Outer Banks In The News (2024)

24/02/2024

1825 - Wreck of the Emulous 30 miles south of Currituck Inlet at what would now the vicinity of Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills and when Currituck Co. extended well south of those points -
published February 3,1825 Phenix Gazette

23/02/2024

1902 - Rodanthe Lifesaver and Station Keeper, Little Bannister Midgett IV, asks authorities to allow the crew of the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station to go fishing when on slack time and to be able to sell their catches -
published February 18, 1902 The Advance

22/02/2024

1878 - 146 years ago today - Wreck of the German barque, "Phillip Suppicich" at Hatteras Inlet -
On the night of February 22, 1878, the German barque, Phillip Suppicich was driven by strong winds and heavy seas onto the outer bar north of Hatteras Inlet. Due to the extreme weather conditions, no attempt of rescue could be made when the wrecked vessel was first detected. Unfortunately, while the Life-Savers watched and waited for calmer seas, the stranded vessel was broken apart by the powerful waves crashing against her.
All on board were drowned, with three bodies washing up on the beach in the following few days. One of those bodies recovered is believed to have been the ship's Captain, Ludwig Korf. The recovered bodies were buried on the beach by A. J. Stowe of Hatteras.
The wreckage, salvage, and personal items that were washed ashore were taken into the charge of Deputy Revenue Collecter, H. W. Styron -
published March 14, 1878 Carolina Watchman

21/02/2024

1952 - On a clear day of February 18, 1952, a meteor flies across the coastland of N.C. and Virginia and burns-out or explodes above the Dismal Swamp -
published February 22, 1952 Coastland Times

20/02/2024

1921 - 103 years ago on this day - How the wreck of the Carroll A. Deering became known as the Ghost Ship of Diamond Shoals -
After three weeks being grounded on Diamond Shoals, what remained of the wreck of the Carroll A. Deering survives another storm. The storm of winds and freezing rain on Sunday, February 20th encrusts the spars, masts, yards and halliards in ice. With practically all of the vessel seen above water being thickly coated white with ice from the freezing rain and sea spray, the vessel had a ghostly appearance and the Islanders refer to the Deering as the Ghost Ship of the Diamond Shoals -
published February 24, 1921 Wilmington Morning Star

19/02/2024

1838 - Aycock Brown tell the story of the burning of the Steamship Pulaski with loss of 91 souls and canibalism considered by survivors -
published February 21, 1935 Beaufort News

18/02/2024

1913 - Churches at Hatteras and Fair Haven in Rodanthe are dedicated -
published February 20, 1913 North Carolina Christian Advocate

17/02/2024

1898 - Wreck of the four-masted schooner "Samuel A Tilton" at Chicamacomico Banks -
On this day 126 years ago, the Samuel A. Tilton grounded on the bar in the vicinity of Chcamacomico. By use of the Life-Car, the 9 men on board the vessel were saved by Captain John Allen Midgett Sr. and crew of Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station. The vessel and cargo are considered to be lost to the waves -
published February 18, 1898 Charlotte Observer

16/02/2024

1894 - The schooner "Calumet Club" is another victim of the shoals of Cape Hatteras - After being grounded in a storm, the vessel bound from Baltimore to Newbern, was pushed out to sea by the shifting winds and in a sinking condition. One man was lost in the gale and 4 survivors were saved by a passing steamer. The men on board the sinking vessel burned their clothes at night as a distress signal -
published February 20, 1894 Wilmington Morning Star

15/02/2024

1888 - Meteor explodes at Gull Shoal in Pamlico Sound -
On the night of Friday, February 17, 1888, a Meteor is reported to have landed in the waters of Pamlico Sound near Gull Shoal and exploded -
published - February 22, 1888 Economist Falcon

14/02/2024

1922 - Three horses drown in ocean as gale force winds push sound water across Frisco -
published February 15, 1922 Daily Advance

13/02/2024

1906 - Wreck of the Three-Masted Schooner, "Jenny Lockwood" at Pea Island on February 13, 1906 -
118 years ago today, the Jenny Lockwood, with seven men aboard, grounded on the shoal at 5 a.m. and 200 yards off from the Pea Island station. As was standard practice, the Pea Island crew summoned assistance from a neighboring Station - this being the Oregon Inlet Station.
The Pea Island Crew set-up abreast of the stranded vessel, deploying the beach apparatus, and fired a shot from the Lyle gun, the line falling over the fore rigging. The crew from Oregon Inlet then arrived to assist, and by means of the breeches buoy all on board were safely landed and taken to the Pea Island station where for six days they were cared for by the Life-Savers.
The Jenny Lockwood was beaten by the heavy seas which eventually pushed her through the bar and drove her high upon the beach. Unable to get her off the beach, she was declared a loss and the vessel and cargo were no doubt salvaged and sold -
published February 13, 1906 Raleigh Times

10/02/2024

U. S. Civil War 1862 - Wreck and Burning of the Federal Gunboat "R.B. Forbes" near Currituck Inlent February 25, 1862 -
The R. B. Forbes was named for Robert Bennet Forbes, a ship captain, China trade merchant, shipbuilder, and philanthropist of Milton and Boston, Mass. She was a 121-ft. long, twin-screw steamer built in 1845 and was acquired by the U. S. Navy at Boston on August 17, 1861 and fitted with two 32-pounder guns. On February 8, 1862 she was ordered to sail south from New York along with two other vessels to join others south of Cap Hatteras before continuing to the Gulf of Mexico to join the Mortar Flotilla below New Orleans. While en route the squadron encountered a gale and the Forbes ran aground. The Forbes was then burned to prevent the Confederates from salvaging the ship. Attached is a sketch of the R. B. Forbes and a letter from her commander to the U.S. Sec. of Navy, Guideon Wells describing the event. Below is the text of that letter.

U.S. Steam Frigate “Roanoke.”
Hampton Roads Feb 27th 1862.
Sir,
I regret to have to inform the Department that the U.S. Steamer “R. B. Forbes”, under my command, was wrecked about one o’clock, on the morning of the 25th inst., about four miles to the south of Currituck Inlet.
I sailed from New York in company with the U.S. Gun Boat “Westfield,” “Clifton,” and “J. P. Jackson,” having received order from Commander D. D. Porter to accompany them to the south of Cape Hatteras.
During a severe gale on the 24th instant, the Gun Boats stood in to the N+W the “R. B. Forbes” following them. I was on deck until midnight. My order to the officer of the watch was to follow astern of the “Westfield.” About twenty minutes of one o’clock on the morning of the 25th. Acting Master J. H. Hammond, who was officer of the watch, informed me that the Gun Boats were standing to the east. I ordered him to go about and follow them, but had hardly given the order before the “Forbes” struck the ground. The engine was immediately reversed, to endeavor to back her off, but it was without any effect. The vessel soon settled so much in the sand that one of the propellers was broken and the other would not work. As soon as it was light, I succeeded in landing all my crew, and most of their effects. Early yesterday morning the Gun Boat “Young America” came to our assistance. As it was utterly impossible to expect that the “R. B. Forbes” could ever be got off, I deemed it my duty to destroy her so that she might not fall into the hands of the rebels.
Therefore, having saved as much of the government property as was possible, I set her on fire, and then embarked all my officers and men on board the “Young America,” we reached the U. S. Steam Frigate “Roanoke” that evening. As soon as possible, I shall forward to the Department a list of the property saved from the wreck.
I respectfully request that a Court of Inquiry may be ordered in regard to the circumstances of the loss of my vessel.
I am, respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
William Flye
Act 1st Lieut. – U. S. Navy
Hon. Gideon Wells
Secretary of the Navy
Washington
D.C.
Forw.
John Marston
Captain & Senr. Off

09/02/2024

1920 - Flu epidemic on Hatteras Island - Dr. D. R. Schenck is en route from Raleigh to aid those afflicted -
published February 21, 1920 News & Observer

08/02/2024

1907 - Wreck of unknown Schooner on Diamond Shoals breaks apart before Life-Savers from Creed's Hill and Hatteras Stations could reach it -
On the night of February 5, 1907, an unknown three-masted schooner was driven by the winds of a severe gale upon the south western portion of the dreaded Diamond Shoals. Distress signals were sent up with some of the crew seen lashed to the rigging in the light of the morning of Wednesday the 6th.
With the seas being too rough to reach the ill-fated vessel throughout that day, all that Life-Savers could do was to keep a watch on the ship with hopes that the weather would calm on the following morning however, by daybreak on the 7th the vessel had been broken apart by the tremendous seas and all on board were lost.
Speculation as to the identity of the vessel led to the thought that it was the Schooner M.V.B. Chase, bound for Wilmington. Still others thought it may have been the Schooner William H. Bailey however, it would soon prove that the vessel was the three-masted Schooner Thomas Winsmore -
published February 8, 1907 Wilmington Messenger

07/02/2024

1906 - Lumber schooners lost in wrecks have cargoes of lumber sold on beaches from Hatteras, Chicamacomico, and Pea Island Beaches -
published February 8, 1907 Advance

06/02/2024

1894 - Life in a Lighthouse -
Some intel on the activity and the importance of the 10 year routine of the Lightkeeper and his Assistant -
published February 8, 1894 Daily Journal

05/02/2024

1921 - Wreck of the Carroll A Deering on Diamond Shoals - Captain E. D. Williams, Harbor Master at Wilmington, believes that the crew of the Carroll A. Deering were drowned and that crewmembers should remain on board if at all possible. He also tells of two similar instances where vessels grounded and were abandoned with all sails set, these being the schooners Robert H. Stevenson off Cape Hatteras in 1906 and the Jennie Sweeney on Frying Pan Shoals within the following year.
Those on board the Sweeney managed to make their way to the Frying Pan Lightship, however those who took to the lifeboats on the Stevenson were tossed into the sea with the loss of the Captain (Higbee), his wife, three other ladies, and 12 out of the crew of 13. The only survivor of the Robert H. Stevenson was seaman, Karl Sumner, who drifted out into the Atlantic, floating on a plank. Seaman Sumner was eventually picked-up by the German steamer, Europe, and was put ashore at Savannah, Ga.
In both the cases of the Sweeney and the Stevenson, the vessels were abandoned with all sails set, and with a change in wind direction, these vessels were moved off of the shoals and sailed off into the Atlantic without a soul on board. The Sweeney was taken in tow by a passing vessel, however, the Robert H. Stevenson was later found in the shipping lanes offshore, in a waterlogged condition, still loaded with coal and with only her masts above above the water. The Revenue Cutter, Seminole, was dispatched and the masts were cut away to be towed to Wilmington and the remains of the Robert H. Stevenson, were sent to the bottom using explosives -
published February 5, 1921 Wilmington Morning Star

04/02/2024

1888 - Message in a bottle found by Surfman Thomas Gray at Cape Hatteras Life-Saving Station from person on board the schooner O.D. Witheral -
On October 10, 1887, Joseph Foster, then on board the Schooner O.D. Witheral, penned a message which was put in a bottle and thrown overboard. In his message, Foster tells of the perilous condition of the Schooner and of those on board. It is unknown where the bottle was tossed overboard, other than the vessel was approximately 106 miles out at sea and traveling from Cuba to St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada.
Over a year later, Thomas Gray, Surfman at the Cape Hatteras Life-Saving Station found the bottle washed up on the beach near the station, the contents of which were published in the Weekly Economist on February 10, 1888.
As for the fate of the O.D. Witheral, Foster and the vessel, under a Captain Dennis from Mass, made their way into the Chesapeake Bay to a safe harbor where the vessel was repaired. By November of 1888, the Schooner O.D. Witheral was Captained by a John D. Garfield and was making runs between Baltimore and Boston when she ran aground on Cherrystone Bar at Cape Charles in the Chesapeake Bay, after which she was refloated. It is unknown here as to how long the O.D. Witheral remained in service after this event.

03/02/2024

1921 - Wreck of the Carroll A, Deering on Diamond Shoals - Shortly after the Deering grounded on Diamond Shoals, the Seminole Coast Guard Cutter arrived on the scene, but could not get to the grounded vessel due to the high winds and seas and anchored in Hatteras Cove to await favorable weather conditions.
During their time on the scene, those on board the Seminole observed that the Deering, with practically all sails set, had no persons aboard. On February 2nd, the Deering was turned around by the wind and observations revealed that lifeboats had been released from their davits. All indications are that the missing crew took to a lifeboat and were drowned in the heavy seas that were crashing against the vessel. This was also the thoughts of those at Cape Hatteras Coast Guard Station who had been watching the Deering from shore.
Unfortunately, before the weather subsided sufficiently for the Seminole to reach the battered Carroll A. Deering, she experienced problems with one of her boilers and had to return to port for repairs -
published February 4, 1921 Wilmington Morning Star

02/02/2024

1905 - Ice in Currituck Sound strands the steamer, "Tourist" of J.H. LeRoy's Virginia-Carolina-Island Steamship Co. -
published February 3, 1905 Weekly Economist

01/02/2024

1910 - On this day 114 years ago the lumber schooner Frances wrecks at Cape Hatteras and breaks apart before Life Savers from Big Kinnakeet and Cape Hatteras Stations could reach her - Unfortunately, Captain and Crew are lost -
published February 2, 1910 Wilm Morning Star

31/01/2024

1922 - Coast Guardsmen from Little Kinnakeet Coast Guard Station rescue passengers and crew from the mailboat stranded on shoals two miles out in Pamlico sound during a gale -
published January 30, 1922 Daily Advance

30/01/2024

1878 - Keepers of the 7 Life-Saving Stations on N.C. Coast are named and one of the methods used by the Life-Savers, the Life Car, is discussed.
The Lfe Car was invented by Joseph Francis and was first used off the coast of New Jersey on January 12, 1850 during a severe snow storm to rescue crew and passengers from the stranded British bark Ayrshire. Two hundred and one souls were saved on this rescue.

29/01/2024

Mighty Midgetts of the Outer Banks - by Aycock Brown -
published January 26, 1957 The State Magazine

28/01/2024

Report of the Wright Brother's "First Flight" in their own words to a reporter of the Wilmington Messenger after the Wright Brothers had returned home to Dayton Ohio -
published January 7, 1904 Wilmington Messenger

27/01/2024

1916 - Wreck of the barge William H. Macy and rescue of the crew by Life Savers from the Wash Woods Station -
published January 21, 1916 Advance

26/01/2024

1927 / 1928 - Coast Guardsmen from the Kill Devil Hills and Hatteras Coast Guard Stations are honored at a dinner given by Elizabeth City Civic Club for their heroic work during the 70-mile per hour storm on early December 1927.
Each station saved 24 lives from two shipwrecks during the fierce gale, the men from Kill Devil Hills saving 24 men from the wreck of the Paraguay, and the Hatteras men saving 24 souls from the wreck of the Cibao -

25/01/2024

1933 - Rumrunner and smugglers siezed at Hatteras Inlet -
published January 21, 1933 Henderson Daily Dispatch

24/01/2024

1857 - Passengers on the Steamship Marion escape not only being wrecked but being frozen to death - Such were the perils of travel at sea in the winter months -
published January 29, 1857 Fayetteville Observer

Outer Banks In The News