Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-29
j. S. COAST GUARD
AIDED 1,453 SHIPS
Also Assisted 1912 Persons
on Those Vessels in
One Year.
SERVICE COST $5,215,711.34


In distress during the last fiscal year.
the coast guard rescued s1O5O9655
worth of marine property, including
cargoes. Besides the assistance given
to the 15.742 persons aboard these YES
sells, there We're 1,216 persons whose
lives were saved or who were rescued
from peril and 4S3 persons in distress
cared for.
The coast guard also removed or
destroyed thirty derelicts and obstruc-
tions to navigation. There were dere-
lets recovered and restored to owners
valued at s12S.eOo.
The cost of maintaining the service
over this period of it's activity was S.
215.I1.S4. This is less than half of the
total appraised value. Successes of
property saved from immediate
jeopardy
These figures are given in a tabular
statement summarizing the activities
or the coast guard. contained in the
annual report of Capt. f p Bertholf,
commandant.
Guards Incidental Activities,
The report also summarizes the coast
guards incidental activities. in en-
forcement of neutrality. navigation and
other laws: in giving medical aid to
American fishermen on the Grand
Banks. in enforcing customs laws, in
supervising anchorage and movements
OF vessels in the ports of the United
States. in the protection of the fur
seal in Alaskan waters. the ice patrol
in the North Atlantic ocean and other
matters.
Since the annual report was pre-
pared. June so. last some of the things
advocated by Capt. Bertholf have come
10 pass. Chief among these are au-
thorization of Congress for the appli-
cation of aviation to its activities
Regarding aviation, Capt Bertholf in
his report. says:
I'm the saving of human life and
property from the ravages of the ele-
ments. which is one of the principal
functions of the coast guard advan-
tage should be taken of all new in
ventions and methods. Aviation has
advanced to such a stage that air craft
as now constructed and developed can
be used most advantageously in activi-
ties of the coast guard
Anticipating that the coast guard
must adopt this new method of life
Junior officers have already been as
signed to undergo training at naval
aviation and private schools in order
70 form the nucleus of force trained
for aviation purposes.
The desira bility of providing avia-
ticn stations and equipment for the
coast guard has been. represented to
Congress, with the result that author
fty to undertake this additional func-
ton has been incorporated IN the
pending naval appropriation bill. Aside
from the humanitarian possibilities of
this proposition the fact must not be
overlooked that aviation facilities pro
vided for the coast guard will be a
valuable addition to naval aviation
equipment in time of war.
Capt. Bertholf's Recommendations.
In his recommendations, Capt. Bert
holt asks for three new coast guard
cutters. He would retire the twenty
seven-year-old Merrill, now stationed
at Detroit. Mich. and asks a $500, 900
appropriation for substitute vessel.
He points out that the famous Thetis
has been condemned and sold at Homo
lulu. This leaves no vessel available
for patrol of the outlying Hawaiian
waters He proposes a 100000 ap-
preparation to provide such a vessel
Another coast guard cutter is needed
on the coast in the vicinity of Cape
Hatteras, one of the danger localities.
TO supplement the work of the Onon-
daga and Seminole Capt. Bertholf es-
Inmates that s350.0O0 would build such
a vessel as is desired.
The high cost of living induces Capt
Bertholf to ask an increase in the
allowance for committed ration from
~ " CcUtS d gay IOT enlisted men.
He points out that rations in kind
have cost an average of Az cents
over four-year period. advancing from
43.2 cents in 1913. to 4s.3 cents during
the last fiscal year. Communication for
rations are allowed to enlisted men
and warrant officers on shore stations
harbor cutters and launches
He asks return to the authorization
permitting payment to enlisted men
and warrant officers of wages not ex-
ceeding those prevailing in the mer-
chant marine.
Regarding the commissioned person.
mel Capt. Bertholf recommends the
abolition Of the position of cadet engi-
neer and the appointment only of ca
diets to be instructed in both deck and
engineering duties. This is predicated
on the fact that ii has grown difficult
to obtain young men to fill the post of
engineer cadets.
The provision of longevity pay and
retirement for the entire warrant and
enlisted personnel, under the law unit
ing the revenue cutter service and the
1ife-saving service. 1t is pointed out
has created clerical labor of record
without increase of clerical force. He
asks three additional clerks. He points
out that he would economic his eff
cheney il given a private secretary.
There is no bureau of the govern
Sin which the head of the Office is not
provided with private secretary.