The times., 1901-06-23

Next Summer-Brave and SLiIIfuI
Men Required in Time of Danger.
| The life saving stations on the en-
tire coast of the United States" said
an official of the United States Coast
| Service a few days age. ARE opened
! September 1st by order oc the depart
ment in this city, and until the ap-
| proach of another summer are to be
! in constant operation, their gallant and
trusted crews being ever ready to dis
! play the signal of assurance to the
! tempest-t tossed vessel off shore, telling
/ the weary seafarer that his situation
| is observed and that help is at hand.
The initial step toward the estab-
| lishment of this service was taken as
early as the year 1886. by a few philan-
| thropic members of the Massachusetts
Humane Society.
In 1907 the first life saving station
was successfully established on cape
| Cod. and occupied by volunteer crew.
| Their good work in aiding the ship
| wrecked soon became apparent TO
Congress, which body literally ap-
sion of the field of work New
stations were soon going up along
the New England coast. and the num-
ber of life boats with their crews con-
| tinued to increase. No provision, how
ever, had been made for employing
competent surfmeu at fixed pay.
- bin passed by Congress in 1874 in
creased the efficiency of the life saving
crews, and the system of patrolling our
coasts by a force of competent surf
men, as well as The bestowal of medals
of honor upon persons risking their
| lives, were the principal features of the
measure. Life saving stations are now
located along the coasts at an average
distance of five miles apart, and
| manned annually by crews of expert
enced surfmen. On the Pacific coast
they are, as a rule, open the year
round, while on the Great Lakes they
are in operation from the opening to the
close of navigation. All are fully sup
piled with life boats, wreck guns, beach
apparatus and restoratives.
THE coast of the United States is
divided into twelve districts. each un-
der the control of superintendent.
Each station has its keeper, who is
chosen by the district superintendent.
The life saving stations are frame
buildings two stories high, and present
neat and pretty appearance from the
sea. On the first floor are two rooms,
one in which the boats are stored. and
the other is occupied by The crew.
"The families of keepers and crews
in case of loss of life by reason of
perilous service, or wound or injury, in
cident to the service. become for Pc
riod of two years wards of the nation.
THE station crews patrol the beach
from two tn four miles on each side of
the life saving buildings. four times be-
tween sunset and sunrise, the same
watch being kept up during the day if
the weather is thick and foggy. Each
patrolman carries Coston signals and
lantern Upon the discovery of yes
sci standing in danger, it is the first
duty Of the patrol TO ignite a Coston
signal, which emits a brilliant red
flame, of about two minutes duration,
TO warn the boat off, or inform her
crew that help is at hand. Rockets are
often burned, or guns fired on board the
vessel.
After displaying the Coston signal
TO a stranded ship, the patrol hastens
to his station to report the ill-fated yes
sci to the keeper. If the use of large
boat is practicable the lifeboat is trans
ported by means of the boat carriage
to a position on the beach directly op-
posite the wreck, and is launched.
Should circumstances render the use Of
the lifeboat impracticable, recourse is
had to the wreck gun and beach ap-
paratus for the rescue by the breeches
buoy. or life car. A shot with small
line attached is fired first off from the
Lyle gun across the wreck, and as soon
as discovered by those on board, is
hauled III by them until the tail block,
endless line. and tally board bearing in
structions are reached.
THE dangers to which the occu-
pants of lifeboat are exposed while
attending wreck hardly come within
the power of description. Great care
and judgment must be exercised in or
der to keep clear of the hull and falling
wreckage. To take off the panic
stricken people and return with them
to the beach in safety is a task which
calls upon the most skillful to accom-
pllsh."
A life-saver speaking of the dangers
besetting a life devoted to the rescue
of distressed humanity on the sea, re-
lated the following incident the other
day:
THE storm was at its height. AS
the lifeboat headed for the Sands,
darkness as Of night seemed TO settle
down upon the men; they could scarce
ly see each other; but on through the
raging sea and binding storm they
drove the gallant boat,
Straight for the breakers the men
made. No faltering, no hesitation,
brows knit, teeth clenched, hands ready
and hearts firm, and into it with a
cheer. On through the outer range of
breakers she plunged, and than came,
indeed, struggle for life. When they
saw huge breaker, heading toward
them ike an advancing wall, then these
men threw themselves breast down on
the thwart, curled their legs under it,
clasred itWith all their force with both
arms, held their breath hard, and chung
on for very life against the tear and
wrestle of the wave, while the rush of
water poured over their backs and
heads and buried them in its food.