The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-22


more favored in this respect than those
situated elsewhere. for the reason that in
the spring Of each year several of these
trim vessels are ordered to Yenors for .Inal
instructions from the secretary Of the
treasury previous To turning their prov
norshEard 10 render assistance 20 the naer-
CHANT marine and the whaling feet, and
prevent violations Of the revenue Laws and
sne lava against seal poaehlne. The
"Ii1ef spent number of years as an
oncer IN the revenue marine service. and
mas volumes Of words to speak in its
praise Is one OF the most important ser
vices under our government.
his service was instituted in l7a
here are DOW in ommission thir:y-seven
revenue vessels They are all propelled
ny steam excepting the bark Chase and
the saoop sperry. Those stationed on the
northern sea coast and the Great Lakes are
especially charged with aiding vessels in
dsstresa BY an nc. OF congress of De-
cemeeF -, 1887. the presiden. is author
ized 10 cause any suitable numbe. Of reye-
nue vessels 10 cruise along the northern
coast OF the Atlantic for the relief of mer-
chant vessels in distress. The reason this
order has never been extended TO this
Norihwes. coast is tina: the people. and es-
pectaiiy the seafaring class. have never
asked the general government for the same
protection thar - furnished to the seamen
navigation along the other coasts. In the
latter part of November OF each year the
commander OF each revenue vessel so
designated receives instructions from the
secretary Of the treasury To make prenara-
tons To cruise along the coast for the re-
lief OF vessels found in distress. When all
on board are ready he receives orders 10
cruise over his district from December to
March 81 These vessels cruise generally
near the land to lessen the chance Of pass
ing unseen vessel ashore needing assist
ance. Eight officers and thirty-hye sea-
men and iremen form the complement of
each steamer. These revenue steamers
arc prepared specially for the arduous duty
OF winter cruising. 4 liieboat is taken on
board with air-tighs compartments for use
III landing in the surf or to board
merchant vessels i'm storm. Besides TAX
ing on board extra stores. some vessels are
furnished with ice breakers fitted across
the cut-@ater TO protect the bow. In ad-
dition TO rspdaGing such assistance needed
to mcrchan. vessels in distress. revenue
vessels are called upon TO suppress mu-
TIMES. prevent smuggling. enforce the
neutrality laws and quarantine regula-
tions. protect merchant vessels from the
attack Of pirates aud assist IN the coilec-
ton OF the revenues.
Among valuable services rendered by
revenue vessels, the writer by referring To
heroic deeds OF the officers Of this
SrEs Nh
his memory. On January II. 1881,
the steamship City of Columbus,
OF the Savannah line, left Boston for
Savannah with eighty-two passengers and
a crew Of forty persons, in command
of Capt 5. +. Wright The first nigh, out
vas stormy. sill no danger was antici-
pated. The steamer reached Gay head at
about 8 clock in the midwatch. The cap
tain wen, below. leaving the second mate
in charge. The absence Of the master
from the deck was intended to be of short
duration, but before he could return to it
the steamer struck what IS known as the
Devils bridge. q double ledge Of sub
merged rocks abreast OF Gay head. There
being a heavy sea at the time, the life OF
every one on board was in immediate dan
ser. Many of the passengers went
on deck, only 10 be swept away
by the great seas which went
over the ship. The revenue steamer Dex-
ter. in command of Capt Eric Gahrielsen,
hove in sight at daylight. and immed.-
atcly s.eercd for the wreck. A number of
men were discovered in the rigging of the
wrecked steamer. Immediately the Dex-
ter steamed TO windward Of the wreck.
ana the lifeboat was lowered with Lieut..
Rhode in command and picked crew.
They pulled under the lee of the rigging,
to which some ofthe survivors were cling
ing. The lieutenant ordered them 10
jump. Thirteen men trusted their lives
10 him, and they were all picked up. Two
men remained dangling to the
rigging. apparently unconscious.
The daring lieutenant determ-
iaed upon saving those Two men. bat not
being able TO approach the steamer with
his boat. owing II tho heavy sea- he tas-
tened \ line to his vast and boldly
Jumped into the freezing waters \ piece
OF wreckace struck hinf. and the men in
the boat, fearful that he might lose .his life,
dragged hnl back into the boat, but he
again wen; overheard, reached the wreck
got the men from the rigging and brought
them 10 ;ne Dexter. though they died
after being put on board, from the expo
sure Of the night. Another officer of the
Dexter and aboats crew rendered valuable
services. The officers and crew re-
eetyed recognition hy the legislature
OF Conncctlcui. Lieut.. Rhodes native
state. The Humane Society OF Massachn-
sctts gave him its gold medal and the
president of the United states ordered
him ~ lie advanced taenty-uae numbers
III hts grade. Can't. 0ahrielsen also re.
ceived medal from the Humane Society
ans certificates were awarded tn the other
officers. Zach OF the crew received u
money award. Congress recognized The
Rescue in joint resolutions. and the secre-
'ary Of the treasury issued con sra,uIatory
resolutions. " hica were read NJ muster on
board ali revenue vessels
The wreck of The passenger steamer
Nets, OF Watch HI. Long Island sound.
an August "a, -. gave the officers aud
crew o. the revenue steamer Moccas n an
opportunity IL DISPLAY their courage. Tie
revenue steamer VAS NJ Stonington, few
miles away from tue scene nj
1ae wreck when the ne&s Was
rece yed. Though northeast gale
WAS blowing ~ the time. the little
steamer stood oQt toward the wreck.
ard notwithstanding heavy sea daa se.-
Gus ~ small boats. every one Of she Moo
casln'> boats were lowered Txentv-sfy
persons were saved isoaa a wa;ery grave.
and fourteen bs2dtes recovered! In Janu-
arv. isS,t The iuak cat on the revenue
steamer uA,4aS. cruising along tic coast
of Maine. discovered! the ;opmas, ot 4
vessel neav Green island On approaching
sAey goaal IL - belong In sunSen