Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-29
xERcEYARY LTFE-SAvERS.
Ten Men Demand Money Before They WIN
Launch n surf. boat.

Launch n Surf.Beat.
A Key East IN. j. special says
There is much Indignation here over
the action of certain members oil tne
life-saving station, which is now closed
in refusing to 60 to the rescue oil the
crew Of yacht in distress unless they
were paid by the people who had ga,
thered on the beach when the imperllied
vessel was seen.
Shortly after dawn the yacht, which
was cat-rigged, was seen of the bar
She was flying her ensign Union JACK
down, and three men upon her deck APP
peared to be anxiously waiting for their
signal Of distress to attract the atten-
ton Of the people on shore. When the
residents of this place awoke and saw
the signal they gathered on the beach,
many of them without waiting for
breakfast. Those living on Ocean
Beach also crossed to this place by the
little ferry running across the inlet to
Sharks river, and by Q o'clock there
were fully 1900 people watching the
yacht, which was being tossed about by
the heavy surf, and commenting on the
fact that nothing could be done to help
the men.
Although the life-saying station isnOt
in operation, the men in the service live
here, and the large surf-bOat could be
secured without any trouble. The life
savers were on the beach, looking at
the yacht, apparently without the re-
hottest idea of attempting to rescue
those on board until they were APP
preached by number Of gentlemen and
asked why they did not go to the aid of
the yachtsmen. The reply was that
they were all men with families, and
they could not risk their lives without
being well paid.
"We will make up a purse for the
men that will man the surf-boat," said
one gentleman.
eyes" said another; there are
three men on the yacht, and will give
$50 for each one Of them that is brought
ashore
This, however, did not appear to be
sufficient inducement for the liie-SayerS.
Other persons made various offers of
money, and many ladies pressed for
ward, and taking their diamond jewelry
from their fingers and ears, promised it
as q reward for the rescuerS Of the men
on the yacht, who by this time were
making various signals, evidently Won
doring why no attempt was made to
help them.
Il will give 800 to each Of five men
who will man the surf-boat," finally
exclaimed a gentleman well known
here for his liberality.
The life-savers evidently thought this
offer worth considering, but after a
little consultation their spokesman de-
clared that it would take at least ten
men to manage the boat, and that each
man wanted 300. The maker of the
offer then told them to man the boat.
and that he would give $1,000 to the
crew. Ten men then entered the boa.
and showed it out into the surf, without
any cheering from those on shore, how
ever. who were now thoroughly dis
| gusted with the action Of the men. The
boat was pulled some distance ont from
shore, along which it went for nearly
half an hour, it being evident that the
crew was not making any strenuous en-
deayor to reach the yacht. After about
an hour passed in this manner 10 the
surprise of those on shore, the bow Of
the surfbOat was turned towards land,
and in few moments the boat was
grounded on the beach.
What's the mattcr--what's the
NATTER" cried score of voices.
The matter was that while the life
savers had been out upon the water
they had concluded that the promise Of
the money was not enough security for
them, and they wanted to come to an ar
rangemgnt by which they would be
sure of the money. Exasperated though
he was by the contemplate action Of the
men, the gentleman who made the offer
at once satisfied them upon this point,
whereupon the men returned to the surf
boat and. without the slightest difli-
Guilty, reached the yacht, took oil the
men and brought them safely to shore.
The rescued men gave their names as
A. J. Goubert, +. j. Halsted, and \.
P. Stanton, and said they were from
Jersey City. They were taken to the
Avon Inn, where they are now being
cared for. In speaking of the conduct
Of the life-SaverS, a gentleman who had
offered them money, but had reconsid-
cred his proposition upon seeing how
the men acted, said
at was the most contemplate piece
of business ! ever witnessed, and there
is now no doubt in my mind that the
whole affair was preconccrted arrange
ment between the ife-saycrs."