The Washington times., 1901-11-27


of the Life Saving Service, yesterday af-
ternoon gave out an abstract of his an
nual report for the past fiscal year. Mr.
kimball expresses qualification that he
is able to present the most satisfactory
results accomplished since the general ex-
tension OF the service to the sea and lake
coasts IN 1876.
Further on Mr.. Kimball says:
Smallest Loss OF Lie.
The statistics show absolutely the
smallest loss of life from documented YES
sells suffering disaster within the scope
of the service during these years. and also
with respect to vessels Of all classes,
including the undocumented, with the ex-
ception Of the years 1850. 1882. 1885 and
1SSS. Even compared with these it is the
smallest in proportion TO the number of
casualties. the loss having been only one
in every forty-fiye casualties as against
one in every forty-one casualties in 1856
the most favorable of the four years men
toned.
The average number of lives lost an
nuaily during the entire period. twenty
=.
ing been lost in every thirteen casualties
while the number lost during the past
year was seventeen. or, as above stated,
one in every forty-five casualties. From
documented vessels alone the number was
only seven-One to every iifty-four cas-
ualties The statistics Of the year are
as follows
The Casualties.
The number of casualties to document
ed vessels was 3T7. There were on board
these vessels 2,SlS persons, OF whom
2.Sn were saved, and seven lost. Six
hundred and forty-eight shipwrecked per-
sCEs received succor at the stations, to
whom PA days relief in the aggregate
was afforded. The estimated value Of
the vessels involved in disaster was So
263. .42O. and OF their cargoes, 81 $50, $50,
making total value OF property imper-
lied 1884 O00 OF this amount $6405,O35
was saved, and $9lS.965 lost. The number
of vessels totally lost was forty-three.
In addition to the foregoing there were
during the year 1913 casualties to small
craft. undocumented such as small yachts.
sailbOats, rowboats, etc. on board OF
which we're 927 persons. of whom ten were
lost. The property involved in these in
stances is estimated at $2lS.540, OF which
Besides the number of persons saved
from vessels of all kinds, there were
sixty-nine others rescued who had fall
len from wharves and piers OF W re 9TH
erwise in extreme peril. most &, whom
would have peTished but for tn aid OF
the life-saving crews.
THE crews saved. or assisted TO save,
422 vessels. valued. with their cargoes,
at SS.l39,ol0. and rendered assistance of
minor Importance 20 54S vessels in dis
tress. besides warning flom danger
23l vessels. The circumstances show
that many OF the vessels which
received warning were large. It
is difficult to estimate their value. but It
cannot be less man $z,ooo.ooe, and the
number of lives in danger not less than
2,00O."
The Cost of the Service.
The cost OF the maintenance of the
service was si6iO.e13.74
The General Superintendent again ur-
gently calls attention to the inadequate
compensation OF district superintendents,
whom he believes 10 be the poorest paid
officers under the Government, consider
ing the serious and exacting nature of
their duties and the extent OF their fs
cal responsibilities. Their salaries range
from 81, 500 to 81. 500 per annum. and they
are required to furnish bonds ranging
from $4,000 to s50.O00 in amount
Their present salaries were fixed as long
ago as 1882 since which time. the service
has been largely extended, the number of
stations in all districts having been in
creased. in some instances 100 per cent or
more. and in others so per cent. Their
fiscal responsibilities have been cor
respondngIy enlarged, and their multi
farious duties increased 10 such an eX-
tent that at the present time several
of them are obliged to employ clerical as
sistance at their own expense.
The General Superintendent recon-
mends that the compensation of each dis
trict superintendent be advanced to g.
500 per annum. which he regards as less
than Is paid to any officers OF the Cor
ernment holding correspondingly respon-
sible positions. On different occasions
bills have been passed by both houses of
Congress substantially proposing the in
crease requested. but they have failed TO
be enacted into law.