286 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



A time flag is dropped at the station each day at noon for the benefit 

 of the pilot boats and vessels in the offing. During the year 17 

 Avrecks were reported to various ship companies, maritime exchanges, 

 and individuals. The Cape Henry office receives information &i 

 wrecks from the 25 life-saving stations between Cape Henry and 

 llatteras Inlet and from the wireless station at Hatteras, and reports 

 by telephone to the revenue cutters and to wrecking companies, so 

 that they may render immediate assistance. 



J^lock Island sends reports to 12 firms and associations. Four 

 Avrecks wore reported by this station during the year. 



Sand Key transmitted orders for 72 vessels and gave notice of three 

 casualties during the year. Ten firms and associations receive reports 

 from this station. 



Tatoosh Island reports all passing vessels through the main station 

 at Port Crescent to Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco stations and 

 through the Naval Wireless station to Victoria Wireless station. 



Port Crescent reports passing vessels, casualties, etc., to 10 firms and 

 associations in Seattle, San Francisco, Port Angeles, AVash,, and 

 Victoria, British Columbia. 



The following extracts from reports received during the year fur- 

 nish instances of special service rendered by these stations to vessels 

 in distress: 



Sand Key, Fin., January 29, 1912. — British schooner Sea Oull, Bonacco to Key 

 West, went ashore at Sand Key. Fla. Cargo of hananas and 16 passengers from 

 Grand Ca-yruan. Revenue cutter, notified by this office, went to assistance and 

 towed schooner into this harbor. 



Tatoosh Island, Wash., June 22, 1912. — At 4.30 a. m.. while taking a. m. 

 observation, sighted the American brigantine William G. Irioin, bound from 

 Roche Harbor, Wash., to San Francisco, Cal., with lumber and lime. She was 

 lying just off Mukkaw Bay, about 5 miles south of station, an unusual position 

 for a sailing vessel. A very light wind, almost calm, prevailed, and the incom- 

 ing tide was carrying her slowly into the bay. A close watch was kept on her, 

 and about 9 a. m. she ran up her ensign, evidently for assistance. I imme- 

 diately requested the wireless station to get into communication with the 

 revenue cutter Snohomish at Neah Bay and notify her of the Iricin's position, 

 which they did. Snohom,ish proceeded at once to Mukkaw Bay and towed the 

 Irtoin to a safe offing. No damage. Commander of Snohomish reports that 

 Iricin was fast setting in toward rocks when he arrived. 



September IJ/, 1911. — Small fishing launch capsized while leaving anchorage 

 at this point. Notified life-saving crew at Neah Bay and assisted in holding 

 boat on beach until they arrived. Small damage to boat and no injury to 

 persons. 



Port Crescent, Wash., March 1, 1912. — The launch Pearl, with scow load of 

 machinery, dragged her anchors and went ashore in Crescent Bay. The life- 

 saving tug was at once notified. The Snohomish pulled the launch off at 2..30 

 p. m. without damage. The scow was unloaded on the beach and floated by the 

 Snohomish several days later without damage. 



North Head, Wash.. Aupnst 2, 1911. — The schooner Americana, with a crew 

 of 18 men and a cargo of 1,000,000 feet of lumber, bound from Astoria, Oreg., to 

 Australia, nearly drifted ashore inside Tillamook Rock during a calm. She was 

 saved from almost certain destruction by the action of the observer, who discov- 

 ered her plight and sent an urgent call for tugs, which arrived in time to render 

 the necessary assistance. 



January IS, 1912. — At 9 a. m. the four-masted schooner The Admiral, bound 

 from Valparaiso, Chile, to Grays Harbor, Wash., in ballast, turned turtle and 

 drifted ashore, a total wreck. This station notified the life-saving crew at 

 Fort Canby and the bar tugs at Astoria, Oreg., who rescued the crew from the 

 jetty and attempted to save the vessel. The observer also kept the Portland 

 marine interests posted over the Seacoast Telegraph Line. 



