By Jen Carlson

On January 24, 1920, a steamer, El Siglo, became stranded in a fog bank near the Nags Head Coast Guard Station. The crew responded but found the steamer needed no assistance other than transporting two injured members of the El Siglo crew to the doctor in Manteo.

All in a Day’s Work

Sometimes it’s about being accommodating: On May 6, 1900, the Little Kinnakeet LifeSaving Station crew boarded a wrecked schooner that had washed ashore just south of the station. Finding her deserted, the crew saved some of the gear and kept an eye out over the vessel and cargo until her master arrived.

It turns out the crew of the Hettie J. Dorman had been rescued the previous day by the Cape Hatteras LifeSaving Station crew when their vessel sank near the Outer Diamond Shoal after striking a submerged wreck. The wrecked schooner later drifted off the shoal and continued its unmanned journey before beaching itself near the LKLSS.

Once her master arrived on scene, the vessel was deemed a total loss and her cargo was sold at a public auction. The crew of the Hettie sheltered at both the Cape Hatteras and Little Kinnakeet Stations until transportation could be arranged for them to be able to return home.

After departing, Master J. W. Sabiston sent a thank you letter to the LKLSS crew expressing his appreciation for the kindness that was shown to him and his crew as well as the steps that were taken to protect the schooner and cargo until his arrival. He would be happy to recommend the services of the USLSS by being able to speak from personal experience of crews performing their whole duty and congratulating the General Superintendent for having “good and accommodating men in his service.”

For more stories like these, visit the Chicamacomico LifeSaving Station where history is alive.

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