AT the close of the fiscal year which terminated on the 30th June, 1905, the Life-Saving Establishment of the United States comprised 277 stations, an increase of 4 stations as compared with the previous year, and the whole of these stations were embraced within thirteen districts. Of the 277 stations, 200 were placed on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, 61 on the coasts of the Great Lakes, and 16 on the Pacific coast.

As in previous years, the greater number of the stations were not kept open all the year round because such a course was unnecessary; but it is the uniform practice to have keepers on duty at all the stations during the entire year.

The number of disasters to documented vessels within the scope of the Service was 365, and there were on board these vessels 4,089 persons, of whom 27 only were lost. There were besides 420 casualties to undocumented vessels, such as sailing, pulling boats, etc., and these had on board 955 persons, of whom but 10 perished. The estimated value of the documented vessels was $7,735,300, and that of their cargoes was $2,585,360, making the total value of the property imperilled $10,320,660. The estimated value of the property salved was $7,917,385, and of that lost $2,403,275.

The vessels totally lost numbered 63.

The estimated value of the property in the imperilled undocumented vessels was $264,690. Of this, property of the value of $258,025 was salved and $6,665 lost.

In 465 instances, assistance was rendered to vessels in distress which would otherwise have resulted in partial or total loss. In 359 of these cases, the station crews, assisted only by the crews of the imperilled vessels, salved property valued at $624,665. In the remaining 106 instances, the services of the life-savers were performed in conjunction with those of tugs and other agencies, and the value of the property salved was $3,535,690. The station crews also afforded assistance of more or less importance to 676 other vessels, making a total of 1,141 to which aid was furnished. In addition, 83 steamers and 88 sailing vessels running into danger were warned of their peril by the signals of the patrol and lookout in time to escape disaster. Of these warnings, 157 were given at night-time, and 14 during the day, in thick weather.

The surf-boat was used 863 times, making 1,207 trips; the self-bailing Life-boat 79 times, making 107 trips ; the gasoline launches at the City Point station 119 times, making 132 trips; smaller boats 547 times, making 635 trips; the river life-skiffs at the Louisville station 45 times, making 47 trips; the breeches buoy 6 times, making 53 trips; the wreck gun 12 times, firing 28 shots; the heaving stick 24 times.

The surf-boats landed 852 persons; the Life-boats 98 persons; the gasoline launches 300 persons; the river skiffs 58 persons; other station boats 269 persons; and the breeches buoy 48 persons. The station crews also rescued 31 persons connected with vessels without the aid of boats or other lifesaving equipment. For 21 of these the rescuers bravely contended with the dangers of the surf ; 5 were taken from piling and floating wreckage, and 5 were rescued after having fallen overboard from vessels making harbour.

The net cost of maintaining the United States Life - saving Service during the year ended the 30th June, 1905, was $1,799,644, plus the sum of $45,900, for the salaries and wages of officials at the Head Office. Total, $1,845,544 (384,488?.)..