A Mattress As A Life Raft

To begin, I’d like to wish all my readers a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. I must confess I’m a bit surprised at the number of people visiting this blog, and as long there is interest, I’ll continue to post what I hope is interesting information. I’d like to extend my sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all who visit.

I'm going to begin the New Year by transcribing an article from the "Science and Invention" section of Volume 45, No. 22 of "The Literary Digest". I found this little gem in the basement of a used bookstore in Syracuse, New York while attending law school.







TO PROVIDE the cradle of the deep with floating mattresses would seem a very obvious precaution, but we find the idea hailed as something new. Pneumatic mattresses and pillows have been used to some extent, made with special precaution against a puncture that might let the user down into the billows, and no doubt those on the “Titanic” and other wrecked steamers have wished the directors of the line had installed some such device. It will be recalled that many of the “Titanic” victims were sustained splendidly by the life-preservers, but died from the chill of the icy water. If each passenger could have floated high and dry on his own mattress, the result might have been different. Among the life-saving devices for use on shipboard brought recently before the Army Board on Life-boats and Life-Saving Appliances, was a universal safety mattress for use on shipboard or in localities subject to floods. It was designed and patented by Lieut. S. P. Edmonds, a retired officer of the United States revenue cutter service. From a description in “The Manufacturers’ Record” (Baltimore, October 31) we learn that the mattress is made to fit any bunk or bed, and is as comfortable as any ordinary felt mattress. We read further in substance:

“It is light enough to be carried easily by one person, and when made into a raft can be thrown overboard with a small line attached, and held so that the persons using it may be lowered on a ladder or line to reach the raft, or, if necessary, it may be thrown overboard, and persons jumping into the water will find the raft capable of supporting as many as can get hold of it in the water, or a lesser number may be supported clear of the water by climbing upon it. The necessary lashings and hand-holds form a part of the raft, and are always ready for use.

In the demonstration and tests, the inventor maneuvered the 24-inch mattress as a raft about the harbor basin with one oar, two oars, and by swimming without oars. After this demonstration the raft was weighted in the water and secured along-side the transport “Meade” for a test of its floating endurance. On the fourth day after the test began it was found that the raft showed no signs of sinking.

The two mattresses forming the raft were separated; one of them was sent to the quartermaster depot for examination of the materials of which it is made, and the other was punctured and torn with a number of holes into the filling of the mattress from the six sides. The mattress was then weighted down along-side the Army transport “Meade” for observation as to the length of time it would float. A telegram just received, ten days after the mattress was put over, is as follows:

‘No sign of mattress sinking. Apparently same as put over.’”

Lothrop, Master of Transport “Meade”