Island History: A spotlight on stories from the Outer Banks’ Life-Saving Service
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station (CLSS) is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, as one of the seven original Life-Saving Stations to be built in North Carolina in 1874.
As such, the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station and Historic Site in Rodanthe will be sharing stories about the seven 1874 Outer Banks stations until the end of 2024, to celebrate and mark this milestone
The following is the next of these Life-Saving Station feature articles to honor the #LegacyofLifeSaving, written by Jen Carlson for CLSS.
Heightened Anticipation at the Caffey’s Inlet Coast Guard Station
On January 27, 1920, a nor’easter had been blowing overnight, making all Outer Banks stations alert for potential incidents.
Surfmen on duty in watchtowers struggled to see past the storm, and those on overnight beach patrol reported that the lack of visibility would have prevented them from seeing a vessel in distress.
As the sun began to rise, the south patrolman from the Caffey’s Inlet Coast Guard Station discovered a schooner, the Momie T., about half a mile southeast of the station. He hurried back to the station to report the case and the crew prepared to head into the storm.
The Lyle Gun was set up on the beach and after the first two shots missed, the third connected and the line of communication was established.
The first person brought to shore was an unconscious, injured female who turned out to be the first mate’s wife. She was given restorative treatment and then transported by cart to the station for further treatment. Seven others were brought to shore via the breeches buoy, but one sailor was washed overboard and needed to be rescued from the surf.
The sailors remained at the station while awaiting transport aboard another vessel while the mate’s wife stayed at the home of a local family. The Momie T. and her cargo of dyewood were deemed a total loss.
All in a Day’s Work at the Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station
Sometimes it’s about opening your home to others: On December 26, 1885, a nor’easter blew and a number of houses along Oregon Inlet were washed away in the storm. The crew of the Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station opened up the station to provide shelter for two families, totaling twelve people, who were affected by the storm.
