CHARLIE VELLINES — b. Sept. 8, 1916, Norfolk, Va.—d.  Dec. 4, 1977  Beaufort

Jack Gardner doesn’t remember them hunting at Portsmouth (there are references elsewhere to goose hunting)—they only wanted to fish for Channel Bass (the large version of drum).  Charlie Vellines would often fly the youth over for a day of fishing.  One day they had had little success and after taking off to return home, they flew over a ponded area caused by receding tides which they saw teeming with fish.  Vellines set the plane down nearby. The fish wouldn’t bite bait due to panic of entrapment so the boys made spears from sticks to spear the fish, as Vellines herded the fish toward them.

All this adventure made their return home to Beaufort late and made the parents worried. Families parked their cars alongside the landing area to illuminate the runway for the landing.  Down safely, they strung  the fish thru their gills on a line from prop to strut.  The photo was  taken in front of Vellines’ hanger (which had his house upstairs).  Charlie invented the name, bestowed certificates and provided news items used in the Raleigh News  and Observer, 1961–calling the boys the “Fabulous Flying Fishermen”. (opening photo and story courtesy of Jack Gardner)

 Vellines would take the boys to Core Banks in his Stenson “Station Wagon”—as Vellines called it—tying fishing rods to the struts-(not fitting inside).  The Stenson had balloon tires to handle the sand landings.  Charlie always landed first on the beach to unload passengers, then landed at the station alone.

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Charlie flew Corsairs during WWII and much of his life centered upon flight.  Fishing, as well, was interwoven into his life and his Banks story.

Charlie once caught a 53.5 pound drum on 6 pound test line while fishing in Swash Inlet south of Portsmouth. 

Charlie leased the Portsmouth Coast Guard Station in the early 50s for a dollar a year.  Jackie Gardner recalls Buck Squires, Joe Elkins, Jack Gardner, Sr., Earl Noe, and Duck Cheek as partners with Vellines. 

The station had a watch tower up top and cedar shake shingled roof and exterior.

This  particular group was always  based at the Life Saving Station–not elsewhere.

A large second floor room—“dormitory”– had metal frame bunks. It would get cold up there–there was no heat source. But the young boys could run wild.

The Brant Rock Rod and Gun Club—is listed  as the entity leasing the Portsmouth Lifesaving Station after it was decommissioned following the war.  The group (likely the individuals mentioned) apparently utilized the station till ’66 when the government took over the Banks.  The Lifesaving Station was owned by Roy Eubanks and Henry  Holt of Beaufort.  Junius Austin of Ocracoke was the caretaker of the club for the members.

In later years, the Station was getting worn /rundown. Charlie and wife, “Sis”, stayed in the cook house ( “summer kitchen”) adjacent—it had a kitchen and bunks and was easier to heat. 

Vellines sometimes flew fishermen to Portsmouth for fishing adventures.  Governor Hodges was among this group. (left to right)  Senator Crews, Earl Mac Noe, Governor Luther Hodges and well-respected drum fisherman, Grady Sheets of Winston-Salem.

He bestowed certificates commemorating the outings. 

The Lifesaving Station was positioned near the water and at the end of the runway the members had constructed.  The tractor was use for maintenance and also for beach access. 

Flying flags demonstrated to others that the camp owners were present in their camp—a common practice all along ther Banks.  These were the years following WW II and Korea.  It is reasonable to think that national pride and reverence played a part in patriotic thoughtfulness in these times.

All of Charlie’s planes had the same logo on the tail—Jack Gardner remembers that Charlie said it depicted “life after taxes”.

Sandy Elliot remembers Charlie building his experimental plane in the kitchen of the family home.  Blue Angels’ blue in color.  Charlie did work at the Cherry Point Base facility.

Charlie’s ultra-lite creation.  Sandy Elliot remembers worrying her hair might get caught in the propeller.

**** Paul Branch, Sr. wrote a story—The Duck Hunt – which was published in The Mailboat.  The story paints one  picture of flight over the Banks, a mischievous one. It is included on the Vellines Camp page with other info about Charle Vellines.  (re-produced with permission from Karen Anspacher, Editor)

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