The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-10
LlFE SAYING APPLIANCES
Report of the Board Appointed TO
Examine New Devices.
A Breeches Buoy Attachment for the
Benefit of WOmen-Gas Engines
LifebOats - Many Unique Inven-
lions Rejected ms Imprncticable.

The board appointed to consider new
life saving appliances and OF which Prof.
Peabody. of the Massachusetts Institute OF
Technology is president, met in Boston
June s, and its report has just been COM
pleted by Recorder F. A. Lewis. 1t con-
tains few recommendations for radical
changes or the adoption of new appliances
for saving life in proportion to the num-
Der of inventions OF this nature submitted
for experiment by persons who brought
forward devices OF all descriptions for
this purpose. Most of these devices were
deemed impracticable.
On account of the objection Of women
to getting into the protected breeches
buoy. now in use in the life saving service
of the Government. the board recommend
ed that a canvas bag skirt be furnished
all stations. to be used hereafter in taking
women ashore from shi2wrecks. The
breeches will be continued. but will be
worn inside the skirt.
Besides the recommendation in regard to
improving on the breeches buoy, the board
iavors the installation OF the Superior gas
engine in the thirty-four foot service life
boat. This will be an innovation. as here
tofore the motive power In lifeboats has
been confined to oars and sails. A COM
mission. consisting of Prof. Peabody.
three officers OF the life saving service
and one officer of the revenue cutter serv-
ice, will go to Marquette, Mich. where the
engine experimental with is manufactured.
for the purpose OF determining what
changes it will be necessary to make in
the lines Of the thirty four-foot service
lifeboats to accommodate the engine.
I,;, oslo .fsvtt IL hisrt
ly recommended by the board and will be
given trial on account Of the satisfactory
experiments made with it during the
meeting in Boston. The adcotion of
rendeer-hair life preserver, to take the
place of cork preservers. now used almost
exclusively may be a result of the meet
ing also. The board recommended that
this kind of preserver be given a trial,
and. If found satisfactory. it be adopted
for use in the service. Life savers aften
suffer now from bruised knuckies from
striking their hands against the cork pre-
server jackets OF their fellows while row.
ing. A hair preserver would prevent this.
Among the devices submitted for trial
was life preserver consisting OF rub
Der sleeveless coat with air chambers. to
be inflated by the wearer by rubber tubes.
Leather flaps are attached to the coat to
assist the user in swimming. as paddles,
and sail is furnished upon which the in
vertor placed large mirror. to be used
IN detecting objects toward which the
swimmer is approaching. This mirror
would be of service, it is claimed, by tie
inventor. while the person was propelling
himself through the water lying on his
back A compartment was provided for
storing water and provisions, and zinc
plates were attached in strips around the
nod of ha tn 10 40
alligator and shark proof.
This device was tried, but was not con-
sidered a practical one. Another. OF SINH
lar description. had compartments p'o-
vidad in which to carry smoking materials.
cigars. a pipe, cigarettes. and to6acco and
matches. as we'll as food and drink.
The board considered devices TO be used
in going from the shore TO shipwrecks. |
rather than those intented to be carried
on shipboard to be used in a case of need. |
so many appliances submitted for trial are /
not mentioned in the report.