The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-15
[From the Philadelphia Public Ledger, ]
Revenue Critters sJses.

In addition to their proper work of guarding
our shores for the prevention of smuggling the
revenue cutters take considerable hand in the
life-saving service on the coast. It was said of
the commander of the "Woodbury'' half doz-
en- years ago, that he had rescued over two
hundred lives up to that time which are per-
haps not down on any record, aud an off ial
report from the chief of the Revenue Marine
Division Of the Treasury Department for the
months of December and January shows that
this same vessel. the Woodbury., rendered ms
terial aid to fifteen vessels during those tv o
months, whereby many lives and much proper
ty were saved. The Dallas, another cutter, re :
ports having aided twenty-six vessels. and the
Gallstin seven. The D. xter, with Lieut.
Rhodes gallant exploits, Jan. 18Th, off Gay
Head, does not need further mention. Aid is
rendered by these revenue cutters in towing
vessels through fields OF ice or in taking off
their crews to places of safety. A correspon-
dent OF the Army aud Navy Register calls par
ticular attention to the fact that this daring in
the revenue service has not the substantial as
surauce behind it that supports the gallant acts
OF army or navy officers, because the revenue
cutter officer does not eujoy the benefit of re-
tired list or pension; she govern ment makes
no provision in the event of death or perma-
nent ipjary to officers of this service. He
risks his life to save others; humanity, con-
science and duty demand it; he must fight
with shot and shell the enemies of his country /:
he is commissioned the same AS the army aud
navy officers; be wears a military uniform; he
is Obliged to be conversant with the manage
ment of broadside guns, s'Nall arms and the
routine discipline generally of N an-of-war,
yet he is only civil employe, aud when it
comes to accidents or death in the service
there is no provision for his family.
This renders such herosm as that of Lieut..
Rhodes, the more interesting and remarkable
The correspondent states that before the men,
0rable incident on board the Dexter, this off
| Ger had made a noble record in the same line,
| concerning which he writes:
"While stationed on the wild and storm
| beaten coast of South Carolina, Lieut.. Rhodes
| boarded vessel in the face of a hurricane. at
| the imminent.peril of his life, rescuing those
| left on board. On another occasion. during
| the prevalence of gale of wind, with heavy
| sea running, he volunteered to examine the
stranger, on whom there were no signs of life
| The decks we're bulging upward from the pres
| sure of water beneath, and every moment was
| traaght with danger. Leaping into the dark
| and silent cabin he peered about for some sign
| OF animation. The cabin door swung TO as the
vessel lurched heavily, and but for his quick
| eye the officer might have found living ta.nb
| In that abode OF darkness An axe lying De-
| side the cabin table had not been overlooked
and with that he heWed his way to life and lib.
| ertv."
The account goes on to state that this gallant
| officer has three motherless children, who, ia
| the event of his death, would be unproyided
for by any government assistance. From 179s
to 1884, this branch of the service and The la
bors aud usefulness of the winter-crui ing cut
ters, especially have had but slight public rec
osnition, except as line In the day Is news re-
| cords that a vessel aground on Turkey ShoAl
or Gross LEDGE" was towed off by reve
nue. cutter" or that "a revenue cutter rescued
the crew of the barkentine So and So" Il
seems that the time has come when the public
should recognize the full merit of the revenue
service, and If 1t Is an anomaly, as these state
ments point out, iu the armed service OF the
government, It's officers and men should be
put on footing with those of tha navy.