ALWAYS READY.
As it is proposed by the Canadian Government to model our life saving service after the manner that has proved so effective in the United States, some details of the modus operandi adopted in that country will be read with interest, and the writer being familiar with the Cleveland station, will select that interesting port as the scene to exhibit to the reader.
The well-known port of Cleveland is situated on the south shore of Lake Erie, State of Ohio. It is one of the most important of all the ports on the great lakes. The city has a population of over 280, 000. Its numerous industries, among which are iron, coal, grain, stone, etc., produce employment for every description of vessels. The city is remarkable for the enterprise of its merchants and traders generally, and possesses some splendid specimens of architecture. The stone viaduct, which spans the cleft between the two mountains, is a magnificent structure, which was seven years in course of con struction, and cost over seven million dollars. There are numerous squares and avenues, the principal of which is Euclid Avenue, over eight miles in length, and of great breadth. It is said to be the finest street in the union.
The life-saving station is situated on the west pier (inner side) ; it is a plain, substantial building, provided with an annex containing the fire boat, for service at any fire that may arise along the wharfs, or among the shipping in the harbor. How useful such a boat would be in Toronto, or indeed in any of our ports. With such a provision, should a fire unfortunately break out on the Esplanade for instance, a properly equipped and manned boat could play on the fire from the Bay, while the fire brigade operated from the land.
The first floor contains the boat-room, where the apparatus is stored, and a ' second smaller apartment, which is the living-roaai of the crew. On the second story are three or four rooms ; one is appropriated for the lighter apparatus, medicine chest—an important feature in this humane work—a library, official books and papers, etc., all of which are inspected regularly.
On the floor of the boat-room that slopes toward two river doors, are the great English life-boat, and the American surf-boat. Over the latter, suspended by ropes and pulleys, the celebrated Dobbins boat hangs. The life-car slung on a rope, as if for instant service, hangs beside it. The surf-boat has seen the most service, although the Dobbins life-boat, which is fully described elsewhere, has a remarkably good record at this station.
The apparatus-room opens from the boat-room. It contains the Lyle gun and carriage, with breeches-buoy, hauling and whip lines, tally boards, crotch, blocks, and general service gear for the rescue of shipwrecked persons from stranded vessels. A mast with cross-arms stands in the harbor behind the station, for the purpose of practising with the apparatus. The sitting-room:is a large and comfortable apartment. The dormitory is above it, and has two ante-rooms ; one is the sleeping-room for No. 1, who takes rank next the captain, the other is the office. A short flight of stairs leads from the calormi tory to the "look-out" on the roof. On the look-out is a binnacle, containing a lamp, compass, marine clock, binocular glasses, barome ter and thermometer, also a ship's bell on which the watches are struck, as on man-of-war vessels. Any alarm is announced to the station by the same medium. A flagstaff surmounts the building, from which storm • and weather signals are displayed. Two hours is the length of each watch on the look-out. At night the beach between the station and the fopt of the breakwater is constantly patrolled. On leaving the look-out, the man on watch patrols the beach until his successor has relieved him. Each patrolman carries a watchman's time detector and a case of Costin signal-lights. The time detector is a small but effective piece of mechanism The only keys with which the registry is effected are locked in iron -cases, in posts at each end of the route. The patrolman carries the key of these iron boxes. The Costin lights are a species of Roman candle. One light cautions vessels when too near the beach, and the other calls help from the station. Be the night dark or clear, or the waves gentle or fierce, a watchful man constantly picks his way along the rough shore df the harbor beach ; and day or night, in fair weather or foul, a sharp eye scans every visible object on the lake, so long as -there is a chance that lives and property they guard may be placed in jeopardy. At night the duties of the patrol become severe, and often dangerous. The interval between sunset and sunrise is divided into three watches, and in case of danger to vessels the patrolmen fire their signals, and warn the ships of their peril.
When a vessel is driven ashore, the patrolman, ascertaining the Let, takes the initiatory steps in