The morning times., 1895-07-28
Not Large, But Loud,
Is "Joe Blackburn"
Like Her Distinguished Namesake the Police Boat
Keeps the Move Nearly All the Time.
Commodore Sutton's Log Book.

that they are unable to do anything fol
two or three days"
1t is q gruesome task, that OF recover
ing the bodies of the drow wned. When thus
employed the Blackburn often encounters
heavy tide water, or the Potomac ma ybe on
high" the ice may have to be broken
up to and through large area that encir-
cles treacherous air-hole where venture
some skater wentdown to death. Perhaps
there is but little Information as to the
locality where the body is likely to be
lodged. These difficulties must all be over
come, and are; and instances are rare when
the crew has been unable to make the quest
successful
The log says: Aug. 6, 1888, rescued
Bud Clemens, who was trying to swim the
river; Pilot Dean grabbed him by the hair
as he was going down the last time.
Thus was one life saved; and hundreds OF
instances of similar success are recorded
For instance:
THIRTY-FOUR LIVES SAVED.
August s, 1894 Most severe storm
ever in. Capsized boats numerous. Rescued
small boat with thirty-two passengers
as it was sinking; ladies and children
aboard Two young men also rescued from
another boat National regatta. Biggest
day WORK we ever did
August 13 Boat blown ashore. Party
rescued" ="
Another entry records the fate of lad,
who, when bathing, was drowned while
suffering from a paroXysm OF whooping
cough; another is of a man, who in violation
oflaw was sinswimmng. Although bOasting
of his ability to- escape the Blackburn
crew captured him, and two weeks later
on a Sunday, the boat was dragging for
his body. He was drowned that day and his
act of bathing was again in violation of
lav hA rINnr 1fr ha xHTnN
pretty nearly abolished nude bathing
within her territory
Half-grown boys who venture into the
tTeacherous water, with its hidden dangers
from thousands OF sources have been
saved times withOut number, from watery
graves by the vigilance OF the patrol boat
and yet, alas! the instances or youthful
daring are too numerous for even its watch
fulness to prevent occasional disasters;
and the tale is told, upon each recurrence,
by the daily chroniclers of currentnews and
In the log book of the police boat.
Suicides there are, too, whose persist
enCe renders prevention impossible, and
the rescue Of the frail clay tenement is all
that is left for the boat to do.
SMALL BUT ACTIVE.
The blackburn is a necessity, and while
the full list of her numerous duties cannot
be given in the brief space To which her
story must be condensed, IL may be said
that she serves in quarantine against
threatened infection; prevents an invasion
| OF District soil by the prize fighting fra
ternty; assists the fire department in case
| OF couflagratiou on the river front; pre-
vents an infraction of the harbor reglI'
lations, in the interest OF vested rights
| dsperSes moDs aud aids the Land forces
| in preserving the peace and dignity Of
| the District, and in various ways serves
| her constituency, with fidelity and skill
aud ability. A look at the dimiputive
craft, no wever. would not enable I'll c observer
TO estimate the important duties she is
| called upon TO discharge, so innocent In
appearance-so small and unpretentous
| is she.
This story, by the way, may possibly
| be the forerunner of farewell The
| District Commissioners made strenuous
| effort to induce the last Congress 10 appro
| pr ate money with which to purchase
| larger yessel-one that would be more
| suitable for the work required. The next
assemblaGe OF national money dispenser
| may be made 10 realize the crying ueces
| SHY for greater facilities for the work
| Ia that case Joe Blackburn will 20 tC
| other fields not "uulettered and unsunG
| not to fame unknown, but with the plaudit;
| of well done good servant" go hence
| to win other laurels; and be good tt
| yourself, old GIRL" as a parting salute