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Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection


The Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection was researched and compiled by Steve Harrison, an employee of the National Park Service, Cape Hatteras Group who served as Chief of Resource Management, and relates to various stations of the United States Life-Saving Service along the Outer Banks.The collection includes station names, active dates, United States Coast Guard numbers, architectural style, location and rescue/wreck reports.

Title

Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection

Collection Number

33MSS-63

Date(s)

1874 - 1988

Language

English

Physical Description
Cubic feet
.3
Abstract

The Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection was researched and compiled by Steve Harrison, an employee of the National Park Service, Cape Hatteras Group who served as Chief of Resource Management, and relates to various stations of the United States Life-Saving Service along the Outer Banks.

The collection includes station names, active dates, United States Coast Guard numbers, architectural style, location and rescue/wreck reports.

Physical Location

For current information on the location ofthese materials, please consult the Outer Banks History Center.

Creator

Harrison, Steve

Repository

Outer Banks History Center


The Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection is arranged by lifesaving station in alphabetical order.


Available for research.


Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.


Processed by Christine A. Dumoulin, 2005

Encoded by Stuart Parks II, November 2008


The United States Life-Saving Service (USLSS) was created by the United States Government in 1872 in order to protect lives and shipping interests along the coast. Construction of USLSS stations began in 1874 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, which has a long history of shipwrecks and lives lost. Eventually, a total of twenty stations were situated on the shoal and channel laden coast. Once completed, these stations housed a staff, which consisted of a keeper and a crew of six, manning the stations during the active season from December to March. This season was later extended to September 1 to May 1 and then from August 1 to May 31. The United States Life-Saving Service merged with the United States Revenue Cutter Service in 1914 to form the United States Coast Guard.

The lifesaving stations also have architectural significance, and stylistic elements have become identified as a unique vernacular of modern Outer Banks architectural style. Though many of them have disappeared due to years of rough weather and neglect, others have survived and have been restored into restaurants and historic sites.


The United States Life-Saving Service (USLSS) was created by the United States Government in 1872 in order to protect lives and shipping interests along the coast. Construction of USLSS stations began in 1874 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, which has a long history of shipwrecks and lives lost. Eventually, a total of twenty stations were situated on the shoal and channel laden coast. Once completed, these stations housed a staff, which consisted of a keeper and a crew of six, manning the stations during the active season from December to March. This season was later extended to September 1 to May 1 and then from August 1 to May 31. The United States Life-Saving Service merged with the United States Revenue Cutter Service in 1914 to form the United States Coast Guard.

The lifesaving stations also have architectural significance, and stylistic elements have become identified as a unique vernacular of modern Outer Banks architectural style. Though many of them have disappeared due to years of rough weather and neglect, others have survived and have been restored into restaurants and historic sites.


[Identification of item], 33MSS-63, Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C., U.S.A.


Researched and compiled by Steve Harrison.


Additional information on topics found in this collection may be found in the Manuscript and Archives Reference System (MARS)  http://www.ncarchives.dcr.state.nc.us.

  1. 33MSS-6 Outer Banks Architectural Survey, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C. 33MSS-8 United States Life-Saving Service Wreck Reports, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C. 33MSS-65 Pea Island Lifesavers Commemoration Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C.

These papers contain infomation pertaining to the various lifesaving stations along the North Carolina coast, including: station name, active dates, United States Coast Guard numbers, architectural style, location and rescue/wreck reports. There is also a folder with general information about the lifesaving stations including reference sources, maps, wreck statistics, and copies of journal entries.

The Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection is arranged by lifesaving station in alphabetical order.


These papers contain infomation pertaining to the various lifesaving stations along the North Carolina coast, including: station name, active dates, United States Coast Guard numbers, architectural style, location and rescue/wreck reports. There is also a folder with general information about the lifesaving stations including reference sources, maps, wreck statistics, and copies of journal entries.


  • United States. Coast Guard
  • United States. Life-Saving Service
  • United States. National Park Service
  • Buildings--North Carolina--Outer Banks
  • Lifesaving Stations--North Carolina--Outer Banks
  • Shipwrecks--North Carolina--Outer Banks
  • Big Kinnakeet (N.C.)
  • Bodie Island (N.C.)
  • Caffey's Inlet (N.C.)
  • Hatteras, Cape (N.C.)
  • Chicamacomico (N.C.)
  • Creeds Hill (N.C.)
  • Durants (N.C.)
  • Gull Shoal (N.C.)
  • Hatteras Inlet (N.C.)
  • Kill Devil Hills (N.C.)
  • Kitty Hawk (N.C.)
  • Little Kinnakeet (N.C.)
  • Nags Head (N.C.)
  • New Inlet (N.C.)
  • Ocracoke (N.C.)
  • Oregon Inlet (N.C.)
  • Outer Banks (N.C.)
  • Pea Island (N.C.)
  • Pennys Hill (N.C.)
  • Poyners Hill (N.C.)
  • Wash Woods (N.C.)

Folder: 1:1.1  
Finding Aid

Folder: 1:2.1  
General Information

6551
Stations

Folder: 1:3.1  
Big Kinnakeet
Folder: 1:3.2  
Bodie Island
Folder: 1:3.3  
Caffey's Inlet
Folder: 1:3.4  
Cape Hatteras
Folder: 1:3.5  
Chicamacomico
Folder: 1:3.6  
Creeds Hill
Folder: 1:3.7  
Durants
Folder: 1:3.8  
Gull Shoal
Folder: 1:3.9  
Hatteras Inlet
Folder: 1:3.10  
Kill Devil Hills
Folder: 1:3.11  
Kitty Hawk
Folder: 1:3.12  
Little Kinnakeet
Folder: 1:3.13  
Nags Head
Folder: 1:3.14  
New Inlet
Folder: 1:3.15  
Ocracoke
Folder: 1:3.16  
Oregon Inlet
Folder: 1:3.17  
Pea Island
Folder: 1:3.18  
Pennys Hill
Folder: 1:3.19  
Poyners Hill
Folder: 1:3.20  
Wash Woods