"My invention has for its object to provide a means for communications with and conveying a line of provisions and life saving apparatus to a ship in distress. The invention consists in the employment, for the purpose of establishing telephonic communication with and conveying a life-line, provisions, and life saving jackets & c. to a ship, of a fish-torpedo similar to those used in naval warfare, except that it carries no explosive charge and the telephone and life-saving lines being towed by the torpedo, and the provisions and other articles to be conveyed being stowed within the torpedo in the chamber generally reserved for the explosive charge…"