Life-Saving Station

In the late 1800's and early 1900's four Life-Saving Stations on Assateague Island aided ships in distress off the coast, where hidden sand bars, storms, German submarines, and other dangers often threatened.<br><br> The U.S. Life-Saving Service built the North Beach Station here in 1884. Later, the U.S. Coast Guard took over operations. Decommissioned in 1952, the station house was destroyed by fire in 1962.<br><br> <b>Surf Boat Rescues</b><br> The crew of the North Beach Station rowed out to rescue shipwreck survivors in 24-foot long wooden boats. The keep directed and stteered while six surfmen manned the oars. Launching and landing through the roaring breakers required courage and skill.<br><br> <b>Boathouse</b><br> The building behind you was once the auxiliary boathouse of the Pope Island Life-Saving Station which stood 13 miles south of here.<br><br> <b>Line Rescues</b><br> When seas were too rough for launching surf boats, rescuers shot lightweight lines out to ships with guns or rockets. Crewman on the ships could use the lines to pull out heavier ropes called "hawsers." A hawser firmly attached between ship and shore served as an aerial track for rescue devices suspended from pulleys. A breeches-buoy carried one person; a surf car could carry five.