Wednesday, July 12, at 1:30, Hatteras Island’s own “Keeper James,” will present his second summer program “A Brief Introduction to the United States Life-Saving Service – the Sister Service in the Sand” in the village of Buxton, NC, at the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the pavilion program presentation area.
The United States Life-Saving Service is one of the least known yet is also one of the most fascinating and inspirational aspects in all of America’s storied history. From 1871 until 1915, in ferocious storms, these brave surfmen rescued shipwreck victims one by one until the “Angels in Oilskins” had saved thousands upon thousands. In 1915 they became today’s United States Coast Guard whose primary mission remains to operate “so others may live.”
Charlet is the author of Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks: Dramatic Rescues and Fantastic Wrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic, by Globe Pequot Press. It has become a domestic best-seller and is distributed internationally and, of course, is available locally.
“I am honored by and indebted to the National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore for giving me this opportunity to present my program about the sister service at such an iconic place,” says Keeper James. “Millions of visitors come to see, learn and enjoy this national treasure, which, in 1870, was a modern marvel monster of masonry. They all know what the important job was for this striking lighthouse, but very few know about its equally important sister service – the brave souls of the United States Life-Saving Service – who actually went out in storms to rescue shipwreck victims.”
Keeper James will be appearing in his striking authentic full-dress uniform. “Miz Linda” will accompany the Keeper as a turn-of-the-century village wife-helper. This will be the only presentation here for July but will be repeated on August 9, 2023.
There is no charge for the program, and it is family-friendly.
