The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-12-03
UNCLE SANS DOCUMENTS.
Tales OF Heroism and Daring Buried in 8
Government Report.


Public documents, as general thing,
are rather neglected form of litera-
ture and seldom read by any except the
seeker after information. The public
at large has an idea that the reports
of the various government bureaus arc
a mass of facts, cold and dry. This is
true to certain extent; yet some very
interesting reading is turned out Of
Uncle Sans print shop, says WASH
ington letter. Mr.. Maxwell, the fourth
assistant postmaster general, in his an
nual report this year almost touches
upon the novelesque. His accounts OF
the pursuit and capture of train robbers
and other depredators upon the United
States mails would do credit to a writer
for one of the New York weekly sensa-
tional sheets. One of the most impor-
tant and probably most neglected publ
cations of the government, however,
is the annual report Of the operations OF
the United States life-saving service.
The report of 1895 has recently been
issued, and tells of deeds of daring
that in any other sort of publication
would be classed as good fiction. 1t
is probab le that this interesting docu-
ment will be read by but few people
outside of those Immediately connect
ed with the life-saving service and
those to whom assistance was rendered..
During the year 1895 PSI life-saving sta
lions were maintained, the greater num-
Der located along the Atlantic coast
line There are number of stations
on the great lakes, and one on a river
that at the falls of the Ohio near Louis
vile.
There were CTS disasters reported
during the year 1895, involving property
valued at over $1O,OO0,OO0. Nearly nine
tenths of this was saved by the life
saving service, with the assistance OF
salvage companies and wrecking tugs.
There were 5,e23 lives threatened by
these disasters, and but 26 were lost.
Out Of the CTS vessels that were in
jeopardy but 70 were totally destroyed.
The New Jersey coast proved to be most
dangerous, as it has in the past. This
coast is guarded by 40 stations, and
while 1000 persons were on board YES
sells. but one life was lost, and out of
the $2,Oo0,Oo0 worth of property in
peril, considerably less than 100000
worth was lost. This does not take into
account the vessels and lives saved by
the warning signals of the patrolmen.
It is estimated that several hundred
vessels were warned from perilous po-
sitions by lights and other signals.
The report states that the average
annual loss of life by disasters at sea
from 1877 to 1895, inclusive. has been
one out of every 1O7 persons on board
the vessels in danger, and the average
loss of property 22 per cent. OF the
amount involved.
. The life7saving service has been in
operation for about rs years, and dur
ing this period tho number of disasters
on the coast of the United States has
been 1902, involving property val
ued at $133,G41 ,974. The estimated
value of the property lost was $31 $780,
OPT. There were 67,32o lives in jeopardy
and but $50 were lost. This service cost
the United States during the year 1895
2s5,577-an infinitesmal amount when
the service rendered is taken into con-
sideration.-St. Louis Republic.