St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-07-30

Next to the United States life-savihR
service. the private wrecking companies
Of the large coast cities are the most
important agencies for saving life and
valuable cargoes from watery graves.
Generally they are not called into
service until the life-saving stations
have performed their work: but COCA
sionally when . ship is heached or
grounded on . shoal. rs in the case Of
the Windermere 1t Deal Reach. the
wrcckinR cOmpeny'sapparatus is needed
before the passengers are carried OF by
the life-savcrs.
The wreckine companies are private
institutions, and they are paid = rea-
sonablc sum for their services. and all
expenses This payment of salvage can
be forced In the courts IL the owners Of
the rescued shin refuse to acknowledge
the claim The government employs
the private wreckine companies fire.
quently. making special contracts with
them. and in times Of war they arr al
most indispensable in clearing hsrbors
and raising sunken gunboats and men,
Of-war.
The wrccking materials consist Of
large lighters. tugs. diving bells and
dresses. and other articles for special
purposes. Most Of the material can Re
shipped overland to any part Of the
coast. and frequently New York city
wrecking companies are called to the
Maine ar Canadian coast Ia rescue some
large ocean steamer from her peril.
II the ship has run upon the beach ~
shoal. preparations are immediately
made to haul her of. The cargo j.
placed upon lighters II the ship is toe
heavy "a move. and then enormous an
chors. made for the purpose. arr dropped
several hundred fathoms away in ,iccI
water. Cables from these anchors con
ucct with an enormous hawser. which
is fastened securely 1T the other end r.
some hit" or strong place ON the strand.
I'd ships deck. A steam-winch supple.
the motive power. and. rs the block.
begin To crcak and the cables To strain
the ship is gradually lifted from
ita bed. Advantage is often tabcr
Of the wind. tide and waves
and IS every heavy swell raises tht
head or stern Of the vessel. the hawse,
gives an extra jerk. moving the wrccl
several yaris seaward. Tugs arc very
seldom used for pulling the stranded
ship OF the shcal. for much greater
power is obtained by means Of the
anchors
II the steamer strikes . rcck or rum
into another vessel. abe invariably sink
at once. and the wrecking company i.
simply required Ia save the cargo q,
raise the hulk. The divers first e
down 10 the sunken vessel. snd explore
the cabins and the hole where tn.
rrk struck her. In doing this great
deal Of trouble is experienced wher
the vessel kcels over on her side os
sinks with the stern or bow standing
upright
When the dead bodies are removed
the cargo IL gradually hauled up by
means Of dcrricks from the sides OF
lighters The divers. from their posi-
ticn under the water. ill the srsop.
Win various things. and the work OF
saving the cargo gces on rapidly. The
divers. however. make q report after
their first exploration. and the owncrx
or insurance men instruct them whether
TO save the cargo or vessel fir<t. Some
times the cargo is pitched out on the
bottom If the SEA. and large chains are
passed under the sunken ship Pcn-
locns ARE noated on either side Of the
vessel. and gradually the wrcrk I'll
raised TO the surface. The holes Ia her
side are then roughly covered over. and
The pumps arc set to work to relieve her
cabins Of water. When the water Is
III out the ship floats Of her own ae-
,crd. and she can be quickly tcwe2 into
scme port; but IL q storm comes mp I
she may - abandoned by
he wrecking company. and the wind
md waves will once more force her to |
he bottom Many instances Of such |
! fate are on record. and OF the coast cf 1
Virginia the Aa.dcsa. les now with |
many thousand dollars worth Of wreck-
ng material on her.-Harper's Weekly.