Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1898 — IMPROVED SEA MESSENGER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IMPROVED SEA MESSENGER.

Device to Convey Tidings from Tee* sele in Distress. Should 70a be walking on the beach, and pick up a tiny boat bearing the legend: "Whoever finds this boat, look in the stern tube for an abstract log. which please forward to Lloyd’s underwriters, London,” you will know that one of Captain Bowden’s patent seamessengers has fulfilled Its mission. Hie messenger is like the model of a vessel, or boat (length 2 feet 2 inches, breadth 6% Inches, depth 6% inches).

From the stern, which is square, a chamber is bored forwards longitudinally, and in it is Inserted a metallic tube, to hold a small wooden rod, round which the ship’s log or any other Information written upon paper or the like may be rolled. The sea-messenger is made of solid wood (pine), and is entirely covered externally with Muntz’ yellow metal, to project it when afloat and also to render it conspicuous. Upon the deck the inscription is engraved on a metallic plate. The boat Is suitably ballasted to prevent Its capsizing and to keep the deck-plate In view at all times while floating. The inventor wants to make it imperative by law for all shipmasters to keep an abstract log fully written up day by day (noon preferred) and kept inserted in the messenger In readiness for an emergency. By this means the ofttimes cruel silence and dreaded suspense to those on shore may be averted.

THE SEA MESSENGER.