The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-07-11
FISHERMEN LOSE
A GREAT FRIEND
IN ALVAH WARD
The Father of the Oregon
Inlet Project Dies in
Norfolk Hospital We'd
nesday Night
By VICTOR MEEKINS

AVIAN Hall warn, Of, Ueu
Wednesday night in a Norfolk
hospital after an illness of ten
days. He was a valuable man in
Dare County, and his loss is a
great loss for Dare County's peo-
pie. During the past four years
he had given much of his time to
his pet hobby, the improvement
of Oregon Inlet, in order to aid
the fishing industry of our state.
Under his leadership the pro-
ject was activated in Congress
and made law, but up to now
funds have not been provided.
At the time he was stricken ten
days ago, he was making plans
to follow up with new cam
paign, hopeful ever for the sue
cess OF his cause in which he
had put so much time and effort,
and personal expense.
Alvah Ward was the son of
Mrs. Mary Baum Ward, and the
late Capt. Henry B.. Ward of
Manteo. Like most boys of his
day and region he grew up with
few advantages and opportunit-
les. With only grammar school
education and the experience
gained while following the water
with his father in Dare County,
he went away early in life and
got a job as oiler on a merchant
ship. He followed the sea until
1926 during which time he had
risen to the highest place as
chief engineer of vessels of any
size, and with his savings, he
returned to the land that he low
ed, Roanoke Island. He had
dreamed of establishing some
thing by which to live and serve
his people. The fishing industry
was then in need of ice. He built
an ice plant. He made the pro-
duction Of ice his principal bust
ness and after the war he moved
from Wanchese, and built the
new plant at Manteo.
sAlvaE Ward was not the kind
of man VINO could be content with
a living from an industry with
out putting something back in it.
He was always a liberal contrib
utor to civic affairs. He believed
in every man standing for some
thing and doing something. He
was opposed to governmental in
efficiency and waste. He always
dreamed of providing security by
his own efforts, for himself and
his family. He felt keenly in his
heart for the future of Dare
County. He was firm in the be-
lief that the deepening of Oregon
Inlet would be the salvation of
the fishing industry in all north
eastern North Carolina,
He backed the Oregon Inlet
Project 10 the fullest. When he
first planned it, he got me to
travel over Eastern North Caro-
lima with him to make contacts.
He wanted me to do the publici-
ty, but / told him it required more
time than I could spare then to
serve it we'll. He got Ben Dixon
MacNeiN to do better job than
l could have done. But l follow
ed through with him; we went
to Washington together. We were
happy when it was approved; we
were unhappy to the time of his
death because the money had not
yet been provided to do the job.
Many a time, Alvah Ward and
myself drove to New York and
other cities for visits. Sometimes
/ had business, sometimes he had
business. We went to Richmond,
Washington, Baltimore, Philadel-
phia, Raleigh, New Bern, More
head City. We would be gone a
week at time. In all those trips
for rs years l never knew him to
do or suggest we do anything
that would reflect upon his po-
sition as gentleman, or make
his wife and children unhappy.
| admired him for his fine perso-
nal qualities as we'll as his de-
votion to the people of his home
land. Time after time he has
proved TO me true and loyal
friend. Together in New Bern in
1886 we took the higher Mason
ic work. and in Washington, the
Shrine. We continued to visit re-
unions together.
l would say of Alvah Ward:
He has been good man to his
family; worthy man for his
neighbors: a useful man for his
county. His death is a loss to
all of us. This community is bet
ter because of his life. That is
the highest test of all.