The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-06
THE SEMI-WEEKLY MESSENGER, TUESDAY, APRIL G., 1897.
For PROTECTION OF MARINERS

southport-Cape Fear and Oak Island
Life Saving Station-- Lonely Life Of the
Light keepers-Tte apparatus and Drills
of the Life Saving Crews.
Southport, y. c., April ..
Editors Messenger:
If we look towards the south. from
any part Of this place, We will see at
a distance of about two miles a tall
white tower by day or a brilliant spark
Of white light which flashes every thirty
seconds. That is Bald Head light
house, situated on the northern extrim-
ity of Smiths island. and is a we'll
known beacon 10 ships that pass in the
night. Built in 1917 it still stands,
staunch and strong, while its friendly
flash tells the mariner on the Xxi
water how to shape his course and is
an evidence of the untiring zeal of its
faithful keeper.
The traveler on the wild pillows Of
the broad Atlantic will probably feel
some OF the sentiment of the author
who wrote There's a light in the win
dow for me- for here is an unfailing
beacon to guide all who approach the
dangers of old Cape Fear and thus
makes less p%erilous the calling of those
who go down to the sea in ships.
When we think of the lonely vigil Of
the keeper, who watches over the lamp
for 365 nights of the year, through heat
and cold, through calm or storm, with
the isolation of such a calling, it seems
wonderful how they can endure it.
To a still great degree the lot Of the
keepers on the light ship must be more
lonely and arduOuS. In their calling
they do not have the satisfaction of
seeing a blade of grass, a green tree
or even a bare sand bank or particle
of mother earth in any form but water.
Anchored twenty miles beyond the ex-
trinity of the cape, in a specially rough
and dangerous sea, out Of sight Of land,
they roll and toss with every surge
from morning till night and night till
morning again. Confined as they are
within the limits of their small vessel,
with no amusement but to eat, sleep
and keep their lamps burning, they
must have a most monotonous exist
ence. A prolonged term in the peni-
tentiary, at hard labor, would seem
pleasant by comparison.
Near the very end of the Cape is sit
uated the Cape Fear Life Saving sta
ton. 1t is an institution we'll worth
a visit and is probably something that
IlOl Ild1y SduSl VI II N1CSSCISCI
lave seen.
A few days ago the writer spent a
short time there and was shown over
the station and all the appliances by
the genial Captain Watts and his crew
of hardy serfmen. They have a COM
Portable house which is the home of the
crew while on duty and all the best and
latest appliances for helping or res
cuing the shipwrecked. Their life
hoo G y ro011ntn6 on wa oonS raa6Nr
at a moments notice to be launched
into the water. Other carts, with broad
tired wheels, stand ready loaded will
torches, life belts, etc, and a small
cannon which will shoot a ball,
carrying a line, far out from the
shore and over the stranded YES
sci. In this way communication may
be quickly established between the
shore and a wreck and the sufferers
landed safely, by means of the brooches
buoy or the life car.
Once a week they have a drill and
practice on the shore with the appara-
tus. There is a tall post with cross
arms, to represent the mast and spars
of a vessel on the shoals. The appara-
tus is brought out and the crew go
f through the practice drill, throwing the
line over the supposed vessel and exc
cutting every maneuvre Of SaVing the
:, live Of shipwrecked persons.
At night they patrol the beach for
miles on each side of the cape. They
walk regular beats, watching for any
indication that nay require their ser
vices. 1t is a complete n beneficent
branch of the government and does a
: wonderful amount of good.
On Oak island, across the mouth of
/ the river, is a similar station and crew,
under Captain Dunbar Davis. Both
t these stations have ar honorable record
: of efficient and faithful work.
The fact that the Oak island station
L is situated very near to the new bat
| terry now being built there. suggests
/ the verificatiOn of the old adage, "eX-
t tremes often meet" for next to the life
l saving station is the life-destroying
l station.
Then there is another old saying, "In
time Of peace prepare for war; and
perhaps such preparations are condu
| Give to peace, who knows? 1t may be
= that nations are Influenced by the same
= general feelings common to humani-
ty. The idea is we'll expressed by the
= old darkey who said when I'm
a'gwine erlong a strange road, of a
2 dark night, I feels a sight more self
= possessed when I got a good hickory
stick in my hans" We are all likely tC
I feel that way.
The weather lately has been quite
4 cold and stormy. Numerous vessels
find this harbor a safe place in which
to anchor during such times. Indeed
the harbor is one of the best on the
South Atlantic seashore.
THOMAS G. HARRIS.