Saturday, March 17, 2012

Schooner Hester A. Seward ~ 6 January 1895

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895:

Sprang a leak at sea and ran for Hatteras Inlet before heavy gale and high seas, but struck on the bar in the breakers and pounded hard, finally working inside, where she sunk; set signal for aid. The accident was seen by the life saving crew, who hurried to the place, 4 miles away, with surf boat, arriving just after the people on board, 6 in number, had been taken off by a pilot skiff that was near by when the casualty occurred. Keeper offer assistance to the crew, who were in the pilot boat, but it was declined. Meanwhile the crew of Durants Station, 6 miles distant, arrived in the sailboat and, at the request of the master, took the ship’s company to his station. They were cared for several days and furnished articles of clothing. The vessel proved a total loss, but a part of her cargo of shingles was saved by the Ocracoke life-saving crew. (See letter of acknowledgement.)

HATTERAS, NORTH CAROLINA, January 6, 1895

SIR: The master and crew of the schooner Hester A. Seward, of Baltimore, MD, who were wrecked at Hatteras Inlet on the above date, wish to express out gratitude and thanks to the keeper and crew of Durant’s Life-Saving Station for the prompt and faithful manner in which they responded in making the effort they did. Had it not been for the pilot boat he would have been of good service to us; but under the circumstances, could not reach us in time, as the pilot boat was on hand, lying in wait to pilot my schooner in. Keeper Burrus met us one-half mile from the wreck, and we were transferred to his boat, taken to Durant’s Station, kindly treated, furnished with dry clothing, and properly cared for. We hope no blame will rest on him or crew, as they did their duty. Yours truly, DIXON YOUNG, Master ; T.D. GRIFFISS, Mate

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