Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/40

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6. Two mooring-chains of different lengths arc provi- ded, which may occasionally be joined together, when a greater length is required.

7. Whenever any dead bodies are cast on shore, coffins &c. will be provided gratis, and the funeral expences paid.

In this asylum the unfortunate mariner is com- fortably lodged and boarded, till such time as he is enabled to travel to his friends and country. To aid the benevolent purposes above-mentioned, a new invention has lately been adopted at Bambo- rough-Castle, called the life-boat; a name it has received from the generous purposes to which it is applied that of rescuing the perishing sailor from the fury of the ocean. The many accidents which every inclement winter occasions on this coall had been long the subject of vain regret to the inhabi- tants of these parts; an emotion of pity that was more particularly felt about twelve years ago, in consequence of a shipwreck off South-Shields, in whi h ail the ciew miserably perished in the sight of their friends and connections who were helpless witnesses of the disaster. Some benevolent cha- racters of the town immediately entered into a sub- scription, and offered a large reward to any person who should invent a boat capable of going to sea in all weathers, without daimer of swamoinp; or being overset. After some previous essay;, Mr.

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