Steamer Kimberley ~ 1 December 1888

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888:

The British steamship, Kimberley, of Port Glasgow, Scotland, from New Orleans, Louisiana, bound to Liverpool, England, by way of Norfolk, Virginia, with a freight valued at half a million dollars, consisting of corn, wheat, and cotton, stranded at quarter past 11 o’clock at night three fourths of a mile south-southeast of Wash Woods Station (Sixth District) coast of North Carolina. She was discovered immediately by the station patrol, who speedily notified the keeper. There were at the time strong northeast winds and high surf, making it impossible to use the boat. The lifesaving crew therefore took the beach apparatus to a point abreast of the vessel, arriving at midnight. They fired the Lyle gun repeatedly, but as the vessel was more than a quarter of a mile from the beach the projectile invariably fell short. The keepers and men of the neighboring False Cape and Currituck Inlet Stations, who had been informed by telephone of the affair, reached the place, ready for service, shortly after 1 o’clock (morning of the (2d). However, nothing further, beyond displaying an occasional signal could be done till daybreak, at which time the firing was resumed, but without success. They signaled to the people on board that it would be necessary to wait for the ebb tide, but a portion of the vessel’s crew soon set out to land in their own boat. The surf was so high, however, that they shortly gave up the attempt and went back on board. On the flood tide the vessel had worked in somewhat nearer the beach, but she was still out of range, as several futile shots from the Lyle gun proved. At low water the lifesavers were enabled to gain a few yards towards the vessel, and a shot at this time struck her side. At the next trial the projectile fell on deck and the whip line and hawser were sent off. About an hour before noon the work of landing began, and twenty four of the men were taken ashore, the breeches buoy making twenty trips. The other seven members of the crew preferred to remain on board. The gear was left set up, maintaining communication with the vessel in case of emergency. The lifesaving crews returned to their respective stations about sunset, well-nigh exhausted by their continued exertions and by lack of food. The rescued men went to the Wash Woods Station, where those who needed it received dry clothing from the supply kept at the station by the Women’s National Relief Association. One man was very sick and was expected to die, but he was provided with medicines from the station chest and after a time rallied and grew better. The following day (3rd) the lifesaving crew landed the baggage belonging to the seamen, and on the night of the 4th the sick man and five others left the station for Norfolk, the British consul having made provision for them. Two days later (6th) five men were landed from the steamer by the breeches buoy, leaving only the captain and chief officer on board. These remained until the 9th, when, with the exception of three who went on board their vessel for duty, they were transferred to a steamer for conveyance to Norfolk. In the meantime the vessel had been placed in the hands of a wrecking company, who were at work discharging her cargo. Many delays were occasioned by storm, and the vessel was not floated until the 26th of January, 1888, at which time she was towed to Norfolk. The damage to the vessel amounted to about one third of her value. Two thirds of the cargo was lost. The station crew conveyed messages and rendered assistance in many ways throughout the time the vessel was ashore. They subsequently received several grateful letters from different member of the crew of the Kimberley. The following is published as an exponent of the esteem in which their services were held:

STEAMSHIP KIMBERLEY,
Norfolk, Virginia, February 28, 1888
“SIR: We, the undersigned, before leaving Norfolk, desire to offer our sincere thanks to you for the many attentions shown us while on the beach off your station, and to testify to the skill with which you and your crew worked the lifesaving apparatus on the occasion of the stranding of this steamer. We would more especially thank you for the care bestowed on the sick until opportunity offered for a removal to hospital. Wishing you every success and hoping you may long be spared to serve in the gallant Service to which you belong. We beg to remain, yours sincerely, J. HIGGINS, Commander, L.A. HARTLEY, Chief Officer.”