1st, “A great gun, a nine-pounder, placed at the bottom of the tower, to be fired in case any vessel be observed in distress; and the signal to be varied according to circumstances, in order that the Custom-house officers may hasten to give all possible assistance, as well as to prevent the wreck from being plundered.
2d, In every great storm, two men on horseback are sent from the castle, to patrole along the coast from sun-set to sun-rise, that, in case of an accident, one may remain by the vessel, and the other return to alarm the castle. Whoever brings the first notice of the distress is entitled to a premium, in proportion to the distance from the castle.
3d, A large flag is hoisted when, on the Fern islands, any vessel is seen in distress, that the sufferers may have the satisfaction of knowing their disaster is perceived from the shore, and that relief will be sent to them as soon as possible. In tempestuous weather, the flag will be kept up; a gun fired morning and evening, and a sky-rocket thrown up, every night, from the North turret, till such time as relief can be sent.
These are also signals to the Holy Island fishermen who, by the advantage of their situation, can put off for the islands at times when no boat from the main land can get over the breakers. Premiums are given to the first boat which puts off for the islands, with suitable necessaries and provisions.
4th, A bell on the South turret will be rung in every thick fog, as a signal to the fishing-boats.
5th, A large weathercock is fixed on the top of the flag-staff, for the use of the pilots.
6th, A large speaking-trumpet is provided to be used when vessels are stranded, or in distress near the shore, of which there have been many instances[17].
17. The patent signal trumpet (lately invented by Mr. Fitzgerald), to which a pistol or piece of ordnance can be screwed, is said to increase sound to such a pitch as to render the report of a common cartridge, fired through it, equal to that of a nine-pounder. Such an instrument therefore may prove highly useful to mariners in distress. Repertory of Arts, Vol. XI. p. 100.
As might also the Telegraph, which is now so much improved as to give signals by night, as well as by day.
7th, An observatory is erected at the East turret of the castle, where a person is stationed every morning at day-break, in the winter season, to watch the adjacent coast, for vessels in distress.
8th, Masters and commissioners of vessels in distress are requested to make such signals as are usual among persons in their unhappy situation.”
“1st, Rooms and beds for shipwrecked mariners, who will be maintained in the castle a week, or longer, according to circumstances; and during the whole time provided with all manner of necessaries.
2d, Cellars for wine and other liquors belonging to shipwrecked vessels, in which they will be safely deposited for one year, in order to be claimed by their proper owners.
3d, A store-house for the reception of all manner of goods, stores, or implements belonging to a ship recovered from the wreck. They will be entered in a book kept for that purpose, giving the marks and description of each, with the date when they came on shore.
4. Timber, blocks, tackles, handspikes, rudders, cables, ropes, pumps, and iron, all in readiness, for the use of wrecked vessels, and delivered at prime-cost.
5. Various implements for raising and weighing stranded vessels, even of 1000 tons burthen, when sunk on rocks, or in deep water; to be lent, gratis, to any person having occasion for them, within forty or fifty miles along the coast, on giving proper security to re-deliver them to the trustees.
6. Whenever dead bodies are cast on shore, coffins, and the whole funeral expences, will be provided, gratis.”
Such a scheme of disinterested benevolence, supported by princely munificence, and carried on in an obscure corner of the island, without ostentation, is far above all praise! When more fully known, it surely cannot fail to awaken emulation, and give birth to similar asylums in this, and other maritime nations. For the whole community is interested in promoting it, and particularly all commercial companies, ship-owners, and insurers.
Now, in order to establish an institution of this sort, two methods present themselves: Public Benevolence; or, an Act of the Legislature, levying a small tax upon all vessels. For the execution of so extensive an undertaking, the latter seems preferable.
By such an act, commissioners should be appointed in London, and in all the maritime counties, under whose care the management of the different asylums ought to be conducted. The expence of each building, on a smaller scale, need not to exceed four hundred pounds. A serjeant’s guard, drafted from the neighbouring military, should be regularly quartered at each station, to preserve order, and drive away plunderers. The neighbouring fishermen and inhabitants might be formed into a company, to assist on every emergency, and to be rewarded according to their exertions. The family of one of these might be allowed to reside in the house, rent-free, to keep every thing in due order. At each station an exact register ought to be kept of every vessel stranded, the articles saved, the names and places of abode of the crews and passengers, &c. This register, at the close of the year, ought to be transmitted to the Commissioners in London, under whose inspection the particulars ought to be published, for the satisfaction of parties concerned, and to enable the public to estimate the utility of the institution, and induce neighbouring nations to imitate the plan.
Having now extended this voyage of observation beyond its original destination, behold new objects present themselves to view, which solicit my attention. Being as yet, however, only a fresh sailor, and my vessel but indifferently rigged, I must forbear launching into a wider sea: shall hasten, therefore, to steer my little bark into the friendly port to which it is bound.