Life Savers

The recent terrible storms on the lakes which resulted in such great loss of life and damage to property, and the many heroic rescues performed by the life-saving crews, our own included, has awakened considerable curiosity in the mind of the public as to how the life-saving service is conducted. The district in which the Oswego station is included is known as the “Ninth United States Lifesaving District,” embraces 9,000 miles of lake and river coast, and covers the stations located on Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Ohio river as far as Louisville, Ky.

Captain D.P. Dobbins of Buffalo, a man who for years has made a study of perfecting investigations for saving life on shipwrecked vessels, is superintendent of the district. A man better fitted for the place can not be found.

A Palladium reporter visited the Oswego station this morning. It is known as No. 3 and is located on the east side of the river on the shore at the base of the high embankment surrounding the fort. It is a story and a half building with a wing. The upright part is used for a boat house in which three modern life boats are kept, together with the mortars. The wing is use for living purposes by the keeper and a crew of eight men. In the rear is the wagon shed. The three boats referred to are, an English self-righting boat, a surf boat and a life car. They are all upon launch ways, with oars and cork jackets stowed away, ready to be run out and launched into the river or upon the wagon at moment’s notice.

The mortar cart, with its shot lines, hawsers, breeches buoy and Lyle gun is always loaded and packed ready for a land expedition, and is drawn by a single horse. Then thee are other mortars, round shot, tackles,, blocks, lines, hawsers, signal lamps, rockets, caston lights extra oars, shot lines, etc., stored in convenient places in the house ready for instant use.

In the living apartment, there are a sitting room, kitchen, reading room, library and sleeping rooms, all complete which make very plain but comfortable quarters for the life savers. The keeper of the station is Capt. John Blackburn, of this city, an old and experienced sailor, who has seen much service on the lakes. He is practical, competent, brave and faithful keeper.

The Crew

The eight men who constitute the crew are all able-bodied fellows, and who, before admitted to the service, were obliged to undergo a rigid medical examination as to their mental and physical qualifications for the work. Bravery, courage, daring and a quick, cool and clear perception of danger and how to overcome them are absolutely necessary. Then the men must be possessed of sufficient physical power to execute their will. For a return the government pays the men $50 a month, and in case of disability caused while on duty, either by exposure or accident, full pay is given for two years without service.

In case of death those dependent on the dead sailor receive the same monetary award. The men in sharing their dangers together become attached to each other and the utmost harmony prevails. The names of the Oswego crew are as follows:

Captain John Blackburn; 1. A. Smith, mate; 2. William Nelson; 3. Fayette Walworth; 4. Harry Smith; 5. Dennis Morton; 6. James Fitzgibbons; 7. George Clement; 8. John Ebert.

On the summit of the fort bank a small sentry box has been constructed where a constant watch and look-out is kept during all hours of the day and night. The watch changes every four hours. Beside this, a patrol from the station to a point two miles down the shore, is kept up during all hours of the night and in thick weather. The patrol changes every two hours.

A practice spar has been set up a short distance down the lake which affords facilities and opportunities for practice with the mortar, shot line, breeches buoy and life car. The men have become perfect in this work as shown by the manner in which crews have been taken from several vessels wrecked under the fort bank. On one occasion in six minute after the crew arrived on the scene the first man from the wreck was brought ashore. The men are also drilled for the resuscitation of apparently drowned persons.

The service is a good work and can not be too highly appreciated.