the fall of 1885, Captain Andrews resolved to devote himself to a worthy mission. He came to Buffalo in order to acquire a practical knowledge of the methods adopted and in use by the United States Life-Saving Service in rescuing the shipwrecked.
" In this city Captain Andrews was received by Captain D. P. Dobbins, the courteous Superintendent of the Ninth District, in whose company he visited Kingston's boat-building establishment, where he witnessed one of Captain Dobbins' celebrated life-boats in process of construction. He visited the Buffalo Life-Saving Station, where he immediately entered upon his mission, attending all the drills and exercises daily, soon acquiring a sound theoretical know ledge of every detail of the service. Believing, however, that the only way to obtain a thorough practical knowledge of every branch of the ,service would be by entering the Life-Saving Service as a regular surf-man, he resolved to do so, asking as a special favor to be the most dangerous port on the lakes, where he would be most likely to see plenty of genuine life-boat work. Being a British subj*t, it was necessary for him to obtain special permission from the Govern ment at Washington to join any American life-saving crew. This was readily granted, and his application was turned over to Superin tendent Dobbins, who assigned him to duty at Cleveland.
Here Captain Andrews' services were almost immediately called into requisition.
" Shortly after midnight, on the very night of his arrival, in company with the other members of the life-saving crew, he was summoned to the rescue of the schooner J. R. Pelton, of Cleveland,
bound from Toledo, 0., for her home port in ballast, with a crew of five men, which dragged her anchors during a heavy north-east gale, and was rapidly drifting on to the beach. Both vessel and crew were brought into harbor in safety. Subsequently Captain Andrews, in company with the Cleveland life-boatmen, rendered valuable assistance to the propeller E. S. Shieldon, and others.
" December 15th, 1885.—Captain Andrews received a ' first-class certificate of competency' from Keeper Goodwin, of the Cleveland station, and on the 18th a certificate of proficiency from Supt. Dobbins, who declared him qualified for any position in the life saving service.' " Captain Andrews has made this his life-work, and has perfected himself in every essential requirement necessary to the very best results. Although not of very large stature, he is a strong and fearless swimmer, with a quick eye and a cool head, which enable him to go at his work in a confident and ready manner. The Canadian Government are considering the advisability of converting their present volunteer life-saving service into a regular paid service, like that of the United States. Captain Andrews is prominently mentioned for instructor and superintendent of the service when established, a post which he is eminently qualified to fill.
" Since his return to Toronto, he has again been instrumental in saving life."