Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-12-06
MAN THELIFEB0AT.
THE UNITED STATES LIFE-sAy,
ING STATION.
A Keepers Position No Sinccurc-
Fishermen Make the Best
Lifcboat mcn-DificuIty in
Teaching "a Wreck.

hundred lifc-saving stations along the
American coast. The buildings in ap-
pcarancc arc what may be called sub
stantial huts, rather plain, but picturesque
Each station has an annex containing "A
/ lifcboat of the latest improvement and
this Is generally situated nearer the coast.
Dnilt on high elevation, so as to defy
the continually rising and falling waters.
The main buildings have below IL Kitchen
Il boat room and messroom They arc
provided with convenient lockers, and
above are two sleeping apartments
There is also storcroom used for fine
stowaSc of the seasons provisions, cord
age and alternate articles, not in direct
use In the boat room stands Il mortar
cart, loadcd with wreck ordnance and
various implements which will be noted
later. Within the same room is II surf
boat, which is used on Hat beaches and
in shoal waters. The kitchen and mess
rooms are provided with various articles
OF furniture appropriate to their ncccssi-
tics. The keeper and crew live here
during the active season, which begins
the first of September and lasts six
months.
Inc Keeper commands u crew of six
men. His position is no snccurc. He
shoulders a grave responsibility, which
| requires long experience and exceptional
judgment in the execution OF his i'm.
portant trust Not only in the selection
OF the men upon whose skill and dcyo-
ton depend not only his and their sic
scss, but the fate of those they expect to
save, is contidcd solely to him. Both
arc generally chosen from the fishermen
IN the vicinity of the station on account
OF their familiarity with the coast and
reputation us scrfmcn. The first pccp into
TINS lie brings them face to face with the
roaring surf. In early youth the first
| stroke is made in the pillows, and they
almost live in or on the water from that
time until they reach manhood, when the
most skilifui acquire the command of Il
boat. 1t is erroneous to suppose that the
experience of Il sailor qualities him to he
a surfman. His home is mt sea; he is
seldom called to handle Il boat in Il high
surf, anu he has little knowledge of the
! suriman's realm. This fact is proved
from the number of mariners who have
lost their lives in trying TO land from
stranded ships.
When Il vessel is driven ashore, the
patrolman being the first to discover it
takes the initial steps toward the relief.
lie has in his possession, while on duty,
besides his lantern, torch, which lights
by percussion cap and gives forth :, red
flame. fic is alert to detect the
slightest Indication of disaster. When he
discovers anything of the kind he immc
dintely canvasses the situation. lie locates
the vessel rs either too near land or
stranded in the pillows, and then iunites
MS torch, that those on the shin may feel
assured that help is near at hand. lie is
not certain that there is wreck until he
receives some reply in the shape of n
rocket or the report of gun. After one
OF these demonstrations he hurries to his
station, and his hasty entrance is sutti-
cleni to arouse his slumbering comrades.
He makes his report to the keeper. whose
keen Judgment determines the nature of
inc rescue and the means TO he employed
II he decides on ii surfboat. the doors of
the boat house are thrown wide open and
the cart in few minutes is gliding
along the beach in the direction of the
distressed vessel. Without a moments
delay the boat is launched and is soon on
Its errand Of mercy. The keepcr stands
at the steering oar and guides the boat.
while his faithful assistants, with their
packs to the sea, unmindful of the
dangers that surround them. rest their
eyes upon him and are obedir..t to his
command, though it be the slightest res
tire. Suddenly Il high sea nav break
aud fill the boat. causing Il return to the
shore, or capsizing her, tumbling the men
INTO the sea and tossing them about until
they reach II foothold on the shore. Then
they try again, and often meet with the
same fate; it is generally after the third
or fourth venture that they reach the
wreck. AT this point very careful man
cuvcring is necessary to prevent their
craft from crushing against the huge hull
OF the stranded vessel.
Taking oil as we'll as possible the I'M
fortunate people whom they may find
ciinging TO the wreck, IA difficult return
to the shore remains before them. The
commander must now ON the moment
decide on one of the several methods
before nm. On one occasion he may
run Immediately behind a roller, and by
quick work keep ahead and reach the
shore in safety. With Il difficult sea he
nay reverse action, occasionally pulling
ahead to meet an incoming breaker, and
so on, which clearly shows the importance
OF good Judgment in the stccrsman. If
he should happen to mistake the sea. and
err i'll his course, the pillows would turn
the craft, causing it to capsize.
When II DAtrolman renorts th,t tho
boat cannot be used the wreck cnuippcd
cart is ordered out. This carriage con-
tains the gun, rocket, lines and every
device required when the process of fir
ing the gun becomes necessary. The
cart is drawn along the beach to the
place where the wreck is most easily
accessible. Every man is well trained in
his particular duty, and proceeds to
handle and place in position the apparatus
assigned to his special charge. Stimuli
taneously the different members of the
crew load the gun, attach the torch, fix
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