Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-08-23
VICTIMS OF THE SEA.
THE LIFE.SAVING SERVICE OF
THE UNITED STATES.
Some of the Provisions Made by
Uncle Sam TO Save Life and Prop
erty Threatened by the Dangers
of the Deep.

| W the DcePs
| Special Correspondence of the STANDARD.
At this season of the year, when so
many people go to the sea-coast and
lake shore to escape the summer heat
that is so general in the interior coun-
try, attention is called to the provision
made by the United States govern
ment for the preservation of life and
property of those who do business on
the great waters. The picturesque
houses which are scattered along the
coast, and which are the homes of
life-saving crews, are visited by thous-
ands of people each year, and great
deal of curiosity as we'll as OF interest
is evinced in the methods of work OF
these brave men, as we'll as in their
modes of life.
1t may not occur to the average
person who, perhaps, is accustomed to
visit only one or two places on the ex-
tended coast-line OF this country, how
extensive the life-saving service is,
and how large an amount of money is
expended each year by the general
government in maintaining it.
While the total expenditure amounts
to nearly one million dollars annual
ly, still there is no one who is at all
familiar with the perils of ocean travel
that believes the public money is be-
ing expended in too lavish manner
in tins particular at least.
The steady growth of the service is
an evidence that the representatives of
the people in Congress assembled ap-
preciate the Importance and value OF
the work accomplished by the hardy
men who man our life-stations. 1t
may, perhaps, be concluded that the
provisions made for this service is
hardly adequate, especially when it is
considered that the sea and lake
coasts of the United States, exclusive
of the coast of Alaska, have an extent
of more than 10000 miles.
To give succor to the vessels which
may be tossed upon the rocks or
stranded upon the shores of this ex-
tensive coast.line, there are only 226
life-saving stations, l65 OF which are
on the shores OF the Atlantic, 8 on the
shores OF the Gulf of Mexico, on the
shores of the Pacific, and 45 on the
shores of the Great Lakes. There is,
besides, station at the falls OF the
Ohio river at Louisville, Ky. The
points selected for the location of a
station are those which are regarded
as the most dangerous, and where the
vessels, especially those engaged in the
coasting trade, are exposed to storms.
In addition, houses of refuge are
erected at different points for the tenn
porary shelter OF those likely to need
them. Such places are in charge of a
keeper who is provided with q small
boat. The regular life saving stations
are under the direction of q keeper
who receives a salary Of 500 per year.
Six men as a rule compose the regular
crew OF these stations, and during the
most rigorous portion of the season an
additional man is employed.
They receive compensation OF $50
per month during the active season,
which on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
extends from the first day of Septem-
Der in each year until the first day of
the succeeding May and those on the
lake coasts from the opening to the
close of navigation. Some of the
stations on the Pacific coast are kept
open the year round. Beyond the
wages mentioned, the surfmen, as the
men at the stations are known, re-
ceived no allowance except the quar-
ters and fuel provided at the station.
In case OF disability which continues
for not more than year the keeper
or surfman is entitled to receive full
pay, and in case of death by reason OF
injury or disease incurred in the line
of his duty, his widow or children un-
der sixteen years of age may receive
for two years the pay that the de-
ceased would have if alive.
During the season a day watch is
maintained as well as a night patrol,
and on stated days the men are re-
quired to 60 through boat and appa-
ratus drill in order keep them familiar
with their duties.
Each station is provided with life
boat, which is known as the surf boat,
of which there are several varieties in
use. They are so light as to be readi-
ly transported along the shore; they
can pe launcned IN very shallow water,
and in experienced hands can be
handled in the breakers with marvel
GUS case and celerity. In cases where
the surf boat cannot be used line is
shot out to the distressed vessel from
a gun which has been especially pro-
vided for this purpose, and ON this
line a vehicle is sent from the shore to
transport the people from the wreck.
Each station is provided with the
facilities for caring for those who have
been rescued, and store OF medicine
as we'll as OF clothes is kept on hand.