New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-26
NETWORK TRIBUNE ILLUSTRATED sui Hl1-n.
DEEDS OF LIFE SAVERS.
THRILLING TALES OF MEN WHO FACE
FIERCE STORMS AT SEA.
.r,r,oNe or THE LIFE SAVING SERVICE
STRETCHED LIKE GIRDLE ALONG
TIE COASTS.


TIE COASTS.
Washington. Nov. 25.-The recent award OF
gold medals by the Treasury Department u
members Of the life saving service mas ohoe
more quckened popular interest in that WONDER
ful system that is stretched like a girdie arouhu
the coasts for the protection OF those VINO trust
their safety to the shifting winds ana CHANGING
tides Of the ocean Since 1871, when Superin
tendent Kimball became incumbent there mas
been "A general and wholesome REFORM III inc
methods of the service, which has rendered II
at once the most complete ana the Wos' ei
Gcient of any in the world. the station houses'
which are SO familiar as TO renfer any oesciip
ton supernuous extend down along the eu6o
~ Tho eoa from Canada to Florida, from Florida
TO Mexico. and again from California pach u
Canada on an average Of twenty-five miles
apart though this varies somewhat WIN inc
nature Of the coast Each station has its cap
tain man especially fitted to his posltoh ny
training and record, and a picked crew of six
men. who are on constant duty, prepared AZ
n moments notice to brave the dangers of the
forcest etorn in the pursuit of their humani-
tartan calling.
The work is pursued quietly. and the public
nj large hears very little of the brave deeds
wrought hv this noble body OF men, but their
efforts do not go unrccognized or unreWarded'
as the Government grants in cases of signal
or unusual gallantry gold medal that is priced
as the Victoria Cross and a silver medal In
cases that exceed in a smaller degree the high
standard of action expected and required as
matter Of course.
CAST ON THE GRAND RIP
IN the annals of the service few cases of life
f,rs pufi pIIa sol IT.
sacrifice and fearful exposure to the inclemency
of the weather than the rescue a few years
ago Of seven men from the wreck of a schooner
off the Vineyard Haven station 10y Keeper
Chase and his men. by some means the keeper
Of the Vineyard lighthouse discovered schooh-
er cast up on the Grand Rip" as it is called
rocky ledge miles from the nearest shore The
vessel was being pounded to pieces, so he i'm
mediatclv telegraphcd to the fesaving station
crew. who with all possible dispatch. though
arpaIod for "A moment at the awful fury Of the
waves. launched their stanch little boat and
put off in the direction of the wreck. After
seven miles OF hard pulling the schooner could
be fairly disccrncG IA the ofiing with only one
mast standing and the crew hudded helplessiy
in the rigging Eight more miles brought them
within hailinr distance, rope was flung on
hoard ana they were told to attach it to the
cross trees and one 10y one slide down IT INTO the
hfcboat. However the poor wretch"s nan crazy
with cold exposure and the fear Of death, were
past reasoning and with feveiish haste they
began pulling the boat hand over hand upon
the rocks Realizing that this would mean Ger
tain death for every one Keeper Chase man
of immense physique and commanding presence
Jumped to his feet whipped out "A KNIFE ana III
stcntorian tones threatened to sever the line II
the boat were hauled yard nearer. He was
too much ~ earnest to be doubted, so thel:
weakest was sent down the rope and into the
strong arms Of the crew, and slowly, stneneI
with the cold, the rest of the crew followed
creeping down into the comparative safety OF
The boat. the captain. true to his post, being the
last man TO leave the hulk.
the time the prpaf ouiVpriug niles OF