The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum hosted this reunion of Coast Guardsmen as part of the museum mission for the preservation and the sharing of the story of Core Banks and the Downeast cultural history. Over clam chowder and chili, Guardsmen had the opportunity to share their memories of service with one another.
From the first Life-Saving Station at Cape Lookout (1887) till the 1982 discontinuation of watch from the Coast Guard Station cupola, locals have comprised a majority of those serving at the Cape.
The Life-Saving Service and Coast Guard connection is one deserving of pride. Initially, surf men served seasonally while the keeper was at the station year-round. Continuous availability followed years later–a usual contingent of 8-12 except for the 22 man crew during WWII.
Many Coast Guardsmen from the area served careers that did not include stationing at Cape Lookout nor the Portsmouth (#188) or Core Banks (#189) Stations. Ira Lewis is just one special example of such a career.
Navy and Coast Guard Captains have been quoted saying they always wanted Core Sounders on their crew leadership because of their sea-sense and seamanship.
Construction began on the “new” Station in 1916 and was completed in !917.
Let’s look back to the origin of the story—–
Those who faced danger or disaster at sea certainly experienced feelings of fear followed by the hope that aid would come to their situation. Gratitude flowed toward those bringing such aid and Pride spreads through such a community that renders that rescue.
The Life-Saving Service was established (1878) in response to repeated vessel disasters, including some that left 80 to 100 bodies of men, women and children awash on coastal shores.
Cape Lookout Shoals extended at least 10 miles from the Cape and, like Diamond Shoals (off Hatteras) and Frying Pan Shoals (off Cape Fear-Wilmington)–the shoals threatened vessels rounding them going north or south.
The 1887 Life-Saving Station was positioned to allow both shore access( primary) and Lookout Bight access.
The unofficial motto of the Lire-Saving Service was : “you have to go out–but you don’t have to come back”.
Breeches Buoy on left used for rescues–Lyle Gun, bottom right, shot lines to vessels from the shore
Dan Blair has just completed his book detailing the Life-Saving Service off the North Carolina Capes–“Guardians of the Capes” is awaiting publication currently.
Dan summarized the rescues by the Cape Lookout Station for me–
The most famous rescue by the Cape Lookout crew was that of the “Sara D. J. Dawson”—
–almost the entire crew suffered from influenza as they set off from shore, lumber debris filled the tumultuous waters preventing any safe approach to the damaged vessel–anchoring within sight overnight and without food or water supplies, they waited till they could approach the vessel to make the rescue–earning them each the Life-Saving medal.
Note that Tyre Moore and Walter Yeomans were part of this crew–they will reappear again in the Cape Lookout history.
The U.S. Coast Guard was established in January 1915—
On March 17, 1915, the Cape Lookout Coast Guard Station (#190), as part of the newly reconstituted service made the first-ever vessel rescue as a new entity.
Again, rough seas and lumber debris surrounding the disabled vessel made it dangerous to approach. The Station was using one of the first two motorized rescue vessels brought into service for the Coast Guard. Unfortunately, the engine kept cutting out at key moments preventing the rescue. Returning to the Bight, they tethered their manpowered lifeboat to their stern and Fred Gillikin, Bos’n Yeomans and Tyre Moore rowed it to the vessel to make the rescue. (again, part of a historic crew)
Tyre Moore had been seriously injured during the first attempt but refused to stay ashore.
Eighteen months later, the 1917 Station was built on the footprint of the 1887 Station which had been moved to a position alongside. Improvements were needed for the year-round and expanded crew and upgrade of facilities.
The 1887 structure was in this site till 1957,, when it was decommissioned, sold and moved down the road into the village.
The structure to the left is the Navy Radio shack–housing navigation direction finding/triangulation aid to navigation. This came into existence in 1919 following WWI. The Radio Shack and personnel continued till shortly after WWII.
radio operator on left, 1887 station on right
War comes to the Banks and Cape Lookout–WWII-–
WWI had limited submarine activity at Cape Lookout but WWII brought the nickname “Torpedo Alley” into being after dozens of vessels destroyed by German submarines off our coast.
The Coast Guard Station crew expanded and was joined by Navy and Army personnel as Cape Lookout Bight was chosen as a Harbor of Refuge–1,500 army personnel, shore-side guns, submarine net closing off the Bight and blimp surveillance of the waters. The lighthouse went dark as part of the “Dim-out” directive but spotters were stationed atop the lighthouse. Coast Guardsmen and local fishermen had increased duties in rescue of survivors and protection of the harbor.
The lightship, ” WinterQuarters”, that had once protected vessels from the shoals now returned to serve Cape Lookout as the vessel that controlled entry into this safe harbor.
The U. S. Lifesaving Service–during its existence, made 28, 121 vessel rescues and 178,741 persons were rescued.
Coast Guard Search and Rescue Missions from Cape Lookout Station made 8 to 12 missions yearly till the station was decommissioned in 1982. With motorized vessels, Fort Macon had taken a larger role after WWII.
Assistance was also given in many other ways besides vessel rescues.
“Pedro” assisted many emergency situations in the late 20th century , but Coast Guard missions from the air began much earlier. The first Coast Guard Air Station was established in Morehead City in 1920 and flew missions until closure in 1926.
Prior to WWII and to some extent after, families sometimes lived at the Cape with guardsmen—some of their photos of that era follow :
The Dempsey Bruton album
The Royer Family Collection—
Examples of some of the other structures used by Coast Guard families
It was not always life-saving…………there was service to the community around them that was woven between the rescues and interventions.
Guardsmen had often come from the surrounding community and it seemed natural and wholesome for them to serve that same community culture surrounding them.
Interviews with individuals who lived part time at the Cape or spent extensive time there in their cabins repeatedly relate strongly positive stories of the interaction with Coast Guard crew.
Meal preparation at the Station seemed to calculate to have abundant leftovers to share with folk in the village or Cape area–most especially the children who knew to show up after meal time to find a “feast’.
Ice cream seemed to be ever available to young people who visited the Station. After the ice cream, visits included a visit to the upstairs in the garage where the pool table resided–it is still there. The station was a center for good-natured safe gathering.
Boat or vehicle out of gas–the crew would bail you out of a jam. Problems with boats or houses–the crew was a resource.
Turtle nesting protection–crew helped document and protect nests.
Still–a safe shelter from big storms.
When the Boy Scouts began planting trees at the Cape, weather cut their plans short. Coast Guardsmen took on the project in memory of Jack Davis.
Just a few examples of the culture of community on the Banks.
David Yeomans and the Boathouse
David had a ” love affair” with the Cape and was able to purchase the old boathouse when it became available in 1958. He rolled it to its present location atop pilings. The Boathouse and David form a rich story in itself. David was a close friend to all.
Dr. Keith Rittmaster led a Marine Science course based in the station for more than a decade–college students from universities up and down the coast attended hands on dynamic teaching .
The school setting had to be closed due to unaffordable needs for upgrades and maintenance of the structure. Keith now directs the “Bonhenge’ center in Beaufort–a component of the state Maritime Museum.
The Case Lookout Foundation is currently completing extensive renovations and upgrades to the Station building and kitchen, along with visionary additions that will produce an education facility that will allow immersion into the history of the Cape and exploration of environmental science opportunities that surround the station.
Karen Anspacher reminded us, however, that –a building is just a building–it is the story of the people and the culture that exited in that building and setting that make it precious.
I am happy to see Coast Guard Station Cape Lookout–#190–being brought back to life–a life that can again touch lives and community.
John Newton Miller–
Radioman at the Cape..
joined the Navy at 19 year old (May 27, 1919) and discharged Sept. 9, 1919. he re-entered the Navy aboard the “Vestal” and August 27, 1923 married Lagolda Davis of Harkers island while at Cape Lookout . He entered the Coast Guard in December of 1926 after leaving the Navy.
Trained as a radioman, he was stationed at Cape Lookout again September 1, 1941 in the Navy Direction Finding station there. He retired from service with the Coast Guard at Fort Macon in 1946.
Son, Johnny–5 year old at the time–recalls living at the Cape and being allowed to “run amuck”. He walked to the beach to find remnants of vessels destroyed offshore (told not to go near bodies or debris). Best of all were the visits to the Army camps where soldiers were bored and found a 5 year old entertainment. He rode in jeeps, tanks, ate rations, and climbed onto the guns.
Johnny remembers a tropical storm hitting and destroying the tent encampments. Soldiers entered the lighthouse for shelter and slept on theaters. From the Miller home, Johnny could see the lighthouse swaying in the wind ( or so he remembers).
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