saving apparatus. The keepers, who are charged with the special government and care of the stations, must be of good character, able to read, write, and have a more thorough and practical knowledge of the management of the boats and apparatus than the superintendents, being captains of their respective crews. The surfmen are examined in regard to their physical capacity and their skill in handling boats in dangerous

seas.

At all the stations ample provision is now made for affording shelter and succor to such victims of marine disaster as may require them. The scientific means for resuscitating persons apparently drowned are reduced to a formula, and made part of the practice of the keepers of the stations. A thorough system of inspections, presided over by officers of nautical experience, is established, whereby the stations are maintained in the highest state of effectiveness, the boats and apparatus being rigorously examined, and the men periodically drilled in all the maneuvers practiced in effecting communication with wrecks and rescuing imperiled persons therefrom. Careful records are required to be kept of all noteworthy occurrences at each station, and forwarded, in the form of reports, to the Department; all public property, and the receipts and expenditures, both of funds and materials, are subjected to rigid accountability; and especial attention is given to the collection of accurate statistics of all wrecks and marine disasters on our coasts, with the view of making our knowledge of this subject as complete as possible.

It is unnecessary to extend the comparison between the past and present efficiency of this service. Under its later operation the shores of Cape Cod, New Jersey, and Cape Hatteras, formerly the dismay of mariners and shipowners, have been almost wholly shorn of their terrors. It is believed that its usefulness may still be enhanced by extending the scope of its work in another direction, and by adding to its present functions those of a coast guard for the protection of the revenue against smuggling.

The present life-saving stations and those in process of construction, when completed, will occupy, at brief intervals, a large portion of the line of the Atlantic coast, upon which, as previously stated, a constant patrol is kept from four to six months in the year, while a degree of watchfulness is exercised from the stations during the remaining time. It is thought that considerable smuggling and picarooning might be prevented along the coast if the keepers of the stations were vested w.th the powers of inspectors of customs. Instances have recently occurred in which, to protect the interests of the Government, it has been necessary to send inspectors, on the occasion of wrecks, great distances at considerable expense.

During the past year six new stations have been erected in district No. 5, and the two others authorized by law are in process of construction, to be completed by January 1, 1876. The district has been organized, and the six stations completed are occupied by their respective crews. Contracts for the construction of all the stations authorized to be established by act of June 20, 1874, upon Lakes Outario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan, except at Buffalo and Grosse Point, have been entered into, and the building of them is rapidly progressing, as also the houses of refuge authorized for the coast of Florida.

The stations to be established at Point Judith and Eaton's Neck, Long Island Sound, for which appropriation was made by act of March 3, 1875, have also been contracted for, and are to be completed before the first of June next.

Sites have been selected for the stations provided for on the Pacific coast and Lake Superior. Some difficulty has been experienced in

No. of

station.

obtaining the proper titles to these sites, which has caused some delay in prosecuting the work of construction. The plans and specifications for the buildings are prepared, and proposals for the erection of those for the Pacific coast have been invited. Those for Lake Superior will be erected next season.

The following statement shows the localities of the several life-saving stations and houses of refuge now authorized by law:

Locality.

DISTRICT No. 1.

No. of

6

DISTRICT No. 2.

Whitehead Island, Me.

Biddeford Pool, Me.

Straw's Point, (Rye Beach,) N. H.

With all the foregoing stations completed and in operation, it is believed the dangerous portions of our coasts will be well protected, and the limits of the service as extended as the demands of humanity and the needs of commerce require.

The medals authorized by act of February 24, 1873, to be presented to the men who rescued lives on the occasion of the Metis disaster, have been presented to the persons named in the act, with the exception of one who has deceased. A medal has also been presented, in accordance with the joint resolution of Congress of June 20, 1874, to John Horn, jt, of Detroit, Mich., for rescuing men, women, and children from drowning in Detroit River.

Dies have also been made for the two classes of life-saving medals anthorized by act of June 24, 1874. There have been applications received on behalf of thirty-two persons for these medals, but the investigations into the merits of the several claims have not been completed, and no medals have yet been awarded.

Nov. 15 Two and one-half miles south 10 Schr. Aurora Bore- St. John, N. B..... Ham .... 1875.

10 Schr. Maggie A. Fisk Dennis, Mass.

* Abandoned when boarded; repaired sails, got vessel into smooth water, and delivered her to master.