READ BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON LIFE-SAVING SYSTEMS AND WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1894. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, LIFE-SAVING SERVICE, OFFICE OF THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT, Washington, D. C., January 5, 1894. The following paper, which was read before the committee on lifesaving systems and devices, International Marine Conference, November 22, 1889, by S. I. Kimball, General Superintendent of the United States Life-Saving Service, is published for the information of officers and employés of the service and others interested: ORGANIZATION AND METHODS OF THE UNITED STATES LIFE-SAVING SERVICE. The sea and lake coasts of the United States, exclusive of the coast of Alaska, have an extent of more than 10,000 miles. There are to-day upon these coasts two hundred and twenty-six life-saving stations, one hundred and sixty-five of which are on the shores of the Atlantic, eight on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, eight on the shores of the Pacific, and forty-five on the shores of the great lakes. There is, besides, a station at the falls of the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky. These stations are located at selected points of danger to shipping, and vary somewhat in character, according to their environment and the nature of the service demanded of them. On some portions of the coast they are placed only at long intervals, while upon others they form chains of contiguous posts within communicating distance of each other. From the eastern extremity of the coast of Maine to Race Point on Cape Cod, a distance of 415 miles, there are but sixteen stations, ten of these being located at the most dangerous points on the coast of Maine and New Hampshire, which, although abounding with rugged headlands, islets, rocks, reefs, and intricate channels that would naturally appear to be replete with dangers, are provided with numerous harbors and places of shelter in which, upon short notice, vessels can take refuge. The portion of the Massachusetts coast included, although less favored with safe resorts, enjoys the excellent guardianship of the Massachusetts Humane Society-a venerable institution, operating under the volunteer system. On account of this protection, the general Government has deemed it proper to place its stations within this territory only at points where wrecks are unusually frequent; at least, until other dangerous parts of the coast shall have been provided for. Cape Cod, a narrow strip of sand, stretches directly out into the ocean some 40 miles, then abruptly turns to the north for an equal distance, and, like a threatening arm, fiercely menaces the commerce of the principal port of New England. Its eastern borders of shifting sand-bars fringe an unbroken line of sandy beaches which have become the burialground of unnumbered craft. Here ten stations are located nearly equidistant, and designed to co-operate with each other. From Monomoy-the elbow of the Cape-to Montauk Point, a distance of 110 miles, the coast is again somewhat similar to that of Maine, and is provided with but nine stations. The ocean shores of Long Island and New Jersey, one about 120 and the other 130 miles in length, form nearly a right angle, one side of |