1930: Bill, the U.S. Life-Saving Services Horse of Fire Island, New York » Lyle Gun
The Lyle rescue gun is named after its inventor, U.S. Army Colonel David A. Lyle. A rope is shot from the Lyle gun over one of the booms of the mast, and a sailor attaches this rope to the mast.
Lyle guns were used — a line is fastened to a 17-pound projectile and shot from the gun. The Lyle gun could reach 695 yards. Sometimes it could be shot from a boat if the water was calm enough. The sailors grab the line as it passes over the ship. Directions are attached in English and French on how to attach the line. Once that is made fast to the ship, the sailors can see smaller lines begin to move, which means the life-savers are at work and heading toward them in a life boat, or sending them a breeches buoy. The crew then sends one man along with the device.
The Lyle rescue gun is named after its inventor, U.S. Army Colonel David A. Lyle.
