March
22-26. Shortly after 8 o’clock in the evening of the first of these dates, and
just as the north patrol from the Chicamicomico Station, (Sixth District) coast
of North Carolina, and the south patrol from the New Inlet Station met at the
outer limit of their respective beats, a large schooner was observed by them to
emerge from the haze overhanging the ocean and strand a short distance down the
beach. Both patrolmen hurried to a point abreast of the vessel, which was some
four hundred yards off the shore and two miles from the first-mentioned
station, burned several Coston signals, and then hastened away to procure the
assistance of their respective crews. The keeper of the Chicamicomico Station
telephoned the Gull Shoal Station of the disaster, after which he lost no time
in proceeding to the scene with his men, taking the beach apparatus. The
surfmen of the New Inlet Station started out with their surfboat, but, the wind
being strong from the south-southwest and directly in their faces, progress was
exceedingly slow, therefore the boat was soon abandoned and the men hastened
down the beach with all speed, passed the schooner, and continued on to meet
and assist the other crew. Their help proved effective, and all arrived abreast
of the stranded vessel at half-past 9 o’clock. At the second shot, line
communication was established with her. The first shot failed owing to the
distance of the craft from the shore and the size of the line (No. 9) attached
to the projectile. In hauling off the double whip it was fouled so badly by the
strong current running up the beach that it could not be cleared from either
end. A little delay was here occasioned in waiting for the surfboat, for which
men had been dispatched when they were no longer needed for the apparatus cart,
but when it arrived it was at once launched and pulled out far enough to
disentangle the whip and to direct the people on the schooner how to proceed.
The sea was too rough to permit a close approach to the vessel. The gear was
soon in working order, and six sailors were landed, one at a time, by means of
the breeches buoy. It was not half-past 3 o’clock in the morning of the 23d,
and the rescued men were sent to the station. The captain and his two mates—there
were nine, all told, in the crew—remained on board until about 7 o’clock, when,
the sea having quieted sufficiently, the life-savers brought them ashore in the
surfboat and conducted them to the station. The crew from the Gull Shoal
Station reached the scene in time to render considerable assistance. No more
trips could be made to the vessel that day, and the following morning the crews
of the Chicamicomico and New Inlet Stations made two fruitless attempts to
reach her. She was lying amongst the bar breakers off Loggerhead Inlet. Both
life-saving crews were again on the scene early on the 25th, and
three successful trips were made to the wreck. The clothing of the crew, some
small articles of the vessel’s outfit, and two boats were landed. As nothing
more could be done, the surfboat and such of the gear as was yet on the beach
were taken to the station. On the 26th wreckers arrived, assumed
charge of the craft, and, as it was seen that she could not be saved, began to
strip her. The unfortunate vessel was the three-masted schooner Sue Williams,
of and for Richmond, Virginia, with a cargo of phosphate rock from Charleston,
South Carolina. In running up the coast the captain undoubtedly misjudged his
distance off the shore in the squally, hazy weather; hence the disaster Vessel
and cargo proved a total loss. The shipwrecked sailors were cared for at the
Chicamicomico Station until the 28th, but the captain remained with
the life-savers ten days. He gratefully acknowledged the services of the
rescuers of himself and crew in the following letter to the assistant inspector
of life-saving stations, Sixth District:
CHICAMICOMICO,
NORTH CAROLINA, March 27, 1890
“DEAR
SIR: I wish to convey to you my appreciation of the worth of the Life-Saving
Service, as exemplified in the case of the schooner Sue Williams, stranded near
the Chicamicomico Station on the evening of the 22d instant. It was less than
an hour and a half from the time the patrol first signaled us until the
life-savers arrived abreast of the schooner with their beach gear. At the
second shot the projectile passed through the foresail, landing the line right
across the deck. The gear was rigged, and six of my crew were landed before
morning in the breeches buoy. In the meantime, however, the surfboat was
launched and came within speaking distance of us, when she put back, it being
too rough for her to come alongside. At daylight the boat, handled by L.B.
Midgett, jr., keeper of the New Inlet Life-Saving Station, was pulled to the
schooner and the three remaining members of her crew, together with such
clothing as was handy at the time, were taken ashore. For these services I
tender sincere thanks, both for myself and my crew. And for the kindness and
attention we have received while at this station I cannot speak too highly,
having had all, and more, done for us than was asked. In conclusion I must say
that these men are a credit to the Life-Saving Service and should receive the
thanks of the followers of the sea, as well as the commendation of you and
others having in charge this branch of the Government service. Allow me to
thank you, as well as them, for their efficient service. I am, sir, very truly
yours, E.L. Pearce, Late Master of Schooner Sue Williams.”
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