Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-06-02

the osesn;z liza &, e1.<ni il eRsf.s much
beJ ond the Aassachussft tt coast.
But its noble work more Or less eoesged
the attestion Of the people interested in
and Get them % thinking sbaut, ard some
tsw Of them % working fos. il irtefests-
Bat there vas no Organized effort Of the
governments 70 e6scs . system Of il own
urnl 1915, That year vefy urgent apSesi
vas made in the House Of Representatives
BY Hen. WA A. Newell Of Nav jersey.
which resulted in m set appropfiadns
SO go for surf bsass aEd various cthes
Appliances to De used On tbs coast OF bis
state
The next year o.coo vas voted. and
the ssving sppsiaaces were extended 70
LGng Island Thus vas the service from
,eAr to year extended, mp to ls7l, bas The
methods Of sppropfiatiag aad applying the
money we're indexsminate, ducsua&ia Z
and unsatisfactory or the whole, %
that. while 3 beginning Vas made. the
results were not iatsering TO the government
or iss agents. Those Appointed % the work
vera ofsen entirely unit for The positions !;
personal or political interests intsffsrfed !;
no Systematic methods we're adopssd. ana
the boats aud o.her msseriAls we're either
unsuitable, neglected or were used for
other purposes. Besides, strange to say,
much opposition was manifested ~ TO the
raoEeys appropriated by the various Con
gses.es, which can partly be explained on
The ground Of LEGAL, political or fsetional
causes. Yet, even under these discoufsg-
iag Circumstances. sufficient progress vas
made to attract public attention to the value
Of such . service. Much courage and
bravery we're displayed by poorly paid men,
many valuable lives were rescued and
property saved. Several terrible disasters,
also, occurring il 1854. caused special
attention to be paid to the subject, and Con-
s-ess, BY large appropriation, materially
asrer g,hened aud improved the methods in
force.
But. Is previously stated, i. was not until
1871. that the system became really effect
i've. desoite and national .. TO its condi
tons.
Durirg the winter Of 1901 another
series Of terrible Disasters occurred, many
of them near the stations where crews we're
employed ouly alternately or disconnecs.
eddy, so tina, hslp and means Of escape
we're not slwsys at hand
The Hon, George 8. Bouteile, then
secretary of the treasury, se.uated and
assisted by Mr.. Kimbsil. then chief Of
the Revenue Marine Service, made q
detailed representation to the House Of
Of the wants of the rer-
vice and showed the importance Of imme-
date and liberal action in the matter, and
this appeal was actively chsmpioned by
Hon. s. 8. Cox Of New York, backed by
several Of the New England, New York
ard New jersey members.
The result! was an Appropriation Of s200. :
900 and an act authorizing the employment
of surf men, boats and all necessary appli-
aaces at such stations Is were deemed nee
essary. Remarkable results followed.
From that time on the new system, largely
the forethought, genius and constant devo-
ton of Mr.. Kimbsil, ably assisted by those
officials Of the Marine Service aud other
bureaus detailed for this especial work
and, (sfter 9 wedding out proeess) those
actively engaged in the coast work, has
develop ID into the almost perfect organize
ton it 10, commanding the pride, admira-
ton and grstefulness Of the nation and the
attention Of nearly all civilized countries
One of the frs; measures secured was
the enforcement Of the system from poll.
tics. Mr.. Kimball has hsd a bard fight In
this direction. and can relate many difficult,
peculiar, embarrassing and often amusing
stories of his experience during this effor,
of separation. IL was found that appoint
ments or other changes made for political
reasons we're often unfit, unwise and de-
tractive and detrimental in many ways.
Those who. after examination and trial,
were found especially adapted by physical
conditions. intelligence, activity and cour-
age. were the men for the place. reg srdle s.
of their politics or influence. This view Of
the matter WAS finally sanctioned by Con-
gressional enactment.
The organization was finally separated
from the Revenue Marine Bureau and made
one OF itself June 18th. 1873, chiefly
through the efforts of Hon. s. S: Cox
(since decessed) and President Hayes i'm
meiistely nominated, and the Senate a.
quickly confirmed Mr.. Kimbsll as general
Since that time. appropriations have been
fairly liberal, and, under them, wonderful
progress in the art of saving life and prop
erty from the waves has been made.
Improved boats and methods Of launch
ing and using them, the Lyle gun (Which
almost uneIriDgly sends line across the
deck af stranded vessall the breeches
bcuy "a life preserver attachment to the
cable which reaches from ship to shore)
which quickly brings to land the stranded,
improved hauling lines. the life car, sand
anchors and various other appliances spec
tally invented or improved, besides syste-
matte methods for resuscitating those ap-
psren,ly drowned, all stations connected by
telegraph or telephone (if possible) with
each ether and with towns and cite
cor slant inspections and drills OF the mer
for instant and effective duty, the mos
modern adaptation Of he station houses and
houses Of refuge to the wants required, ant
vigilan. method Of search and discovery
of imperiled or wrecked sea craft-these
and more, are Il results Of the system in
sueursted aud perfected. in great mart, IN
der the ever ws,chtul eye of Mr.. Kimball
Every year he makes it his duty to per
sonally inspect and supervise some portion
Of the coast work (surroundirg as it wers
this country minutely looking after detaiii
as well as generslities and thus maxim.
himself thoroughly acquainted with the
entire wants Of the service. He is also
ably assisted ia his office work by the pres
ent assistant superintendent, Horsce l.
Peper, Eco also lrcm Maine, and by vari
Gus Revenue Marine officers detailed fa,
important typographical, mechanical and
other duties along shore etc
A very important hftte thing Is e breast
pocket book distribute d 10 msrins "a, givins
the various stations, their istiiu le, lonsi
tDde, longitude ETC., how - proceed, " / 81
stranded, with lfs saving sppsrs.as, sig
nsllir etc and containing small poke
for miscellaneous articles or matter. II
case Of foreigners the book is printed i,
the Language they sp ak 20 far rs pract c
sb!e) so thst all can be a q1ain,ed with H.,
service.
Mr.. Kimballs efforts have been abb,
sustained by cur Maine congressma n
Hon. John Lynch formerly member from
the 1st District, was greatly ipstrnme ntsl II
securing good conditions for The work.
e Such, in brief. is summary of ia,
growth and perfection of his most impor
;aDt branch Of service.
Ia another letter | shall try and interes
your readers with descriptions OF the sur
bo4ts and Other appliances for saving lif,
and give some vivid desc iptions of III,
perils and ha,dships OF siipwreck aud otheI
disasters connected with this sefyi e, deed
Of bravery and heroism etc illustrating III
fact that war cannot claim all the beross,