The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1953-06-19

from the light that the vessel had
[come to and headed about NNE,
and las he thought, stood off at
slow speed. The surfman says, in
investigation of the case, that he
thought, the vessel acted "very
queer" but that he did not think
she was in danger of coming
ashore, as he had often seen steam
ers haul up that way in bad wea-
Their such as prevailed that night.
After finishing his patrol he re-
ported what he had seen to his re-
lief, but neither surfman consider
ed the matter of sufficient impor-
lance to mention it to the keeper.
Surfman Arthur V. Midget, of
Little Kinnakeet Station, who COW
cred the north patrol from mid
night to three am, also saw the
masthead light of the steamer off
shore standing about northeast as
he was starting out along the
beach. When he had gone about half
a mile on the trip outward he saw
the two side lights of another YES
sci in the same general direction,
and from the range he thought this
last vessel must be ashore. He was
making his patrol mounted, and he
urged his horse forward that he
might verify OF disprove his sus-
picion. When he reached the half
way house he found that the vessel
was some distance farther north.
Continuing, he discovered her in
the breakers some $50 yards from
the beach. This was about 1890
am AS he stood watching the YES
sci he saw rocket go up in the di-
rection of Gull Shoal and knew
that the crew of the station at that
place had also discovered the
wreck.
AS the scene of the stranding
was nearer Gull Shoal than his
own station, Surfman Midget rode
northward with the intention of
assisting the Gull Shoal crew in
getting out their wreck apparatus
and bringing it down the beach,
they having no team available for
that purpose. Before reaching the
Gull Shoal Station he met three
surfmen on their way to the wreck,
who informed him that their keep
er, Capt. Fora G. Burrus of Gull
Shoal, had telephoned for the team
at the Chicimacomico Station, sew
eral miles above Gull Shoal. Mid
gett therefore turned back with
the surfmen, and on coming again |
to the wreck found Capt. Edward |
O. Hooper, of Little Kinnakeet on
the scene with his crew, he having |
been appraised of the disaster by |
telephone from Gull Shoal.
When Captain Hooper reachet
the vessel he had a fire made to
show anyone aboard the wreck that |
help was at hand, and sent some
of the surfmen down along the
beach to look for anybody who
might come ashore. AT this time"
says Captain Hooper in his testi-
mony, The wind was strong from
the NNE, the weather was clear
and cold, the sea and surf high and
there was a strong southerly cur
rent running. The stranded vessel
could be seen about 200 yards off
shore on the outer bar heading
southwark, the seas breaking over
her, lumber washing overheard,
sails lowered, and two side lights
burning. A light could also be seen
through the cabin windows, but
there were no signs of life on
board"
The south patrol from Gull Shoal
reported light off shore down the
beach about 1880 pm. Keeper Bur-
rus at once ordered all hands to
stand by and be ready, and sent
Surfman R. D. Gray out to make
closer investigation. The surfman
came back a little after midnight
and reported a wreck. AS already
shown, upon learning of the wreck,
Captain BulTus sent up rocket
and telephoned to Keeper Bannis
ter Midget, at Chicamacomico, for
a team to haul his apparatus. He
then notified Keeper E. C. Hooper,
at Little Kinnakeet, and sent three
of his surfmen on ahead to stand
by the vessel while he and the rest
of his crew made everything ready
to start when the horses should ar
rive. The team came at one o'clock
am. and the apparatus cart, loaded
with wreck gun, lines, and breeches
buoy, was on the beach abreast of
the vessel on hour later.
A number nine line, projected
by six ounces of powder, was first
fired toward the wreck at an eleva-
ton of % degrees, but missed the
mark, falling to leeward. A second
line "a number seven), carried by
a five-ounce charge, was aimed at
Is degrees elevation was next over
the wreck, calling abaft of the
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