The record-union., 1898-11-13
WHEN SHIPWRECKED.
LIFE BELTS ARE PREFERABLE
TO BOATS.
The Passengers Chance Of Escape
Largely in His Own
Hands.

The wreck Of the Mohegan has re-
yived in the public mind several ques-
tions about the possibility of reducing
the loss OF life that occasionally attends
a marine disaster. OF course, there are
number of factors in q problem like
this. If ship comes into collision
With another or goes on a reef in the
night and when q heavy sea is running,
the chances Of her passengers and crew
getting ashore alive are not so good as
IL the sea Is smooth and the accident
occurs in broad daylight.
Another element in the situation is
the ability or inability Of a shipwrecxed
person to swim. One who has from
boyhood or girlhood been accustomed
TO sea bathing and to swimming knows
how simple a matter it is to keep alioat
II person will only not try to raise
the body above the surface of the water
nor make violent exertions. BY lying
on the back, merely keeping the mouth
and nose out of the sea, one can re-
main alive for hours, or even days,
without life belt, provided that there
are no waves to overwheln him. One
who has learned to swim has a degree
immersed on short notice that no one
else can exer experience.
If a person is not a swimmer but ex-
efcises only a little common-sense and
GOODNESS, his chances OF surviving are
excellent. The Captain of an Allan
tic liner, who has received three medals
for saving life said to a Tribune
man last week that, as a rule, per-
son who has donned a life belt anu in
trusts himself to the water stands q
better chance of escape than those who
rush TO the boats. A boat may cap
size from being overloaded or striking
the ships side before she gets clear,
especially if in the necessities Of the
situation, it is not fully manned. But
when one has life belt on ne can
float, with his head and shoulders above
the sea, for hours, and stands the best
possible chance of being seen and res
cued Probably there is no one fact
better worth remembering when one is
about to cross the ocean than this: If
one knows where to find his life belt,
has learned in advance just how to put
it on in emergency, and then uses it
when the peril of the hour demands,
ne may entertain little fear as to the
result. He can afford to keep away
from the boats and crowd, and pursue
an independent policy.
sons lose their lives in a shipwreck is
that they get ratified" Confusion is
sure to prevail if people do not know
what to do. Those are the ones most
likely to suffer. 1t is the person who
has exercised some forethoughr, who
does understand how to proceed, and
therefore remains cool, who takes the
wisest means TO save himself
One of the most interesting questions
that is suggested by disaster like that
which overlook the Mohegan is, How
long can person survive who finds
himself overheard. is not a swimmer,
but wears life perserver? Well, those
who should be experts in matters of
this kind say that much depends upon
the weather and the vigor and sturdi
ness Of the person. A delicate woman
would not have the endurance of a har-
dened sailor or athlete The chief evils
to be anticipated are the chill from sub
mersion, cramps of the stomach and
deprivation of food and drink. If the
sea does not beat up into ones face
and choke him, he might keep alive for
day or two. Had not the shore where
the Mohegan was wrecked been rocky,
many of her passengers who had put
on life belts would probably have sur
V1V6O IL was the VIOLENCE WIFI WHICH
they were cast on shore that killed
them, rather than exhaustion.
The criticism has been passed upon
the officers of the Mohegan that the
ships boats were not in a condition to
be readily launched. This charge, often
repeated in other cases, is regarded
unjust by those who are best qualified
to judge. In heavy weather it is no
uncommon thing for a steamships
boats to be carried away by big wave.
Hence II would be folly to cross the
ocean without securing the boats thor
oughly against any chance Of this kind.
The accusation that the boats are not
lifted out of their chocks for months at
a time, or in other respects are unfit
for service, is almost invariably un-
true The Atlantic liners all have
thorough inspection of boats, and
usually have the boats lowered into the
water and rowed about for mile or
so for practice and test once a month
It is impossible for ship to clear at
Liverpool for the United States unless
she has taken precautions Of this kind.
New York Tribune.
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