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 months 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.
Careful Concern – A historic rescue by the Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station
On August 11, 1889, a small sloop named June became stranded on a sandbar while trying to enter the Oregon Inlet.
By the time the Oregon Inlet station crew got to her side, she was in a bad condition being swamped by the waves and the continuous surf breaking over her.
Three men were carefully transferred from the sloop to the surfboat and transported back to the station. There, they were provided dry clothing donated by the Women’s National Relief Association and stayed overnight before moving along their journey.
Unfortunately, nothing could be done to save the June and soon she broke up under the onslaught of the ocean.
All in a Day’s Work at the Caffey’s Inlet Life-Saving Station
Sometimes it is about being there for one of your own: On May 9, 1887, a child of one of the Caffey’s Inlet crew members went missing. A community search was conducted and the three-year-old was soon found in a neighbor’s well.
Keeper Daniel B. Austin jumped into action and began using techniques taught by the United States Life-Saving Service to restore drowning victims. Soon, there were faint signs of life and before long, the child began to feebly cry to the relief of the worried parents. Keeper Austin continued careful treatment of the child and brought it safely through the distressing time. After a long nap, the child had fully recovered from the scary accident.
