35 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



jeopardy. Their devotion to duty and humanity are beyond 

 praise. 



For convenience of supervision the stations are grouped into 

 districts, of which there are twelve. Each is in charge of a super- 

 intendent, who must, at least once a quarter, visit the stations in 

 his district, and who is held responsible for their condition in all 

 respects. 



The means employed to rescue people from stranded vessels 

 are everywhere essentially the same. The tumultuous waters be- 



FIG. 3. BRINGING CREW ASHORE IN BREECHES BUOY. 



tween the wreck and the shore are either crossed by a lifeboat or 

 are spanned by strong lines over which a car or breeches buoy is 

 passed to and from a wreck. There are many kinds of lifeboats 

 and many other devices for effecting communication by lines be- 

 tween a wreck and the shore. The type of boat in most general 

 use in our service is distinctively known as a surfboat. It is 

 made of white cedar upon a white-oak frame. It is from twenty- 

 five to twenty-seven feet in length, with its other dimensions pro- 

 portionate. It is propelled by six oars, 'and will carry, besides the 



