The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-22
THREE NAUTICAL POSTMEN
IFrom the Philadelphia Times.l


Detroit, which is one of the greatest
shipping ports in the world, is the pos
SCISSOR of a unique mail service. 1t is
nothing more nor less than the delivery
and collection of mail matters from
ships going at full speed This extern
sion of the free delivery system is the
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 all
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 well inpractice, though
it was pronounced visionary by all who
knew of it before it was put in opera
ton. The plan adopted was to make
use of a yacht which toWed the row.
boat directly in front of a passing YES
sci and left it there. Then came a fine
exhibition of workmanship. Just be-
fore the steamer crashed down on the
rOWbOat and it's occupants 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
send a light line to the deck of the YES
sci, and then resumed his seat. The
line was made fast and soon the hiss
ing coil of so feet was paid out from the
rowboat and with a leap like that of
monster fish attached to the line the
rOWbOat sprang forward, while the car
rier in it hung on with fierce grip to
prevent himself from being hurled
overheard.
AS soon as the rowboat reached the
momentum of the passing vessel. pail
ashore and it was placed the mail for
the ship, after which the line was cast
off and the rOwbOat was picked up by
the yacht to which it was attached.
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 it
was exceedingly dangerous as well.
Darkness added more danger to the
task, but week by week the service
grew and became a success. 1t is pro-
posed now to ask Congress for an ap-
preparation to build a swift and strong
passes through the river and one also
that will not be damaged by the shock
of contact when the mail boat is made
fast to the other vessel.
The service is a continuous one of
twenty-four hours day during the
entire season of navigation, no matter
what the weather may be.
During the busiest months of the
season these large vessels sometimes
pass at the rate of one per minute, and
it is almost beyond belief that none
of them is ever missed. Upon one oc-
casiOn last year ffty-seYen boats pass
ed during the space of an hour, 1856
pieces of mail were delivered and SO
pieces collected during that time, with
vessels both ways.
The first month that it was in opera
ton only ninety letters were delivered
to passing ships, but before the close
of navigation there were 500 pieces of
mail delivered every day.
At present there are only three men
who are actively employed in the work
Of delivering and collecting the letters
These are NJ. S. Randall, J. Hammes
and W. Yates. Three nervier men do
not exist They have gone out with
mail in the teeth of storms that make
even the most courageous shippers on
the lakes think twice before facing,
and never yet have they had an acct
dent or lost so much as a postal card.