Life-Boat and Life-Saving Service

In some cases telephones are placed in half-way houses or at the end of patrols, by means of which the patrol-man reports to his station. In other cases the patrol-man is provided with a small portable telephone set with which he can communicate with the station from any point along his patrol. The Coast Guard owns and operates a telephone line system consisting of 183 separate lines, with a total mileage of approximately 2,65o, in cluding nearly Soo m. of submarine cable. Practically all of its stations, 16o lighthouses, and a number of other Government agencies such as naval radio compass stations, weather bureau stations, etc., are served by these lines, which are connected with commercial exchanges for both local and long distance service.

Assistance and Rescue.

On discovering a vessel standing into danger the patrol-man burns a pyrotechnic signal which emits a brilliant red flare, to warn the vessel of her danger. The number of vessels thus warned averages over zoo annually. The extent of the loss of life and property thus averted can never be known. When a stranded vessel is discovered, the patrol-man's Coston signal apprises the crew that they are discovered and assistance is at hand. He then notifies his station, either by telephone or by an electric hand flash using the telegraphic code. When such notice is received at the station, the officer in charge determines the means by which to attempt a rescue, whether by boat or beach apparatus. If the beach apparatus is chosen, the apparatus cart is hauled to a point directly opposite the wreck by motor tractor or truck, by horses, or by the members of the crew. The breeches buoy gear is unloaded and while it is being set up the officer in charge fires a line over the wreck with the Lyle gun, a small bronze cannon weighing, with its i8 lb. elongated iron projectile to which the line is attached, slightly more than 200 lb., and hav ing an extreme range of about 700 yd., though seldom available at wrecks for more than 400 yd. This gun is the invention of Col. David A. Lyle, retired, U.S. army. Shotlines are of three sizes, and of an inch in diameter, designated respectively, Nos. 4, 7 and 9. The two larger are ordinarily used, the No. 4 only for extreme range. A line having been fired within reach of the persons on the wreck, an endless rope rove through a tail-block is sent out by it with instructions, printed in English and French on a tallyboard, to make the tail fast to a mast or other elevated portion of the wreck. This done, a 3 in. hawser

is bent on to the whip and hauled off to the wreck, to be made fast a little above the tail-block, after which the shore end is hauled taut over a crotch by means of tackle attached to a sand anchor.

From this hawser the breeches-buoy or life-car is suspended and drawn between the ship and shore by means of the endless whip-line. The life-car can also be drawn like a boat between ship and shore without the use of a hawser. If any of the rescued persons are frozen, as often happens, or injured, first aid and simple remedies are furnished. Dry clothing, supplied by the Women's Nat. Relief Assn., is also furnished to survivors.

Boat Equipment.

All stations are equipped with boats adapted to the special requirements of the different localities and occasions. The three principal types of life-boats used in rescue work are a self-righting and self-bailing motor life-boat, a self bailing motor surf-boat and self-bailing pulling boat.

The motor life-boat is 36 ft. in length with an overall beam of 9 ft. 5+ in., and an approximate draft of 2 ft. 8 inches. Its weight with full equipment, not including fuel and crew, is about 14,300 pounds. It is constructed of wood with IA in. planking. It is fitted with numerous water-tight compartments and has a water-tight deck, end compartments and a house over the engine. A cast iron keel weighing 1,800 lb. extends the full length of the bottom and protects the propeller and rudder from injury. A semi-tunnel for the propeller is provided in order to obtain shallow draft. This boat develops to the highest degree the self bailing and self-righting qualities so essential to a life-boat. It is equipped with a 44 h.p. gasolene engine, driving a 3-bladed propeller of 22 in. diameter, and 16 in. pitch, and has a speed of about 9 m. p.h. under usual service conditions. Sails and oars are also provided for auxiliary use when needed. This type of boat is used at practically all stations on the Great Lakes, and along the ocean coasts in localities where sheltered inlets are avail able in which it can be safely launched or moored. It is an ex tremely able craft and will go through practically any surf and live in any sea.