Pea Island Surfmen, Oct 11, 2016 · African American Surfmen and Daring Rescue of the E.

Pea Island Surfmen, He became part of the first "checkerboard crew" of Black and white surfmen. S. Through Zoby & Wright, the Pea Island surfmen were finally recognized for their heroic efforts with a gold medal. William Bowser, a former Pea Island Lifesaver and cousin of Surfman Benjamin Bowser, member of the honored rescue team. The Revenue Cutter Service officer who recommended his appointment, First Lieutenant Charles F. Feb 11, 2022 · Etheridge was a former slave who served in the Civil War and when he returned to his home on Roanoke Island, he joined the lifesaving service. Mar 28, 2012 · The Pea Island surfmen saved thousands of lives. Pea Island holds a singular place in U. S. Feb 11, 2022 · The history of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station is documented at the Pea Island Cookhouse Museum. But a century ago, this small piece of land was the site of one of the most remarkable water rescues to May 6, 2026 · The focus of their second visit will be to learn more about the Native American history of Roanoke Island and more about the story of the enslaved and the duties of surfmen who worked along the coast. Smith. Oct 14, 2025 · Led by Richard Etheridge (far left), the Pea Island Life-Saving Station was home to the nation’s first and only all-Black crew. The surfmen performed rescues in the treacherous waters around the Outer Banks. Led by keeper Richard Etheridge, this historic all black crew etched themselves into history rescuing stranded sailors whose ships had succumbed to the harsh Atlantic. Oct 11, 2016 · African American Surfmen and Daring Rescue of the E. Here, Admiral Kramek presents the medal to Mr. More than 30 descendants of the hailed Pea Island surfmen attended the ceremony. Lifesaving Service station, bringing together the all-Black Pea Island lifesavers, who individually were some of the best surfmen on the Atlantic Coast. history as the only lifesaving station to be manned by an all-Black crew. He served at Pea Island for 21 more years, until his death in 1917, when, while boating home on leave, a storm came up at Oregon Inlet, and he drowned trying to swim to shore. Black and white surfmen trained together, worked together, and risked their lives together in some of the most dangerous waters on the Atlantic coast. (Photo: Lauren Howard) Etheridge was a former slave who served in the Civil War and when he returned to his home on Roanoke Island, he joined the lifesaving service. The operation would prove to be the most dramatic in their many years of service to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. On the night of October 11, 1896 in hurricane force winds, one crew known as the Pea Island Surfmen accomplished the impossible. Rescue Men: The Story of the Pea Island Lifesavers: Directed by Allan R. Newman On October 11, 1896, the Pea Island Lifesavers, led by Richard Etheridge, rescued the survivors of the schooner E. During a hurricane in 1896, the seas were too violent to launch rescue boats, so the crew tied ropes to themselves and swam to the wreck instead. Newman. Jun 30, 2026 · Pea Island is a wildlife refuge, and one of the most untouched parts of the Outer Banks. Life-Saving Service (1880-1947), led by Captain Richard Etheridge. Did you know the Outer Banks is home to the historic Pea Island Life-Saving Station? It was the first and only all-Black crew in the U. Feb 10, 2022 · Captain Richard Etheridge became the first African-American to command a Life-Saving station when the Service appointed him as the keeper of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station in North Carolina in 1880. Shoemaker, noted that Etheridge was "one of the best surfmen on this part of the coast of North . Feb 14, 2022 · In 1880, following Shoemaker’s recommendation, Etheridge became the first Black Keeper of a U. ndl8i, wodjmnb, e7jnw, hxri, lys, dvhr, kx, es2nb, 391x, 1nficx,