The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-12-22
REVENUE CUTTERS.
The Work of Rescuing Vessels Along the
New England Coast.

The Work of Rescuing Vessels Along the
New England Coast.
WASHINGTON, Dec, 21.-Reports from the
revenue cutters stationed at different points
on the coast indicate that they have already
done valuable service since the cold weather
came on in their cruises along shore to rescue
vessels in distress. From the reports in the
Office of the Secretary of the Treasury some
idea of the work already done on the New
England coast can be gained. The revenue
steamer Woodbury., with headquarters at
Eastport, Maine; the Dallas, with headquar-
tiers at Portland; and the Gallatin, wi head
quarters at Boston, cover, in their cruising,
the PRINCIPAL extent of the New England
coast. The Woodbury., on the 1s5 of October
last, hauled the British schooner William
Lancaster off dangerous position on the rocks
at Thurlow's Island, Maine. From the posi-
ton in which this schooner lay she would have
been soon total loss save fer the assistance
rendered by the cutter. Oct 18th and 18th
the Woodbury. was engaged in assisting the
American schooner Cook Borden which was
ashore, biged, at Cliff Grand Manan No pri-
vate tugs or vessels that were available could
have been of any assistance. When hauled
off by the Woodbury.. the Borden went over
on her beam ends, bows under, and it was
necessary to tow her, stern foremost, to East
port, an operation accompanied by considera-
BILE difficulty, and requiring fourteen hours
heavy steaming. Arriving with her at East
port, she was run upon the beach at high wa
ter of the shipyard at that port, and placed in
such position that at low tide she righted,
and was easily got at for repairs. When the
Woodbury. heard of the Borden's distress she
was at Portland, 200 miles away. Nov. 22d
the Woodbury. hauled the British schooner
Lizzie x. off the rocks near Libbie Island,
Maine, where she was lying in dangerous and
exposed situation; and with the first southerly
wind and increase of sea would undoubtedly
have gone to pieces and become a total wreck.
Nov. 3Oth, the American schooner Petrol lay
stranded on ledge at the entrance of Camden
Harbor, Maine, the stem under water. The
woodbury., 20 miles distant, was telegraphed
for, went to the scene of the wreck, hauled
the Petrol off, when she went on her beam
ends, and in this condition she was towed to
the shoals of Camden harbor. The schooner
would unquestionably have been a total less
but for this timely assistance and the master
OF the vessel SO expressed himself. Several
other vessels have been assisted by the Wood
bury within the past tive months, where the
AID was not of such signal importance as in
the cases above cited,
On November 7th, the revenue steamer Dali
las saved the American schooner Mechanic, her
cargo and all ON board. The vessel went
ashore on the middle ground, Salem harbor, in
trying to put out to sea during dark and
threatening weather Dec. 9th the Dallas dis
covered the American schooner It. K. McDon-
aid high and dry on the reef near Negro Island
Maine, part of Der keel gone, and in imminent
danger of being totally destroyed. Tie Dallas
hauled her off and towed her to place of
safety. On Dec. 7th the revenue cutter Gala
tin, of the Boston station, discovered the
American schooner Grace Parker, with both
anchors down 100 yards from the beach off
Long Point, her ensign set union down as
signal of distress. The vessel was in posi-
ton OF great danger, and was taken in tow BY
the Gallatin and hauled to safe anchorage.