The Daily Alaska empire., 1935-01-08
CAPTAIN BROWN REPORTS QUIET
 YEAR FOR BOAT
However, Tallapoosa's Ac. tivities Indicate Much
 Service Performed

Ho, huml
 Yes. the United States Coast Guard cutter Tailapoosa, had a rather hum drum year from Jand- ary l, 1894 to January 1, 1895. Un- der the command of Lt.-Com. Fletcher P. Brown. the Tally" covered a mere 144227 miles of life saving and law enforcement work.
 But. somehow. to The Empire reporter sent down to Captain Browns quarters on the Talla- poosa yesterday to get that vessels annual report, those l4.000 miles means a great deal more than the Captains indication that Juneau's Coast Guard hadn't had such a startling year.
 Consider, for a moment, just what that mileage report-and all the other facts and figures which were included-mean.
 Consider, again, the hours of vigilant patrol performed by the ships crew in keeping Uncle Sam's laws enforced in Alaskan waters. Perhaps it's true that the Tally" didn't crash" the headlines with any sensational rescues last year. But she did her duty-and did it well. And If that is editorializing in news story-lets make the mot of it.
 Captain Brown offered a com parison which seemed apt.
 T like to think of the Talla- poosa-or any Coast Guard boat as being like your local Fire De- partment,' he said You all hope that the Fire Department will never have to be used. Yet, when it is needed, you want all its ef- ficiency."
 In addition to those i4,000 miles, another pertinent fact which the ships log revealed was the 1855 hours which the boat actually was under way.
 The Tally" took part in three patrols. From March to 23, she cruised 2,770 miles from Middle ton Island to Kodiak in the spring halibut patrol. She rendered three cases of medical assistance on this trip. Then, from October 21 to 27 the Coast Guard boat moved 87s miles from Spencer to Yakutat, in Area Three, and handled one case of medical assistance. The third patrol covered 3.1036 miles from Dixon's Entrance out to the west ward at Unalaska. The dates of this cruise were from March IS e April IA. It was seal patrol. Med ical aid was given to eight natives and two white persons.
 The Tallapoosa's duties are many and varied A few of them give an idea of the many demands made upon her They include: saving of life, assistance to vessels in dis tress, destruction and removal oi wrecks, giving medical aid, carrying United States mail to outlying dis tricts, prevention of smuggling, en- forcement of the customs laws, en- forcement of rules for protection of fishing, transportation of float ing courts.
 Captain Brown pointed out that in Alaska, Coast Guard boats ofter are called upon to do service: which are not performed on the East Coast. t
 It also was reported that the Coast Guard, at present, has as efficient system of bases in the Territory, as Alaska has had. IT addition to the Tallapoosa at Jul neau, there are the following boats based: the Morris at Seward, the Haida at Cordova trecently moved from Port Angeles), the Alert al Ketchikan and the Cyane at Ket- chikan Ca newly commissioned boat).
 What does the Tally" crew dc while the vessel is berthed at the Government Dock? Live the lift of Reilly? Not much. Most O. the crew, Captain Brown said, art enrolled in the Coast Guard Insti. tlrte correspondence school whicf gives the men an opportunity O. completing a college course Tht studies offered by this schoo range from mathematics of al kinds to the study of foreigi languages.
 In concluding his interview