USLSS in NC: The value of teamwork

Published 2:46 pm Thursday, October 10, 2024

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Jen Carlson

On December 9, 1905, the south patrolman from the Kitty Hawk LifeSaving Station discovered a steamer perilously close to the beach. He was near the end of his three mile route, so he turned to hurry back towards the station.

After being notified of the case, Keeper Avery B.L. Tillett requested assistance from the Kill Devil Hills Station before heading to the scene with the beach cart. By the time the first line of communication was established, the crew of Station #13 had also arrived on scene to assist in the rescue.

Get the latest headlines sent to you

An experienced crew averaged about a minute and a half per round trip for the breeches buoy to carry a person to safely. Twenty-one survivors, as well as their baggage, were pulled to safety from the steamer Aragon, making it a very long night for the two crews.

After everyone was safely onshore, they were escorted to the station where they ended up staying for four days.

The wrecking crew arrived on the 13th and started trying to float the vessel. They were successful so the steamer was able to be towed to port.

All in a Day’s Work

Sometimes it’s about working overtime: On May, 1, 1889, a small schooner named Beulah Benton ran aground when entering the Oregon Inlet about two miles north of the Oregon Inlet LifeSaving Station. The station had just closed for the summer months but some of the crew happened to still be at the station.

Keeper Samuel J. Payne spotted the vessel so he and one other surfman took his personal sailboat out to assist. The lifesavers ran out anchors and helped the three sailors onboard in an effort to float the craft.

The tide was going out so it ended up being necessary to wait until the next high tide before the vessel could be floated and proceed on her journey.

For more stories like these, visit the Chicamacomico LifeSaving Station where history is alive. The 150th Anniversary Celebration is open to the public and is this week! We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate the heroics of our Forgotten Heroes.

We hope you will join us October 11-13, 2024 in celebration as we recognize the #LegacyofLifeSaving and the lasting impact of these often-unsung heroes. Go to chicamacomico.org for details of the events. 

READ MORE IN THIS SERIES HERE:

lifesaving

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!