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 in the weeks ahead, leading up to the official October celebration of the United States Life-Saving Stations’ 150th anniversary in the state.
The following is the next of these Life-Saving Station feature articles to honor the #LegacyofLifeSaving, written by Jen Carlson for CLSS.
Right Time, Right Place – A historic rescue by the Jones Hill Life-Saving Station
On April 24, 1899, two fishermen found themselves in a bind as they were attempting to come to shore. The small dory overturned in the breaks and trapped one man underneath as the tide began to pull him and the dory out to sea.
Keeper Jesse W. Ward from the Jones Hill Life-Saving Station just happened to be nearby and witnessed the accident. He rushed into the surf and helped the fisherman who had gotten himself free from the capsized dory rescue his comrade trapped beneath.
The surfman on duty in the watchtower also saw the incident and the surfmen hurried to the scene. They were not only able to save the dory but the catch of fish as well worth about $60 which would be valued at over $2,000 today.
All in a Day’s Work at the Little Kinnakeet Life-Saving Station
Sometimes it’s just about being willing: On the morning of December 12, 1885, a small schooner, H. P. Brown, out of Hatteras, North Carolina, ran aground on a reef on her return trip about three miles west of the Little Kinnakeet Life-Saving Station.
Heavy seas were breaking over her when the surfmen reached her side. It was found that the oakum had worked out of some of her seams and she was at a risk of sinking.
The Little Kinnakeet Life-Saving Station crew volunteered their services, came aboard, and began work in the hold by cutting away part of the ceiling to stop the leaks. They then ran out her anchor in an attempt to get her floating in smooth water.
It took seven hours and three attempts to get her off the reef safely, but the master of the vessel was extremely grateful for their unceasing efforts.
For more stories like these, visit the Chicamacomico LifeSaving Station where history is alive.
