Richard Etheridge Was a Surfman at the Bodie Fair Oaks, and the Appomattox Campaign the 36Th May Island Station

The Magazine of the North Carolina Maritime Museums

Beaufort • Hatteras • Southport Winter/Spring 2017

LaRosa de Bilbao cannon. See story on page 4.

www.ncmaritimemuseums.com The MariTimes Rittmaster Lauded by Vol. 6/Issue 2 NC Coastal Federation From The Friends By John Hairr SOUTHPORT: Ribbon Cutting and Grand Reopening only been in the last twenty-five to thirty years that their recollec- July 4, 2016 was an exciting day for the NC Maritime Mu- tions have finally been recorded. eith Rittmaster, Natural Science Curator at the NC Maritime Mu- seum at Southport, as our long-awaited addition to the Museum Over the last two decades, the Friends of the Graveyard of seum in Beaufort, was presented with a Pelican Award by the North became a reality. The 2,500 square foot addition would not have the Atlantic Museum and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Mu- Carolina Coastal Federation at their annual meeting in August of happened without our generous members, donors and commu- seum have had the honor of working with the United States 2016.K The award was to recognize Rittmaster’s “Dedication to the Research nity. Our fundraising was accomplished in approximately fifteen Coast Guard, the National Park Service Cape Hatteras National and Protection of Marine Mammals.” short months and highlights the faith our supporters had in the Seashore, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and the The NCCF explained why it chose Rittmaster for the accolade. “Biolo- project. The ribbon cutting for this addition was celebrated by the Hatteras and Ocracoke communities and schools in maintaining gist Keith Rittmaster has spent over 30 years protecting and studying marine Museum and all the donors and supporters that made our dream the British cemeteries in Buxton and Ocracoke and in organizing mammals. During his work, he witnessed the devastating effect that marine possible, and was made even more special by the attendance of the annual observance of the loss of the San Delfino and HMT debris has had on whales, dolphins, sea turtles and sea birds. He saw them special guests including Governor Pat McCrory; Department of Bedfordshire and their crews. On May 11th and 12th, we will entangled in fishing lines and felt compelled to do something about it. He’s Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz; Sena- commemorate the 75th anniversary of these actions. Exhibits, Museums Director: a member of the North Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network and tor William Rabon; Representative Frank Iler; Southport Mayor special talks, and presentations are scheduled. Family members, Joseph K. Schwarzer, II the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network and always responds to Jerry Dove; NC Museum of History Director, Ken Howard; NC including those of Sub Lieutenant Cunningham of the HMT Public Relations Coordinator: entanglement incidents. He started the North Carolina Monofilament Recov- Maritime Museums Director, Joe Schwarzer. We thank them for Bedfordshire, and guests and dignitaries from the British Isles, David Cartier ery and Recycling Program to encourage the proper disposal of fishing line [email protected] making the time to attend on an extremely busy holiday. Canada, Germany, Washington DC, and throughout America will and has placed 42 recycling receptacles along the coast, collecting over 2,400 We want to extend a special thanks and kudos to board mem- be in attendance. The ceremonies will include speakers, a laying miles of line. Through his work as a natural science curator with the North bers who went above and beyond to make the dream a reality. of wreaths, a twenty-one-gun salute, and the pipe band. Probably HATTERAS Carolina Maritime Museum, Keith has shared his knowledge through presen- Jim Crum, Finance Chairman, worked tirelessly to fundraise the most poignant moment is the reading of the names of San (252) 986-2995 tations, workshops, publications and displays.” and monitor our progress. Walt Madsen and Wayne Strickland Delfino and the Bedfordshire crews by local high school students. Administrative Assistant: The Pelican Award is presented to people, businesses and organizations Clara Scarborough shepherded the construction progress admirably. Bob Springle, As they read the names and ages, one has a realization that these who have shown exemplary commitment and undertaken meaningful actions Friends Administrator, helped make certain we were following men gave up everything. It is important to remember their sac- Friends President: to protect and restore the North Carolina coast. The award is so named for Danny Couch our timeline and budget and also moved furniture and supplies. rifice. We hope many of you will join us as we honor them. The the brown pelican, which is the official logo of the North Carolina Coastal Connie Keller was our able architect and Mary Strickland added Friends of the Museum are proud to play a key role in perpetuat- Federation. BEAUFORT her design expertise as well. All board members were supportive ing these ceremonies. (252) 728-7317 and helped bring this project to fruition. We enjoyed a wonderful Danny Couch Site Manager: working relationship with our general contractor, Mark Williams, President of the Board Randy Mann who made the process as painless as possible. Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum Friends President: We would not have met our July 4, 2016 goal without the Elwyn Wood extraordinary efforts by museum staff members Mary Strickland, BEAUFORT: Gallant’s Channel Lori Sanderlin and Meredith Jones. They moved furniture and As we approach our 40th anniversary year, the Friends of the SOUTHPORT supplies, cleaned endlessly and stayed late repeatedly to make Museum in Beaufort are hard at work on plans for the Museum’s (910) 457-0003 certain our grand reopening would happen on time. Kudos to expansion site at Gallants Channel. On the drawing board are an Site Manager: everyone! Events Center for museum and community activities and a Boat- Mary Strickland We are excited to welcome Irene Hoffman, our newest ing Center to house the museum’s sailing schools and rowing Friends Chairman: Shirley Wilson Friends’ board member. Irene’s talent and expertise adds yet clubs. The 30-acre campus will eventually include a permanent another dimension to our board that will take us confidently into home for the natural science programs and a second museum the future. exhibit building featuring artifacts recovered from Queen Anne’s The MariTimes Shirley Wilson Revenge, Blackbeard’s pirate ship. Editor: Chair, The Gallants Channel land, formerly a menhaden process- John Hairr Friends of the NC Maritime Museum at Southport ing complex, was first acquired by the Friends in 1997 and Associate Editor subsequently deeded to DNCR. An earlier effort by the Friends Ben Wunderly HATTERAS: Remembering World War II restored the deep-water frontage with modern piers and docks. Design: The recent NOAA expeditions to discover the locations of When the new U.S. 70 bridge over Gallants Channel opens in Stephanie Davis the sunken World War II vessels off our coast has reemphasized 2017, the museum site will become the gateway into Beaufort. the importance of the Outer Banks during that period of history. I Currently, the Friends leadership and staff, assisted by fund- grew up hearing the stories of my neighbors who had lived during raising consultants, are engaged in planning a major capital the blackouts and walked the beach to school in the morning to campaign to fund the improvements described above. Begin- One historic coast. discover debris and sometimes bodies from battles of the previ- ning early next year, the campaign will mark the start of our fifth Three unique museums. ous night. However, when these same neighbors were questioned decade of support for the North Carolina Maritime Museum in about what they had seen by those who lived “off island,” they Beaufort. became mute. Even after the war had ended, they felt the govern- David DuBuisson Sam Bland presents Keith Rittmaster with the North ment had sworn them to secrecy about what they had observed President © 2017 North Carolina Maritime Museums Carolina Coastal Federation’s Pelican Award. and they were uncomfortable discussing their experiences. It has Friends of the Maritime Museum in Beaufort

2 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 3 Cape Fear Quarantine Station at Southport North Carolina Maritime Museum By Mary Strickland at Southport History of the LaRosa Cannon By Mary Strickland n 1928, the front-line fight against the introduction Reports were received in 1936 that the U.S. Public ieutenant Joseph Gardner Swift, 1st West Point North Carolina. Based on historical research conducted in of contagious diseases into this country was car- Health Service was planning to close the Cape Fear graduate, Corps of Engineers, executed the re- the National Archives and in Spain, the group, directed by ried out at the boundary outposts, the Quarantine Quarantine Station. Only one tender would be kept in building of Fort Johnston in 1804 under orders Denny Breese and Grant Mitchell, believed that the wreck IStations. There was an epidemic of plague and cholera service and would be used merely for boarding ships fromL the War Department, completing the battery of tapia at was a Spanish merchantman, La Rosa de Bilbao, which was in India that year, and a severe outbreak of dengue fever from foreign ports for a brief inspection. Fumigation the site of “Old Fort Johnston.” The fort would include an lost in this vicinity in 1804. La Rosa wrecked under suspi- in Athens and Piraeus in August and September; yellow facilities and quarantine quarters were to be abandoned. epaulement of concrete, an enclosure of planks, a block- cious circumstances when it was found that the captain and fever in Brazil, and meningococcus meningitis was The last report of the station hospital building men- house, a powder magazine, brick officer’s quarters, bar- first mate were missing causing local authorities to suspect prevalent in Chinese ports. The pandemic of influenza tioned that forty-five cases were admitted to the hospital racks, guardhouse, and a wooden storehouse. mutiny.” began on the United States Pacific coast, and diphthe- at a daily cost per patient of $1.70, including 1 surgical At the end of November, a large Spanish ship called the In November of 1987, a team of divers brought up the ria and scarlet fever incidence was higher during this case, and multiple venereal cases. La Rosa de Bilbao was cast away on Cape Fear in a storm. 16-foot long ship’s rudder, and six months later, a 9-pounder year in practically all of the European countries than in This once-valuable station was put on a surplus Witnessing the event, Swift, as quoted by Ellery, noted cannon was recovered from the site by the group with the previous years. One of the important public health du- status under the care of a custodian in 1937, when “new that “It was alleged by the crew, who were brought by pilot assistance of the NC Underwater Archaeology Branch. The ties of the Federal government was the prevention and international public health laws and a system of bills of Davis to my quarters, that the ship was laden with sugar, rudder had bronze pintles and showed remnants of the cop- spread of infectious diseases in health rendered it out of date. and that there was much specie in “the run;” that the cap- per sheathing that covered the ship’s hull. The cannon was the United States from foreign It was turned into a relief tain and mate had died at sea, and that having no naviga- of British origin having been proofed at the Woolich Arse- countries. All these facts were re- Aerial of station in 1946.” The tor on board they nal in 1796. After ported to the Cape Fear Quaran- quarantine station. old quarantine station had put the ship spending years tine Station at Southport, situated “burned to the ground” before the wind and at Indigo Planta- only 18 miles below Wilmington, in 1953, leaving only the run her on shore tion Marina, the and telegraphic bulletins kept the concrete slab that had sup- near the Cape. cannon was sent to data complete and up to date. ported the water tower to mark There were twenty- conservation at the The station was located be- the location of the complex. It one in this crew, a NC Underwater tween “the upper end of Battery Is- sticks up out of the shipping chan- villainous looking Archaeology Lab land and Price’s Creek Lighthouse nel in the river near Battery Island, and set of rascals, that at Fort Fisher. Its on the east side of the Cape Fear is all that is left of the little white city on I had no doubt they final journey in River channel, about one and a half stilts. were. Lieutenant May, 2016 led the mile from Southport.” Ten little trim On July 4, 2016, the NC Maritime Museum Fergus (Fort Com- preserved arti- white houses, erected along bou- at Southport dedicated a remarkable new exhibit, mandant) detained fact to its present levards and side-streets of wooden a 4’x5’ tabletop lighted diorama, designed and built them in the block- home, the NC planking, stood on long black creo- by Walt Madsen, Richard Norwood and Steve Montee. house at the fort Maritime Museum sote pilings in mid-stream. The 400- It is so accurate, you can all but smell the sulphur! until the collector at Southport, locat- foot long fumigation wharf greeted the Quarantine sent inspectors to ed on the old Fort steamer Woodworth, three tenders, a boathouse, and oc- conduct the crew to Johnston bluff. casional family outings. There were three houses where Charleston, where A particular sailors were cared for, washed and deloused while their the ship was known note of interest is ship was being fumigated with sprayed sulphur, an to some merchant. These men all had more or less of dol- the cannon’s origin. The British crown seal is still clearly electric-power house for the station’s complete lighting

lars in their red woolen sashes tied around their waists. visible, begging the question, “How did a British cannon system, a water station, a laundry, and living dwelling Southport On their arrival in Charleston they were detained some come to be mounted on a Spanish merchantman?” for the six attendants. The kitchen, bedrooms, dining time, but no proof could be found against them, and they room, and sizable library provided a comfortable exis- went free. The pilots and others were for some time after tence for the visiting interned sailor. A two-story build- this exploring the remains of the wreck, but there was no ing on the mainland housed the dispensary and general valuable found among the drift save spars and rigging.” Pictured is Claude “Sandy” Jackson offices of the station. The station was very active in According to Richard Lawrence of the Underwater IIICover who worked Story: with NC Underwater Archaeology on the 1907. Eighty-six vessels–19 steamers and 11 sailing Archeology Branch, “Just off the mouth of the Cape Fear La Rosa project and also compiled “A Maritime History of ships–passed through the station. Two steamers and 3 River, a shipwreck dating to the early 1800’s was found the Cape Far and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers, Wilmington sailing ships were disinfected and 610 crew members by a private research group working out of Southport, Harbor, N.C., Vol. I” and 3 passengers were disinfected.

4 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 5 6 Southport and interesteveryone. activities forourseasonalprogramsthatwillintrigue P By LoriSanderlin Fall Fun,HolidayCheer and Summer CampSign-Upsare Near! with our favorite skeleton pirate Captain Bones! with ourfavoriteskeletonpirateCaptainBones! to gobbleup!Don’t forget, beforeyouleavetogetaphoto participants willalsobecreatingtheirowncreepycrawlies dren andadults.Ifyouarehungryforsomethingtonosh, good timeaswestepupourmaritimespookinessforchil- Saturday, October22ndfrom1–3p.m.forahauntingly creating maritimeghostsandseamonsters!Joinuson Trick-or-Treat bagactivity;however, thisyearweare more informationortoregister. promises tobeagreattime for all!Callthemuseum Victorian Holiday. The feeis$5.34perparticipantand create dreidelsoutofclayand dipcandlestotakehome. In conjunctionwiththeCityofSouthport’s festival,the It would not be Halloween Ghost Ship without our It wouldnotbeHalloweenGhostShipwithoutour Registration is required for Halloween Ghost Ship and Registration isrequiredfor Halloween GhostShipand program offerings, Winterfest and Victorian Holiday. As Winter approaches, rememberthatwehavetwo H alloween ages. We havedevelopedfresh,non-traditional new andexcitinghands-onactivitiesforall rogramming for2016–2017ispackedwith A ll FALL ISHERE! A bo G a rd h torian holiday customs, torian holidaycustoms, We willalsodiscuss Vic- tree andshellpainting. shells tohangonyour seascapes withsandand Ornaments willinclude ties withmaritimefocus. have addednewactivi- p.m. LikeGhostShip,we 17th from1:00–3:00 on Saturday, December with Victorian Holiday The festivitiescontinue cember 9that3:00p.m. tive touronFriday, De- a freecostumedinterpre- museum willbehosting ost

O the S 1-3 1-3 ctober THE MARITIMES •WINTER/SPRING 2017 a

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S h p ip . 22 a m y . ! , educational! educational! Crabby! All classesare engaging,ageappropriate,and excited towrite aboutwhentheyreturnto school. at themuseum. Makethissummertheone yourchildis timemuseums.com/southport orpleasepickupabrochure Registration formsareavailable onourwebsitencmari- working parents and vacationers. working parentsandvacationers. be convenientforboth noon, thisprogramwill uled from8a.m.to12 ful, messyfun.Sched- programming andcolor without on-the-water It wouldnotbeaclass crabbing tomenhaden. from shrimpingand town’s maritimehistory activities tracingthe be filledwithhands-on Boat Show, our“Mariner’s Camp,” August 16–19,will days. Saturday camps,andmoreLittleMarinerson Wednes- We havegreatnewprogramsscheduledforhalf-days, Registration startsJanuary3,2017,somakeplansearly. has ALL ofthesummerprogramsforchildrenplanned! proaching andtheMaritimeMuseumatSouthportalready Only Footprints, you toworkonprojectstogether! Titles include Leave class (whichincludesreadingtime)foryourseafarerand tory! We alsoaddedmoretopicstoourLittleMariner’s Saturday andextendedthetimeformorehands-onhis- Call the museum at 910-457-0003 to reserve your spot! Call themuseumat910-457-0003 toreserveyourspot! In thesamevein,our“Civil War Fortificationsofthe In collaborationwiththe Annual Southport Wooden Yes, youreadthatcolumncorrectly–summerisap- SUMMER ALREADY? Mermaids, - Sea Turtles , and Feeling our one day camps to our onedaycampsto tunities, wehavemoved more educationaloppor Sorry, kidsonly! ents willwanttoattend! be somuchfun;thepar History. This classwill sociated withCivil War interactive activityas- will haveatourand Caswell. Eachlocation Anderson, Holmes,and ing Fisher, Johnston, in theregioninclud- explore alloftheforts Lower CapeFear”will To helpgivefamilies - - By LoriSanderlin Volunteer Spotlight: A. J.Potter By LoriSanderlin Museum ExpansionPhaseII/IIIGrandOpeningJuly4,2016 you forpicking myshrimpboat,”onthe card. his own,todonatethemuseum. Hewroteout“thank and intricate“EasterCard” with moneyhehadearned,on walks in,andofhisownvolition hadcreatedaveryneat model oftheshrimpboatby John Vang. That spring, A.J. nameplates affixedinsimple rows,isanexquisitehalf to Royce’s images, atopthebeautifulwoodwithbrass cided thattheCapePointshouldbesymbol. Thanks Southport areawasbroached.Unanimously, itwasde- for adonorboardwithsymboloftheLowerCapeFear/ port wasworkingonthePhaseII/IIIexpansion,anidea While theFriendsofNCMaritimeMuseumatSouth - 6-years old,heisjustasselflessandkindhisparents. derstatement. What Ifoundmostinterestingisthat,at say theCapeFearRiverflowedinhisveinsisanun- parents andrelativesalsoservedintheCoastGuard. To generosity. their knowledge,expertise,andhistorywithkindness career. Asking nothinginreturn, thefamilyhasshared years, itwouldbethemostpopularsummercampofmy answered witharesoundingyes. And, forthenextthree and haveauniqueexperienceonthewater. The Potters importance oftherichhistoryshrimpinginSouthport wanted tohaveaclasswhereparticipantscouldlearnthe with ourmuseumsummercampsforchildren. We really to discusswithRoyceand April thepossibilityofhelping needed tokeepitimmobile. The purposeofmyvisitwas bright greencastranupthelengthofhisleg;abracewas years old,andhismother April heldhimonherhip;his I J needed amenitiesforthepublic. dedicated educationareasanddesperately storage forcollections,meetingspace, Southport. This projectgivesthemuseum sion duringtheNCJuly4thFestivalin public, themuseumopeneditsnewexpan Members, museumstaff, andgeneral Strickland, andahostofFriendsBoard Joe Schwarzer, MuseumManagerMary NC MaritimeMuseumsSystemDirector

A.J. comes from five-generations of fishermen. His A.J. comesfromfive-generationsoffishermen.His his parents’ shrimpboat,CapePoint.Hewasthree Yacht Basin. The sunsparkledonthewateraround first met A.J.asIstoodonadockalongtheOld

Resources SecretarySusanKluttz, Department ofNaturalandCultural oined byGovernorPatMcCrory, NC THE MARITIMES •WINTER/SPRING 2017 - and NCDNCR Secretary Susan Kluttz. SusanKluttz. and NCDNCRSecretary Wilson, Governor Pat McCrory, NCMMDirector JoeSchwarzer, Friends Strickland, Board ChairShirley Mary Manager Museum entrusted, aswere we,topreserveandinterpret thepast exemplary exampleofthenext generationwhichwillbe mer classes,projects,andspecial programs, A.J. isan family’s historyandthemaritimecultureof Southport. in Southport,knewthatthe museum trulycaredabouthis inspiring. A child,whothreeyearsago,onasunnyday and appreciationforthewatermaritimehistoryis certainly growintoanadultwithirreplaceablelove while heisworkingatthemuseum. gave himhisveryownvestwithamuseumpintowear received avolunteernametagandourmuseummanager gently broughthimseveraldaysaweekallsummer. He the raisedbedsaroundmuseum.MomorDaddili- Pleased beyondwords,hequicklysettowork,watering plants outsidethissummer? We reallyneededthehelp. He wantedtoworkherewithus. A.J. shylyaskedifhecouldhavea“job”atthemuseum. spirit. Earlythissummer, A.J. and April walkedin,and Smiling, Ialwaysappreciatedhisanecdotesandcarefree or hislatestexcursion. Mom, Dad,Uncle Tookie, here andtotalkabouthis was alwayspleasedtobe wonder ofachild,he Sharing withthetrue out alongtheCapeFear. found whilewandering glass and“treasures”he A.J. wouldbringinsea

Like allofouryoungvolunteers whohelpwithsum- This remarkablededicationofachild,whowill I quicklycameupwithanidea–Couldhewaterthe As timewenton,

A. J. Potter Southport 7 San Gerardo

Corolla Buarque Equipoise Amerikaland Victoria Otho Byron D. Benson USS Plymouth Oakmar Kill Devil Hills Belgian Airman Olympic Victolite BASE #16 Albert F. Paul North Carolina Maritime Museum Manteo U-85 Katy City of Atlanta Allan Jackson San Delfino Ceiba USS Atik Svenør Axtell J. Byles Marore Desert Light Alcoa Guide Ciltvaira Malay Halo Chenango Rio Blanco Arabutan Hatteras Lancing Empire Thrush Margaret Ocracoke ACME British in Beaufort Liberator Splendour City of New York Norvana Empire Gem Blink City of Birmingham Kassandra LouloudisAustralia William West Ivis Lady Hawkins BASE #21 Rockefeller Those “Verdammt” Little Red and Yellow Planes: Morehead City Beaufort U-576 U-701 Tamesis Venore Dixie Arrow Kollskegg Ario E.M. Clark Caribsea British Freedom USS YP-389 Leif Malchace Manuela Koll Narragansett Harry F. Sinclaire, Jr. Atlas Nordal Tolosa Agra Tamaulipas Major Wheeler The Untold Story of North Carolina’s Coastal Patrol Wilmington W.E. Hutton Olean Bidwell Papoose Ashkhabad Ulysses Anna Ljubica Matkovic Empire Dryden HMS Bedfordshire Panam Liebre Libertad Pleasantville West Notus ~ USS Cythera By Christine Brin Southport U-352

John D. Gill Stanvac Melboure Naeco J.A. Mowinckel Steel Maker Atlantic Sun Esso Nashville Bris hanks to essential as- Long before America officially George Ade sistance from Lt. Col. entered World War II, German TPhil Saleet, Civil Air U-boats investigated America’s Patrol Historical Projects Divi- coastline. What they found sion Head, a new temporary exhibit featuring the early his- was an Eastern Seaboard that had the forces sank over three million tons of materials in the Base 16 at Manteo starting in July of 1942 and Base 21 tory of the Civil Air Patrol, focusing on the Coastal Patrol potential to be a prime hunting ground for North Atlantic. Some historians argue that these attacks in Beaufort starting in September 1942. based out of North Carolina, opened in Beaufort during the merchant vessels transporting goods to and from the United ultimately resulted in the loss of more lives and resourc- The men and women who manned the Coastal Patrol winter of 2015. The exhibit gives the story of the Coastal States. Fortunately, the Germans were not the only ones es than the attack on Pearl Harbor. bases were sorely underpaid and poorly recognized at Patrol and Operation Drumbeat, an often overlooked aspect planning for the possibility of America entering the war. The museum’s exhibit includes a detailed list of the the time for what they did to protect the coast during of World War II that transpired along the east coast of the Gill Rob Wilson, former World War I pilot and president different merchant vessels that were attacked during World War II. Upon arriving at these primitive sites in United States. of the National Aeronautics Association, was convinced Operation Drumbeat. Interestingly, the information was North Carolina the men were expected to prepare and Exhibit designer Stephanie Davis planned the exhibit as early as 1936 of a potential need for civilian American retrieved from detailed records kept by the captains of maintain these sites, usually paying out of their own to showcase the heroic history of the men and women of aviators to unite and train for what he felt was inevitable the German U-boats based off the East Coast. pockets for supplies such as their own uniforms and the Coastal Patrol whose contributions during World War war. Following a tour of Germany in 1936 Wilson stated The Germans found that the waters off of North Car- housing. The pilots of the Coastal Patrol flew small II have gone largely unrecognized. Oral histories up and he, “…began to think of the private and business pilots olina were a prime hunting area for merchant vessels. single-engine aircraft from primitive airfields in Manteo down the East Coast, especially in North Carolina, are full and the miscellaneous aircraft fleet as shock troops to gain As a result of North Carolina’s barrier islands, unique and Beaufort in an effort to spot U-boats and other dan- of stories of burning vessels, floating victims and tragic time should the United States coast be attacked.” It would currents, and harsh storms, sailors had already nick- gers. These heroic men overcame weather, poor equip- losses following hundreds of attacks by Nazi U-boats. be almost six years before the Civil Air Patrol would be named the North Carolina coast the “Graveyard of the ment, and vast ocean distances, sometimes at the cost These histories have remained largely oral as a result of the officially established on December 1, 1941. Atlantic.” For those same reasons the waters off North of their own lives to patrol and protect the coast. These federal government’s wartime censorship efforts that sup- Only six days later America was attacked by the armed Carolina became a focal point for the Germans and planes proved to be such a menace against U-boat pressed the news stories of these attacks. Reports of enemy forces of Japan. This attack resulted in the destruction of the coast earned a new nickname, “Torpedo Junction.” attacks that Admiral Karl Doenitz of the U-boat fleet, activity along the coast were suppressed in order to prevent eight battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers, one anti- Soon insurance companies refused to insure merchant when asked why he had withdrawn from our coast is panic among Americans. The museum’s new exhibit fea- aircraft training ship, one mine layer, 188 U.S. aircraft, and vessels traveling along the East Coast. The oil com- credited with saying, “It was those damned little red and tures narratives, quotes, uniforms, and artifacts telling the thousands of American lives. As a result, America simul- panies ultimately lost so much capitol to these attacks yellow planes.” The admiral’s description of the Coastal history of these attacks and the over 3,000 men and women taneously found itself entering World War II and proceed- they were compelled to fund the first three experimental Patrol’s planes inspired the title for the museum’s ex- who defended the coast. ing without its full number of ships, planes, and personnel. Civil Air Patrol bases in New Jersey and Florida with hibit, “Civil Air Patrol: North Carolina’s Coastal Patrol This resulted, in part, to the first eighteen months of the war hopes of stemming these attacks. Bases of WWII, “Those verdammt little red and yellow being disastrous on the East Coast as Nazi Germany took Fortunately the civilian aviators of North Carolina planes.” advantage of this gap in America’s defense. had begun to unite and plan ahead prior to the official Starting in January of 1942, Nazi Germany launched creation of the Civil Air Patrol. Despite their early start Operation Paukenschlag (Drumbeat) to take advantage of the military and North Carolina’s State Government America’s vulnerable East Coast. This attack brought over were reluctant to establish a civilian coastal patrol. eighty German U-boats to the East Coast of America with Ultimately, the Civil Air Patrol established twenty-one the purpose of disrupting the movement of supplies by Coastal Patrol bases along the East Coast, with two Civil Air Patrol: North Carolina’s targeting merchant vessels. In the first half of 1942, German located in North Carolina. North Carolina would host Coastal Patrol Bases of WWII Beaufort

“Those ‘verdammt’ little red and yellow planes” “Jene verdammt kleinen roten und gelben Flugzeuge.” SS Henry F Sinclair Jr. 34-25N 76-30W.

8 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 9 Beaufort 11

for these call (252) 728-7317 or visitcall (252) 728-7317 or Fall In-The-Water Meet In-The-Water Fall Bash Boatshop Oyster Harvesting Sail Crystal Christmas Coast Flotilla Cook-Off Clam Chowder 6th Annyal Show Boat Wooden www.ncmaritimemuseums.com. Registration! upcoming events! is the first day parents can submit their parents 13 is the first day February Summer Science for children Schoolcourses offers Junior SailingThe basic through offers Program on these summer camp opportuni information more - For For more details about events and programs, details about events more For Oct. 22 5 Nov. 15 Nov. Dec. 3 Jan. 20 6 May Summer Science School School Summer Science Mark your calendar & Junior Sailing Program children’s application to participate in our Summer to Science application children’s School classes or the Junior Sailing Program. an class provides Each grade. tenth through preschool entering andopportunity culture history, learn about the maritime to and classroom through North of coastal Carolina environment topics includepopular class The most experiences. field trip and fishing. pirates life, seashore This ages 8 and older. sailing instruction youth to advanced the arts sailing and teaches of rigging, program exciting maritime traditions to students and introduces seamanship, the basic skills teach is designed to program The and history. advanced of more hone the skills beginners and to of sailing to and on of time in the classroom using a combination students, members Friends for Junior Sailing Early registration the water. more and up is February 1-7. For the Benefactorat Level at office contact the Friends on early registration, information 252-728-1638. about . Information visit www.ncmaritimemuseums.com ties, a website on the museum’s the 2017 camps will be posted the beginning of registration. prior to month - - - 2017 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING Photo courtesy of The The courtesyPhoto of Riding the Right Coast, Surfing With widespread magazine publications, television widespread magazine publications, With were avail So the interest was there and surfboards If you want to learn more about the history of the

shows and films highlighting the sport in the 1960’s, in the 1960’s, shows and films highlighting the sport across the surfing experienced a boom in popularity North Carolina was not immune. Surf shops country. up at Kitty Hawk, and surfboard rentals started popping Carolina Beach and Beach, Wrightsville Atlantic Beach, in the state even Kure Beach. Some talented craftsmen versions of more took the initiative to create their own to ride and, in surfboards modern foam and fiberglass coming from some cases sell, since most boards were the labels, Dan- California at the time. Surfboards under and Surfboards by Pri, East Coast Surfboards, Spencer Carolina. Don were all custom made in North for riding? Most able but what about the actual waves Carolina coast is people may not realize that the North exceptional waves arranged geographically to get very and conditions for surfing. Beaches along the state are open to receive ocean swells anywhere from the north to the southwest with three major points or capes jutting The natural curving of the coast Atlantic. out into the line increases the chances that when the surf arrives a - person is able to find a beach where the wind is off shore, grooming the waves to perfection. From strong winter nor’easters and fall hurricanes, there to summer is bound to be rideable waves breaking along North Carolina beaches throughout the year. sport of surfing in North Carolina make sure to come explore our new exhibit, NC, displayed at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort at 315 Front Street in Beaufort. Museum hours are Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Sat There is urday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 to 5 pm. no admission fee to the museum, donations are greatly appreciated. News & Observer. News Young surfers carry in the water a surfboard towards Young of this time early boards The Beach, July 1965. Kure cumbersome. quite period were - - Photo courtesy of The News & Observer. News The courtesyPhoto of Photo courtesy Jackson. Photo of George Since the North Carolina coast encompasses ap Since the North Carolina coast encompasses tive Thomas Fearing to design and build his own hollow tive wooden surfboard which he used at the local beaches. by Burke Bridgers who, back in the summer of 1909 by Burke Bridgers who, back in the tested out some homemade in New Hanover County, Bridgers and Beach. Wrightsville juniper surfboards at of the pioneers of fellow surfers of the area were some but for the entire the sport, not just in North Carolina, country. oceanfront beaches proximately three hundred miles of to find out where surfing can take place, we needed locations along when surfing was introduced at other adventurous souls the coast, and to identify any other the waves on who were experimenting with riding Banks surfing a wooden board. Some of the Outer Willie Hawaiian pioneers we uncovered include native performers who Kaiama and his troupe of Polynesian Shores Dare Virginia put on surfing demonstrations at 1928. Dare Day festivities in Virginia for the annual Dare County na The demonstrations may have inspired Surfers could order custom made DANPRI boards by by boards made DANPRI Surfers custom order could Surf Atlantic at Herman Danner and Pritchard Sonny taken the shop was of photo This Beach. Shop in Kure in 1965. - - THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING Surfing NC: A Timeline of the History A Surfing NC: he North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort Museum in Beaufort Carolina Maritime he North summer of 2016 exhibit during the opened an The history. surfing Carolina’s focusing on North

Among the highlights of the history of the sport in Some might ask why would a maritime museum Some might ask why Surfing has But the story is more than just history. George Jackson of Elizabeth City catches a wave at Nags Head during the summer of 1967. The popularityThe of Nags Head during at the summer of 1967. a wave Jackson of Elizabeth CityGeorge catches the sport on the rise was in North 1960s. during the late Carolina Surfing NC Project Continues Project NC Surfing and Ben Wunderly by John Hairr T ers and surfboard makers in the state and document the ers and surfboard makers in the state The end influence of the sport on local communities. result is the work , a publication of the Sport of Surfing in North Carolina that relays the findings to the public. North Carolina was the story of the group of surfers led exhibit highlights several facets of the sport in our state, several facets of the sport in our state, exhibit highlights into how surfing has evolved here providing a glimpse coast. From surfboard shaping along the North Carolina wax, all facets of the sport in this to wetsuits and surf state are examined. activity and could there pos cover such an obscure much history related to surfing in sibly really be that is without question a maritime North Carolina. Surfing sport is played out on the waves of since the activity, region of The sport only exists in the coastal the sea. where our state because of the maritime environment of North Carolina’s waves meet the ever shifting sands that folks have barrier islands. Our research has shown with the sport been surfing here for quite some time, a century ago. arriving in North Carolina more than is evidence that Just how far back is uncertain, but there of wave riding here people were engaging in some form last decade of the along the North Carolina coast by the nineteenth century. who ride the waves, become a subculture amongst those to uncover as much so when we embarked on our work sport of surfing as possible about the history of the we also wanted along the entire North Carolina coast, the pioneer surf to record and compile information on Beaufort 10 mond, the battles of Chaffin’s Farm, New Market Heights, In 1875, Richard Etheridge was a surfman at the Bodie Fair Oaks, and the Appomattox campaign The 36th may Island Station. Occasionally, a black surfmen would Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum have been the first troops to arrive at Richmond as it was achieve a higher position, but a new Keeper could be engulfed in flames despite an order for them to hold back assigned and fire all the crewmen. The early years of the and let a white regiment claim the honor. Their bravery USLSS were characterized by political appointments, in Hatteras and success proved the black man was every bit the sol- nepotism, incompetence, and corruption. Courage, knowl- dier as his white counterpart. edge of the sea, and genuine lifesaving skills were all too By the end of the War, Etheridge was a Regimental scarce. Four shipwreck disasters between 1876 and 1879 Richard Etheridge: Civil War Veteran and Pea Island Lifesaver Commissary Sergeant. He and the black troops of the generated public outrage, exposed deficiencies in, and By Mary Ellen Riddle Army of the James were regrouped into the Ninth and resulted in a close examination of the Service. In response, Tenth Cavalry, sent to Texas, and became famous as Congress passed a bill to increase the months of operation, “Buffalo Soldiers.” Although the Civil War ended slav- assign Revenue Cutter Service inspectors, increase Keeper ichard Etheridge was born in1842, the son of en- re-designated as the 36th Infantry United States Colored Troop ery, it did not abolish racism and instances of abuse were pay, and fund the construction of more stations. slaved laborer Rachel Dough on Roanoke Island. He (USCT). With the formation of black regiments, the Confed- common. The soldiers were due ten months back-pay, had Following the wreck of M & E Henderson on Novem- and his mother were the property of John B. Ether- eracy enacted a law stipulating that any black soldier caught their rations cut in half, and were uncomfortable over the ber 30, 1879, reports of negligence on the part of the Pea idge,R who was a farmer and boatman from a local land-owning fighting for the Union be put to death. continued reports of mistreatment that from their families Island Life-Saving Station were widespread. Two men, family of captains, inlet pilots, and fisherman. Etheridge led a Understandably, black soldiers demanded that, should they on Roanoke Island. Revenue Cutter Lieutenant traditional coastal life that gave rise to remarkable events. He be killed or wounded in the field, provision be made for their Following Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson Charles Shoemaker and became the first African-American Keeper in the United States families and loved ones. As a result, an official Freedman’s became president and Reconstruction began through- Second Lieutenant Frank Life-Saving Service, overseeing the award-winning Pea Island Colony was set up with small parcels of land given to families out the former Confederacy. Land was restored to the Newcomb, were sent Life-Saving Service Station. of Union soldiers. The Federal Government also provided ra- original white landowners on Roanoke Island, which to the Outer Banks It’s been proposed that Etheridge was his owner’s son due tions and agreed to build a hospital and schools. At its height, resulted in the removal of families and veterans to investigate and to the fact that he was born in Etheridge’s home and received there were more than 3,500 residents in the colony. living in the Freedmen’s Colony. Once again, survey the effec- preferential treatment by the family. He and his brother were Some colonists experienced abuse at the hands of the Etheridge took up the cause and fought tiveness of all taught to read and write despite the North Carolina codes Union officials, and word of their hardships reached Etheridge. for the rights of the people who resisted the stations. forbidding it. Nevertheless, ownership was passed from Ether- Complaints included wounded soldiers not receiving their pay, eviction. Letters of protest were writ- They fired the idge senior to son, Jesse Etheridge. Although they had been whites pilfering private gardens and cutting rations, and the ten and colonists offered to pay Keeper and raised together as boys, and are said to have had a relatively assistant superintendent of the colony selling rations for profit rent to remain on their parcels two surfmen close relationship, the men still operated under the owner/ and pressing children into labor duty in New Bern without per- of land. Nonetheless, rations at Pea Island slave relationship. mission from their families. When complaints from the colony were cut, the hospital and and, remark- Etheridge’s daily life included helping John B. Etheridge went unheard, Etheridge represented his Regiment and wrote a schools closed, and large ably, despite in the terrapin trade, building boats, piloting vessels, dredging letter to the commissioner of the Freedman’s Bureau. groups were moved off the warnings for oysters, mending and setting nets, hauling in mullet, and He implored the commissioner, “in behalf of humanity,” island. from locals, cutting whale blubber. Over time, he gained an understand- to investigate conditions in the Freedmen’s Colony. He cited In December 1866, recommended ing of the environment - the weather, tides, and the sea. In the the soldiers’ faithful service to the country, and the fact that Etheridge left the service Richard early months of the Civil War, when Richard was in his late wounded soldiers in the colony were not getting rations and at Brazos Santiago, Texas. Etheridge for teens, the Outer Banks became a Union military target. had not been paid for their service. “…some soldiers are sick He returned to Roanoke the Keeper’s With the fall of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands to Union in Hospitals that have never been paid a cent and their familys Island and lived with his position. forces, the hope of freedom for those enslaved became a reali- are suffering and their children going crying without anything former owner for less than Shoemaker ty. Escaping blacks began to arrive on Hatteras and a structure to eat.” An investigation was made, and the assistant superin- a year before marrying Frances Aydlett. In 1867, the popu- stated Etheridge “… seems to be a superior man for the called Hotel de’ Afrique was constructed to house them. It was tendent of the colony was fired. lation of the African-American community had fallen to position, … he is thirty-eight years of age, [of] strong the first safe haven for African-Americans in North Carolina. Black soldiers also experienced privation. White soldiers 950 residents. However, despite relocation, resistance paid robust physique, intelligent, and able to read and write In February 1862, Union Brigadier General Ambrose Burn- and officers believed they were inferior and it was not unusual off and the black community began to rebound. Two years sufficiently well to keep the journal of a station. [He is] side lead an assault on Roanoke Island approximately sixty for blacks to be relegated to menial labor or to be maligned later, Etheridge became the father of a baby girl, Oneida. one of the best surfmen on this part of the North Caro- miles north of Hatteras. The resulting Union victory encour- despite honorable service. As Etheridge could read and write, He was a respected leader in the community and served as lina coast”. The report concluded: “[I am] … aware that aged those escaping slavery to make their way to Roanoke he was promoted to sergeant in Company F. However, he only an advocate for war veterans. no colored man holds the position of keeper in the Life- Island. Work was available with the Union building earthwork received a private’s wage, which was considerably less than He and Frances farmed the 116 acres of land they Saving Service, and yet such as are surfmen are found forts, or serving as spies, guides and scouts. Newcomers that earned by white soldiers in the same position. owned bordering the sound. With easy access to the water, to be among the best on the coast of North Carolina…. I mingled with the Roanoke Island black community. Squatting Fortunately, Colonel Alonzo G. Draper was put in charge Etheridge worked as a fisherman, hunter, and a pilot am fully convinced that the interests of the Life-Saving Hatteras on federally appropriated land confiscated from local white of the 36th Infantry USCT and was a staunch believer in the navigating the coastal waters. In 1874, the government Service here, in point of efficiency, will be greatly ad- landowners, the burgeoning black settlement erected churches equality of black soldiers. Under Draper, Etheridge’s regiment erected seven United States Life-Saving Service (USLSS) vanced by the appointment of this man to the Keepership and a school. The influx of black labor freed up more white participated in a successful African Brigade campaign to free Stations on the Outer Banks from Jones Hill in the north of Station No. 17.” troops for combat operations. slaves and stamp out guerilla action in coastal North Carolina to Little Kinnakeet in the south. The stations were placed On February 1, 1880, Etheridge took the oath of office. In 1863, a movement was started in Massachusetts to enlist and Virginia. Subsequently, the regiment was transferred to fifteen miles apart and those that had black and white His appointment was not without repercussions. The re- African-Americans as soldiers and North Carolina became an Point Lookout, Maryland to guard a military prison. surfmen were called “checkerboard crews.” Many of the maining four Pea Island surfmen who were white refused important source for black troops. On August 28, 1863, at age Etheridge and the 36th Infantry USCT along with other black surfmen were temporary hires or substitutes, were to work under Etheridge. This prompted the reorganiza- 21, Richard Etheridge enlisted in the Second North Carolina USC Troops went on to participate in regional combat opera- assigned lower ranks, and put in charge of chores such as tion of the “checkerboard crews” to create a segregated Colored Volunteer Infantry (Second NCCV) regiment later tions. They participated in the siege of Petersburg and Rich- cooking. station at Pea Island. As the Keeper continued...

12 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 THE MARITIMES • WINTER/SPRING 2017 13 14 Hatteras tower werelimitedtofifteen minuteshiftsperman. pended beachpatrols. Watches inthestation observation shore. lifesaving alternativeifassistance didnotcomefromthe into thehold. With theyawlgone,swimmingwas theonly and thejibwasstrippedfromitsmooring. Water poured and yawl. A wavestoveinthecabin,railscollapsed, it, theshipbegantocomeapart,losingherremainingsails zenmast andeventuallyjoinedthem. As seascrashedupon riggings aspossible.Hetiedhiswifeandsontothemiz - aged theisland. Ocean andsoundhadbecomeoneaswindrainrav- was theworsthurricaneinfiftyyears,ablindingstorm. Island. Itwastheironlyhopeforsurvival. ran p.m. onOctober11, 1896,CaptainGardiner and driftednearly100milessouth. At 7:00 storm rapidlyintensified;theshiplostmostsails, make ittotheChesapeakeBay. Unfortunately, the of six.Gardinertriedtooutrunthestormand diner, hiswifeandthree-year-old son,andacrew Onboard thevesselwasCaptainSylvesterGar schooner Norfolk, Virginia, thethree-masted,393-ton efforts duringthewreckofE.S.Newman . exemplary recordincludingtheirlifesaving received nosuchrecognitiondespitetheir their courage.ButthePeaIslandlifesavers ers. Multiplemenbecamelegendaryfor were awardedtoNorthCarolinalifesav- Life-Saving Service,33MedalsofHonor keep up,hewasdischarged. with militaryardor. Ifasurfmancouldnot ethic andracialpressures,heranthestation Consequently, propelledbyhisownwork the reinstatementofawhiteKeeperandcrew. equacies, nomatterhowsmall,couldresultin his oroneofcrewmen’s dismissal,thatinad- Etheridge knewthattheslightesterrorcouldresultin station waserectedandopenedbyJanuary26,1881. the dunestowatchoverconstructionsupplies,anew conclusive evidence wasnotfound. With a guard placed in Etheridge was,infact,JohnEtheridge’s son.However, Etheridges, possiblecousinsofthenewKeeperifRichard white menaffiliatedwiththeServiceincludingtwo Subsequent investigationimplicatedseveraldisgruntled of arsonthatdestroyedthePeaIslandLife-SavingStation. black menwouldcontinuetoworkfortheUSLSS. was incharge ofhiringsurfmen,thisreformensuredthat Richard EtheridgeandthePeaIslandLife-SavingStation The stormwassobrutal;Keeper Etheridgehadsus- Gardiner orderedthecrewtoclimbashighinto Sailing fromProvidence,RhodeIslandto During thefirstthirtyyearsof Given thescrutinyheandhismenwereunder, Etheridge’s promotionalsomayhavepromptedtheact aground just south of Pea E. S.NewmanagroundjustsouthofPea E. S.Newman ran into a hurricane. ran intoahurricane. THE MARITIMES •WINTER/SPRING 2017 - Richard Ethridge Dur - edge withaflareofherown. A shipwasclearlyindistress. sponse. MeekinsandEtheridgesawtheschooneracknowl- Meekins releasearedrockettoseeiftherewouldbere- a surfmantoalertEtheridge. The keeperreturnedandhad he sawadistresssignal,firedoff aCostonflareandsent ing histurnatwatch,surfman Theodore Meekins,thought surfboat along the shore. Meekins and Bill Irving were surfboat alongtheshore.MeekinsandBillIrvingwere pulled thebeachcartwithrescueequipmentand rope ladderlowered downthesideof ship. Meekins and Wise arrivedatthevesselandclimbed upa age andadeadlysurge threateningtopullthemoutsea. and walkingonshoals,allthe timedodginglethalwreck- dive underthedebris. They alternatedswimming,diving, dangerous flotsam,theirlifebelts hinderedtheirabilityto surfmen, and Wise, swamthroughseasobstructed with to aseparatelinetossaboardtheship. lifesavers onshore.” They carriedaheavingstickattached braided line,and,anothersection,connect(ed)themtothe Wise, werelashedto“betweeneightandtenfeet ofNo.7 ing corklifebelts,thefirsttwovolunteers,Meekinsand idge calledforvolunteerstoswimoutthewreck. Wear harnessed tothefrontofhalf-tonbeachcartas W. With thehelpofamuleteam,PeaIslandcrew Meekins, reputed to be the best swimmer among the Meekins, reputedtobethebestswimmeramong With standardmeansofrescueimpracticable, Ether The mule-led driving cart was steered by Dorman The mule-leddrivingcartwassteeredbyDorman to help keep them from becoming stuck in the sand. to helpkeepthemfrombecomingstuckinthesand. H. Wescott andStanley Wise pushedfromtherear. Etheridge and Ben Bowser were posted at the wheels Etheridge andBenBowserwerepostedatthewheels gun. They attemptedtobuild amoundbutitdidn’t by thesea,therewasnowheretosafelyplaceLyle last, and there was no safe place in sight to erect the last, andtherewasnosafeplaceinsighttoerectthe conditions. With the beachconstantlybeingsoaked their equipment, but they were thwarted by weather their equipment,buttheywerethwartedbyweather equipment. Each time they dug a hole in which to equipment. Eachtimetheydugaholeinwhichto bury the sand anchor it quickly was inundated with bury thesandanchoritquicklywasinundatedwith swept away. Pugh. The hurricanewindsandwaves,made and even the surfmen had to be careful not to be and eventhesurfmenhadtobecarefulnot ground remaining. seawater. Itbecame clearthattherewasnosafe ship was fifty yards, the seas were running high, ship wasfiftyyards,theseaswererunninghigh, moving through the sand difficult. In fits and moving throughthesanddifficult.Infitsand starts, themenforged through analmostunrec- over onherstarboardside. The distancetothe The lifesavers unloaded and attempted to set up The lifesaversunloadedandattemptedtosetup ognizable landscape with many of the usual ognizable landscapewithmanyoftheusual landmarks obliteratedbyseaandwind. was keeled deteriorating ship.E.S.Newmanwaskeeled gladdened hearts” emanating from a quickly gladdened hearts”emanatingfromaquickly It tookthemtwohourstoarriveatthesceneof find debris,indicatingashipwasbreakingup. heard what Etheridge called “The voices of heard whatEtheridgecalled“Thevoicesof a schoonerstrandedonaninnersandbar. They Moving down the beach, the men began to Moving downthebeach,menbeganto ...continued - - T By MaryEllenRiddle Underwater HeritageSymposium 2017 4th Annual Graveyardof the Atlantic Museum the ship’s bell from the diveteam thatrecovered the yearsandwaspartof graphed manywrecksover has exploredandphoto New Jerseycoast.Boring he madehisfirstdiveoff the ing wreckssince1971when tographer. Hehasbeendiv and talentedshipwreckpho Boring, aprofessionaldiver 2017 symposiumisMike Sean DiGeorge. Hal Good,PennyGoodand Leonard Rich,MarcCorbett, Steinmetz, DaveSommers, Bunch, J.T. Barker, Joyce year’s eventincludeJim culture. Speaker’s forthis issues, maritimehistoryand diving adventures,researchprojects,environmental nating presentationsonunderwaterheritagetoinclude archaeologists, scientistsandhistorianssharingfasci This populardaylongeventfeaturesdivers,underwater his death in 1917, when, while boating home on leave, his deathin1917,when,whileboatinghomeonleave, Meekins servedatPeaIslandfor21moreyears,until award thePeaIslandcrewreceivedfortheirefforts. top ofhisbarn.Foracentury, thiswouldbetheonly board tohisfarmonRoanokeIslandandnaileditthe wreck ninetimesduringtherescue.Meekinstook spotted thedistresssignalandwhoswamoutto man to Theodore Meekins, the young surfman who first land crewvotedtogivethewoodensideboardofNew- it tothecrewasatokenofhisthanks. The 1896PeaIs- for andfoundE.S.Newman’s nameplateanddonated survivors werebackatthestation. made everytrip.By1a.m.thePeaIslandcrewand all onboard.Islandlorehasitthat Theodore Meekins were madebackandforththroughragingseastorescue the menbecameahumanbreechesbuoy. Ninetrips secured tothebeachcart. With theguidelineinplace, by thesurfmen. The linefromtheheavingstickwas them hissonwhowasthefirsttobebroughtshore

The keynotespeakerfor In the following days, Captain Gardiner searched In thefollowingdays,CaptainGardinersearched Captain Gardinermetthelifesaversandhanded held on April 1,2017,from10a.m.to5p.m. seum UnderwaterHeritageSymposiumwillbe he 4th Annual Graveyardofthe Atlantic Mu Andrea - - - THE MARITIMES •WINTER/SPRING 2017 - - southeast ofCapeHenry, Virginia. the Britishsteamship, ing Eureka, the American schoonerthatcollidedwith with 9,000liveslost.Boringiscrediteddiscover 1945. Itissaidtobethedeadliestshipwreckinhistory a GermanlinerthatwassunkbyRussianU-boatin Doria. Heorganized ateamtodive ery todieafreemanandgenuine American hero. Island. Hislegacyisthatofonewhoroseupfromslav- grounds oftheNorthCarolina Aquarium onRoanoke highest peacetimehonor. Etheridgeisburiedonthe awarded aGoldLife-SavingMedal.Itistheservice’s Stanley Wise, and William Irvingwere posthumously Dorman Pugh, Theodore Meekins,Lewis Wescott, March 5,1996,RichardEtheridge,BenjaminBowser, Guard christenedthe110-foot cutterPeaIsland.On from 1880untilitwasdecommissionedin1947. Life-Saving Stationwasmannedbyanallblackcrew sickness, anddiedtwomonthslater. The PeaIsland keeper but,likeEtheridge,becameillfromanunknown away May8,1900.BenjaminBowserbecamethenew of medals ofhonor. Lessthanfouryearsaftertherescue circumstances, theStationcrewdidnotreceiveany ing toswimshore. a stormcameupatOregonInlet,andhedrownedtry- , Keeper Etheridge fell ill and passed E. S.Newman,KeeperEtheridgefellillandpassed On February 29, 1992, the United States Coast On February29,1992,theUnitedStatesCoast Despite theircourageinwhatappearedimpossible Benison, approximately58miles Photo by Boring. Mike Wilhelm Gustloff

, - Hatteras 15 The Magazine of the North Carolina Maritime Museums Beaufort • Hatteras • Southport

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