The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-09-07

a good account of the Signal Service
along the Jersey Shore, to the Frank
lin Press, from which we Gull the fol-.
lowing:
This coast though plain as it mp
pears, contains every element of coast
danger to the mariner, and it has been
said tkat this section is one of the
worst for shipwrecks on the coast line
Of the United States. Within a space
of two miles between two life saving
stations l counted the remains of what
had been four "ocean monarchs" that
had repeatedly crossed the seas to be
finally stranded on this treacherous
New Jersey coast, one of which was
the skeleton Of a Spanish vessel, which
was wrecked some eighteen months
since, as was told by my friend John
Frick. Right below it, where the
surf bathers 60 in to buffet the waves
in calm weather, lies half buried in
the sand the frame of ship, whose
huge ribs stick up above the surface,
while the sea gulls few over it, con-
veying picture of desolation to the
eye. l examined the curiosity with
great interest.
My surroundings caused me to be-
come interested in the Life Saving
Service, and obtaining through the
courtesy of Mr.. Frick an introduction
to Captain Reid, who had supervision
of several Of the stations along the
coast, learned something about it.
The stations are usually situated on
sand mound, so that they can com.
mand view of the sea. Originally
they were seven miles apart, but they
are now doubled, being about three
and half miles from each other. The
force in summer is reduced. The
buildings are square, or nearly so,
usually two stories high and painted
red, giving them the appearance of
being covered with sheet iron. They
are neatly furnished and have three
rooms. The room down stairs contains
all life saving apparatus, which con-
sists, among other things, of a surf
boat capable Of carrying fifty persons.
1t is large open boat and cannot be
upset. There are other boats, smaller
in size, but Of similar construction
always on hand, as we'll as India rub
ber clothing, for the surfnen, axes,
harpoons, ropes and gun on q light
carriage, kept ready for any emergen.
cy. The old mortar was unceI tain, so
new gun has been procured, which
will 'fire line" with unerring accu-
racy distance of three. e.fourths of q
mile ont at sea to a vessel IN distress.
The line used is a very heavy sea grass
twine, which is wound around a reel
about two feet in diameter. To take
off the strain and prevent the ball
from breaking the cord, coil of brass
wire wound in spiral form and about
six feet along is attached, which takes
off the strain as it straightens out n
hundred feet or more when the gun is
fired. Life saving cork belts are always
ready for distribution when needed.
Some of the stations also have a mess
room and library. l noticed that
the latter was made up of nautical
works and fiction, principally. Neat
ness characterizes all these places. Up
stairs is a large room filled with cots,
&c, and l obstrved q we'll filed medi-
cine chest, among other things. The
surfmen are the most daring seamen
known, and must be strong and able
bodied, as well of good character.
heard no swearing or profanity among
them. The number of men to the
station is now eight, inclusive of the
captains. Being isolated, as it wore,
though not so lonely l should suppose
as the light house keeper, they have
some amusemements when off patrol.
noticed under the house something
like score of decOy ducks, very we'll
made, of various patterns. They make
them themselves, as some were only
party finished. l was told they some
times set Two or three afoat in the surf