Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1892-12-10
The IIfe.SaYing Service.

The annual report of General Sup
Kimball. of the life-sav-
ing service, makes the following show
ing: Thu esta blisbment embraced at
the close OF the last hscM year sA2
stations, 1871 being on the Atlantic.
AS on the lakes, 10 on the Pacific and
one of the Falls of Ohio, louisville,
Ky. The number OF disasters to
documented vessels within the field
of operations of the service during
the year was 937. There were on
hoard these vessels $3.50 persons, of
whom 1850 were saved and 20 lost.
The number OF shipwrecked persons
who received succor at the stations
was TAT. to whom 1.S47 DAYS relief in
the aggregate was afforded
Tho estimated value OF the vessels
involved in the disasters was $a,584.-
100 and that of their cargoes SO, 700.-
365, making total value Of property
imperiled sS,oS4, 5e5. Ofthis amount.
81, III, 005 was saved and $1,173,520
lost. The number Of vessels totally
lost was sixty.
In addition to the foregoing there
wero during the year ITO casualties
to small craft, such as sailboats
rowboats. &c; on which there were
1853 persons, RAG Of whom were saved
and lost. The property involved in
these instances is estimated at SGT.
$40. of which 500, 470 was saved and
S4.3 $40 lost. The results of. all the
disasters within the scope Of the ser
vice aggregate, therefore,as follows.
Total number of disasters. 507 Total
value OF property involved, SIS, 1852, 1886
Total value Of property saved,
S7,1T4,475. Total value of property
lost, S1,177.S6G, Total number of
persons imperiled, 1925 Total
of persons lost, 81. Total number of
shipwrecked persons succored at
stations, TAT. Total number of days
suecor afforded. 1,S47, Number of
vessels totally lost, Go,
In addition to the number of
persons saved from vessels there were
36 others rescued who had fall
len from wharves, piers, ctc;and who
would have persisted without the aid
of the life saving crews. The crews
saved, without outside assistance
I67 vessels. valued with their cargoes
ut $736.I45, and assisted other efforts
in saving 101 vessels, valued with
their carSoes at 2,942. 240, making
the aggregate number OF vessels
saved during the year 269, involving
S361S,G S5. Assistance Of minor i'm.
portance, was rendered to 213 other
vessels in distress, and 265 vessels
were warned from danger by the
signals of the patrol1nen. The cost OF
maintenance of the service during
the year was s1.G09, 1876.
The investigations held in each
case of loss Of life show that in no
instance Was there any failure in
duty on the part of the lifs.saving
crews, and that the persons who
persisted were entirely beyond the
reach OF human aid.
Since the last report stations have
established and putin operation at
Burnt Island, near tine mouth of the
! St. Georges river, Maine; Quono-
contaue, Rhode Island; Fenwick's
Island. Delaware, and Ilwaco Beach,
Washington. and station is in pro-
cess Of construction at B-ant.-Rock.
Mass. a station is. also ein course oil
construction on the grounds OF the
Worlds Columbian Exposition to
take the place of the old Chicago
station. This station will also be
utilized for expositionpurposes during
the World S Fair.
Extensive repairs and improve
ments have been made to fifteen sta
tions on the coasts of Maryland and
Virginia. also to the Crumple Island
station, Maine; the Lewes station,
Delaware. and the Golden Gate Park
station, California, and similar work
the coast of Massachusetts,. The tele-
phone line authorized to be estab-
lished between Cape Charles and
Assateague Island. w., by act OF
Coz gress approved May IS, 1892, is
under construction and approaching
COR pie ion.,
Tie general superintendent express
ses his qualification upon the passage
at the last session of Congress Of the
act increasing the compensation OF
the keepers and surfmen during en-
j ployment at the stations. He states
that its good effects are already ap
parent in the fact that in all in
stances men OF the very best qualifi.
cations Tor the Work OF the service
are now obtaina BILE. and the officers
in charge find themselves able to dis
pense with some inferior men whom
the rate of compensation formerly
prevailing compelled them to take
Moreover the men accept with
greater cheerfulness the hardships
and privations of@their c&lling, and
an improved esprit decorps through.
out the service Is obvious.