The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-10-11

One OF the most tragic disasters the
world has known was responsible for
increasing the duties Of the Coast
Guard. After the Titanic was sunk
In 1914 IN 4 matter OF minutes after
collision with an iceberg, there was
q worldwide demand that steps be
taken to prevent repetition Of the
terrific loss by safeguarding ships
that travel in lanes near the ice fields.
At the request Of q conference Of ma
tions the Coast Guard assumed res
possibility for the ptarol Of the North
Atlantic Ocean.
As q result Of the alertness Of the
International Ice Patrol, not q life has
since been lost because Of collisions
with icebergs. The deep sea fisher
men Oft the Grand Banks as well as
the transatlantic vessels benefit b.
the service. The records show that as
many as 80 vessels have been guided
clear OF icebergs In single day. In
one month nearly 400 Of these men-
aces have been sighted IN the path OF
navigation. The expense Of this serv-
ice is shared proportionately by the
nations using the traffic lanes Affect
ed. Not only has perfect record in
accident prevention been established,
but much information on tides and
currents and sources and movements
of ice fields has been added to scien-
tific knowledge.
Ready for Many Tasks
The Coast Guard had a StrenloaN
time in its bout with smuggling dur
ing the prohibition interlude, bu.
that was only one of its law enforce
mSnt duties. It enforces the laws re-
lating to immigration, quarantine.
and neutrality. and the international
conventions relative to fisheries on the
high seas. It Is charged with the en-
forcement Of law generally in Alaska,
transporting q floating court when
necessary, and protecting the fisher
les, bird reservations, game, and seals.
More than 100000 vessels are boarded
and examined In q year to ascertain
whether they are complying with
regulations as to seaworthiness, COM
potency Of officers and crews, fire
protection, life boat anc radio equip
ment, and other safety measures. Dur
ing the same period Of time more than
$50 regattas and marine parades are
policed in order to safeguard lives and
prevent accidents, and some 1000 YES
sells are seized or reported for law
violations entailing penalties totaling
$500, 900. The Coast Guard enfor,es
miscellaneous laws for other Govern
ment departments and acts to sup
press that high crime Of the sea, mu-
tiny.
Summing up the activities Of the
5000 men and officers who form this
police and relief service In terms o.
people and property, it is impressive
! to record that 6,492 persons in danger
Of drowning were saved in single
year and that vessels valued at more
than $40,000,000, which were In dire
distress, were assisted to safety.
The Army has It's West Point and
the Navy its Annapolis. The Coast
Guard maintains an academy at New
London, Connecticut, where officers
are trained to carry on In its finest
tradition. Young men from eighteen
to twenty-five take competitive edu-
cational examinations to open the
doors where they may be fitted to per-
form the important service duties Of
maritime law enforcement, the saw
ing Of life and property imperiled by
the sea, and the contribution to the
national Defense" Officers are given
rank similar to that OF the Navy. En-
listed ratings are the same. with the
addition Of . specially trained class
called surfmen.
It is possible to offer an imposing
array Of statistics to show the collars
and cents value Of the Coast Guard to
the Nation. The number Of lives
snatched from the jaws Of disaster
presents an important aggregate. Blu.
the greatest boon Is the sense Of
security that has made the casual
traveller almost lose his fear Of the
sea-almost forget that the deep has
not changed its cruel and ruthless
ways.
copyright 1891