The United States Live Saving Service (LSS), from which many of the entries in this book were taken, was formed in the 1870s and in 1914 absorbed by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The function of the LSS was to lend assistance to ships in distress. Frequently ships, disabled by storms, would head for the shoreline and ground their vessels in the hope of saving the crew, vessel and cargo. The LSS maintained lookouts for these vessels and would attempt a rescue. The book will be of particular interest to divers, fishermen and armchair adventurers.