The sun., 1894-02-14
1BRoUeH WIND AND NAN.
Trials ~ Lic. saver. In Ps,rOirss The tess,
IN y Hitrzprd.

II
IN HU1z1rd.
II was blowing great guns on the Roekaway
| coast when the midnight patrol from Uncle
Sans life saving crew at Arverne stumbled
! into tho station during the storm Monday
night and the relief was sent out The hurri-
cane was driving seward Singing hail fol-
lowed the snow sauall. and the air was rivsn
BY the tiny pellets that sung in the blast and
pricked like needles the exposed faces OF the
beach patrol. for no one else was abroad such
night. Mingled with the hail was sand swept
by the hurricane from the sver-chanRing
dunes. The red painted station. with its
nickering window lights looking seawsrd.
rocked in the gale and vibrsted to the thunder
Of the pounding surf that came far inshore.
Uncle sans life savers are built to Withstand
Just such storms. With few exceptions they
are all torn Americans. six feet or more in
their stockings. and as rugged as the coast
over which they maintain watch The tea
kettle was singing on red-hot cook stove in
the station and about half a peck OF potatoes
were roasting in the oven. In corner a tor
toise-shell cat was curled up asleep, while the
wide awake clock. bearing the letters ' L. $. l.
S. &" United states life saving stationl In a
semi.cirele at the bottom Of its white face.
showed the hour OF L.. The storm was then
at its height. The station house creaked
and gtoaned. Almost hidden under oil
skins two patrolmen staggered into the
station worn out with their two hours battle
with the storm. Their rubber boots came ip
10 their hips. Around their waists were
strapped the usual signal lights. rhe Rlim-
msring lanterns gave forth a red glare.
Never saw such an of shore storm God
pity the poor wretches who come ashore in
this gale Davy, Joness locker is wide open
The relief had already turned out and helped
their comrades take OF their wet and frozen
clothing. The worn out men at once sought
their borths and were soon lulled TO sleep by
the bowling blast against WHICH they had been
battling but few minutes before.
Immediately the relief made preparations
for going out An ocloth covering was
were taken out OF the oven aud nlled on the
table with big ;hunE Of snmi,s butter and
man man made hi. cocoa to suit his taste.
soon all hands were up to their elbows in
TOss S6 Sf and Thsp the
bring in crock and set ckwheat cakes for
and puiiipc clouds OF smoke from pipe that
had seen much service one ot them moved the
dexteTity, OF a. thrifty housewife. lie
finished his work, and placing the crock
com eo@paniSn. TOge;her they left the station.
few yards from the house rolled the threat;
the coast clear. but the weather was so thick
that objects were scarcely dtstipguishsble a
Of spray gathered up 10y the wind were frozen
into so much hail before reaching the water |
again.
The patrolmen separated. Their boats lay |
In opposite directions. The gale was from the |
northeast. and blew on the back NJ one patrol-
man and in tho face OF the other For milo |
the patrolmRn whose beat ran eastward strug-
ged against the blast. while his more fortu-
nate com panion with diilcuity retained his feet
as the gale swept him along from behind Ikea |
vessel scudding under baro poles. But on the |
return tram the conditions were reversed. The |
wind and storm were not the only danger |
against which these coast policemen had to |
contend The sea had beaten SO far inward |
that new paths had to tie sought. All old |
time landmarks were hid beneath the waters |
or swept from sight. wide detours were often |
necessary to avoid some dangerous washout. |
sweeping In with terrific power, and with the |
speed OF u locomotive would hiss over tho |
sand and make the struggling patrolman race |
for his lie.
. Weird noises were evoked by the storm.
Every unusua! noise catches the practiced ears
OF the watchers. who would strain their eyes
seward for IL few moments. and then resume |
their march. Each watchman carries an ap- |
paratus Tor burning red light. which Is fred |
and will burn in any gale, |
Should q watchman chance to see n vessel in a |
dangerous situation. the red light is set fam.
ing sending its.message. which Is known TO all |
rsamen. far seawarj. To them IT reads: Dan
ger; keep out to sea-" Two hours OF such toll |
and the patrolmsn are hack at the station |
again. They roll into their hunks, and another |
relief Is sent out