The San Francisco call., 1897-12-22
Old Wooden Hulks Not
Suitable for the Reve-
nue. Cutter Service.
For a Cruise Of Any Length
They Must Be Loaded Be-
yOnd the Danger Limit.
Chief Shoemaker Recommends the
Construction OF Five Cruisers to
Take the Place OF Old Ships.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office, Riggs House.


Washington, Dec. 21.
Captain G. F. Shoemaker, chief Of
the revenue cutter service, in his an
nual report says that of the thirty
seven vessels in the service two years
ago there were nineteen old wooden
hulls, fourteen of iron, three of stee,
and one of iron-wooden sheathed.
Continuing he says: 1T is asserted
that no class of seamen have been
compelled to go to sea since the gen
eral introduction of steam motive
power for marine purposes in such a
type of water craft as for the most
part comprises the list given. AS con-
ditions now obtain (and must continue
until the old vessels are replaced with
better), when one Of them is ordered
upon a cruise of six weeks or two
months duration it becomes necessary
to load it far beyond the danger limit,
so that when it puts to sea the decks
are fairly awash.
This has been the case for years,
and with the old type of vessels COM
prlsed in the list given is the case to-
day, and yet, handicapped as it has
always been in the manner shown, the
service has never in it's history failed
to promptly respond and to efficiently
meet every call that has been made
upon 1t; but with what difficulties it
mas had to contend or what dangers
1t has encountered in the discharge
or Its onerouS work none but those in
tlmately associated with it can pos
Sibly know. No one of competent
Judgment will be found who will say
that the vessels at any time within
twenty years have been fit to perform
the duty done in them
The measure of success obtained
has been wholly due to the indefatiga-
bic labors of the personnel which fills
the commissioned ranks of the service
and the faithful trained and discip-
lined crews. Within the last three
years Congress has authorized the
building of seven new vessels, four OF
which have already been completed
and are in all particulars swift modern
vessels and in every way suited to the
service"
ton OF five cruisers TO take the place
of some of the old wooden vessels now
almost past repairing.
The report includes comprehensive
statistics showing the extent of the
patrol maintained by the revenue
service on the sea and lakes, and de-
tails the number of instances in which
rescue TelleI mas Deen EXTENDED to YES
sells of the merchant marine in dis
treSS.
A statement is also presented show
ing the character of the service rem
dered by the revenue cutters in the
enforcement of the neutrality laws,
made necessary by the insurrection in
Cuba.
The Arctic relief expedition is re-
ferred to. and Captain Shoemaker
says: mo greater undertaking, one
fraught with more hardships and peril
to the participants, marks the career
Of any national service, and, come
success or failure, it must rebound to
the high praise of it's personnel and
the honor and glory of the nation,
while the steady readiness of the reve-
nue. cutter service to meet every de-
mand made upon it has already been
emphasized in the speedy preparation
and departure of these expeditions"