. Coast Guard history. United States. Coast Guard. fragments of wrecked ships, early surf- boats, watertight dinghies called surf-cars that were operated like breeches buoys, and a variety of cannons and projectiles for shooting lines aboard wrecked ships. For over five years these early stations were manned by volunteers, called to- gether like a volunteer fire department whenever there was a shipwreck. In 1854 keepers were appointed for the stations at an annual salary of $200. Not till 1871 was the Secretary of the Treasury author- ized to employ surfmen to man the stations. In the 70 years
. Coast Guard history. United States. Coast Guard. fragments of wrecked ships, early surf- boats, watertight dinghies called surf-cars that were operated like breeches buoys, and a variety of cannons and projectiles for shooting lines aboard wrecked ships. For over five years these early stations were manned by volunteers, called to- gether like a volunteer fire department whenever there was a shipwreck. In 1854 keepers were appointed for the stations at an annual salary of $200. Not till 1871 was the Secretary of the Treasury author- ized to employ surfmen to man the stations. In the 70 years between 1871 and 1941, cutters and lifeboat stations rescued 203,609 lives and nearly $2,000,000,000 in property from shipwreck and flood. To do this magnificent job, men of the old services and the new have had to put to sea in the worst possible weather. "All I know is the regulations book says you have. to go out," declared one old timer. ""It doesn't say anything about coming ; Special breed of men Usually, though. Coast Guard crews do come back, their missions accomplished. One of the reasons is that years of expe- rience in launching small boats through dangerous surf has developed a special, rugged breed of men. Another reason is that the equipment is specially developed, too. Take the lifeboats, for example. There are a number of types, each designed and built by the service for a particular task. There's the 26-foot surfboat that weighs nearly a ton and is propelled by oars. The same boat comes in a power model, and both types arc self-bailing. Then there are two models of motor lifeboats, a 36-footer and a 52-footer. These are self-bailing, self-righting, and virtually unsinkable, and they have enclosed, heated com- partments. Newcomers among rescue craft are the versatile amphibious trucks, or DUKWs, as they are called. These vehicles can do 55 miles per hour on paved roads; then, without stopping, partially deflate their tires for bett
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollecti, booksubjectunitedstatescoastguard
