Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-12-14
THREE NAUTICAL POSTMEN.
from a Rowboat TO Vessels
in Motion.

Detroit, which is one Of the creates
shipping ports in the world, is the pos
SCISSOR of a unique mail service. Ii i
nothing more or less than the delivery
and collection of mail matter from
ships going at fun speed. This exten
sion of the free delivery system is thu
work of Postmaster Dickerson of De
troit.
Thousands of vessels enter and clear
at Detroit, and other thousands pass
without stopping. There is mail for al
of these, and many times it is of the
first Importance that this mail be re
ceived as soon as possible. City, town
and country received their mail
promptly on time, and Mr.. Dickerson
determined that the shipping interests
should be equally well served.
From this sprang the system, which
has worked so we'll in practice, though
il was pronounced visionary by all who
knew of it before it was put in opera
ton. The plan adopted was to make
use of yacht which towed the row.
boat directly in front of passing ves-
sci and left it there. Then came fine
exhibition of workmanship. just be-
fore the steamer crashed down on the
rowboat and its occupant a dexterous
twist Of the oars placed the little boat
under the flank of one of the bows of
the steamer.
The bone" In the teeth OF the steam
er then gave the rowboat a sharp thrust
to one side, and as soon as the little
craft had ridden the foaming wave the
carrier rose in his seat TO send a light
line to the deck of the vessel, and then
resumed his seat. The line was made
fast, and soon the kissing coil of so
feet was paid out from the rowboat,
and with a leap like that Of a monster
fish attached TO the line the rowboat
sprang forward, while the carrier in it
hung on with a fierce grip to prevent
himself from being hurled overheard.
As soon as the rowboat reached the
momentum of the passing vessel a pail
was lowered from above with mail 20
go ashore and In il was placed the mail
for the ship, after which the line was
cast of and the rowboat was picked
up by the yacht TO which 1t was at
tached. This feat of delivering mail
was always difficult in smooth water,
but on stormy days and when the river
was plowed up by strong southwesters
II was exceedingly dangerous as well.
Darkness added more danger TO the
task; but week by week the service
grew aud became a success II Is pro-
posed now 10 ask congress for an APP
ropriUtOn to build a swift and strong
vessel for boarding purposes-one that
viii be- fast enough to catch any vessel
hat pusses through the river and one
1lso that viii not be damaged by the
shock Of contact when the mailboat Is
made fast 10 the other vessel.
The service is continuous one OF
a hours a day during the entire sea
son OF navigation, no matter what the |
weather may be-. During the busiest |
months of the season these large yes
sells sometimes pass at the rate Of one |
per minute, and IL is almost beyond |
belief that none Of them is ever missed.
Upon one occasion last year 81 boats
passed during the space of an hour.
'36 pieces of mail were delivered and
3 pieces collected during that time
With vessels both ways.
The first month that il was in opera
ion only 90 letters were delivered 10
'assing ships, but before the close of
lavigation there were SEQ pieces Of mail
every day.
At present there are only three men
Who are actively employed in the work
II delivering and collecting the letters.
'hese are NJ. S. Randall, J. Hammes and
v. Yates. Three reryier men do not
Nist. They have gone out with mail
n the teeth Of storms that make even
he most courageous shippers on the
axes think twice before facing. and
ever yet have they had an accident OF
Dst 50 much as a postal card.-Detroit
or. Philadelphia Times.