The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-03
SAVERS NOW
USE POWER BOATS
Motor Lifeboats Will Soon
Replace the Old Hand
Pulled Craft.

The efficiency of the life-saving serv-
ice soon will be Increased along the en-
tire seaboard by the installation of
motor iifeboats at the various stations.
The official test of these ingenious craft
has been so satisfactory that the Gov
eminent has ordered twelve for imme-
date use. The boats are being equipped
at BayOUne. n. J.. and several OF them
have already been tested and hurried
10 the most dangerous points along the
Atlantic coast, Eventually Il is the pur-
pose of the Government to install these
power boats along the Pacific coast, the
Gulf. and in the great lakes.
II is difficult 10 imagine any weather
which would be more than a match for
these motor lifeboats. They ares unsink-
able and self-baling, so that there is no
sea in which they cannot live and be
manipulated. Their general form is
more or less familiar, and in the Sc
verest tests they have repeatedly proved
their remarkable seawcrthiness. It is
the addition Of power TO these boats.
however, which opens new era in the
efficiency Of the life-saving service.
Old Form Unsuitable.
The old form Of unsuitable Hfeboat,
it may be remembered, consisted of
remarkably stout frame with water
tight compartments fore and aft. Such
boats, 1t was found, after being com
pletely covered by heavy seas, would
Immediately right themselves and come
10 the surface like so many corks- The
selT-baling device again enabled them 10
quickly free themselves automatically
without the aid Of the crew Of any
Haau- 10 4 -
by placing the floor OF the boats above
the water level. BY this device the
water shipped in heavy seas quickly ran
out. no matter how high the waves or
violent the motion Of the boat.
In adding power TO these boats the
water-:ight compartment aft has been
utilized as miniature engine room In
this way the machinery is kept out of
the way OF the water and Will cOntinus
TO run smoothly no matter how rough
or violent the weather without It is
not necessary for the engineer 10 open
this enclosure to operate his machin-
cry, thus giving the waves an oppor-
tCnity In rough water to drown the
nre and deluge the machinery. The en-
CINE Is controlled entirely by d series
Of wheels and levers arranged on the
outside of the bulkhead OF this water
tight compartment.
Machinery Protected.
The wheels and levers enable the en-
gineeT TO handle his engine exactly as If
everything about it was perfectly open.
The guages and even the Oiling devices
are TO be found convenient 10 his hand
on the face of this buIkhead. The power
being derived from gasolene. even the
stocking may be done from the outside
without interruption in the wettest and
toughest weather. The steering gear Is
also arranged on the face OF this bulk
head
1t will be seen, therefore, that the
waves may sweep this bulkhead Contin-
ually, the water may pass directly over
the entire mechanism, and the engine
viii continue to run smoothly under the
instant control OF the engineer. These
boats are equipped with sails and oars,
and with this equipment alone they
have rendered remarkable service.