LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Additional Rocket Stations

We learn from the 15th Annual Report of the Rocket Stations on the Coast of Yorkshire and elsewhere, just issued by Mr. CARTE, Ordnance Storekeeper at Hull, that during the past year two new rocket stations have been established at Portland and Langton, in Dorsetshire, on the recommendation of the Comptroller-General of Coast-Guard. These make 29 stations at which CARTE'S rockets are placed, 18 of which are on the coast of Yorkshire.

In the course of the year 1851, these rockets have been used four times, and have been the means of saving three crews. On the 4th June, the Bethel was driven ashore at the Peak, Robin Hood's Bay, York- shire, when by the exertions of Mr. R. A. BURSTAL, R.N., and the men of the Coast- Guard at that station, a line was thrown on board and afforded the means of escape, and also of conveying refreshments to the exhaust- ed crew. The Shipwreck Institution granted a reward on this occasion. On the 10th June, the Mary Ann was wrecked near Whitby, when nine rockets were fired, the last of which fell across the vessel, but the men were too much exhausted to make use of it.

On the 10th July, the AstoJph, Swedish galliot, was wrecked on the west coast of Jutland, a little south of the Agger canal, when the crew were saved by a rocket-line after two ineffectual attempts had been made to reach the wreck by the-life boat. On the 25th September the Napoleon, of Boulogne, was driven ashore near Saltburn on the coast of Yorkshire, but by the exertions of Lieut.

PACE, B.N., and the men of the Coast-Guard, the rocket apparatus was quickly on the spot; the first line broke, the second dropped astern, tat the third happily fell on board, and by its means 10 men were saved from the wreck, one hour before it went to pieces. The brilliant light emitted by the rocket in its flight being the only means which enabled the Coast-Guard to learn the distance and position of the wreck.

It is gratifying to add, that the French Government have duly appreciated Lieut. PACE'S services, and Mr. CAETE'S rockets, and the Humane Society of Boulogne, have sent the former their gold medal.

On the 26th September, the Mary Gray, of Montrose, was driven on the Long Scar rocks, near Seaton Carew. The crew of the Seaton life-boat, headed by the veteran Hoo0, and encouraged in their exertions by the presence of their worthy pastor, got off to the wreck, tat owing to one of the boat's crew having been washed overboard, they left the wreck to save his life. CASTE'S rockets were then tried, and at the fourth attempt the line fell on board; the crew, however, were too muck exhausted to profit by it, when it happily occurred to one of the bystanders to warp a stone bottle of hot coffee off to them, which so revived the men, that they drew the hawser on board, and all four got safely ashore. It afterwards appeared that they had not tasted food that day.

This suggestion is well worthy of note along the coast, as doubtless there have been other occasions when the same cause of exhaustion has prevented a wrecked crew from hauling off the warp. Another cause, too, is want of knowing what to do with the line; might not a light canvas tally with brief directions be attached to it with advantage ? It appears by the Report that 55 persons have been saved by CASTS'S rocket apparatus during the last 12 years, and altogether, by means of his rocket, life-buoy, and life-belt, not less than 460 persons. It is gratifying to add that the Jury of Class 8 of the Great Exhibition of 1851 recognised the value of Mr. CARTE'S life-buoy, by awarding him a prize medal for it.