|
Gentleman's Magazine 1862 part 2 p.763
[dia]grams is enough to convince the most sceptical of the
extreme value of the cautionary signals employed by the
Meteorological Department of the Board of Trade. From
another paper we learn that there were no less than 1,494
shipwrecks on the British shores in the course of the year
1861, with the loss of 884 lives, but during the same time
4,624 were rescued from the most imminent peril, and a
considerable proportion of those owed their deliverance to
the truly benevolent Society which keeps up 123 life-boats
in readiness at any moment for active srvice, and also
liberally recompenses the crews of any other craft that may
co-operate in its works of mercy. It has, since its
formation in 1824, saved 12,680 lives, laid out L64,000 in
life-boats, &c. distibuted 84 gold and 713 silver
medals, and paid L16,000 in rewards. If these simple facts
are not enough to ansure such a degree of public support as
shall give permanency to the institution, we really do not
know what will suffice.
|