760 



SERVICE, UNITED STATES LIFE-SAYING. 



erally from 25 to 27 feet long, from 5$ to 6 feet 

 wide, and from 2 feet 3 inches to 2 feet 6 inches 

 in least depth. It has commonly air-cases at 

 the ends and along the interior sides under the 

 thwarts, which make it insubmergible, and is 

 fitted with cork fenders running along the outer 

 sides to protect it against collision with hulls 

 or wreckage. Its weight is from 700 to 1,000 

 pounds. It is guided by a long steering oar, 

 the steersman standing in the stern. In the 

 hands of the skilled surfmen of our coasts, it 



is capable of marvelous action, and few sights 

 are more impressive than the passage out 

 through the flashing breakers of the frail red 

 boat, lightly swimming on the vast intumes- 

 cence of the surge, held in suspension before 

 the roaring and tumultuous comber, or dart- 

 ing forward as the wall of water breaks and 

 crumbles, obedient to the oars of the impas- 

 sive crew. Though sometimes thrown back 

 and broken in desperate and unavailing ef- 

 forts at a launch against a resistless sea, this 



SURF-BOAT UPON ITS CARRIAGE. 



boat, which might be upset easily, has rarely 

 in the history of the service been capsized in 

 passing through the surf, so great is the skill 

 of her gallant oarsmen ; and certain great surf- 

 men, like Captain Hildreth, of Station 39, New 



Jersey, say that in it they will face any sea in 

 which a life-boat can live. 



On the Lakes and the Pacific coast, where 

 steep shores or piers command deep water, and 

 by mechanical contrivances heavy boats can 



SELF-RIGHTING LIFE-BOAT UPON ITS CARRIAGE. 



