Schooner Benjamin Russell ~ 30 March 1903

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903:

Dragged ashore ¾ of a mile SE from station at 5:30 a.m., during a fresh gale with rough sea. The disaster was at once discovered by keeper, and the lifesavers transported beach apparatus alongshore to a point abreast the vessel. The first shot from the Lyle gun fell short, but the schooner soon worked inshore and the second shot reached her, when the crew of five men were safely landed in breeches buoy; the Cape Hatteras surfmen, who had also discovered the wreck, arrived in time to assist in the work of rescue. The shipwrecked men were provided with dry clothing from the stores donated by the Women’ National Relief Association and succored at the station until April 4. Six wreckers were also given shelter on the 3^rd and 4^th. The Russell was floated by the wreckers on April 10, having sustained damage estimated at $200.

CREEDS HILL LIFE-SAVING STATION, NORTH CAROLINA, April 2, 1903

“MY DEAR SIR: I wish to thank the gallant crew of this life-saving station for the able and willing assistance they gave after the stranding of the schooner Benjamin Russell. The work was hard and exposed, owing to the surf running high and wind and rain, which made it very hard to get their line to us, but they worked faithfully, and in twenty minutes after the shot line struck the vessel we all landed safely in breeches buoy. We were brought to the station and given dry clothes and a good warm breakfast, and all are thankful to our preservers for the comfort they so willingly gave. STEPHEN WOOLEY, Master.”