By James D. “Keeper James” Charlet
Most people do not know of, nor have never even heard of, the direct predecessor of today’s U.S. Coast Guard. It was the United States Life-Saving Service. It is one of the least-known yet is also one of the most fascinating and inspirational aspects in all of America’s storied history. Author Ralph Shanks says, “They were the greatest heroes of the American coast, routinely risking their lives in the grand maritime rescues…yet somehow, America forgot these peaceful heroes.”
One of those lost treasures is the 1898 Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station No.16/Coast Guard Station No.176. It is in serious trouble. It needs to be saved, to be nurtured, to be rescued – just as it spent its life doing for others. To add to the confusion, it is very often mistaken for and misidentified as the Pea Island station. It is the beautiful but mysteriously abandoned building one sees crossing the Oregon Inlet bridge to land on Hatteras Island.
How serious is the trouble? Being abandoned for 30-years, it has suffered neglect, deterioration, even vandalism – but most egregious of all – a few want it dismantled and moved off its birthplace of 126-years ago and send it to Manteo, not even the Outer Banks.
First, a brief summary of this forgotten service.
The United States Life-Saving Service existed from 1871 until 1915, with nearly 300 lifesaving stations along all of America’s Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific and Great Lakes coasts. North Carolina established 29 of those stations from 1874 to 1905. The brave souls known as Surfmen had a singular mission: saving lives in peril on the sea, “so others may live.” During their 44-year history, nationwide, using no more than small, open, wooden boats and cork life belts, often in violent and dangerous storms, they responded to over 178,000 lives in peril from shipwrecks…of which they saved, OVER 177,000… one survivor at a time; yet, somehow, America forgot these peaceful heroes. In 1915, the United States Life-Saving Service merged with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and was renamed the United States Coast Guard.
We know about and respect the usual “perks” that large sponsors get, and we will gladly complete that expected list. In addition, however, we are in the unusual position of giving our sponsors UNIQUE benefits!
You will be associated with saving lives, and there is nothing more noble than that;
You will be connected to HEROES, and everybody loves a hero!
You will be coupled with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It’s motto is “With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.” And you will be part of that.
Respectfully & Sincerely,
James D. “Keeper James” Charlet