Histories

Newspaper Date : 4/25/1879 12:00:00 AM
Volume : 3
Number : 1
Page : 1
Column : 6
Newspaper : Review
Description : Great description of the Life Saving Station.
Transcription : A Visit to the Life Saving Station. The greater part of Tuesday and all of Tuesday night it was our good fortune to be a visitor at the Life Saving Station on Sturgeon Point, four and a half miles above Harrisville, and we are happy to say that we saw and experienced much that pleased and satisfied our curiosity. We were taken to the Station, from Harrisville, in the life boat, or we should say surf boat, by the Captain and crew, the surfmen making the distance, at moderate rowing, in forty minutes. They could have made the distance in thirty minutes, by a livelier dipping of the oars. We arrived at the Station about 11 a.m. and after giving the building and apparatus glancing inspection, we saw George Freer, one of the surfmen, don a rubber suit, fill up the air chambers with wind, and go out into Lake Huron and enjoy the sport of riding upon the waves. The next thing we saw was something else--a well filled table, in the kitchen, of articles good to eat, which rejoiced our inner man exceedingly, as we proceeded to put away installment after installment where it would be safe to do the most good. After dinner, we witnessed the surfmen go through a course of drill, similar work to that which they would be required to perform in case they were assisting a wreck, rescuing passengers therefrom, etc. The equipment of the Station for life saving purposes comprises a large surf-boat, life car, bretches-buoy, life raft, two rubber suits, ten life boats, signal lanterns, coasting lights, for night signals, twenty-eight different marine flags, for day signals, boat wagon, cart for conveying rope and tackling, mortar, shot lines, endless ropes, and other things large and small too numerous to mention, which must be seen to be appreciated. The mortar is of 5 1/2? inches bore, and will throw ball and shot line 300 yards. A new mortar, one that will throw 500 to 600 yards, is expected soon. The building is 20x44 feet in size, two stories high. The first floor is divided into three compartments, viz.: boat and apparatus room, kitchen and pantry. The second floor has four apartments--general sleeping room, sitting room and sitting and sleeping rooms for cook. Among the many things provided by "Uncle Sam" for the amusement and intellectual instructing of the crew is a valuable library, comprising 44 volumes of religious, historical and scientific works. There is not a poor book in the lot. Each member of the crew has his certain work to perform. Four hours each night every surfman has to patrol the beach two at a time, one going to Harrisville and the other to Alcona and return. The Station is kept thoroughly clean, each room being scrubbed from two to three times per week, and swept daily. Each member is known and recognized about the Station by his number, as follows: No. 1--Harry Broadwall. No. 2--Bart. Frederick. No. 3--David Crounse. No. 4--John McRae. No. 5--Chris Duggan. No. 6--George Freer. The Keeper of the Station is Perley Silverthorn, who has held the position since the Station was first established. He is efficient in his management and gives personal attention to his business. The cook is Mrs. David Crounse, and an excellent one she is, too. The men buy their own provisions and pay Mrs. C. for doing the cooking, thus they get their board cheap and live first-class. One who had never visited the Station would take it to be a lonesome place; but not so. At least we did not find it to be so. The life and unusual liveliness of the crew (especially No. 6), drives away all monotony and lonesomeness. We were well pleased with our first visit to the Station, and our profit amply provided for, and shall make another visit when we get a chance. The Light House. While at the Point, we ran over to the Light House and paid friend Pasque a flying visit, whom we found in his usually jovial condition. We ascended the tower to the big light and "took in" a bird's eye view of the lake and shore country. We paid a visit to this light house last summer, and we believe gave a description of the same in the Review, so we'll cut our words short, this time.