discipline has been maintained at the
several stations, and yigilant patrOlling
of the coast each night has been rigidly
observed. The aggregate number of
miles patrOlled at night by the men of
this district during 1879 was 70,650, and
this added to the day patrOlling will
amount i'm all to at least $4,000 miles.
Capt. Sawyer acknowledges valuable
assistance rendered the service by As
siStant Inspector Capt. Geo. r. Slicer,
and also by other officers of the FeSsen-
den, in visiting Stations and drilling
crews. "in conclusion" says Capt. Saw
yer, II would call your attention to the
unfortunate wreck of six vessels on the
night of November 10Th at Sand Beach
by which five lives were lost. l would
very respectfully recommend that the
new station to be erected at that harbOr
be made full station with crew of
eight surfmen, and that it also be pro-
vided with surf-bOat." A volunteer
crew would not, Capt. Sawyer thinks,
meet the requirements of the situation.
THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICE. -
That the life saving stations in the
Tenth District during 1879 were man
ned by efficient men who were ready at
all times to give every aid i'm their power,
cannot be doubted after reading Capt.
Sawyer's detailed report of what was
done in the way of life saving and prop
erty i'm peril on the American coasts of
Lakes Superior and Huron i'm 1879. For
this efficiency credit is due to the keep
ers under their immediate charge, and
to Capt. Sawyer and Capt. Slicer. In
more general terms, also, mention may
be made of Inspector Merryman.and Gen
eral Superintendent Kimball, each of
whom, it is believed, has his heart i'm the
work. They have done much that enti-
ties them the thanks of seamen on the
great lakes as well as on the oceans.
WHAT is LACKING.
At one point, however, there seems to
be unanimous opinion that the service
is weak or, at least, likely to be. On the
keepers who are in charge of each sta
tiOn and the men there necessarily falls
considerable responsibility. In order
that all the multifariOus duties be faith
fully attended to, it is essential that the
keeper be trustworthy man of force
and character. Thus far no complaint
can be made, but it is apprehended that
the insufficiency of the salary-S4OO per
year, without bOard-may i'm time de-
prive the service of the best class of men,
who will find more remunerative EN-
plOyment elsewhere, and the efficiency
of the service be endangered by the sub
stitutiOn of men of less real worth.
NEW STATIONS.
Besides the new station at Sand Beach
there will be established in 1880, ready
for the fall gales, complete life-saving
stations at GrindstOne City and Middle
Island, i'm Lake Huron, and at the west
ern end of the Portage Lake & Lake Su-
periOr Ship Canal. The Tenth District
will then consist of thirteen life-saving
stations, five on Lake Superior and eight
on Lake Huron, all in Michigan.