Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-04

All yesterday and far into the night
The Herald wires were kept humming
with congratulatory messages for the
rescue Sunday of those persons ma
rooned and imperiled by the raging
san Gabriel river. Although The Her
aid was instrumental in bringing the
rescue about, to the Venice volunteer
life saving corps, to men who contin-
ually risk their lives for no pay and
little glory, is the honor due.
All efforts to cloud the glory of the
brave boys who risked their lives in a
torrent which hurled huge boulders be-
fore it as so much driftwood have
failed.
On all sides are heard the most un-
stinted praise for the life savers, for
The Herald and for the efforts of Sher-
if Hammel, who aided in landing the
sufferers.
Material appreciation also has been
shown and it is likely that the Venice
corps soon will boast the most perfect
life saving apparatus on the coast. AT
present this station, the only one south
of San Francisco, is supported by the
Venice chamber of commerce and
every member gives his services free
of charge.
Although having saved about 200 per-
sons from drowning within the past
three years, the life savers have la
bored with nothing better than a large
rodboat and a small supply of life
preservers to aid them in their work.
About $2500 now is needed by the
Venice crew, with which the purchase
of a first-class life saving motor boat
and other necessities is proposed. With
a motor boat, such as is used by life
saving stations throughout the east,
sixty miles of coast line easily could
be patrolled by a single station.
Motor Boat Proposed
1t is proposed to have a fiat car, on
which the motor boat can be carried,
in constant readiness. Should an alarm
he given the boat could be attached
to the first electric car passing and
hurried north as far as the long wharf
and south to Redondo The Malibu
ranch could be reached within an hour,
while but thirty minutes would be
necessary for the life savers to reach
Redondo The boat, which the crew
proposes buying, is capable of high
speed. cannot be capsized and is
equipped with a first-class gasoline
engine, entirely protected from the
waves.
The unselfsh work of the Venice
crew, every member of which has
risked his life more than once, has
led the residents of Venice to respond
to every appeal, and a small sum is
now in the crews treasury.
Not only will a motor boat be pur-
chased, but a breeches buoy and a
mortar gun will be installed With
this outfit line may be thrown across
tho decks of wrecked ship and all on
board rescued from the shore Hun
dreds of lives are saved annually on
the Atlantic coast by means of this
apparatus
Although the Southern California
coast is not visited frequently by de-
structive storms, there are many dan
gcrous points upon which a vessel
might be driven and from which it
would be impossible to effect a rescue
except by means OF a properly equipped
life saving crew.
In hundreds of instances has the
Venice corps displayed unusual brav-
cry. In December 1908, eleven Jap
anese fishermen were rescued by the
boys diving from the breakwater into
the raging surf. Many other instances
have brought the Venice crew into
prominence, and it is stated that nearly
every time were the life savers handi-
capped by lack of proper equipment.
The rescue of those persons marooned
on an island in the San Gabriel river
is but one example of many
That these boys, who are always
ready to lay down their work and heed
the danger signal, who may be assem-
bled in five minutes and who rescue
nearly 1000 lives annually, soon will
be properly equipped to battle with
the elements, now seems assured The
Venice chamber OF commerce has as
sumed the initiative for a movement
which promises to receive widespread
recognition.