Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-07
IN CASE OF SHlPWRECK.
A General Idea OF the Workings Of the
Life Saving Srrvice-A Caution.

General Idea Of the Workings Of the
Life Saving service-A Caution.
In few words Lieut. C. H Mcclellan,
Of the revenue marine, in his part Of the
report entitled instructions to Mariners
In Case of Snipwreck. gives good gen
eral idea Of the workings Of the service.
quote from him, leaving out such SEN
fences rs would not interest the general
public:
IAN stations on the Atlantic coast, from
the eastern extremity of III, state of
Maine to Cape Fear, n C, are manned
annually by crews Of experienced surf
men from Sept. l until May l following
Upon the lake coasts the stations are
manned from the opening to the close of
navigation, and upon the Pacific coast
they are open and manned the year round,
with the exception of the stations which
are manned by volunteers. Ali life saw
ing and lifebOat stations are fully sup
piled with boats, wreck gun, beach appa-
ratus and rcstoratives Houses of refuge
are supplied with boats, provisions and
restoratives but not manned with crews.
keeper however, resides in each
throughout the year, who, after every
storm, Is required to make extended eX
cursions along the coast with view OF
ascertaining whether any shipwreck has
occurred, and finding and succoring any
persons who may have been cast ashore.
Houses of refuge are situated exclusively
upon the Florida coast where the re-
quirements of relief are widely different
from those OF any other portion of the sea
board. Most of the life saving and life
boat stations are provided with the inter
national code of signals; and vessels can
BY communication, he reported or obtain
the latitude or longitude of the station
information as to the weather probl-
bilities; "r, If crippled or disabled, a
steam tug or revenue cutter will be tele
graphed for, where facilities exist, if re-
quested
"All services are performed by the life
saving crews without ogher compensation
than their wages from III government,
though, in view of he neagern6ss of
their pay, they arr not prohibited from
receiving such inward, for abor per
formed or ri ks incurred at wrecks rs
owners or masters Of vessels or other per-
sons may see fit to voluntarily bestow
upon them, but they are strictly forbidden
to solicit such rewards.
'Dcstitut seafarerS are provided with
food and lodgings at the nearest station
by the government as long as necessarily
detained by the circumstances of chip
wreck
The station crews patrol the beach
from two to four miles each side of their
stations four times between unset and
sunriae, and if the weather is forgy the
patrol is.cOntinued tlli oueh the day.
Each patrolman carries Coston i%nals.
Upon discovering vessel stun,ino into
danger he ignites one Of them, whi h
emits II brilliant red flame OF about two
minutes duration, to warn her off, or
should the vessel b. ashore. to let her
crew know that they are discovered and
assistance is at hand.
'1f The vessel j. not discovered by. the
patrol Immediately after striking, rockets
or flare up lights should be burned, or il
the weather be foggy. guns should be
fired to attract attention, as the patrol
man may be some distance away on the
other end of his beat.
Masters are particularly cautioned, if
they should be driven ashore anywhere in
the neighborhood of the stations, espec-
ally on any Of the sandy coasts where
there is not much danger of vessels break
ing up immediately, to remain on hoard
until assistance arrives and under no cir
cumstances should they attempt to land
through the surf in their own boats until
the last hope of assistance from the shore
has vanished. Often when comparatively
smooth at sea 4 dangerous surf is running
which is not peroeptiblc 400 yards off
shore. and the surf, when viewed from
vessel, never appears is dangerous as it is.
Many lives have been unnecessarily lost
by tn crews of stranded vessels being
thus deceived and attpmDtinV To land in
the ships boats. New York Times.