In the early morning hours of October 4, 1881, the schooner, Thomas J. Lancaster, was caught in a heavy squall and ended up grounding about three and a half miles north of the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station. There were thirteen all told on the vessel that included Captain Hunter’s wife and three children. The crew of the [...]
The history of the life-saving station known today as Oregon Inlet has a unique beginning. In 1846, a great hurricane created an inlet between Bodie Island and Pea Island. An unsuspecting vessel named Oregon was caught in the storm but escaped to the safety of the ocean by using the newly formed inlet. Because of the [...]
On January 31, 1878, the wooden steamer, Metropolis, ran aground about 4 ½ miles south of the Jones Hill station. She was discovered by locals who happened to catch a glimpse of one of her masts in the fog. One local man hurried to the closest neighbor who lived about ½ a mile away to borrow [...]
In the wee hours of November 24, 1877, the steamer, Huron, stranded itself about two and a half miles from the Nags Head station. Rough seas caused the vessel to keel over so her crew valiantly tried to survive the storm by clinging to her remains. Unfortunately, the Nags Head station wasn’t open for the season, [...]
One of the most tragic events during the United States LifeSaving Service time was the wreck of the Italian bark, the Nuova Ottavia. On March 1, 1876, the bark stranded itself near the Jones Hill station in bad weather and initially did not indicate that assistance was needed. However, the next evening the bark was tossed [...]
On November 25, 1875, high winds and heavy sea caused the boat of four fishermen to capsize near the Caffey’s Inlet station. Captain Malachi Corbell lead a crew of men into the rough water towards the men who were clinging to their overturned boat. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, two of the men had been [...]
In 1871, The United States Life-Saving Service, which is the predecessor of today’s United States Coast Guard Service, was established to aid victims in traditional shipwreck areas. Earlier means of assistance had failed so the USLSS had the task of restructuring the program to achieve their goal of saving lives. In 1874, the USLSS came to [...]
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site and Museum will open for visitors on March 18, 2024, which marks an early start for the site’s season, which usually extends from late spring until late fall. 1874 Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station. Photo by Joy Crist. “Our Marketing Committee suggested that an early opening – particularly during the 150th Anniversary [...]
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the U.S. Life-Saving Service in North Carolina Opening Reception Friday, April 5 from 6pm-8pm On Display April 5-27, 2024 in the Courtroom Gallery DareArts.org/shakesexhibit Read the Coastland Times article
A PROCLAMATION Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe and Declaring October 2024 as Life-Saving Service Commemoration Month WHEREAS, during the late 1700s and early 1800s, an increase in maritime trade resulted in the greater possibility of near-shore shipwrecks occurring along the East Coast of the United States, and; WHEREAS, at that [...]
