THE number of stations in the United States Life-Saving Service at the close of the year ended the 30th June, 1907, was 278, the same as that on the correspond- ing date in the previous year. Of this number, which was subdivided into thir- teen districts, 200 were on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, 61 on the coasts of the great lakes, and 17 on the Pacific coast.

Notwithstanding that a keeper is on duty throughout the year at each station, comparatively few of the stations are " open and manned " for more than some months in the year—ten at the most.

During the year, as many as 347 documented vessels were involved in disaster within the area of the opera- tions of the Service. There were on board these vessels 3,936 persons, of whom only 22 were lost. The value of these vessels was estimated at $6,478,220, and that of their cargoes at $1,824,045, making the total value of the endangered property $8,302,265. The estimated value of the property saved was $6,916,400, and of the property lost $1,385,865. The number of vessels totally lost was 55. In addition, 491 casualties occurred to undocumented vessels, that is to vessels under 5 tons burden, such as sailing and pulling boats, small launches, etc., and these involved 1,176 persons, of whom 23 were lost. The estimated value of the property endangered in these disasters was $530,320, of which $516,585 was saved and $13,735 lost. Assistance was rendered at the stations to 807 persons, to whom 1,140 days' relief was furnished.

There were 611 vessels, valued with their cargoes at $5,661,235, saved in circumstances which doubtless would have involved serious or total loss had it not been for the timely help rendered by the life-saving crews. In 449 of these instances, in which the property imperilled was valued at $1,270,995, the station crews saved property to the value of $1,238,935 unassisted, except by the crews of the imperilled vessels.

In the remaining 162 cases, the property involved was valued at $4,390,240, and the amount saved was $4,053,230. The station crews also assisted, more or less, 714 other vessels, making atotal of 1,325 to which aid was given. 204 vessels were warned by the signals of the watchmen and patrolmen in sufficient time to escape disaster. In 182 instances the warnings were given at night, and in 22 cases during the day, but in thick weather. Of the vessels so warned, 96 were steamers.

The surf-boat was used 997 times, making 1,318 trips; the self-righting and self-bailing Life-boat 57 times, making 75 trips; the power Life-boats 132 times, making 157 trips; the power launches 84 times, making 87 trips; the smaller boats 776 times, making 898 trips; the river life-skiffs at the Louisville (Kentucky) station 84 times, making 92 trips; the breeches buoy 12 times, making 212 trips ; the wreck gun 17 times, firing 37 shots; the heaving stick 15 times. 1,147 persons were landed by the surf-boats, 89 by the Life-boats, 145 by the power boats, 176 by the power launches, 83 by the river life-skiffs, 518 by other station boats, and 198 by the breeches buoy.

At the close of the fiscal year there were 17 self-righting and self-bailing Life-boats in use at the stations which had been " equipped with power," several having been added to the total of the preceding year. A contract has also been entered into for installing similar equipment in 16 other boats of the same types. The reports received with reference to the power boats from the officers of the service are couched in thoroughly enthusiastic terms. It is stated that their performances on the occasions when they have been em- ployed have fully justified every expec- tation. Indeed, in two or three instances they would seem to have accomplished rescues in circumstances which would have been impossible by any other means. The extreme length of any self-righting or self-bailing power Life-boat hitherto built for the service has been 34 ft., but one is now being built with a length of 36 ft., and a 40 h.p.

gasoline motor is to be installed in her.

The cost of maintaining the United States Life-Saving Service during the year ended the 30th June, 1907, was $1,790,198.97, to which must be added the payment of $45,838.32 for the salaries and wages of the officers and other employees at the Head Office, making a grand total of $1,836,037.29 (382,5072.).