At about noon, shortly after the return of the crew of the Ocracoke Station (Sixth District) coast of North Carolina, from the Sadie, the lookout reported a schooner heading for the beach, about a mile to the southward and westward of the station. The wind was blowing a gale from the northward, with thick, rainy weather. By the time the boat be got out of the house the schooner struck. The life-saving crew reached her in half an hour, and found she was the schooner General Banks, of Boston, Massachusetts, with a crew of four men, bound from Providence, Rhode Island, to Norfolk, Virginia, in ballast. She had encountered heavy gales on the passage and lost nearly all her sails. In this crippled condition she had been blown far to the leeward of her course, and the captain, finding it impossible to beat back to Cape Henry, determined to beach her. The station-crew made two trips to the vessel in saving the people, with their personal effects and all movable articles possible, and behaved with great gallantry. On the following day (11th) a messenger was dispatched on horseback a distance of eight miles, to telegraph for the assistance of the Baker Salvage company, of Norfolk, and on the 15th the schooner was hauled afloat by the wrecking steamer Resolute and towed to her destination. While the vessel lay ashore her men were cared for at the station, the life-saving crew aiding them in every possible way until they took their departure for Norfolk.
The captain of the General Banks was very grateful for the assistance given him, and sent the following letter to the General Superintendent:
OCRACOKE ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, April 10, 1885
“SIR: I desire to express to you my sincere appreciation of the services rendered this morning to me and my crew on board the stranded schooner General Banks by the keeper and crew of the life-saving station on Ocracoke Island. The schooner General Banks struck on the shoals off Ocracoke Island at 12 M. this day, and, although the weather was densely stormy, in a half hours’ time the surfboat from Ocracoke Island was alongside and offered assistance. I and crew availed ourselves of this timely aid, and we were safely conveyed to the station and everything possible done for our comfort. The station-men have been working all this day in a driving rain-storm and fierce gale of wind, endeavoring to save everything possible from the wreck. I cannot express to you and the public the great benefit I have derived from their assistance, to say nothing of the saving of our lives and the splendid manner in which the life-saving crew have acted. Respectfully, E.E. Norton, Master Schooner General Banks.
The captain of the General Banks was very grateful for the assistance given him, and sent the following letter to the General Superintendent:
OCRACOKE ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, April 10, 1885
“SIR: I desire to express to you my sincere appreciation of the services rendered this morning to me and my crew on board the stranded schooner General Banks by the keeper and crew of the life-saving station on Ocracoke Island. The schooner General Banks struck on the shoals off Ocracoke Island at 12 M. this day, and, although the weather was densely stormy, in a half hours’ time the surfboat from Ocracoke Island was alongside and offered assistance. I and crew availed ourselves of this timely aid, and we were safely conveyed to the station and everything possible done for our comfort. The station-men have been working all this day in a driving rain-storm and fierce gale of wind, endeavoring to save everything possible from the wreck. I cannot express to you and the public the great benefit I have derived from their assistance, to say nothing of the saving of our lives and the splendid manner in which the life-saving crew have acted. Respectfully, E.E. Norton, Master Schooner General Banks.
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