The Great Storm of March 11-U, 1888. 55 



accuracy, even whilst the very elements themselves are only pre- 

 paring for its formation. By means of such predictions, the 

 safety of navigation along the greatest highway of ocean traffic 

 in the world would be vastly increased, — routes ti*aversed yearly 

 at almost railway speed by vessels intrusted with more than a 

 million human lives, and property of an aggregate value of fully 

 a billion dollars. What is everybody's business is too often 

 nobody's business, and if no single nation is going to undertake • 

 this work, an international congress should be formed to do so, 

 with full authority to act and power to enforce its decisions. 



Probably nothing will more forcibly attract the attention of 

 the practical navigator than the new and striking illustrations 

 which have been furnished by reports from various masters of 

 vessels, caught in the tei'rific winds and violent cross seas of this 

 great storm, relative to the use of oil to prevent heavy broken 

 seas from coming on board. Although this property of oil has 

 been known from time immemorial, it has only recently come 

 into general use, and it is good cause for congratulation, con- 

 sidering the great benefits to be so easily and so cheaply gained, 

 that the U. S. Hydrographic Office is acknowledged to have 

 taken the lead in the revival of knowledge regarding it, and in 

 its practical use at sea. It is difficult to select one from among 

 the many reports at hand, but the following brief extract from 

 the report made by boat-keeper Robinson, in behalf of the pilots 

 of New York pilot-boat No. 3 (the "Charles H. Marshall"), can- 

 not fail to be read with interest. The gallant and successful 

 struggle made by the crew of this little vessel for two long days 

 and nights against such terrific odds is one of the most thrilling 

 incidents of the storm, and well illustrates the dangers to which 

 these hardy men are constantly exposed. 



The " Charles H. Marshall " was off Barnegat the forenoon of 

 the 11th, and, as the weather looked threatening, two more reefs 

 were put in the sails and she was headed to the north-<^ard, in- 

 tending to run into port for shelter. During the afternoon the 

 breeze increased to a strong, gale, and sail was rjduced still 

 further. When about 18 miles S.E. from the lightship, a dense 

 fog shut in, and it was decided to remain outsi le and ride out 

 the storm. The wind hauled to the eastward tjward midnight, 

 and at 3 a. m. it looked so threatening: in the ?kW. that a fourth 

 reef was taken in the mainsail and. the f oresr il was treble-reefed. 

 In half an hour the wind died out completely, and the vessel lay 



