The American lifeboat, extensively used on the ocean and lake coasts of. the United States by the life-saving service, known as the Beebe INleLellan self-bailing boat, is entitled to rank next to the English production in exceptional qualities, and in some it is superior to the latter in all-around work. The makers have applied the self-bailing principle to a conven ient model of light weight, about iono pound, which can he transported and launched almost anywhere with ease and celerity, and whose lia bility to capsize is greatly diminished by rea son of its ability quickly to free itself of water. It is a cedar, clinker-built boat, from 25 to 27 feet long. about 7 feet in breadth, with 4 thwarts. a centreboard or none, as desired. and is fitted with air-tanks and delivery-tubes. Its light weight, as compared with the cumbersome Eng lish lifeboat. is of material advantage to boat men in American waters, while the self-bailing feature gives confidence to those who handle the craft in rough surf where the chief danger lies in being swamped by a boarding sea. The boat is rigged with righting lines, to be used in case of an upset, and is otherwise equipped for all emergencies. It can be carried on shipboard with little t rouble.
The United States life-saving service has re cently made experiments in applying motive power to the 34-foot lifeboat by installing a 12-horse-power gas-engine, and the gears and attachments of two propeller shafts, in the after air-chamber of the boat, the only parts of the machine on the outside of the bulkhead being the reversing levers, starting crank, and oil-cups.
The gasoline and batteries are stored in the for ward air-chamber. The construction of the boat is not disturbed in any particular, nor the self. righting qualities impaired. In the event of a capsize the engine stops automatically, and, owing to its inclosure in the water-tight compart ment, suffers no damage or derangement. A uniform speed of seven and one-half miles an hour has been attained by the introduction of These buoys are usually kept at convenient places on shipboard, wharves, etc., where they may be readily detached and thrown to any one in dan ger of drowning. :More elaborate buoys of the circular type, used in the navy and merchant marine. are fitted with markers, so that they may be easily seen when afloat, or with lights upon contact with the water or by an automatic device as they are released from their places. Life buoys are also constructed of rubber tubing. inflated, but these are liable to damage by being punctured or torn, or are apt to decay prematurely. A buoy, with an opening in the ring, shaped like a horseshoe, has been found to answer its purpose very well. See LIFE-SAVING SERVICE.